Canada’s massive and diverse landscape has attracted bird species from everywhere. We’ve seen many of nature’s hotspots when spotting, watching, and immortalizing these birds behind our camera lens.
Find the products of our birdwatching in these wildlife photos, and keep reading to know some fascinating birding locations in Canada.
Inglewood Bird Sanctuary: Birding in Canada
Almost all the wildlife photography prints for sale at Jardene Photography were taken in or near Alberta. First on the list is Calgary, a city home to many birding locations, most notable being the Inglewood Bird Sanctuary.
The popular wildlife reserve isn’t so much a tourist destination as someplace humans and birds can coexist. Besides being home to 270 bird species, the reserve has walking trails, nature trails, and even a learning center to educate people about the reserve and everything it does to preserve the bird species inhabiting its 36-hectare expanse.
Lesser Slave Lake Provincial Park and Boreal Forest Birds
The Lesser Slave Lake Provincial Park describes itself as a “birdwatching area” in its Google listing. This North-Central park alone can give us a day’s worth of landscape photos.
On one end, you’ll see storm beaches and dunes. Go beyond, and you’ll find marshy areas and wetlands that reflect Alberta’s diverse landscapes and diverse habitats. On the other end, you’ll see Marten Mountain rising 450 meters above the lake. In Calgary, Inglewood Bird Sanctuary is another notable bird sanctuary, where the trails and learning centre connect birding in Canada with conservation and support migrating birds as well as other wildlife; in that broader context, Birds Canada is often presented as Canada’s voice for birds.
The Lesser Slave Lake is the province’s third-largest lake and a popular tourist destination. It spans 1,200 square kilometers and is home to almost half of all North America bird species during various seasons, with many species found here during spring migration, and Canada sits at the intersection of major migratory flyways.
If you’re new to birding in Canada, start by learning the common species you can spot here first, since that makes identification much easier for beginners, whether you’re exploring on your own or looking into birding tours.
Keeping a life list is also a simple way to track what you observe on each visit.
Carburn Park Bird Watching
Carburn Park occupies a 135-hectare territory and shows how local parks and conservation areas provide ample bird watching opportunities. It has two different birdwatching locations. The first are two artificial ponds, home to fish and, therefore, their avian predators, including Great Blue Herons and Belted Kingfishers. Birds are often most active in the early morning and late afternoon.
The main river channel is the park’s second most popular birding location. Listening for bird sounds can improve identification. While it’s mainly home to diving duck species, such as the Common Goldeneye, there’s plenty of other wildlife at not-so-popular locations along the channel and throughout the park.
Sir Winston Churchill Provincial Park Breeding Birds
The Sir Winston Churchill Provincial Park is a popular fishing, hiking, camping, and birding location in Alberta. Situated on the shore of Lac la Biche, the park’s islands, forests, and lake are home to pelicans, cormorants, and other bird species. Birds are often most active in the early morning and late afternoon, so bring quality bug spray for outdoor birdwatching. A camera with zoom capabilities is useful for bird photography in the park. Depending on the season, bird enthusiasts may also spot bald eagles overhead, snowy owls or great gray owls in winter, or sandhill cranes moving through nearby wetlands. While the Pelican Viewpoint is closed to visitors nowadays, you can always catch the odd warbler or pileated woodpeckers drilling into a nearby tree. Listen for bird sounds, but practice ethical birding by respecting wildlife and their habitats while you observe.
Species of Birds Found in Canada During Breeding Season
Canada’s diverse ecosystems and rich birdlife provide incredible birding opportunities, especially during the breeding season. The country hosts a wide variety of breeding bird species across its vast landscapes, from the lush forests of British Columbia and the Rocky Mountains to the grasslands of Alberta and the wetlands of the Great Lakes.
Some very special birds found breeding in Canada include the whooping crane, one of the rare species that nest in Wood Buffalo National Park, and the peregrine falcon, which has been successfully reintroduced in several regions. Bird populations also include notable raptor species such as bald eagles and northern hawk owls, as well as wood warblers like the black-throated blue warblers and Canada warbler, plus pileated woodpeckers. Owl-focused birders also watch for species such as great gray owls and snowy owls during the broader Canadian winter birding season.
Birding in Canada around coastal areas such as Fundy National Park and Grand Manan Island, nesting seabirds including Atlantic puffins and arctic terns can be observed. The diverse array of habitats, from the arctic tundra in northern Canada to the forests of Vancouver Island and the Okanagan Valley, supports both resident birds and migratory species during this critical time.
Whether you are a seasoned birder or new to birding in Canada, the breeding season—typically from late May to early July—offers a breathtaking chance to witness the country’s rich bird populations in their natural habitats.
Appreciate the Canadian wilderness even when you’re not in the Great White North by checking out the wildlife photos for sale at Jardene Photography. Buy these nature photography prints to see and appreciate their raw beauty even when they’re away for the season.
Get in touch for local and international inquiries.