Posts

Watching Winter Woodpeckers

By Steph Weizenbach / 28 January 2022

Black-capped chickadees are certainly our most common winter feeder visitors, but downy woodpeckers are often a close second. Both downies and their larger cousins, hairy woodpeckers, are year-round residents in our winter forests.

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What Happened to the Northern Leopard Frog?

By Steph Weizenbach / 28 January 2022

BY LAURA SOUTHWELL
The northern leopard frog is an iconic amphibian, likely the very image that comes to mind when you hear the word “frog.” This once ubiquitous resident of prairie wetlands has faced an ongoing struggle against a changing and increasingly human-centric environment.

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Weathering Winter with Chickadees

By Steph Weizenbach / 28 January 2022

Alberta is home to four chickadee species. Black-capped chickadees are the most common and widespread. They are found across the entire province and are not only the easiest bird species to attract to backyard bird feeders, but also hold the distinction of being Canada’s most common feeder species. Their small size, cheery countenance, and remarkable hardiness endear them to their human neighbours.

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When Bison Fly

By Steph Weizenbach / 24 January 2022

BY WES OLSON
Wes Olson worked as a National Park Warden for Parks Canada for over three decades, and … had the rare opportunity to see bison fly — albeit by airplane and helicopter.

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The Case of the Missing Prairie Bandit

By Steph Weizenbach / 2 November 2021

BY ARYA HORON

One hundred years ago, the prairie bandit was abundant across North America grasslands. By 1979, scientists believed it was extinct. This led to the question: where did the prairie bandit go?

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Bear Tracks

By Steph Weizenbach / 2 November 2021

BY COLLEEN CASSADY ST. CLAIR

How can we protect grizzly bears from trains in the mountain parks?

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Spotted Sandpiper standing over the water

Spotting Spotted Sandpipers

By Steph Weizenbach / 2 November 2021

BY MYRNA PEARMAN

As I approached the west shoreline, I noticed a pair of spotted sandpipers bobbing along a small stretch of beach. As I paddled closer, two little fluffballs suddenly materialized!

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Dancing Without a Stage – The State of the Greater Sage-Grouse

By Rick Schneider / 1 August 2021

BY TIMOTHY SHAPKA

As of 2020, the Alberta population of greater sage-grouse was estimated to be 72 individuals — down from the thousands that were present when we started keeping track in 1968. Timothy Shapka reviews the causes of the decline and what is being done to recover the species.

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Muskrats Up Close

By Steph Weizenbach / 1 August 2021

BY TONY LEPRIEUR

Muskrats are plenty interesting swimming in the water, but it’s when they come out of the water that their personality shines.

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Ticked Off

By Steph Weizenbach / 21 July 2021

As you get ready for bed, your mind wanders and you think, “Did I lock the door? Did I turn off the stove? Did I blow out that candle…?” But did you remember to check for unwanted guests that may have hitched a ride home with you on your afternoon hike? It could be that tiny pests are ready to dig in for a feast!

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