Get a free copy of our Central Alberta Bird Checklist.

You can visit some awesome birding sites right here in Central Alberta. Some are well known, others are more out of the way. But they all have one thing in common, the chance to see several species of the birds that live in or migrate through Central Alberta, right on the Central Flyway.

The Trails:

1. The Red Deer City Birding Trail and Brochure covers only the city and one place (Slack Slough) right on the boundary of the city.

2. Other maps covering an approximate 80 km (50 m) radius of Red Deer are being prepared will be posted as they become available. Target date is 2011.

   • These maps will help locate local parks hidden in the midst of cities and towns that offer shelter to migratory birds passing through. 

   • Visit heron rookeries and be amazed by the pelicans making Central Alberta their home.

   • Be inspired by the spring migration (Last weekend in April) of thousands of Snow Geese and Sandhill Cranes.

   • During the winter months Bohemian Waxwings gather in flocks numbering in the hundreds as they gorge on Mountain Ash berries.

   • The Central Alberta Birding Trail maps lead you to sites to view some specialties such as Great Gray Owl, Great Horned Owl, Northern Shrike, Mountain Bluebird, five species of grebe, Black-billed Magpie.

   Getting around Central Alberta: Realistically, private car is the only way to get around Central Alberta. There is virtually no bus service and rail service is non-existent. All major highways are paved and in good condition. Most secondary highways are paved and in equally good condition.

   Township Roads (east-west roads) and Range Roads (north-south roads) are usually gravel surfaced. Most countryside intersections will have blue signs indicating what roads you are on. These roads can be rough and dusty with loose gravel. We do not recommend use of "Machinery Roads" unless you inspect them before entering. Most are not graveled and are slippery and muddy when wet. Roads marked "No exit" are just that. Mostly they end up in a farm yard. This should not deter you from driving on the roads, just turn around before entering private property.

   Wilderness Roads: There are roads leading off the main roads on the east slopes of the Rocky Mountains. Many of these roads are open for public travel, but be aware that some of them are active logging roads and others are used by the oil/gas extraction industries. There are no services on any of these roads. Watch for signage. If the roads are in active industrial use, we do not recommend you drive on them.

   Highway 43 (Forestry Trunk Road): This gravel road is the primary north-south access road to the wilderness areas on the Eastern Slopes of the Rocky Mountains. It is dotted with many campgrounds and is the "playground of Central Alberta". It is not paved and is very dusty, both summer and winter, due to heavy industrial traffic. We do not recommend it for birding.

   David Thompson Highway (aka Highway 11): This all-weather, paved, well-maintained road connects Red Deer with Banff National Park. Known for its spectacular scenery and fantastic hiking, it traverses the Kootenay Plains and its bird life, especially mountain bluebirds. There are excellent campgrounds along the DTH.

   Getting to Central Alberta: By road from Edmonton or Calgary: Just follow the signs on Highway 2, south from Edmonton, North from Calgary. Many airlines service both cities from the United States and around the world. If you are flying to Central Alberta, you will have to land in Edmonton or Calgary and rent a vehicle there.