What a start to my Calgary birding adventure. The first full week was packed with action, producing 109 species — a fantastic total for early in the trip. Even better, 45 of those were new for this 2026 Alberta visit, and 34 were yearbirds, pushing my annual list forward with real momentum.
But the true headline of the week was the eight lifers, each one adding a spark of discovery to familiar landscapes. Those eight new species lifted my world tally to 451 and my Canadian count to 166, remarkable milestones for a province I’ve explored twice before.
Swainson's Hawk
a year bird I saw in the first week
The lifers were:
- Calliope Hummingbird (Selasphorus calliope) which I saw on 6th at Mallard Point (Fish Creek)
Arctic Tern - Arctic Tern (Sterna paradisaea) - August 7th at Frank's Lake was a pleasant surprise
- Say's Phoebe (Sayornis saya) - August 3rd at Mallard Point (Fish Creek)
- Horned Lark (Eremophila alpestris) - took me out of province to Brant, Drumheler
- Violet-green Swallow (Tachycineta thalassina)
- Purple Martin (Progne subis) - a flyby also at Brant, Drumheler
- Hermit Thrush (Catharus guttatus) the nemiss
- Vesper Sparrow (Pooecetes gramineus)
It would be wonderful to repeat this level of production in Week 2, but I’m realistic — birding rarely unfolds in identical waves, and I’m not expecting another eight lifers in such a short span. Still, the momentum from Week 1 has set a strong foundation. Calgary’s parks, rivers, and prairie are alive with birds, and the season is still unfolding.
PS: Check here and our Instagram page here, for more images from week 1.
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