Clifford E Lee Nature Sanctuary
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Fall is the perfect time to go birding!
I am not a ‘Birder’. I appreciate hearing birds and seeing them when I am out in the forest but I don’t go places to specifically see them. Other people do and they call themselves "Birders”. I love that some of my friends always have their binoculars at the ready when we are out, have their lists of birds sighted and know the trills and caws of different birds. It is fun to go to a place like this with them and mine the vast knowledge bank they carry. Caution though, don’t take a Birder if you want a vigorous walk. They like to stop, listen and then find the bird they hear calling. It is amazing what my birding friends will hear that I would simply walk past. I love it, but it is a very different style of hiking.
And Clifford E Lee Nature Sanctuary is the perfect place to go birding. Birds of all varieties are making their way south right now and central Alberta is full of places for those birds to take a break on their way there. Clifford E Lee Nature Sanctuary is one of those amazing spots for birds to pause in their trip. Not only does this 348 acre area host marshland but also aspen and pine forests along with a rambling open meadow.
The air was crips and the sky was blue on our walk through this beautiful part of Alberta. It was far busier than I have ever seen it and the parking lot filled quickly. If you arrive and the parking lot is full, the Sanctuary Board asks that you change your plans and visit another day, as the site is at capacity. The site was definitely at capacity this day. Usually on my walks out here, I might see another group or two, but today we past or crossed paths with at least 10 groups and a couple having their wedding photos taken. If you are looking for a quiet walk in the woods with more nature and less humans then I would recommend going on a a week day or changing your plans if you see the parking lot filling up. The boardwalk was the busiest section this day.
You can travel this trail all year long. It is well-maintained and shovels are strategically placed along the boardwalk during the winter months.
There are three viewing platforms along the board walk. The first two are right out over the water and a guaranteed spot to catch sight of birds and waterfowl. The third is tucked back a from the water’s edge, more in the aspen forest along the shore, but still a great spot to climb up and listen for birds in the trees surrounding you.
Many people bring bird seed along with them. You may be able to lure the chickadees in to your hand with birdseed but you have to be quiet and patient for it to happen. With all the traffic out there on a Saturday evening, I don’t think most people got to feed them from their hands. Leaving a place better than you found it is a Low-Impact Camping (Leave No Trace™️) Principle that we adhere to. So our recommendation would be NOT to feed any of the wildlife. There are so many reasons for not feeding wildlife. Birds become used to humans feeding them and tend to expect it instead of finding what they need on their own. They also become much less cautious of humans and then negative human/animal interactions start to happen. Canada Geese are the best example of this with hundreds of people reporting having aggressive goose encounters when we cross in to the goose’s territory. These encounters only increase when people feed them or do not give animals enough space. Lastly, the birdseed is not something that grows in the protected conservation lands and so if something that landed on the ground should sprout from your handful, then you have “planted” an invasive species of plant in this ecosystem. So for everyone’s health and safety, including the ecosytem, we do not recommend feeding them.
If you are going to feed them, against my best advice, please use ONLY birdseed (and consult someone who knows what bird seed is appropriate) and very little of it. Do not leave piles of bird seed on the picnic tables nor the boardwalk as you go, but only hold it in your hand and if no bird comes to your hand, put the seed back in the bag to take home and use in your backyard.
Family Friendly: YES - a great trail for families. There are many options for making it a longer or shorter trail to accommodate everyone’s ability. It works for strollers, though I would be cautious on the boardwalks as a stroller would fill the space making passing others tricky.
NOTE: This trail is not accessible for people with mobility issues who have a wheelchair or scooter. The boardwalk would not accommodate those well.
Seasons: All seasons. The site is well maintained in all seasons.
Nature: A Birding Paradise - this marsh is home to so many birds, animals and aquatic life. You can download and print lists from the Resources tab on the website.
I always love this hike, in any season. It is surrounded by acreages but feels like you are hidden in the forest.
If you are interested in good Birding movies (movies that use people go seeking out bird sightings as the storyline) then check out this link. I personally really liked The Big Year (2011), it was really funny, however I concede they did take creative licence with it. I am excited to watch A Birder’s Guide to Everything (2014) and The Birder (2014) after reading this review.
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Until we meet on the trail,
Kara