Cold Lake Provincial Park
Last Review/Updated: May 10, 2002
One of the largest nesting colonies of western grebes in Alberta inhabits shallow Centre Bay adjacent to Cold Lake Provincial Park. The entire park is rich with a variety of wildlife habitats, due to its location on a partly wooded peninsula that juts out into the southern end of Cold Lake.
Cold Lake is known for its lake trout and walleye, and about 200 bird species have been sighted in the area. The shallow, protected bays with their warmer water are a good place to see waterfowl such as teals and mallards. A hiking trail leads to an observation platform overlooking Hall's Lagoon.
The park is inhabited by many perching birds, especially wood warblers, sparrows, flycatchers, thrushes and vireos. In forested areas, watch for brown creepers, solitary vireos, golden-crowned kinglets, western tanagers, and Cape May, blackburnian and bay-breasted warblers. In the fens south of Centre Bay, listen for sora, and look for sign of mink along the shore.
