Mallard pair at Mallard Point

This photo was taken yesterday morning, 10 March 2015, when I went on a birding walk with friends at Mallard Point in Fish Creek Park. Sad to see all the damage caused by the last devastating flood. This bridge over the river has been repaired and there was a short stop to check out the river for birds. Every year, I tell myself that I must photograph more of the water fowl, as most of my photos are quite old. Each year, I don't seem to do it. It was sunny and calm during the almost three-hour walk, with a temperature of 2C to 11C.

The list, compiled by leader Gus Yaki, is below - I turned back before the furthest destination, so missed some of the birds, such as the Pheasant and Northern Goshawk:

1. Canada Goose-150
2. AMERICAN WIGEON-6
3. Mallard-100
4. Bufflehead-70
5. Common Goldeneye-80
6. Common Merganser-1 m.
7. Ring-necked Pheasant-1 m.
8. Bald Eagle-2+ (1 ad/1 imm+, - 4 sightings).
9. Northern Goshawk-1 m.
10. RING-BILLED GULL? – 2 Sightings
11. Rock Pigeon-3
12. Belted Kingfisher-1 heard.
13. Downy Woodpecker-6+
14. Hairy Woodpecker-2
15. Northern Flicker-25
16. Blue Jay-4
17. Black-billed Magpie-10
18. American Crow-1
19. Common Raven-10+
20. Black-capped Chickadee-15
21. White-breasted Nuthatch-1
22. AMERICAN ROBIN-4
23. European Starling-30+
24. House Finch-2+
25. House Sparrow-20+

After the walk, I called in to see one of the owls at the east end of Fish Creek Park. Took me a little while, but, just before I was about to give up, I found her on her nest. All you can see is her head or part of it, if that.