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Friday, February 10, 2012

Canada Geese in the Morning

I have a like/dislike attitude toward our huge coal-fired power generating station.  It is dirty and polluting (although, to be fair, a lot of emission controls have been put in place).  But, happily for a birder....water from the adjacent reservoir is used for cooling, and the returning hot water keeps part of the reservoir ice-free all Winter.  Believe me, it makes birding in the frozen prairies a lot more interesting during the cold, short days from December to April!

My 'usual' birding route takes me down Fisherman's Road and over to the hot water outflow and the bays and channels nearby.

This is the flood channel between Boundary and Rafferty reservoir.


On the other side...more geese, and a couple Mallards flying


There was quite a racket of honking going on.


There are 10,000-15,000 Canadas on Boundary during the winter, along with 5,000 or more Mallards  (low estimates).


Sometimes I see Hooded Mergansers, usually Common Goldeneyes, a Lesser Scaup or two, Ring-necked Ducks and the occasional Redhead.  There's a Ruddy Duck staying the winter this year as well. 

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