BIRD OBSERVATIONS FROM THE MCLEOD RIVER AND ITS HEADWATER TRIBUTARIES,

KENNETH G. WRIGHT 6090 Blink Bonnie Road, West Vancouver, BC V7W 1V8

Here, I report on breeding birds kilometers east of , observed while conducting field work on this unique arctic-like setting is planned the upper McLeod River system (52° 56’ to be developed as a large-scale coal N, 117° 17’ W) and associated mine (Cardinal River Coals Ltd.). headwater tributaries during the period 18-23 June 1998. Bounded by Cardinal Forty-three species were observed, of Divide to the south, the study area which thirty-two (74%) were passerines. includes the McLeod River to its junction Three species (Cliff Swallow, Hirundo with and the pyrrhonota, American Dipper, Cinclus headwater tributaries: Harris Creek, mexicanus, Wilson’s Warbler, Wilsonia Unamed “J” Creek (immediately pusilla) were confirmed breeding with northwest of Harris Creek), and the discovery of active nests (details Thornton and Cheviot Creeks. Sightings below). from a brief visit to an alpine plateau below Cheviot Mountain are also The species accounts that follow are presented here. Situated a few in taxonomic order (American

Figure 1 - Breeding Harlequin Duck habitat, Harris Creek and McLeod River confluence, Alberta, June 1998. Kenneth G. Wright

78 Blue Jay Ornithologists’ Union 1998). An asterisk occasions winnowing near the McLeod (*) precedes the common name of River / Harris Creek confluence. Also species confirmed breeding. Number flushed from wet meadows west of of records for each bird species is listed Thornton Creek. Maximum of 3 as one, two or multiple observations individuals observed at one site. (>2). A short description of habitat and Great Horned Owl (Bubo virginianus). other relevant notes are included. One record. Observed at dusk near Thornton Creek flying over the upper Harlequin Duck (Histrionicus McLeod River (18 June). histrionicus). Multiple obs. Females Three-toed Woodpecker (Picoides seen using Harris Creek, Unnamed “J” tridactyla). Two records. Upper Cheviot Creek, and the McLeod River adjacent Creek area in mature spruce forest. to Prospect Creek, upstream of Northern Flicker (Colaptes auratus). Prospect Creek and upstream of Multiple obs. Thornton Creek, and especially the Pileated Woodpecker (Dryocopus Harris Creek confluence area (Fig. pileatus). One record. Thornton Creek. 1 )(Wright 1998). This species is known Olive-sided Flycatcher (Contopus for its significant breeding population in borealis). One record. Heard calling the area (MacCallum 1997, MacCallum on the dry, west-facing slope of Mt. and Bugera 1998). Harris, among old burned spruce snags Common Merganser (Mergus (21 June). mergansei). Two records. Male seen at Dusky Flycatcher (Empidonax the Harris Creek / McLeod River oberholseri). Multiple obs. This species confluence. A female on the McLeod is confined mainly to the Rocky River adjacent to Prospect Creek was Mountain Foothill regions of Alberta also observed (23 June). (Semenchuk 1992). Northern Harrier (Circus cyaneus). Two Horned Lark (Eremophila alpestris). records. An adult male was seen One record. Three individuals sighted carrying a small mammal over lower on alpine plateau east of Cheviot Harris Creek (22 June) - possibly nest Mountain (22 June). provisioning. Gray Jay (Perisoreus canadensis). Northern Goshawk (Accipitergentilis). Multiple obs. One record. I heard a bird calling in Common Raven (Corvus corax). dense spruce (Picea spp.) above a Multiple obs. settling pond in Cheviot Creek. Possibly *Cliff Swallow (Hirundo pyrrhonota). nesting. Multiple obs. Locally common at vehicle Golden Eagle (Aquila chrysaetos). One bridge at McLeod River and Harris record. Immature circling over Harris Creek where a nesting colony was Creek, approximately 0.5 km upstream present. Maximum count: > 50 of McLeod River (23 June). Repeatedly individuals. mobbed by a male Northern Harrier. Boreal Chickadee (Parus hudsonicus). Spotted Sandpiper (Actitis macularia). One record. Cheviot Creek. Multiple obs. Seen daily on specific *American Dipper (Cinclus stretches of the McLeod River and mexicanus). Multiple obs. Frequently Harris and Thornton Creeks. Usually on observed near the confluence of Harris creek banks and gravel bars, however Creek and McLeod River. Nest located some use of upland habitats in Harris under crossing over McLeod River, 50 Creek was noted. m upstream of Harris Creek. Birds seen Common Snipe (Gallinago gallinago). making provisioning trips up Harris Multiple obs. Heard on several Creek, unnamed “J” Creek and

