I thought that 20, possibly 25 birds could be seen on this trip at most. After all, most species had already head south, especially in the Rocky Mountains, where the weather is generally cooler. But a total of 30 species were seen, not bad at all for this time of year.

October 6: As we entered into the park, typical roadside birds began to show up, such as Common Raven, American Crow, and Black-billed Magpie. Talbot Lake had few species of waterfowl on it, with only Bufflehead and Mallard being spotted. After checking into the downstairs suite we were staying at, a brief look at the yard gave us sightings of several Mountain Chickadees and a few American Robins. We started out quickly in the afternoon, going for a bike ride on Trail #7, which started at Old Fort Point. The trail was reletively quiet, and the only new birds seen were a few Pine Siskins and Gray Jays. However, one of the bikes broke down near a bridge by Maligne River. One group (including me) stayed behind, while the other group went to get the truck. While waiting, an American Dipper was spotted feeding on the river. Dark-Eyed Juncos fed near the parking lot, and the coniferous woods near the bridge held Brown Creeper and some quick-moving Golden-crowned Kinglets. A late Red-tailed Hawk was also spotted along the convergence of the Maligne and Athabasca Rivers, apparently a rarity at this time of year. After we made it home, two more birds were seen in town: a single Bohemian Waxwing and some House Sparrows.

October 7: Some early chores in town allowed us to see Ruby-crowned Kinglets near the Information center, as well as a single Red-breasted Nuthatch. We left Jasper and headed east along the Celestine Fire road, where we were going to do a hike to the Celestine and Princess Lakes. Along the way, we flushed a single Spruce Grouse. After we parked the car and started on the hike, a single female Cooper's Hawk flew over the Snake Indian River. Black-capped Chickadees were common in the aspen poplar forests along the trail. Princess Lake held some Barrow's Goldeneyes, as well as a few Buffleheads. Celestine Lake had no waterfowl, but a juvenile Three-Toed Woodpecker was seen in the forest by the lake. After returning to the car, we headed home, and no new birds were seen for the rest of the day.

October 8: Again, more new species were seen in town, a flock of five Canada Geese feeding in a school field, and a large flock of Rock Doves. The town of Jasper seemed like the best place for birds in the whole park! The hike today was the Watchtower, a trail that starts on the Maligne Lake Road and eventually ends up meeting with the Skyline, another long trail. The subalpine forest on the mountain held few birds at this time of year, with only Boreal Chickadees being seen in the lower areas. Once we got into the upper subalpine areas however, we flushed several Spruce Grouse and a single Blue Grouse. The Watchtower Creek Valley, an open plain near the top of the mountain, had a few late Fox Sparrows. Little except several grouse were seen on the way back.

October 9: Our last day here, most of the morning was spent shopping in Jasper, where a Downy Woodpecker and a large flock of Bohemian Waxwings were seen. On the actual trip home, A few American Coots, along with some Canada Geese, Mallard, Bufflehead, and Barrow's Goldeneye, were spotted.

Other Animals: Many American Elk, Mule Deer, and Bighorn Sheep, as well as a Coyote and some Red Squirrels. A Western Toad was seen at Celestine Lake. Tracks of Moose, Black Bear, Wolf, Short-Tailed Weasel, Deer Mouse, and Snowshoe Hare were seen as well.