The 9 Best Birdwatching Spots in Calgary You Should Know About (Including Popular Locations and Lesser-Known Sites)
Growing up, there used to be a tall tree right outside my bedroom window. And for a time, a bird built a nest and settled there. I used to spend hours watching it fly around, hop from branch to branch, and eventually lay eggs.
Although I didn’t really know or find out what kind of bird it was, I think that was how my interest in birdwatching began. Now that I’m older, it’s not as easy as looking out my window. I actually have to look for places where plenty of birds stay.
Luckily, I’ve managed to visit a good number of birding locations over the years. Below, you’ll find all the birdwatching spots that I think every enthusiast should visit here in Calgary.
1. Fish Creek Provincial Park
– Media credit: bradjaman
Address: 15979 Bow Bottom Trail SE
Contact details: +1 403 297 5293
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Sunday – 7:00 AM to 11:00 PM
Most Common Birds: Pileated Woodpeckers, Great Horned Owls, Warblers
Fish Creek Provincial Park belongs on top of every birdwatching list in Calgary. This huge provincial park has various ecosystems, including forests, wetlands, and grasslands.
As a result, it’s the perfect location for different types of bird habitats. For example, their woodlands have Pileated Woodpeckers, and their grasslands are home to Great Horned Owls. Meanwhile, they also have Warblers living near bodies of water.
You’ll be able to go around and explore all of this through well-maintained pathways. There are also benches along these trails if you ever feel like resting or having a picnic.
Based on experience, it’s often that wildlife such as deer, beavers, and birds come near these paths. Just remember not to feed them so you don’t disrupt their routines.
It’s really a beautiful place all year round. Whenever I go here, all the lush greenery usually makes me forget that I’m still in the city.
| Pro tip: The best time to go to Fish Creek Provincial Park is around 6 AM. This is when there are tons of active wildlife and barely any other hikers. Plus, you won’t really hear any noises from the city, so there are better chances of birds being out and about. |
2. Elliston Park
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Address: 1827 68 St SE
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Sunday – 5:00 AM to 11:00 PM
Most Common Birds: Mallards, Hooded Mergansers
Elliston Park is an extremely popular area for families. Besides its scenic views, it’s got several play spaces where kids can run around and be one with nature.
But what really makes the place beautiful is the giant lake in the middle. This is actually a man-made stormwater retention pond that counts as the second largest body of water in the city. It’s got a walking path and plenty of benches around it.
Over the years, lots of waterbirds have settled in this lake. It’s normal to see a couple of them floating on the surface. My favorite thing to witness, though, is when one of them dives down and resurfaces with a meal between their beaks.
Among these, some of the more common species you’ll see are Mallards and Hooded Mergansers. But if you’re lucky, you might even spot a Red-necked Grebe or a Bonaparte’s Gull.
| Pro tip: Elliston Park is an awesome choice for birdwatching, except in August. That’s when Globalfest happens, which features an annual fireworks competition. During this time, it’s harder to spot birds due to the commotion. |
3. Carburn Park
– Media credit: dmlb.s0
Address: 67 Riverview Dr SE
Contact details: +1 403 268 2489
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Sunday – 5:00 AM to 11:00 PM
Most Common Birds: Baltimore Orioles, Belted Kingfishers, Swans
Carburn Park is a well-manicured recreational park that’s situated along the Bow River. It has two man-made ponds where you’ll often see people canoeing, paddleboarding, and kayaking.
Every year, the Alberta Fish and Wildlife division stocks the ponds with trout, perch, and pike. Of course, this appeals to plenty of local fishermen, but it also attracts plenty of waterfowl and migratory birds.
This includes the Baltimore Orioles, which mainly arrive around the last week of May and stay up to early June. In the summer, you’ll likely spot Belted Kingfishers near the water. As for the winter, it’s usual to see a couple of swans gliding in the water.
From what I’ve learned, though, you don’t have to worry too much about the season. This place is always abundant with wildlife. So you’re still bound to stumble upon a few species regardless of when you visit.
| Pro tip: Carburn Park is one of the most inclusive birdwatching spots in the city. It’s got spacious bathrooms and paved pathways that are ideal for strollers and wheelchairs. |
4. Confederation Park
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Address: 905 30 Ave NW
Contact details: +1 403 268 2489
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Sunday – 5:00 AM to 11:00 PM
Most Common Birds: Canada Geese, Blue-winged Teals, Warbling Vireos, Red-winged Blackbirds
Confederation Park is an urban park that’s conveniently situated in the middle of neighborhoods like Capitol Hill, Collingwood, Highland Park, and Mount Pleasant. Many visitors go here to participate in recreational activities.
It has multiple tennis courts, baseball diamonds, cycle parks, golf courses, and even a spray park. The area is also pet-friendly, so you’ll run into lots of people walking their furry companions on a leash.
For the most part, the park is flat and paved. But if you decide to follow the streams of water, you’ll have a higher chance of finding waterfowl like Canada Geese or Blue-winged Teals.
One thing I also try to do here is focus and listen closely. From time to time, it’s led me to songbirds such as the Warbling Vireo and the Red-winged Blackbird.
| Pro tip: It’s not unusual for Confederation Park to get crowded with families. If you want a more peaceful area for birdwatching, you can head over to the Confederation Creek, where lots of birds stay. |
5. Griffith Woods Park
– Media credit: marcincalgary
Address: 160 Discovery Ridge Blvd SW
Contact details: +1 403 268 2489
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Sunday – 5:00 AM to 11:00 PM
Most Common Birds: Golden-crowned Kinglets, Boreal Chickadees, Rufous Hummingbirds, Solitary Sandpipers, Golden-winged Warblers
Griffith Woods Park is for those who really want to feel immersed in nature. Although there are several paved pathways in the area, the majority of visitors choose to go hiking or mountain biking along its unpaved trails.
