Crestomere Lake (45.6 km)
Crestomere Lake, located west of Ponoka, is home to a variety of bird species and plant life, though it's not easy to access. The area is surrounded by private land, and reaching the lake requires navigating an oil lease road and crossing a field. The lake’s aquatic vegetation, including cattails, bulrushes, and aquatic grasses, provides critical habitat for waterfowl such as Northern Shovelers, Ring-necked Ducks, Buffleheads, and Ruddy Ducks. Other notable birds include the Wilson's Phalarope, Spotted Sandpiper, Black Tern, Northern Flicker, Red-tailed Hawk, Merlin, and Western Meadowlark. Smaller songbirds like the Least Flycatcher, Tree Swallow, and Clay-colored Sparrow are frequent visitors, along with sparrow species like LeConte's Sparrow and Savannah Sparrow. The surrounding plant life features Buckbrush, Willow species, and a variety of sedges, rushes, and wildflowers, including Sweet Clover and Perennial Sow Thistle.
Access: From the Ponoka overpass, travel 18 km west on Highway 53. After passing Crestomere, the site and lake will be on your right.
Partners: DUC
Alberta Discover Guide: E3-33
Crestomere Lake, located west of Ponoka, is home to a variety of bird species and plant life, though it's not easy to access. The area is surrounded by private land, and reaching the lake requires navigating an oil lease road and crossing a field. The lake’s aquatic vegetation, including cattails, bulrushes, and aquatic grasses, provides critical habitat for waterfowl such as Northern Shovelers, Ring-necked Ducks, Buffleheads, and Ruddy Ducks. Other notable birds include the Wilson's Phalarope, Spotted Sandpiper, Black Tern, Northern Flicker, Red-tailed Hawk, Merlin, and Western Meadowlark. Smaller songbirds like the Least Flycatcher, Tree Swallow, and Clay-colored Sparrow are frequent visitors, along with sparrow species like LeConte's Sparrow and Savannah Sparrow. The surrounding plant life features Buckbrush, Willow species, and a variety of sedges, rushes, and wildflowers, including Sweet Clover and Perennial Sow Thistle.
Access: From the Ponoka overpass, travel 18 km west on Highway 53. After passing Crestomere, the site and lake will be on your right.
Partners: DUC
Alberta Discover Guide: E3-33
