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

Spotting and identifying swallows in open countryThere is something special about standing on a Canadian prairie in summer and watching swallows hawk insects over a slough, even if you normally spend weekends…
My experience at the Eagle Butte Bird ObservatoryThe Eagle Butte Bird Observatory sits among the rolling grasslands where the Canadian prairies stretch toward an endless sky. I had heard about the place from…
A field guide to the Nature Conservancy’s prairie propertiesThe prairie properties protected by the Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) offer a different kind of birding from a conventional national park visit. These…
Watching Prairie Hawks from the Best Migration Vantage PointsThe Canadian Prairies offer an expansive stage for autumn raptor migration. As birds move south across Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba, open fields, river…
A Simple Farm Bird Count That Builds Better RecordsA bird count on a farm does not require expensive equipment, specialist training, or a long list of species. With a notebook, a phone, and a repeatable route,…
Finding the Black-Billed Magpie Across Western CanadaThe Black-billed Magpie is one of the most memorable birds in western Canada. Its long graduated tail, bold black-and-white plumage, and blue-green wing sheen…
Birding the Red River Valley in AutumnFor an Australian birder, autumn in Manitoba arrives at the opposite end of the calendar. While southern Australia is moving towards spring warmth, the Red…
The Mysterious Movements Of The Long-Billed CurlewThe Long-billed Curlew is one of North America’s most distinctive grassland birds, recognised by its remarkably curved bill, cinnamon-brown plumage and…
Photographing a Horned Lark Across Open GrasslandPhotographing a Horned Lark on a grassland is a test of patience, distance and light. This small North American songbird often stands in short vegetation with…
A Weekend Guide to Cypress Lake Provincial ParkCypress Lake Provincial Park makes a rewarding base for a prairie birding weekend, especially for visitors who enjoy combining open grassland, water, and quiet…

// 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.