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Copyright © 2010 Red Deer River
Naturalists
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Plants and Animals in the Red Deer River Basin Thousands of species make their home in the Red Deer River Basin. Many of
the birds are migratory. Fortunately, in the winter months, several species
arrive in the area from their summer homes in the north.
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Plants: in
the Red Deer River Basin are as varied as the many habitats available to
support them. Species found in the high montane to the badlands can be seen
ranging from very common to rare. For the non-expert plant viewer, we can
recommend:
| Johnson, Kershaw, MacKinnon,
Pojar: Plants of the Western Boreal Forest and Aspen Parkland,
Lone Pine Publishing, 1995 |
| Kershaw, Gould, Johnson,
Lancaster: Rare Vascular Plants of Alberta, University of
Alberta Press, 2001 |
| Royer, France and Dickenson,
Richard: Plants of Alberta, Lone Pine Publishing, 2007 |
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Insects:
No one knows how many insect species can be found in
the Red Deer River Basin. New ones are constantly being discovered.
There are many excellent references for identifying our insects.
Some are:
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Acorn, John: Bugs of Alberta,
Lone Pine Publishing,
2000 |
| Acorn, John:
Ladybugs of Alberta: Finding the Spots and
Connecting the Dots,
2007 |
| Acorn, John: Butterflies of Alberta,
Lone Pine Publishing
2007 |
| Acorn, John: Tiger Beetles of
Alberta: Killers on the Clay, Stalkers on the Sand,
University of Alberta Press, 2001 |
| Acorn, John: Damselflies of
Alberta: Flying Neon Toothpicks in the Grass,
University of Alberta Press, 2004 |
| Bercha, R. Insects of Alberta:
http://www.insectsofalberta.com/, 2003 |
| Royal Alberta Museum: Bug Facts,
http://www.royalalbertamuseum.ca/natural/insects/bugsfaq/bugsfaq.htm
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| Thormin, Terry: Insects and Spiders of
Alberta,
http://www.pbase.com/terrythormin/insects, |
| E. H. Strickland Entomological Museum,
Entomology Collection,
http://www.entomology.ualberta.ca/ |
| Weaselhead: Insects of Alberta,
http://talkaboutwildlife.ca/learn/insects/alberta.php
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Fish:
As far as we can determine, there are about 30 species of fish in the Red
Deer Fiver Basin. There do not seem to be many identification manuals. This
one is available.
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Amphibians:
There are only eight species of amphibians in the Red Deer River Basin and
of these, two are on the Alberta Species at Risk List.
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Reptiles:
The Red Deer River Basin is home to six reptile species including one
rattlesnake species. The exact number seems to vary according to the
reference used.
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Birds:
Bird species occur in large numbers in the Red Deer River Basin including
both migratory and non-migratory. While most sightings are of relatively
common species, occasionally a rarity is seen. Rarities are probably birds
that have been blown off course by strong winds, or juveniles that have lost
their way. There are many excellent places to see birds, some of which are
mentioned in the Birds section of the website.
| Fisher, Chris and Acorn, John:
Birds of Alberta, Lone Pine Publishing, 1998 |
| McGillivray, W. Bruce and
Semenchuk, Glen P.: Field Guide to Alberta Birds, Federation
of Alberta Naturalists, 1998 |
| There are many field guides to
the Birds of North America, all of which include Alberta range maps. |
| Royal Alberta Museum:
Official List of the Birds of Alberta:
http://www.royalalbertamuseum.ca/natural/birds/birdlist/intro.htm
This listing includes rarities. |
| Red Deer River Naturalists:
Checklist of the Birds of Central
Alberta: Red Deer River Naturalists, 2006 |
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Atlas of the
Breeding Birds of Alberta: A Second Look: Federation of
Alberta Naturalists, 2007 |
| Acorn, Johm; Fisher, Chris;
Bezener, Andy: Compact Guide to Alberta Birds, Lone Pine
Publishing, |
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Mammals:
are well represented in the Red Deer River
Basin. Most frequently seen are two species of deer, mule and white-tailed,
moose, elk and coyote and Richardson ground squirrel. Observant viewers will
also spot red fox, various kinds of mice, voles and bats. There are some
bears and cougars in the basin; these two are not to be taken lightly.
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