Alberta Birds of Prey Centre
Get to know the wildlife of Southern Alberta by visiting the enchanting Alberta Birds of Prey Nature Centre in Coaldale, only a short drive from downtown Lethbridge. With a primary focus on rescue and release of injured hawks, falcons, eagles, owls, and vultures, the centre also promotes environmental education and habitat enhancement. A visit to the centre allows you to learn about these majestic birds of prey and interact with them in a unique and memorable way, all while helping guarantee the birds are around for many generations to come.
History
Active since 1982, the Alberta Birds of Prey Foundation is Alberta's first privately licensed raptor rescue and conservation organization. Relying solely on donations and volunteers to keep the birds taken care of year-round, the foundation has been helping birds of prey across Canada for decades. Centre founders Wendy Slaytor and Colin Weir started rehabilitating what would grow to be thousands of injured birds from across Southern Alberta, eventually beginning construction on the Alberta Birds of Prey Centre in 1989.
Once the home of a farm field, today the site of the nature centre has been returned to its natural state of prairie wetland; the area is now teeming with wildlife, including shore birds, waterfowl, reptiles, muskrats, deer, and more. The centre continues to help rehabilitate injured birds of prey every single day.
Getting There
The Alberta Birds of Prey Nature Centre is located in Coaldale, Alberta, at 2124 16 Ave. Coaldale is approximately a 15 to 20-minute drive east of downtown Lethbridge on Highway 3 (Crowsnest Hwy).
When to Go
The Alberta Birds of Prey Nature Centre is a seasonal attraction, open only from May until September. It is open daily from 9:30 a.m. until 5 p.m.
What to Bring
As most of the nature centre is outdoors, dress appropriately for summer weather and wear comfortable walking shoes. Also, bring sun protection such as a hat and sunscreen.
What’s There
The Alberta Birds of Prey Nature Centre is a massive site with lots to see and do! You’ll find a huge interpretive facility, a 28,000-square-foot aviary for injured birds, outdoor walking paths and rest stops, a duck feeding area, multiple smaller aviaries, the Eagle Courtyard, the FortisAlberta Flying Field, and more. There is also a gift shop where you can buy souvenirs and/or food for the ducks. Keep an eye out for one of the 100+ artificial nest boxes around the grounds that allow wild bird species to have access to safe and reliable nesting and roosting sites.
Things to Do
There are many things to do at the Alberta Birds of Prey Nature Centre, so make sure you plan for at least a couple of hours to visit. Take your time exploring the visitor facility, a huge interpretive centre that explains the history and goals of the foundation. The grounds themselves are wonderful for a meander; with numerous pathways and the wetlands to discover, try to spot different wildlife as you walk. Explore the multiple aviaries, which include both permanent and temporary homes for various birds of prey.
Other highlights include the duck feeding pond (you can buy duck food at the gift shop), flying demonstrations (every ninety minutes depending on the weather), and the Eagle Courtyard, where you may have the chance to give an eagle a shower. There are also opportunities to interact one-on-one with specially trained owls. Finally, if you want to get the most out of your time at the Alberta Birds of Prey Nature Centre, you can book a private tour for a more personalized and informative experience.
Contact
Website: https://burrowingowl.com/
Email: info@burrowingowl.com
Phone: 403-331-9520