Nature Calgary

Confederation Park
2018-09-02 08:00 - 13:00 (America/Edmonton) | Rosemont Community Hall, Canada
Meet at Rosemont Community Hall parking Lot, 2807-10th Street NW at 8 am. Located on the west side of 10th Street in Confederation Park. This small urban park can be spectacular for migrating birds. Birders of any level welcome. Leader, Dave Russum, 403-284-4775.

Bird Study Group - September 2018
2018-09-05 19:30 - 21:00 | Cardel Theatre, 180 Quarry Park Blvd SE, Calgary, Alberta, T2C 3G3, Canada
Battles & Bliss: Local Birding Tales
A Photographic Adventure
Avid nature lovers and photographers Marcy and Ray Stader discovered their love for birding through a series of unexpected events. Their presentation, “Battles and Bliss,” showcases some of their most memorable birding encounters in Alberta through photography and video and how it has led to a new passion that follows them to their home in Panama, where they migrate for the winters!

Fungi 101
2018-09-08 09:30 | West Bragg Creek Day Use Area, Alberta, Canada
Everything you always wanted to know about mushrooms.
Searching for fungi of all kinds and points for identification. To get there drive through Bragg Creek townsite along the shopping area, across the bridge, turn left and drive about 9 km to the end of the road to the parking lot. Leader, Karel Bergmann, ph. 403-285-2380, email: lacerta324@gmail.com.

Fungi 101
2018-09-08 09:30 - 12:30 | West Bragg Creek Day Use Area, Alberta, Canada
Fungi 101: Everything you always wanted to know about mushrooms
Searching for fungi of all kinds and points for identification. To get there drive through Bragg Creek townsite along the shopping area, across the bridge, turn left and drive about 9 km to the end of the road to the parking lot. Leader, Karel Bergmann, ph. 403-285-2380, email: lacerta324@gmail.com.

Inglewood Bird Sanctuary
2018-09-15 08:30 - 12:00 | Inglewood Bird Sanctuary, 2425 9 Ave SE, Calgary, Alberta, T2G 4T4, Canada
The Sanctuary is located at 2425 – 9 Ave. SE (From the Deerfoot Trail, take the Blackfoot Trail westbound exit to 19 St. SE, then turn left from this onto 9 Ave.) Meet in the parking lot. Leader: Janet Gill, 403 230-5671

Nature Kids: The Amazing and Talented Beaver
2018-09-15 09:00 - 11:00 | Bow Valley Ranch, 15979 Bow Bottom Trail SE, Calgary, Alberta, T2J 5E8, Canada
Meet at the Bow Valley Ranch (EAST end of Fish Creek Park). Equipped with a toolbox of sharp teeth, fur coat and strong tail, the beaver is an incredible ecosystem engineer and home builder! Join us to discover the amazing adaptations of the beaver, explore its habitat and investigate the role this animal plays in the park. Be sure to dress for the weather and bring your binoculars (optional) as we learn just how amazing beavers are! Please register by contacting Joan Walker, herbiehilda@gmail.com, 403-271-4578 by September 10.

Speaker Series - September 2018
2018-09-19 19:30 - 21:00 | La Cité des Rocheuses, 4800 Richard Rd SW, Calgary, Alberta, T3E 6L1, Canada
Adventures with the earliest amphibious arthropods: human history and ancient ecology
Speaker: Dr. Robert MacNaughton
The earliest evidence of animals leaving the water to move about on land comes from fossilized arthropod trackways in the Cambrian of eastern North America. Such trackways were first recognized and collected in the late 1840s at Beauharnois, near Montreal. The collected trackways made their way to the United Kingdom, to be described by Sir Richard Owen, the anatomist best remembered today for coining the term “dinosaur”. Owen provided detailed, well-illustrated descriptions, and gave the trackways a Linnean name: Protichnites. After that promising start, a complicated history followed, including the loss and eventual rediscovery of the Beauharnois specimens. This talk will trace that history, review some recent work on the earliest landward excursions of animals, and discuss the challenges of studying and classifying the footprints that those creatures left behind.
Robert MacNaughton is a Research Scientist in the Calgary office of the Geological Survey of Canada (GSC). His research focuses on the tectonics, paleontology, and stratigraphic evolution of northwestern mainland Canada. Since his undergraduate days, he has been fascinated by ichnology—the study of fossilized animal behaviour. He has been fortunate to indulge this fascination through studies of the Cambrian “explosion”, early life in the deep seas, and the earliest history of animals on dry land.