57(2). June 1999 79 Thornton Creek. Favoured fast-flowing Tennessee Warbler (Vermivora reaches with some exposed instream peregrina). Multiple obs. Fairly common cobbles. Dippers are confined to the in tall willow openings in spruce forest Rocky Mountain and Foothills regions near Prospect Creek. (Semenchuk 1992). Yellow-rumped Warbler (Dendroica Ruby-crowned Kinglet (Regulus coronata). Multiple obs. calendula). Multiple obs. Cardinal Northern Waterthrush (Seiurus Divide and Cheviot Creek. noveboracensis). One record. Mountain Bluebird (Sialia currucoides). *Wilson’s Warbler (Wilsonia pusilla). One record. A male observed at Multiple obs. Most common warbler. Cardinal Divide (20 June). Particularly abundant in the dwarf birch/ Gray-cheeked Thrush (Catharus willow habitat along streams (Fig. 2). A minimus). Two records. One singing nest containing 5 eggs was found (21 male 18 June in tall willow (Salix spp.) June) on the ground below a small (<30 on south side of McLeod River cm high) Engelmann Spruce (Picea approximately 1.5 km east of Prospect engelmanni). The nest was located Creek. Another record of 2-3 birds approximately 100 m up Thornton Creek singing in tall willow on the lower reach and was facing east. Female observed of Cheviot Creek (22 June). This incubating at 1130 hours on 22 June. species is mainly a migrant in Alberta This species is an abundant breeder in (Salt and Salt 1976, Semenchuk 1992) the Rocky Mountain region (Semenchuk however, they have been documented 1992). singing during the breeding season in Western Tanager (Piranga the Rockies at Amethyst Lake, Jasper ludoviciana). One record. Cheviot National Park (Van Tighem and Holroyd Creek. 1981) and Lake Louise, Banff National Chipping Sparrow (Spizella Park (McNicholl 1985). No definite passerina). Multiple obs. Fairly breeding records exist for Alberta, common in spruce forest. however these observations and those Clay-coloured Sparrow (Spizella reported from the Caribou Mountains pallida). Multiple obs. of northern Alberta (Hohn and Burns Brewer’s Sparrow (Spizella breweri 1975, Hohn and Marklevitz 1974) taverneri). Multiple obs. This strongly suggest that localized breeding subspecies, formerly designated as a occurs. unique species (Timberline Sparrow) is Swainson’s Thrush (Catharus confined to the Rocky Mountain Parks ustulatus). One record. Cheviot Creek. and adjacent mountain habitats Hermit Thrush (Catharus guttatus). (Semenchuk 1992). Little is presently One record. Cheviot Creek. known about its distribution in Alberta. American Robin (Turdus migratorius). Savannah Sparrow (Passerculus One record. sandwichensis). Multiple obs. At least Varied Thrush (Ixoreus naevius). One two individuals observed at Harris Creek record. One bird heard (22 June) in / McLeod River confluence. spruce draw above Cheviot Creek Fox Sparrow (Passerella iliaca). settling pond. Distribution is primarily Multiple obs. in the Rocky Mountain and Foothills Lincoln’s Sparrow (Melospiza lincolnii). regions (Semenchuk 1992). Multiple obs. American Pipit (Anthus rubescens). Golden-crowned Sparrow (Zonotrichia One record. Three individuals on alpine atricapilla). One record. Treeline on plateau east of Cheviot Mountain (22 upper Cheviot Creek. Distributed June). primarily in the Rocky Mountain region

