First Signs of Spring 2019 – A Calgary Birding Album

Spring is finally here again in Calgary and the waterfowl have wasted no time in making their way to the now largely ice-free ponds and waterways of the city…

Living up to their name, one of the most abundant ducks is the Common Goldeneye and this time of year I typically see lone females surrounded by two or more drakes vying for her attention as they flip their heads back in the courtship display:

Drakes will often try to chase off their rivals, sending them scurrying off to another pond:

Leaving the hen to mate with the drake she has chosen:

Other waterfowl are beginning to pair up as well, such as the Common Merganser:

A drake Merganser

A hen Merganser

Once again, the females being the focus of a number of drakes’ attention, and who can blame them when they have great hair-dos like this?:

It certainly sends the drakes bee-lining in the hens’ direction!:

American Wigeons were also to be found, though in lower numbers than I expected:

As in previous springs, I always hope to find some Hooded Mergansers and this year I was very happy to find a couple of pairs, including one drake that swam by briefly for some close up looks at that fantastic head plumage:

Although the majestic Wood Duck drake certainly gives the Hoodie some serious competition in the fanciest feathers department:

However, it would be remiss of me not to capture a shot of the big, honking (literally!) Canada Goose that seem to take over the city in the spring:

And last, but not least, the very welcome sight of an American Robin – the true harbinger of our spring!