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

The Destructive Impact of Cats on Prairie Bird PopulationsA cat moving quietly through long grass can seem like part of the rural landscape, yet its presence may be alarming for birds nesting close to the ground.…
Exploring the Last Mountain Lake National Wildlife AreaLast Mountain Lake National Wildlife Area is one of Saskatchewan’s most rewarding destinations for anyone drawn to prairie wetlands, open horizons and large…
Reading Raptors Along Highway 1Identifying birds of prey along Highway 1 is a rewarding way to turn a long road journey into a moving field survey. In this context, Highway 1 usually means…
Salt lake birding in Australia: chasing spinning phalaropesAustralia sits at the southern end of an extraordinary flyway, and every spring a handful of delicate shorebirds called phalaropes pass through on their way to…
The Calliope Hummingbird: a tiny prairie wonderThe Calliope Hummingbird is the smallest bird species in North America, weighing less than a five-cent coin and measuring around eight centimetres from bill to…
Boreal birding along the aspen parkland edgeImagine trading the eucalyptus forests of the Dandenong Ranges for the trembling aspen stands of northern Alberta. The contrast is striking, yet the thrill of…
How to Use Windbreaks to Create Bird HabitatA windbreak can be much more than a line of trees protecting a paddock from harsh weather. Designed carefully, it becomes a living corridor where birds can…
The Ferruginous Hawk: A Prairie Icon in DeclineThe ferruginous hawk is one of North America's most striking raptors, with a wingspan reaching 150 centimetres and a back the colour of rusted iron that gives…
A Birding Walk Through the Mixed-Grass PrairieMixed-grass prairie can look spare at first glance: a broad sweep of grasses, scattered wildflowers, shallow wetlands and an enormous sky. Walk slowly,…
How to build a simple owl box for your farmBarn owls and southern boobooks have hunted rodents across Australian paddocks for centuries, yet many growers rely on baits and traps. A well-placed nesting…

// 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.