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Feil - July 2021 Feil - #143 in Alberta Discover Guide (https://www.albertadiscoverguide.com/site.cfm?grid=E3&number=143) and 59.2 KM from Red Deer. To reach this natural area head east on Highway 11 (past Highway 21) until Range Road 221 turn north for approx 2 KM. The area will be on the east side of the road with a green Ducks Unlimited Sign and a v-gate to walk through. Parking is along the ditch. A word of caution is this is a fair weather road so it can get dicey driving on it when wet. This natural area is rolling hills made up of grasslands, upland shrub habitat and large wetlands that a vast number of waterfowl use over the summer months. As I walked in the marsh wrens called from the cattails and juvenile soras scattered into the wetland vegetation out of sight. It's a lovely area to explore. There is one large ephemeral wetland that has a number of shorebirds taking advantage of the shallow water and exposed bed to locate insects for a snack. Other wildlife that use this area include white-tailed and mule deer, red fox, muskrat, and grassland birds. There are no pathways through this area but it's relatively easy to walk through. The grass is quite long and there are some big patches of Canada thistle to watch out for (or wear some thick pants). The partner than manages this area is Ducks Unlimited Canada. Watch for wildlife in the area, be cautious around open water and changing weather conditions. Happy exploring! Hansen Reservoir - July 2021 Hansen Reservoir - #99 in Alberta Discover Guide (https://www.albertadiscoverguide.com/site.cfm?grid=E3&number=99) and 39.4 KM from Red Deer. To reach this area head west on Highway 11 past Sylvan Lake until Highway 766 where turn south for approx 3 KM and the area will be on the westside of the road. There is a parking area that fits about 10 cars with garbages. This natural area doubles as a Trout Pond but I really enjoyed it. The area is not very big at 24-acres mostly being covered by the body of water but I found it really nice. Around the pond there are grasses/wetland vegetation and patches of willows, aspens, spruce and a few pines. The patches of trees allows for a good array of bird diversity within this area. I saw 27 bird species while at this location and some young blue-wing teal ducklings paddling around in the water. There is a pathway that leads around the area but does not go all the way around - nor can you go all the way around since the pond continues onto private property before you can do a full circle. Still though it's a lovely place to have a short little walk maybe bring a picnic and listen to the chorus of birds. I also saw a white-tailed deer doe with her two fawns so you never know what you might see! The partners that manages this area are Alberta Conservation Association and Alberta Environment and Parks. Be cautious around open water, watch for wildlife in the area and changing weather conditions. Happy exploring! Bullington - #98 in Alberta Discover Guide (https://www.albertadiscoverguide.com/site.cfm?grid=E3&number=98) and 72.3 km from Red Deer. To reach this area from Red Deer head east on Highway 11 until Highway 12 continue until Erskine and head south on Highway 835. Turn east on Township Road 382 and north on Range Road 201. The area will be on the westside of the road with a green Ducks Unlimited Sign. There is a pullout to park in but park so you do not block any gates. This natural area is made up of grasslands, willow thickets and trembling aspen stands. There are large wetlands in the area that have the perfect habitat for shorebirds such as black-necked stilts and white-faced ibis. Wildlife that are found in this natural area include white-tailed deer, coyote, red fox, muskrat, forest birds, grassland birds and waterfowl. I found this natural area really easy to walk through with a vehicle trail leading to an oil lease and continuing on through the property. There were old cow patties in the area so cattle may be present at certain parts of the year - I did not see any while I was in there. This is a beautiful natural area to explore at any part of the day, but especially nice first thing in the morning. The partner that manages this natural area is Ducks Unlimited Canada. Be aware of wildlife in the area, around open water and changing weather conditions. Happy exploring! Hetchler - July 2021 Hetchler - #128 in Alberta Discover Guide (https://www.albertadiscoverguide.com/site.cfm?grid=E3&number=128) and 38.3 km from Red Deer. To reach this area head east on Highway 595 turning south on Highway 21 and west on Township Road 372 for