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

A Beginner’s Key to the Family ParulidaeWood-warblers, the birds of the family Parulidae, are small, active songbirds found mainly across North and Central America. Their bright plumage and restless…
Working Farms, Healthy Birdlife Across the PrairieA working farm can be productive, profitable and full of birds. Across Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba, ranchers often manage land that serves several…
The best spots for American white pelicans in CanadaAmerican White Pelicans are among Canada’s most memorable waterbirds. Their enormous wings, bright white bodies and orange bills make them easy to recognise,…
Reading Fall Warblers Across the Canadian PrairieFall migration changes the character of prairie birding. The bright breeding colours of spring have softened, young birds are moving through unfamiliar…
Winter in Alberta: tracking Snowy Owls across the prairie fieldsFor birdwatchers who thrive on cold mornings and snow-edged horizons, a winter trip to look for Snowy Owls in Alberta holds a particular pull. The vast prairie…
The Surprising Birds of Urban SaskatoonSaskatoon might be famous for its berry pies and the slow bend of the South Saskatchewan River, but few visitors expect to find a working birdwatching scene in…
Capture bird songs on a budget in AustraliaBird song recording has become a powerful way to deepen the connection between observer and landscape, turning fleeting moments into lasting evidence of a…
Camping under the stars at Turtle Mountain Provincial ParkAfter hearing stories from fellow birders about Manitoba's overlooked southern wilderness, I finally booked a week of camping at Turtle Mountain Provincial…
What to expect at a prairie birding festival: a traveller's guidePrairie birding festivals gather in late spring and early summer, when grasslands stretch out under enormous skies and shorebirds push north along ancient…
Using a Scope on the Flatlands: A Practical GuideA spotting scope can transform birding across open country. On prairie roads, saltbush plains, wetlands and broad agricultural fields, birds may be visible for…

// 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.