In fact, more experienced hikers treat the place like an adventure. They just try to find new routes and see what they’ll stumble upon.
Some hidden gems in the area include swamps, rock beaches, and sandy areas. A couple of times, I even saw a beaver dam.
What makes it even more exciting, though, is that some of the flora and fauna contained in the park are hard to find anywhere else in Calgary. Just for birds alone, over 200 species have been recorded here.
Some of the most common species include Golden-crowned Kinglets, Boreal Chickadees, and Rufous Hummingbirds. However, there’s also a chance that you’ll spot Solitary Sandpipers or Golden-winged Warblers.
| Pro tip: If you want to explore and make the most out of your visit to Griffith Woods Park, make sure you allot more than an hour to go around. |
6. Weaselhead Flat Natural Environment Park
– Media credit: journeyalberta
Address: 66 Ave & 37 St SW
Contact details: +1 403 268 2489
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Sunday – 5:00 AM to 11:00 PM
Most Common Birds: American Avocets, Lesser Yellowlegs, Tundra Swans, Common Loons, Blue Jays, Pine Grosbeaks
Weaselhead Flat Natural Environment Park, commonly known just as Weaselhead, is where plenty of kids go to learn about wildlife. This natural area is the closest you can get to nature without trekking into the wilderness.
Because the park is located right next to the Glenmore Reservoir, it doesn’t have washrooms to avoid the risk of contaminating the city’s water supply.
Still, I think visits are always worthwhile since I get to gaze at so many water-dwelling animals in the area. They have plenty of habitats all over the place.
Here’s a quick guide: the muddy areas are home to American Avocets and Lesser Yellowlegs. Meanwhile, you can marvel at Tundra Swans and Common Loons wherever there’s water. On the other hand, forest areas have Blue Jays and Pine Grosbeaks.
| Pro tip: Prepare for a visit to Weaselhead by wearing water-resistant footwear. This way, you won’t have a hard time getting closer to birds that have settled along unpaved trails. |
7. Beaver Dam Flats
– Media credit: kristeninnature
Address: 3A6, Bow River Pathway
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Sunday – 5:00 AM to 11:00 PM
Most Common Birds: Canada Geese, Common Goldeyes, Mallards, Bald Eagles, Downy Woodpeckers, White-breasted Nuthatches
Beaver Dam Flats is much quieter compared to the other parks on this list. It’s so peaceful, you’ll get to hear the sound of birds welcoming you as you come closer.
A lot of birdwatchers might skip this place since most of the species here are pretty common. You’ll be able to find Canada Geese, Common Goldeyes, and Mallards, like in plenty of other parks in Calgary.
But what really makes going here worthwhile is all the bald eagles. You can’t get this close to them anywhere else in the city. These impressive birds love coming here to hunt and relax.
It’ll get much more hushed when you head north. You’ll really have to squint or use a pair of binoculars to see tiny yet beautiful creatures like the Downy Woodpecker or the White-breasted Nuthatch.
| Pro tip: Beaver Dam Flats has an elevated ridge where you can stand and get a great view of Calgary’s downtown skyline. Looking down from it will also allow you to see a good variety of bird habitats in the area. |
8. Inglewood Bird Sanctuary
– Media credit: terrydebonophotography
Address: Inglewood Wildlands, 2425 9 Ave SE
Contact details: +1 403 214 1312
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Sunday – 9:30 AM to 4:00 PM
Most Common Birds: Black-capped Chickadees, American Robins
The Inglewood Bird Sanctuary is a wildlife reserve that has seen more than 270 bird species, along with other types of animals.
I personally think that this place is great for amateurs who don’t know where to start with the hobby. The nature centre is a treasure trove of knowledge. They have educational resources that’ll tell you all about the area, along with details of recent bird sightings.
On any day, you’ll likely spot Black-capped Chickadees and American Robins. Meanwhile, avid birdwatchers should still take the chance to see rare birds. We’re talking species that have only been seen a couple of times in Alberta.
Some notable sightings include the Purple Sandpiper, Hairy Woodpecker, and a Yellow-crowned Night Heron.
The sanctuary is also worth visiting throughout the year. It sees a good mix of year-round bird residents and temporary visitors.
| Pro tip: Inglewood Bird Sanctuary has very friendly staff. If you let them know that you’re a beginner birdwatcher, they’ll provide you with binoculars and a booklet that’ll help you identify and keep track of the different birds you see. |
9. The University of Calgary Campus
– Media credit: myucalgary
Address: 2500 University Dr NW
Contact details: +1 4403 220 5110
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Friday – 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM
- Saturday to Sunday – Closed
Most Common Birds: Warblers, Sparrows, Passerines, Black-capped Chickadees, Black-billed Magpies, Peregrine Falcons
The University of Calgary isn’t just the top academic institution in the city. Its campus is also the home of a wide array of bird species.
A huge reason behind this diversity is that many migrating songbirds have chosen the school as their stopover point. These include different types of Warblers, Sparrows, and Passerines.
There are also a bunch of species that can be seen around campus throughout the year. The campus waterways accommodate lots of ducks. And you’ll likely spot Black-capped Chickadees and Black-billed Magpies perched on trees, too.
I highly recommend checking out the Education Tower and Craigie Hall. This is where Peregrine Falcons have often nested since 1995. From time to time, the university even sets up a camera feed so people can watch the young ones hatch.
| Pro tip: The University of Calgary recommends downloading free apps like Merlin Bird ID or the Audubon Bird Guide. These can instantly help you identify any of the birds you see on campus. |