Downy Woodpecker

All three photos that I've uploaded today were taken yesterday morning, on a birding walk in North Glenmore Park and Weaselhead as far as the green, metal bridge. No sign of the sun until our walk was over. When I opened my front door, I realized just how gloomy it was outside, with dark grey clouds filling the sky. Temperature was 3C to 5C. Far from a good day to take photos, but we were still quite lucky with the bird and mammal species we saw. I had to brighten all three photos, but when I see them this morning, they all still look rather dark - and I think I'm too tired to brighten them more.

We split into three groups, going in different directions, but still eventually covering the same locations. My group looked out over the Glenmore Reservoir and then drove through the park to the Crowchild Stormwater Ponds. After we returned to the main parking lot, we walked down into Weaselhead, crossing the green, metal bridge, and then walked back up the long hill.

This little Downy Woodpecker male was feeding on the same log as the Least Chipmunk - along with an American Tree Sparrow, a Blue Jay that flew down just once, and a little Red Squirrel who had so much fun leaping backwards and forwards acoss an enormous puddle. I don't think we'd ever seen a Squirrel act quite that way before.

I will add the list of species compiled by our leaders:

Canada Goose-40
Trumpeter Swan-25
American Wigeon-3.
Mallard-20
Green-winged Teal-1 m(ale).
Bufflehead-1
Common Goldeneye-50
Common Merganser-80
Bald Eagle-1, imm(ature) unsuccessfully trying to capture a Common Goldeneye.
Northern Goshawk-1
Ring-billed Gull-50
California Gull? - 4
Herring Gull-2+
Great Horned Owl-2
Downy Woodpecker-4
Northern Flicker-7+. 5 in Wslhd parking lot, landing on utility pole.
Blue Jay-9, in one group at parking lot
Black-billed Magpie-12
American Crow-8
Common Raven-2
Black-capped Chickadee-30
Red-breasted Nuthatch-7
White-breasted Nuthatch-2
American Robin-5+
American Tree Sparrow-3
Dark-eyed (Slate-colored) Junco-3
House Finch-4
White-winged Crossbill-50+
Common Redpoll-1
Pine Siskin-30
American Goldfinch-1 heard.

Coyote-1
Red Squirrel-2
Eastern Gray Squirrel-1, with lots of rufous on ears, neck and legs, suggestive of Fox Squirrel.
Least Chipmunk-3
Snowshoe Hare-1

After the walk, friend Sandy and I went for lunch at a nearby cafe. A savoury crepe and welcome coffee really hit the spot. Great to get the chance to chat with you and catch up on news, Sandy!