Cypress Hills Provincial Park
Last Review/Updated: May 10, 2002
This unglaciated plateau is an island of boreal foothills forest, surrounded by dry mixed grassland. The combination of plant and animal species is unlike any other in Canada.
Fourteen orchid species can be found in the park, including Franklin's lady's-slipper.
More than 200 species of birds have been recorded, of which half nest in this area. Gray catbirds, dusky flycatchers and hairy woodpeckers inhabit the forested areas. Wood warbler species include the ovenbird, American redstart and MacGillivray's and orange-crowned warblers. Wild turkeys have been introduced. The pink-sided race of the dark-eyed junco nests nowhere else in Canada, and only in this part of Alberta can you hear the common poorwill call at night.
Double-crested cormorants and white-winged scoters can be found at Elkwater Lake, along with migratory waterfowl. The Spruce Coulee Reservoir is among the best sites for bird viewing.
Wapiti (elk), moose, mule deer, whitetailed deer and pronghorn can be seen in the area.
