Welcome to Prairie Birder — birding from the Alberta prairies
Prairie Birder
Wide prairie landscape with tall grasses and a distant slough under a big open sky, muted golds and soft blues
// Welcome

A personal birding blog by Charlotte, documenting sightings across the Alberta prairies — from annual species lists to conservation updates and resources for young birders.

Posts

Prairie voices: Learning Western Meadowlark by earAt first light on my farm, a Western Meadowlark often delivers its flute-like song from a fence post while the grass is still wet with dew. Across southern…
Finding burrowing owls on Alberta's prairieBurrowing owls offer a striking mix of behaviour and scenery. This small, ground-dwelling owl of North America inhabits short, open prairie across southern…
Five essential field guides for Canadian prairie birdsCanadian prairies make identification demanding. Grassland sparrows, shorebirds, waterfowl and migrant warblers can share one pasture, while a distant…
Birding the Cypress Hills Interprovincial ParkCypress Hills Interprovincial Park straddles the Alberta–Saskatchewan border, covering roughly 2,700 square kilometres of prairie, badlands, wetlands, and…
How to Build a Bird-Friendly Farm Pond in AustraliaA well-designed farm pond can become one of the busiest wildlife features on a rural property. It offers drinking water, bathing areas, insects, shelter and…
When to See Migrating Shorebirds in ManitobaManitoba lies along a major route for migrating waders travelling between Arctic breeding grounds and destinations farther south. The province’s wetlands…
The birds of my Saskatchewan farmyardAround my Saskatchewan farmyard, the bird list shifts with every season. Snow buntings may cluster around a grain bin at first light, a farm pond may pull in…
Identifying hawks and falcons on the farmOn my prairie farm, the first raptor of the day is often a shape against the sky. A Red-tailed Hawk hangs over stubble, a Cooper’s Hawk slips along the…
What to Pack for a Day of Prairie BirdingA day on the Canadian prairie can begin in still, chilly air and finish beneath intense afternoon sun. Grasslands, wetlands, shelterbelts and grain fields may…
Birding along the South Saskatchewan RiverFollowing the South Saskatchewan River from the Alberta foothills to its meeting with the North Saskatchewan reveals a changing bird landscape. Cottonwood and…

// Latest Posts

Small bird perched on a bare branch against a pale sky

Birding News #95 — Holiday Edition

December 2014
Close-up of a bird nest atop a bare tree against blue sky

Great Canadian Birdathon 2016 Results

May 2016
Two storks standing on a twig nest on a wooden platform under grey sky

Tofield Snow Goose Chase

April 2016
Dried sunflower head on a stalk in snow beneath evergreen branches

Giveaway Winner — Best Places to Bird in the Prairies

April 2018
View all posts →

Alberta Bird Lists →

Annual species lists from 2011 through 2018, tracking every bird spotted across the province.

Bird Conservation →

Citizen science projects, the Great Canadian Birdathon, and the WildResearch Alberta Nightjar Survey.

Birding Events →

Coverage of the Tofield Snow Goose Chase, Young Naturalists' Corner, and community gatherings.

Young Birder Resources →

Christmas Bird Count guides, CBC4Kids materials, and resources for new birders of all ages.

Explore the site

Whether you're looking for detailed Alberta species records, tips on bird identification, or news from the birding community, there's something here for every prairie bird enthusiast.

The Alberta Birds section archives year-by-year species counts — from 131 species in 2011 to a high of 175 in 2015. The Conservation category covers volunteer surveys and citizen science opportunities. Events highlights community involvement, and the Resources section is built especially for young birders getting started.

Check out the Birding News series for curated links and stories, or browse book reviews covering field guides and prairie birding literature from publishers like Greystone Books.