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BIRDING
AND
NATURE STUDY
Last modified January 15, 2007

Wildlife Viewing Sites

Wildlife Viewing Sites

 1  Writing-On-Stone Provincial Park
 2  Vernon Lake
 3  Pakowki Lake
 4  Red Rock Coulee Natural Area
 5  Police Point Park, Medicine Hat
 6  Cypress Hills Provincial Park (AB)
 7  Cypress Hills Provincial Park (SK)
 8  Cypress Lake (SK)
 9  Pine Cree Regional Park

Watchable Wildlife

Alberta Sustainable Resource Development operates the Watchable Wildlife program that identifies excellent sites for nature observation. Some of these locations are home for species at risk, so care should be exercised when viewing. The Canadian Wildlife Service has descriptions of all species at risk in Canada. The database may be sorted by type of wildlife, province and level of threat. Illustrations and range maps are included for each species.

Wildflowers

Palliser's Country is home to more than 400 species of vascular plant. From mid-April to freeze-up, there are flowers to be admired! The approximate blooming periods of the more prominent species are indicated on the following chart. The colour of the bar suggests that of the flower.

Avoiding a Negative Impact on Wildlife

Grasslands National Park has published this guide to help visitors balance their appreciation of the animals with the potential for disturbance.

Please remember that wildlife harassment is defined as any deliberate action that changes the behaviour of an animal. Approaching an animal too closely, touching, feeding, baiting, using decoys, doing anything that disturbs or destroys a nest, lair, or den are all wildlife harassment.

Christmas Bird Count

Each year, naturalists from around the region celebrate the darkest part of the year by searching for wild birds. This tradition, now over 100 years old, is now an international event, with over 1,600 sites taking part. Most CBC counts develop their own traditions that make for an enjoyable outing. Contact local organizers a couple of weeks before the event to get involved. The dates only vary by a few days from year, so you can plan ahead.

Local References

Plants of the Whitemud: A checklist of 409 species of plant found in the grassland region of extreme southwest Saskatchewan. This list excludes the Cypress Hills.

Prairie Plants of Southeast Alberta: A 126-page book by local artist and botanist Hope Johnson. Excellent line drawings are supported by clear descriptions. Available at the Police Point Interpretive Centre (403 529-6225; $11.95).

Prairie River: This 152-page book by Dawn Dickinson and Dennis Baresco, describes the South Saskatchewan River, from its beginning at the Forks near Bow Island all the way to the Estuary Ferry just into Saskatchewan. Detailed maps lets canoeists know exactly where they are, while the interesting text interprets the natural sights along the way. This route is not within Palliser's Country, but much of what is described may be seen here. Checklists are included. Available at Police Point Interpretive Centre.

Medicine Hat Checklists: Checklists of plants, birds, mammals, butterflies and fish, are available at the Police Point Interpretive Centre (see above).

Sweetgrass Hills: a natural and cultural history: Johan Dormaar's personal summary of these interesting volcanos. Although mainly in Montana, the hills spill over into the Writing-On-Stone area. The abundant archaeological artifacts in the area receive special mention. Available from Lethbridge Historical Society, P.O. Box 974, Lethbridge, AB T1J 4A2.

Prairie Coulee: This 95-page book by Tom Willock reflects on the significance of this prairie landform - a long, narrow valley. Writing with his scientific knowledge, while illustrating the book with his spectacular photos, Tom imparts a lifetime of grassland experience in an approachable format. Available at the Police Point Interpretive Centre.

Society of Grasslands Naturalists

The Grasslands Naturalists are Medicine Hat's naturalist club. The group offers frequent outings, monthly indoor presentations, and manges the City's interpretive program. A monthly newsletter describes the upcoming events, and past activities. Many out-of-town people subscribe just to receive the "Exciting Sightings" column, to find out what unusual birds are in the area. You can call the Nature Line at (403) 529-6225 to ask nature-related questions.

Geological Points of Interest

Interest in prairie geology has increased dramatically in the last few years, urged on by the popularity of Jurassic Park. But dinosaurs are just the most impressive of the many different fossil animals commonly encountered in the eroding badlands.

The youngest rocks in the region are on the top of the Cypress Hills. As you move downhill,the rocks get progressively older. Excavations near the top of the hills yield mammal bones, while those lower down have dinosaurs. The marine sediments have fossil crocodiles, turtles and shellfish, while the extensive coal beds, deposited in fresh water, preserve the remains of plants.

Geological maps of Alberta and Saskatchewan are available at tourism information offices. Extensive illustrations and interpretive notes explain the significance of many sites across the prairies.

Star Gazing

The clear, dark night sky is an under-rated attraction of the grasslands. Visitors from larger cities may be overwhelmed by the sheer number of stars visible when the moon is small. Constellations can even become obscured by the many smaller stars. The quality of the night sky has been recognized by the creation of the Cypress Hills Dark Sky Preserve, that will help prevent the incursion of new light sources.

Just drive a little way into the country, and pull off on a gravel road. Dress warmly, because the nights become chilly when you are not active. Regular star gazers take a lawn chair and a sleeping bag, and shield their flashlight with red plastic to protect their night vision while referring to the star charts.

The Medicine Hat Astronomy Club has an active observatory where members are eager to show visitors around the night sky. When important celestial events come up, the club will make their telescopes available for public viewing.

Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park in Saskatchewan hosts a star-gazing party each August. Call the park office at (306) 662-5411 for details.

Eastend's Wilkinson Observatory has an 11-inch reflecting telescope, with computerized tracking and starlog. Tours can be booked by calling the T-rex Centre (306 295-4009) at least two days ahead.

The Perseid meteor shower in mid-August is a dependable event to watch for. You can also keep your eyes open for northern lights when driving at night, especially when on the less-used roads.


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