Tree Swallows at C.W. Scott Viewing Site at Slack Slough - Red Deer, Alberta
Posted by: 
wildwoodke
N 52° 12.012 W 113° 48.421
12U E 308176 N 5787019
This sign provides information with respect to tree swallows that might utilize nesting boxes and tree hollows found in habitat in the area of Red Deer, Alberta.
Waymark Code: WME9P2
Location: Alberta, Canada
Date Posted: 04/23/2012
Views: 1
The following two paragraphs are from Wikipedia with respect to the Tree Swallow and its habitat requirements (See: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tree_Swallow).
"The Tree Swallow, Tachycineta bicolor averages 13.5 cm (5 inches) long and weighs about 20 g. The bill is tiny. The adult Tree Swallow has iridescent blue-green upperparts, white underparts, and a very slightly forked tail. The female usually has duller colours than the male, often more greenish than the more bluish male. The juvenile plumage is dull grey-brown above and may have hint of a gray breast band.
Tree Swallows nest in natural or artificial cavities near water and are often found in large flocks. They readily use nest boxes, including those built for bluebirds. Declines in cavity-builder populations are resulting in fewer natural nesting sites for Tree Swallows, although the swallow population remains healthy."
The Canadian Wildlife Service provides information on Tree Swallow population numbers and trends at: http://www.cws-scf.ec.gc.ca/mgbc/trends/index.cfm?lang=e&go=info.bird&speciesid=6140&provid=4&sort=e
The C.W. Scott viewing area provides great opportunties to see Tree Swallow hunting for insects, primarily mosquitos in proximity to Slack Slough.
The viewing site is named after Charles Walter (Chuck) Scott a conservation officer with Alberta Fish and Wildlife. The text from the plaque at the viewing platform describes Chuck as follows:
Charles Walter (Chuck) Scott
1936 - 1992
This site is dedictated to the memory of C.W.(Chuck)Scott
A Fish and Wildlife Officer in the Province of Alberta for 32 years.
Chuck is remembered as a professional in his duty, a keen naturalist and an exceptional birder. His sincere personal dedication to our natural resources was generously shared with all he met. Committed to family, consciention in preseravation of wildlife and valued by many firends, the impact of his life long contribution remains.
The Alberta Fish and Wildlife Officers Association - 1986
The site has parking with a small gravel path walkway to a viewing platform. The whole slough can be viewed from this location, particularly with a good set of binoculars. There are interpretive signs on two sides of the platform to assist in bird and feature identification.
The parking area is relatively small but 10 vehicles should be able to park here in dry conditions.
Some of the best times to stop here are during the spring and fall as this slough is on a major migratory bird path. Swans, geese, ducks, etc. can be expected throughout the migration period. The area has a lot of suitable nesting habitat and as a result some bird will take up residence throughout the summer.