Bird East of Calgary (destinations TBD)
2018-09-20 08:00 - 16:30 | Carburn Park, Alberta, Canada
Meet at Carburn Park. From Glenmore Tr, go S at 18 SE to 2nd stoplight, turn right and follow signs to the park. Meet in the parking lot and bring lunch. Anticipated return around 4:30 pm. Registration Required, Leader Andrew Hart, 403-279-5209.

Bird the Irricana Sloughs
2018-09-22 09:30 - 16:00 | Deerfoot City Mall (parking lot), Alberta, Canada
Bird the Irricana Sloughs; Strathmore area,then the Langdon, Chestermere, and, Shepard areas on the return to Calgary. Find migrating shorebirds and songbirds; waterfowl, Raptors, Gulls, and others. The first wave of Fall shorebirding is ending; the second wave is underway. Trip will go until approximately 4:00pm. Bring lunch. Carpooling. The meeting location is the Deerfoot City Mall parking lot west of the buildings there. Deerfoot City Mall is at 64th Ave and Deerfoot. Leader, Terry Korolyk; ph. 403-254-1878.

Bird North Glenmore Park (September 2018)
2018-09-29 09:00 - 12:00 | North Glenmore Park (Parking Lot C)
Meet in parking lot C just W of Rowing Club, accessed from S end of Crowchild Tr SW. (no 37st access). Leader Penny Smith, 403 249-5997

Birding East (or south) of Calgary
2018-09-30 08:00 - 16:30 | Carburn Park, Alberta, Canada
Meet at Carburn Park parking lot. Drive south from Glenmore Trail on 18th Street SE to second stop light, then turn right and follow signs to Carburn Park. Bring lunch. Expect to be back to Calgary by 4:30pm. Leader Howard Heffler, 403-284-2961.

Monthly Elbow River Birding Survey - October 2018
2018-10-01 08:00 - 11:30 | Stanley Park (42 Ave SW), 4011 1a St SW, Calgary, Alberta, T2S 2P5, Canada
Meet Stanley Park, 42 Av SW, just W of Macleod Tr. Walk to Glenmore Reservoir, ride back (3.5 hours). Call leader Gus Yaki, 403-243-2248, to ensure vehicle space for return.

Bird Study Group - October 2018
2018-10-03 19:30 | Cardel Theatre, 180 Quarry Park Blvd SE, Calgary, Alberta, T2C 3G3, Canada
Backyard birding presented by Ken Orich
Born and raised in Lethbridge, Ken returned to live there after retiring in 2008 from the Alberta Government (Forest Service) where he had spent 35 years. Ken is an avid bird watcher, photographer, gardener, writer and wood-worker. He volunteers for the Helen Schuler Nature Centre and is a member of the River Bottom Writers group. Ken will talk about backyard birding and specifically how to design and maintain your yard to be a haven for wild birds.

Fall birding in and east of Calgary
2018-10-06 09:30 - 16:00 | North Glenmore Park (Parking Lot C)
To Chestermere Lake, Weed Lake and other locations for late migrating Songbirds, waterfowl, Raptors, Gulls, and others. Meet at Parking Lot C at North Glenmore Park. Trip will go until approximately 4 P.M. with a mid-trip break. Bring lunch. Carpooling. Leader, Terry Korolyk; ph. 403-254-1878.

Star Night
2018-10-12 18:45 - 21:30 | Shouldice Aquatic Centre (Parking lot near baseball diamond), Alberta, Canada
Meet at the baseball diamond parking area east of the Shouldice Aquatic Centre off of Bowness Road. We will drive out to the Jumping Pound Demonstration Forest on the Sibbald Creek trail. Plan to be back to the city by 9:30 PM. Trip is weather dependent. 10 people maximum. Bring appropriate clothing. Call leader John McFaul to register, 403-289-9517 or president@naturecalgary.com.

