Featured Species

Stansell’s List

11 February 2024

A 1923 manuscript, Birds of Alberta, has recently come to light, describing the birdlife of Alberta a century ago.

Read More
Canada jays can be found throughout Canada’s boreal forest and mountainous regions. They are frequent picnic table visitors at woodland campgrounds. RICHARD SCHNEIDER

Coexisting With Coyotes

23 January 2024

What ten years’ worth of close encounters with urban coyotes tell us about coexisting with these wily canines.

Read More
The meticulous record-keeping of angler Jim Rennie provided a clear account of the population crash of westslope cutthroat trout in Gold Creek following the failure of a coal spoil pile that released sediment into the waterway.

The Currency of Angler Citizen Science

19 January 2024

Lorne Fitch searches for a treasure trove of citizen science data in the fishing diaries of lifelong anglers.

Read More
This glossy ibis was seen in Camrose County. IAN WALLIS

Five New Firsts in Alberta Bird Sightings

19 January 2024

Alberta’s official bird record gained five first-time species sightings last year!

Read More
Early Motus results have shown that bank swallows can travel over 2,000 km in four days, which works out to an average flying speed of almost 30 km/h. MARK PECK

Motus: The Latest Advance in Tracking Bird Migration

19 January 2024

New technology, new insight — Motus is a tiny revolution in tracking bird migration.

Read More
Pixie cups and reindeer lichens. Both are Cladonias, which are some of our most charming and taxonomically challenging lichens. RICHARD SCHNEIDER

For the Love of Lichens

19 January 2024

There’s lots to love about lichens! Meet some of Alberta’s most colourful examples of these fascinating amalgam organisms.

Read More
Canada jays can be found throughout Canada’s boreal forest and mountainous regions. They are frequent picnic table visitors at woodland campgrounds. RICHARD SCHNEIDER

Canada Jays: Grey Ghosts of the Northern Woods

19 January 2024

Meet the grey ghost of the northern woods — the mischievous yet charming Canada jay.

Read More

Bloodsucking Leeches: More Than Just a Horror Icon

24 October 2023

BY CHERYL TEBBY

Popular depictions of leeches often include concentric rows of sharp, fang-like teeth, or maybe an elongate ventral sucker that enables them to cling to their victim like the sticky-hand toys found in birthday “goody bags.” But in real life, leeches are a little more prosaic, much less horror-movie monster. 

Read More

How to Build a Bird: The Story of Avian Evolution

23 October 2023

BY RICHARD SCHNEIDER AND NICK CARTER

The origin of the avian body plan is not something bird watchers often think about. With so many species to find and identify out there, what does it matter how they originated? However, the story of bird evolution is a fascinating one, and understanding it can bring great enrichment to the hobby of birdwatching. 

Read More

Arctic Grayling: The Jewel of Canada’s Northern Waters

16 October 2023

BY JESSICA REILLY

I spend my free time studying Arctic grayling, and it captures every ounce of my curiosity. Arctic grayling have striking colouration with large dorsal fins reminiscent of a marine sailfish. They are aggressive feeders and fun to catch on a fly. In studying them, we learn more about the ancient processes that led to the rich mosaic of biodiversity around us today.

Read More