approximately 2.0 km where there will be a turnout on the southside with a green Ducks Unlimited Canada Sign. Park so you do not block any gates. This natural area is made up of grassland/bush habitat with numerous large wetlands interspersed throughout. There are also some wet meadows that are in the depressional areas of this property. Stands of aspens and willows can be found along the wetlands and trailing through the property. This is a really nice area to explore with lots of beaver activity in and along the wetlands. Numerous wetland, forest and grassland birds were heard calling in this area. Including a very elusive LeConte's Sparrow which is always a treat to hear the camera shutter like sound it makes from within the cover of long grass. It doesn't have pathways really but I didn't find it too troublesome to walk through. The partner that manages this natural area is Ducks Unlimited Canada. Be cautious around open water, and any wildlife in the area. Travel in pairs or groups. Happy exploring! Coulson - July 2021 Coulson - #168 in Alberta Discover Guide (https://www.albertadiscoverguide.com/site.cfm?grid=E3&number=168) and 55.5 km from Red Deer. To reach this natural area head south on Highway 2 until Highway 54 head west past Spruce View. Turn north onto Highway 761 for approx 6 km and there will be an entrance to the area on the east side of the road. There is a parking lot that fits about 10 cars. This isn't a very large natural area but it is along the North Raven River which flows through the property. There is a picnic table at this site to enjoy some snacks while here. If you do want to go further into the natural area there are not very many paths and the river does cut you off so you'll have to cross it to go much further. Even with its small size this natural area is rich in biodiversity. There are numerous forest birds that nest within this little patch of protected habitat including a Common Yellowthroat family with the male pictured here carrying a load of caterpillars to feed his brood. This natural area has a mixed-wood forest with mainly white spruce and aspens with patches of willows species. Partners of this natural are include Alberta Conservation Association and Alberta Fish & Game Association. Be careful around open water and be aware of wildlife in the area. Happy exploring! Hetchler - July 2021 Hetchler - #128 in Alberta Discover Guide (https://www.albertadiscoverguide.com/site.cfm?grid=E3&number=128) and 38.3 km from Red Deer. To reach this area head east on Highway 595 turning south on Highway 21 and west on Township Road 372 for approximately 2.0 km where there will be a turnout on the southside with a green Ducks Unlimited Canada Sign. Park so you do not block any gates. This natural area is made up of grassland/bush habitat with numerous large wetlands interspersed throughout. There are also some wet meadows that are in the depressional areas of this property. Stands of aspens and willows can be found along the wetlands and trailing through the property. This is a really nice area to explore with lots of beaver activity in and along the wetlands. Numerous wetland, forest and grassland birds were heard calling in this area. Including a very elusive LeConte's Sparrow which is always a treat to hear the camera shutter like sound it makes from within the cover of long grass. It doesn't have pathways really but I didn't find it too troublesome to walk through. The partner that manages this natural area is Ducks Unlimited Canada. Be cautious around open water, and any wildlife in the area. Travel in pairs or groups. Happy exploring! Stainbrook Springs - July 2021 Stainbrook Springs - #58 in Alberta Discover Guide (https://www.albertadiscoverguide.com/site.cfm?grid=E3&number=58) and 60.3 km from Red Deer. To reach this area go south on Highway 2 turning west onto Highway 11, turn south again on Range Road 60, then east on Township Road 373 and lastly south on Range Road 55 the natural area will be on the east side of the road with a sign. There isn't much room for parking I just parked on the edge of the turnout to avoid blocking any gates. As you walk into this natural area the surrounding forest is young trembling aspen and balsam poplar but as you move through, the area transitions to large mature balsam poplars and white spruce with large patches of willows. There are not very many pathways around the property - there is a short one with a boardwalk that leads to the river but other than that it is walking through long grass. This natural area is not very big being 17 acres. However, if you want to relax around a river while listening to a variety of songbirds this is the area for you. It is peaceful with the North Raven River running through the northern part of this property. Plus you never know what you might find I was pleasantly surprised when I stumbled upon this western toad. Partners that manage this natural area include Alberta Conservation Association, Alberta Fish & Game Association, and Trout Unlimited Canada. Be aware of wildlife in the area, be careful around open water, go in pairs or groups and overall have fun!  