Nature Kids Explorer Day Activity: Discovery Walk
2018-10-14 11:00 - 12:30 | Pearce Estate Park, 1440 17A St. S.E., Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Discovery Walk – Seeds and Animals Signs. Come and join us for a fascinating walk through Pearce Estate Park. All that you require is keen eyes, listening ears and lots and lots of curiosity! As space is limited, please register by October 10 to katiedonohue26@gmail.com. Meet at Pearce Estate Park – 1440 17A St. S.E.

Speaker Series - October 2018
2018-10-17 19:30 - 21:00 | La Cité des Rocheuses, 4800 Richard Rd SW, Calgary, Alberta, T3E 6L1, Canada
Can drones help save our bird populations?
Drones: A New Tool for Bird Research and Conservation
The use of small unmanned vehicle systems (UVS; aka drones) is rapidly evolving as wildlife biologists and managers all over the worldadopt them for conducting population surveys, tracking radio-tagged animals, sensing and observing animals in sequestered or dangerous places, mapping and monitoring wild habitats, and deterring poachers. This naturally includes avian species.
In the last ten years, Dr. David Bird and his students and collaborators have experimented with using drones torecord the nest contents of several raptorial bird species nesting in Saskatchewan and Montana, and monitor their respective behavioral responses. They also monitored the abundance of nesting common terns in a colony in New Brunswick, to count seabirds in colonies in Newfoundland and the Arctic, to map breeding habitat of threatened least bitterns near Baie-du-Febvre, Quebec, to detect heat signatures from bird nests, to radio-track songbirds in Montmorency, Quebec, and to disperse nuisance birds such as starlings from vineyards and blueberry crops in British Columbia.
Compared to using manned light airplanes or helicopters, flying drones can be cheaper, greener, less obtrusive, and much safer (the number one source of mortality for wildlife biologists is dying in a plane or helicopter crash!). And more recent research suggests yet another benefit – acquiring more accurate and precise counts of target wildlife. But as Dr. Bird points out in his visual presentation, we still have much to learn before fully embracing this technology.
Speaker: Dr. David Bird
Emeritus Professor of Wildlife Biology and Director of the Avian Science and Conservation Centre of McGill University in Montreal, Quebec. Dr. Bird is a past-president of the Raptor Research Foundation Inc., past-president of the Society of Canadian Ornithologists, an elected Fellow of the American Ornithologists Union, a former member of the Board of Directors of the American Birding Association, an elected member representing Canada on the prestigious International Ornithological Committee, and recently, a member of the Board of Directors of Bird Studies Canada.
https://www.askprofessorbird.com/about-dr-bird

Inglewood Bird Sanctuary - October 2018
2018-10-20 09:00 - 12:00 | Inglewood Bird Sanctuary, 2425 9 Ave SE, Calgary, Alberta, T2G 4T4, Canada

Bird North Glenmore Park - October 2018
2018-10-27 09:00 - 12:00 | North Glenmore Park (Parking Lot C)
Meet in parking lot C just W of Rowing Club, accessed from S end of Crowchild Tr SW. (no 37st access). Leader Janet Gill, 403 230-5671, Bernie Diebolt 403 210-2446

South of Calgary to Pine Coulee Reservoir
2018-10-28 09:30 - 16:30 | Fish Creek Provincial Park (Glenfield parking lot)
Wind your way through the hills south of Calgary to Pine Coulee Reservoir west of Stavely for migrating waterfowl, Raptors, migratory Songbirds, Gulls, and others. There will be a stop at Chain Lakes. Incredible scenery. Meet at the large parking lot at Fish Creek PP Glenfield off Bannister Road in the southeast corner of the Canyon Meadows Dr.-Macleod Tr. Overpass. Bring lunch and camera. Trip will go until approximately 4:30 PM. Carpooling. Leader, Terry Korolyk; ph. 403-254-1878.

Bird Study Group November 2018
2018-11-07 19:30 | Cardel Theatre, 180 Quarry Park Blvd SE, Calgary, Alberta, T2C 3G3, Canada
Antarctic Adventure by Diane Stinson – Always interested in our natural world, Diane started birding in 2012, when she retired. Since then she and her husband, Rob, have been traveling extensively.

