The Heritage tree at Carburn Park

This photo was taken two mornings ago, on 14 April 2016, when I was on a walk with friends in Carburn Park. I almost didn't bother to go on this walk, as it was such a gloomy, overcast morning, along with an occasional bit of light drizzle. I took this quick shot for a friend, who thought it might be a nice tree for a painting. This photo shows the challenge to photographers. Most of the birds are always on the far side of the river!

This old tree, along the bank of the Bow River at Carburn Park, is a Heritage tree, dating from 1907. It is included in the book, "Heritage Trees of Alberta". It has a plaque (just out of sight on the right hand side of the image) designating it as a Heritage tree. It now has a wire cage around its base, to protect it from the busy Beavers in the area, who cause so much damage to trees.

www.chapters.indigo.ca/en-ca/books/heritage-trees-of-albe...

The large group divided into three smaller groups, and each group didn't necessarily see every species on our main leader's final list. The list is long, but it might just give someone an idea of what is being seen at that park at the moment. Also helps to jog my own memory.

"FFCPPSoc. Spring Birding, Carburn Park, Calgary, 0915-1215, Thu 14Apr2016. Cloudy, light sprinkle, N wind 15 kph. 4 – 8°C. Combined results of three groups.

Canada Goose-70
Wood Duck-2
American Wigeon-8
Mallard-50
GREEN-WINGED TEAL-5
Common Goldeneye-40
Common Merganser-128
OSPREY-1
Bald Eagle-2 ad..
Sharp-shinned Hawk-1
COOPER’S HAWK-1
RED-TAILED HAWK-3+
Merlin-1
FRANKLIN’S GULL-15
Ring-billed Gull-30+
California Gull-1
Herring Gull-6+
Rock Pigeon-1
Downy Woodpecker-8
Hairy Woodpecker-1, excavating nest cavity
Northern Flicker-12
Black-billed Magpie-10
American Crow-2
Common Raven-2
TREE SWALLOW-2500+
NORTHERN ROUGH-WINGED SWALLOW-1
Black-capped Chickadee-8.
Red-breasted Nuthatch-4, excavating nest.
White-breasted Nuthatch-1
RUBY-CROWNED KINGLET-3
American Robin-60
European Starling-100+
Bohemian Waxwing-10
SONG SPARROW-2
Dark-eyed Junco-2
Red-winged Blackbird-3
House Finch-3
RED CROSSBILL-4+
White-winged Crossbill-1+
Pine Siskin-2
House Sparrow-12

Eastern Gray Squirrel-3
Muskrat-2
JUMPING MOUSE sp.-1"