Birds of Heritage Pointe

273 bird species have been recorded within 6 mi of the centre of Heritage Pointe (Alberta) since 2010, across 351,554 public observation records shared through GBIF. The most recorded are Mallard, Black-billed Magpie and Northern Flicker.

The records split between backyard birds (56%) and waterbirds (37%), so a feeder in Heritage Pointe sees the familiar Black-billed Magpie, Northern Flicker and Black-capped Chickadee, while Mallard and others turn up on nearby water.

27 birds of prey are on record nearby, including Osprey, Bald Eagle and Swainson's Hawk.

Records peak in May and are lowest in December — about 10.9 times as many in the busiest month. Part of that is birds (migrants and breeding arrivals), part is people: more birders are out in good weather, so treat the curve as activity, not a census.

Black Diamond, 15 mi to the south-west, has fewer species on record (216 against 273). Birds logged far more often around Heritage Pointe than there include Common Goldeneye, Franklin's Gull, Common Merganser and American Wigeon.

At about 3,438 ft above sea level, Heritage Pointe sits higher than most places in Alberta. Spring arrives a little later with height, and feeders matter more in cold snaps — keep a supply of high-fat food going through late winter and early spring.

Daylight runs from 16 h 31 min at midsummer to 7 h 56 min at midwinter here. Sunrise is about 6:43 AM in mid-April and 5:21 AM in late June; the dawn chorus starts 30–60 minutes earlier.

Foods for the most recorded backyard birds here, from our species notes.

• Black-billed Magpie

  Suet · Peanuts · Cracked corn

• Northern Flicker

  Suet · Peanut hearts

• Black-capped Chickadee

  Black-oil sunflower · Suet · Shelled peanuts

• American Robin

  Mealworms · Chopped apple and berries · Suet nuggets

• Common Raven

  Peanuts in the shell · Suet scraps

• Red-winged Blackbird

  Cracked corn · Millet · Sunflower

• Black Diamond15 mi south-west · 216 species
• Turner Valley17 mi south-west · 218 species
• High River19 mi south · 230 species
• Bearspaw24 mi north-west · 265 species
• Strathmore31 mi north-east · 228 species
• Nanton36 mi south · 180 species