Gray-crowned Rosy-Finches / Leucosticte tephrocotis

Needless to say, I am only posting this really poor photo for the record. This is a bird species that I have only ever seen once before, a few years ago, and I may never see it again. This flock was flying fast and in-flight shots were the only option. I will add the previously posted photo from my first sighting in 2008, in a comment box below.

"These birds are locally common from mid-March to October; a few might overwinter.... They can be seen in mountain meadows, alpine tundra, avalanche slopes, roadsides and occasionally towns.... A few of these birds spend winter in Alberta on chinook-warmed slopes and at feeding stations in the foothills, but most leave the province for better climes to the south." From Birds of Alberta by Fisher and Acorn.

"The gray-crowned rosy finch, or gray-crowned rosy-finch, (Leucosticte tephrocotis) is a species of passerine bird in the family Fringillidae native to Alaska, western Canada, and the north-western United States. Due to its remote and rocky alpine habitat it is rarely seen." From Wikipedia.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gray-crowned_rosy_finch

Below, I will add the helpful, detailed report from our leader, Howard Heffler, and the eBird list compiled by Nimali S., with thanks to both of them! Thanks, too, Gail, for the ride all day long - greatly appreciated and enjoyed!

"Thirteen participants met at Assumption School at 8:30 AM and spent the day birding several locations west of Calgary. We first stopped at Jumping Pound pond. There were both species of swan and a few puddle ducks. We made another quick stop at Sibbald ponds where there were six swans. It appeared to be a family of five Trumpeters and one lonely Tundra.

The (apparent) Tundra was all white but had a mostly pink bill. It was being harassed by the others so we concluded (speculated) was a second year bird that still had a pink bill (or maybe a first year bird that had turned white prematurely??). It was smaller than the others and was obviously an outcast. If anyone has any thoughts they would be most welcome.

It was cold and windy at Bow Valley Park and a quick walk on Flowing Waters trail proved fruitless so we moved to the Seebe dam. Again there were a few swans and ducks but the cold winds seemed unfriendly to birds and birders alike. In Exshaw it was still cold and windy and there were few birds. However, a flock of about 45 Gray-crowned Rosy-Finch was the highlight of the day. These are such active birds and their feeding habits are fun to watch as the flock seems to roll forward along the ground as the birds in the back leap-frog the leaders.

The Canmore Visitor Center was an excellent (warm and comfortable) bathroom and lunch stop. Harvie Heights offered a few boreal birds but not as many as hoped for. An interesting note for future planning is that the community prohibits bird feeders until November 1st in an effort to reduce conflicts with bears or cougars.

Thanks to Nimali Seneviratne for keeping track of species and doing the eBird postings. The combined list for the day (including species seen while driving) was:

Snow Goose 1
Canada Goose 63
Trumpeter Swan 37
Tundra Swan 30
American Wigeon 3
Mallard 40
Common Merganser 1
Common Loon 2
Western Grebe 1
Rough-legged Hawk 2
Rock Pigeon 9
Downy Woodpecker 1
Gray Jay 2
Clark's Nutcracker 3
Black-billed Magpie 6
Common Raven 2
Black-capped Chickadee 6
Mountain Chickadee 7
Boreal Chickadee 1 (heard only)
Red-breasted Nuthatch 2
White-breasted Nuthatch 1
Gray-crowned Rosy-Finch 45
White-winged Crossbill 1
House Sparrow 2

Howard Heffler
Calgary"