Caroline - Shell Canada July 2021 Caroline - Shell Canada, #144 in Alberta Discover Guide (https://www.albertadiscoverguide.com/site.cfm?grid=E3&number=144) and 65.6 km from Red Deer. To reach this this area from Red Deer go south on Highway 2, turn west on Highway 587 until Range Road 52 head north, turn west again on Township Road 345A and north one more time onto Range Road 53 and follow through the curve. I parked along the ditch. This natural area is gorgeous having a nice mix of wetlands and upland habitat. This area offers a mixed-wood forest being covered in white spruce, black spruce, trembling aspen, balsam poplar and paper birch. The wildlife that frequent the area include numerous species of shorebirds, white-tailed and mule deer, black bears, beavers, moose, and forest birds. This area does not have well traveled trails, mostly just game trails or walking through thicker grass and rushes. Be very aware of where you are walking so you do not step in a beaver run there were a few hidden in the rushes. Travel in pairs or groups, bring bear spray, watch for other wildlife in the area, be careful around the open water, and a GPS is encouraged so you do not get turned around. The partners that manage this natural area include Alberta Fish & Game Association and Shell Canada Energy. Happy Exploring!! Butcher Creek Natural Area - July 2021 Butcher Creek Natural Area - 71.6 km from Red Deer. To reach this area from Red Deer head south on Highway 2 until Bowden (Highway 587) head west until Range Road 35 then head north until the end of the road where you turn west onto a 'no exit' I personally parked in the ditch the entrance to the parking lot looked very rutted. This natural area is spectacular. It is mostly dominated by spruce trees but there are no shortage of vegetation communities in this natural area with the wood lilies and prairie-fire being in full bloom it is a sight to behold. Numerous creeks flow through this property to the Red Deer River that is on the west edge of this 506 acre natural area. This area is worth the explore having a large diversity of birds including this solitary sandpiper I quickly took a picture of. Ungulates frequent the area but are quick to leave once your presence is known. From the parking lot there is a trail leading in that goes overtop of a small stream but it does eventually end. So if you want to go further it is a bit of bushwacking or following game trails. It can get a bit wet so keep that in mind when planning footwear. Be cautious around open water and wildlife in the area. Travel in pairs or groups. The partner that manages this area is Alberta Parks. Happy exploring! I'm bias but this is one of my favourite natural areas so far. Bigelow Reservoir July 2021 Bigelow Reservoir Provincial Recreation Park - #43 in Alberta Discovery Guide and 68 km from Red Deer. To reach this area from Red Deer head south on Queen Elizabeth Highway II until Innisfail and turn east onto Highway 590 until Highway 805 where you turn heading south until Highway 587 where you turn east until Range Road 254 head south then turn east onto Township Road 340 for 2.2 km turning north onto an unnamed road which leads directly to a parking lot with a Bigelow Reservoir Sign. If you Google Maps 'Bigelow Reservoir' it will come up and lead you straight there. This natural area is a birders paradise a vast array of waterfowl and wetland birds call this place home over the summer months. Plus a great diversity of other birds with 41 bird species noted while I was there. This natural area doesn't have any trails other than a short gravel road but there are game trails that wander along the edge of the Reservoir. With this area stretching 1,018 acres there are no shortage of areas to explore. There are thick bunches of cargana along the edge of the Reservoir making them the perfect place for mule deer to hide during the day. But can make it tricky to move around. Partners that manage this natural area are Alberta Conservation Association and Alberta Environment and Parks. Be cautious around open water, watch for wildlife in the area and changing weather conditions. Happy Exploring! |