80 Blue Jay (Semenchuk 1992). (MacCallum 1997). Harlequin Ducks White-crowned Sparrow (Zonotrichia are presently considered “Yellow listed” leucophrys). Multiple obs. Very (species of management concern; common in dwarf birch (Betula Anonymous 1996) in Alberta and recent glandulosa) and willow meadows concerns over a possible declining throughout the upper McLeod area. population in British Columbia have Likely the most common passerine in stimulated several population studies. the study area. The Northern Goshawk observed giving Dark-eyed Junco (Junco hyemalis). a territorial call in Cheviot Creek may Multiple obs. Fairly common in spruce have been nesting in the spruce forest forest and edge habitats. there. Northern Goshawks are not White-winged Crossbill (Loxia currently designated at risk in Alberta, leucoptera). One record. Male seen however the subspecies A. g. laingi is flying at treeline on upper Cheviot Creek. considered threatened (Red list) in American Goldfinch (Carduelis tristis). neighbouring British Columbia (Fraser One record. Harris Creek. and Cannings 1998). Little is known on the breeding distribution of the Gray¬ A rich avifauna (43 species) was cheeked Thrush and Brewer’s Sparrow observed in the upper McLeod River and in Alberta and the paucity of such associated tributaries during the period records indicates a small population and 18-23 June 1998. This area contains patchy occurrence. elements suitable for several species with a limited and patchy distribution. In At present, a large-scale open pit coal particular, the area supports a significant mine development is imminently Harlequin Duck breeding population, planned for the area, threatening many estimated at 58 ± 7 individuals of the region’s unique birds and habitats.

Figure 2 - Wilson’s Warbler habitat, Harris Creek, Alberta, June 1998. Kenneth G. Wright.

57(2). June 1999 81 Further work is urgently required to 6. MacCALLUM, B. 1997. Abundance, document the breeding status of the distribution, and life history of Harlequin region’s unique avifauna, in particular Ducks (Histrionicus histrionicus) in the nesting confirmation for the Gray¬ McLeod River and adjacent streams of cheeked Thrush and Brewer’s Sparrow. the Alberta Foothills. Prepared for Cardinal River Coals, Alberta Wildlife Acknowledgements Management, Canadian Wildlife Service and Jasper National Park. Bighorn I thank Andy Miller for his Environmental Design Ltd., Hinton, observations and expertise while doing Alberta. field work. Martin K. McNicholl and Michael I. Preston kindly provided useful 7. MacCALLUM, B., AND M. BUGERA. references. Michael I. Preston critically 1998. Harlequin Duck use of the reviewed the manuscipt. Funding for McLeod River Watershed: 1997 this work was provided by the Canadian Progress Report for the Cheviot Parks and Wilderness Society and the Harlequin Duck Study. Prepared for Canadian Nature Federation. Cardinal River Coals, Alberta Wildlife Management and Canadian Wildlife Literature Cited Service. Bighorn Environmental Design Ltd., Hinton, Alberta. 1. AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGISTS’ UNION. 1998. Check-list of North 8. McNICHOLL, M.K. 1985. Singing American Birds: Seventh Edition. Gray-cheeked Thrush at Lake Louise, Lawrence, Kansas. 829 pp. Alberta. Alberta Naturalist 15: 10-11.

2. ANONYMOUS. 1996. The status of 9. SALT, W.R. AND J.R. SALT. 1976. Alberta wildlife. Alberta Environmental The birds of Alberta. Queen’s Printer, Protection, Natural Resources Service, Edmonton. 498 pp. Edmonton, Alberta. 10. SEMENCHUK, G.P. (editor). 1992. 3. FRASER, D.F., AND S.G. The atlas of breeding birds of Alberta. CANNINGS. 1998. 1998 Red and Blue Federation of Alberta Naturalists, lists for Amphibians, Reptiles, Birds, and Edmonton. 391 pp. Mammals. Wildlife Branch, Ministry of Environment, Lands and Parks, Victoria, 11. VAN TIGHEM, K. AND G.L. B.C. HOLROYD. 1981. A Birder’s Guide to Jasper National Park. Alberta Nat. 4. HOHN, E.O., AND R.D. BURNS. 11:134-140. 1975. A reconnaissance of the birds and mammals of the Caribou Mountains, 12. WRIGHT, K. G. 1998. Observations Alberta. Blue Jay 33(2): 73-83. of breeding Harlequin Ducks in the upper McLeod River, Alberta. Report to 5. HOHN, E.O., AND P. MARKLEVITZ. Canadian Parks and Wilderness 1974. Noteworthy summer observations Society. of birds in the Caribou Mountains, Alberta. Can. Field Nat. 88(1): 77-78.

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