Prairie wetland at Beaverhill Lake shorebird staging area

Beaverhill Lake

Alberta · Canada

Habitat
WetlandGrassland
Best Seasons
Difficulty

Easy

Best Months

May-August

Entrance Fee

Free

Hours

Dawn to dusk daily

About This Location

Beaverhill Lake east of Edmonton is one of the most important shorebird staging areas in the western prairies and a designated site in the Western Hemisphere Shorebird Reserve Network. When water levels are favorable, the lake's shallow margins attract hundreds of thousands of shorebirds during migration.

The Beaverhill Bird Observatory, one of the oldest in western Canada, operates banding stations and hosts the annual Snow Goose Chase Festival. The surrounding aspen parkland and grasslands support breeding owls, sparrows, and raptors.

Location

Loading map...

Notable Species

Live Bird Data

Powered by eBird / Cornell Lab of Ornithology

Notable Sightings

Rare or unusual species spotted nearby in the last 14 days

Ferruginous Hawk

Buteo regalis

4/10/2026Alberta 834, Tofield, Alberta, CA (53.492, -112.656)1 observed

Recent Observations

Species reported at this location in the last 14 days

Northern Saw-whet Owl

14/19/2026

Northern Flicker

34/19/2026

White-breasted Nuthatch

14/19/2026

European Starling

14/19/2026

Common Goldeneye

14/19/2026

Mallard

14/19/2026

Hooded Merganser

14/19/2026

Black-capped Chickadee

14/19/2026

Tree Swallow

14/19/2026

Common Merganser

14/19/2026

Blue-winged Teal

14/19/2026

Wood Duck

14/19/2026

Great Horned Owl

14/19/2026

Redpoll

14/19/2026

Red-winged Blackbird

14/19/2026

Northern Harrier

14/19/2026

American Robin

14/19/2026

Canada Goose

84/19/2026

American Crow

34/19/2026

Lesser Scaup

14/19/2026

Birding Tips

  1. 1

    Water levels vary dramatically year to year — check with the Beaverhill Bird Observatory before visiting

  2. 2

    The Snow Goose Chase Festival in late April is a great community event for birders

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best time to visit Beaverhill Lake for birding?
The best months to visit Beaverhill Lake for birding are May-August. The best seasons are Spring and Summer.
What birds can I see at Beaverhill Lake?
Notable species at Beaverhill Lake include Black-crowned Night-Heron, Northern Saw-whet Owl, Franklin's Gull, American Avocet, Marbled Godwit. The area supports wetland, grassland habitats.
How difficult is birding at Beaverhill Lake?
Birding at Beaverhill Lake is rated as Easy. The trails and viewing areas are accessible for birders of all experience levels.
Is there an entrance fee at Beaverhill Lake?
There is no entrance fee at Beaverhill Lake. Hours: Dawn to dusk daily.
What amenities are available at Beaverhill Lake?
Beaverhill Lake offers the following amenities: Parking, Trails.