Birding in and east of Calgary
2018-11-10 09:30 - 16:00 | Fish Creek Provincial Park – Visitor’s Centre (Bow Bottom parking lot), Alberta, Canada
For late Fall migrants and early winter visitors. Chances for rare and uncommon Gulls and waterfowl form the north; Raptors, Songbirds, and other. Trip will go until approximately 3:30-4:00 P.M.. Bring lunch. Mid-trip break. Carpooling. Meet in the Parking Lot at Fish Creek PP’s Visitor’s Centre on Bowbottom Trail. Leader, Terry Korolyk; ph. 403-254-1878.

Annual Banquet 2018
2018-11-10 18:00 - 22:00 | Irish Cultural Centre, 6452 35 Avenue NW, Calgary, Alberta, T3B 1S6, Canada
Enjoy music and food with the Nature Calgary community at the 2018 Nature Calgary banquet!
Joining us for dinner are The Wardens – a group of three folksingers from Canmore who sing about nature. One of the singers is still an active park warden and the other two members are retired.
Where: Irish Cultural Society (6452 35 Ave NW)
When: November 10, 2018
Time: Cocktails at 6 pm and dinner at 7 pm
Cost: $55 for members, $65 for non-members
Purchase tickets online below or mail a payment to Nature Calgary:
Box 981 Stn. M
Calgary, AB, T2P 2K4
If you have any questions about the banquet, please contact Penny Smith at oban2010mull@hotmail.com.

Speaker Series - November 2018
2018-11-21 19:30 - 21:00 | La Cité des Rocheuses, 4800 Richard Rd SW, Calgary, Alberta, T3E 6L1, Canada
Oceanbridge: Connecting to our oceans and rivers through youth engagement
How the program is engaging youth across Canada to actively participate in waterway and ocean health and education.
Speaker: Hannah Lucas
I grew up in the UK and graduated from Plymouth University with a degree in marine biology and a passion for the natural environment and educating others about it. I moved to Calgary in October, just in time for the winter, and in March was offered a place on the Oceanbridge program. I now also work full time at the zoo.
http://bridge.ocean.org/

Bird North Glenmore Park - November 2018
2018-11-24 09:00 - 12:00 | North Glenmore Park (Parking Lot C)

Bird Votier's Flats in Fish Creek PP
2018-11-25 09:00 - 12:00 | Fish Creek Provincial Park – Votier’s Flats (End of Elbow Drive), Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Take Elbow Drive to the very southern end and follow it to the parking lot. Leader Howard Heffler, 403-284-2961.

Bebo Grove in Fish Creek PP - CANCELLED
2018-11-25 09:00 - 12:00 | Bebo Grove, Fish Creek Provincial Park, 13610 24 St SW, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
This event is cancelled due to the road into Bebo Grove is closed. A new trip is scheduled for the same day – Bird Votier’s Flats in Fish Creek Provincial Park
Take Glenmore Tr SW to 14 St SW. Go S on 14 St to Anderson Rd. Turn right (West) and go to 24 St SW. Turn left (South) and follow it to its end in the parking lot. Leader Howard Heffler, 403-284-2961

Monthly Elbow River Birding Survey - December 2018
2018-12-01 08:30 - 12:00 | Stanley Park (42 Ave SW), 4011 1a St SW, Calgary, Alberta, T2S 2P5, Canada
Meet Stanley Park, 42 Av SW, just W of Macleod Tr. Walk to Glenmore Reservoir, ride back (3.5 hours). Call leader Gus Yaki, 403-243-2248, to ensure vehicle space for return

Nature Kids: “Animals in Winter”
2018-12-02 13:00 - 15:00 | Edworthy Park (west parking lot), 5050 Spruce Dr SW, Calgary, Alberta, T3C 3B2, Canada
Brrr, it’s cold out there! Have you ever wondered what our furry, feathered friends do when the temperatures plunge and sparkling snow flakes make little mountains? And what about insects and amphibians? Join us to learn more about the ingenious ways animals cope with our blustery winter weather. Please come dressed for the weather and note that the park washrooms are closed for the season. Meet at Edworthy Park parking lot at the bottom of the long hill (5050 Spruce Dr SW, Calgary, AB T3C 3B2). This event will be co-led by your chapter leaders, Elizabeth and Joan. Nature Kids Explorer Days are geared to children 4-12 and their families. Families must be members in order to attend this event. Sign up today at http://naturealberta.ca/nature-kids/ (first timers may attend one program for free!)
