Sir Winston Churchill Provincial Park
Last Review/Updated: May 10, 2002
© C. Wershler |
Old-growth forests of white and black spruce, balsam fir, birch and poplar make this perhaps the finest location for viewing boreal forest birds in Alberta. The island-to-mainland causeway is an excellent birding spot. Twenty species of breeding wood warblers occur here, including black-throated green, palm, magnolia, mourning, bay-breasted, Cape May, and blackburnian warblers.
The conifers are home to white-winged crossbills, Swainson's and hermit thrushes, and olive-sided flycatchers. Northern saw-whet, barred, and even boreal owls may be heard at night.
From Pelican Viewpoint on the north side of the island, one can observe the American white pelicans, double-crested cormorants and California gulls that frequent Pelican Island some distance to the north of the park.
There are Franklin's ground squirrels in the picnic area. In spring, toads trill east of the Long Point trail, which is the best birding trail. The last week of May into early June is the best time to listen for bird song.
