Evening Grosbeaks, male and female

Interesting information on bird species numbers, as given by our main Naturalist, Gus Yaki:

--Within Fish Creek Provincial Park there have been just over 200 species recorded ... 207 is the latest count.

--Within the Calgary city limits, in the year 2000, 257 species were recorded.

--Within the Calgary city limits, in the year 2010, after increasing land area by 20 %, 262 species were recorded.

--Within a 50-mile (80 km) radius of the Louise or 10th St Bridge over the Bow River, in the immediate Calgary area, there are just over 300 species. In a friendly competition completed in 2005, 295 species were seen.

--In Alberta, just over 400 species have been seen.

--In Canada, about 550 species have been noted.

--In North America, i.e., USA & Canada north of the USA-Mexico border, there have been about 950 species observed.

--On this tiny blue speck in the Universe called planet Earth, there currently are about 10,000 species of birds.

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On 20 May 2017, part of the morning was spent at our friend, Barb's, acreage, SW of Calgary, enjoying the variety of birds that visit her property. Thanks so much, Barb, as always, for letting us visit you. Such a joy to see birds like the handsome male Rose-breasted Grosbeak and the Evening Grosbeaks. Though feeder shots are not my favourites, I will gratefully take anything I can get, especially as I don't see Evening Grosbeaks very often.

We then drove the various roads SW of the city, as far south as Turner Valley, hoping to see a few birds. Beautiful scenery in the whole area. In Turner Valley, we called in to see another mutual friend and watch the birds that visited her tiny, but beautifully and thoughtfully designed, back deck. Thanks so much for having us, Jackie - and for the most welcome coffee! - especially at such very short notice!

On my way home from this enjoyable day out, I drove a few back roads, looking for any Mountain Bluebirds. Not much luck, though I did see one pair close to their nest box.