Articles 2021
FYTEN LEA NATURE CONSERVANCY OF CANADA PROPERTY

Although most people are familiar with the broad natural regions found in the province, (mountains, foothills, boreal forest, parklands, grassland, Canadian shield), fewer are aware that these regions are divided into 21 subregions. Alberta Parks has refined the classification system with the goal of preserving, in perpetuity, a network of areas that represents the natural diversity of the province. At increasingly finer scales, landscapes are further classified into categories such as Natural Landscape Type, Natural Landscape Component and Natural Features. This system is well explained in an online document published by Alberta Parks https://www.albertaparks.ca/media/6256258/natural-regions-subregions-of-alberta-a-framework-for-albertas-parks-booklet.pdf
Fyten Lea Nature Conservancy of Canada Property
The Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) is a national non-profit land conservation organization that partners with individuals, governments, corporations, non-profits and Indigenous communities to protect natural landscapes. They secure properties through donation, purchase, conservation agreements etc. and manage them for the long term. Since 1962, NCC and its partners have helped protect 14 million hectares (35 million acres) across Canada.
The Fyten Lea NCC property is located in one of the most heavily cultivated regions in Alberta—the Central Parkland Subregion of the Parkland Natural Region. Although home to about 100 (20%) of Alberta’s rare vascular plant species, only about 5% of the Central Albert Subregion remains in native vegetation. Sites like Fyten Lea therefore provide especially important refugia for many native species.
Despite its small size (only 53 ha), the property is considered ecologically significant. It is connected to the dramatic Lousana Canyon, an area of about 3,467 ha that straddles the Red Deer River and contains the Tolman Badlands Heritage Rangeland Natural Area as well as portions of Dry Island Buffalo Jump Provincial Park. It is also close to other major tracts of Ducks Unlimited Canada and NCC properties in the area.
The property is a rich mosaic of habitats that fall into six broad physiographic zones: a small section on the north side of the highway and five zones on the main property: upper plains above the river valley, open upper valley slopes, forested steep valley slopes, badland slopes, and a bench beneath the slopes.
Fyten Lea does have many agronomic and invasive species growing throughout (e.g., smooth brome, Kentucky bluegrass and common plantain) but it supports a rich diversity of native plant communities, including badland cliffs, aspen groves, shrublands (with choke cherry, buckbrush, common wild rose, wild red raspberry, silverberry, Canada buffaloberry), blue grama grasslands, white spruce woods, and classic prairie habitats dominated by thorny buffalo berry, prairie rose, pasture sagewort, scarlet butterflyweed and purple prairie-clover.
Although the badland slopes at Fyten Lea are small in comparison to the more geologically and paleontologically significant downstream sites (e.g., Dry Island Buffalo Jump, Horseshoe Canyon and Dinosaur Provincial Park), they are interesting to explore and offer a panoramic view of the Red Deer River Valley (but are treacherous when wet). These slopes are largely bare with scattered patches of long-leaved sagewort, dragonwort, northern wheat grass and creeping juniper. The slopes also support white spruce, ground juniper, silver sagebrush, plains rough fescue, sand grass, June grass, pasture sagewort, northern hedysarum and mountain goldenrod.
Fyten Lea also supports some unique features, including saline overflow sites that occur at the base of badland and forested slopes, and a saline draw dominated by plains bluegrass and gumweed. Botanists will appreciate the great variety of grassland and wetland graminoids such as those listed above as well as needle-and-thread, Canada bluegrass, tufted hair grass, graceful sedge and big-head rush, purple oat grass, wire rush, western porcupine grass, needle and thread grass and meadow sedge.
Regionally uncommon plants found on the property include yellow lady’s slipper, streamside anemone, heal all, yellow avens and reed grass. Iconic prairie/parkland species such as prairie crocus and shooting stars can be seen in the spring while wild bergamot blankets the hillsides in the late summer. Plant species of concern that have been identified include few-flowered aster and Parry’s sedge, and rare vascular plant species reported within 15 km of the property include few-flowered aster, Canada brome, waterpod, salt-marsh sand spurry, prairie wedge grass and crowfoot violet. Botanists who visit the area are encouraged to share their plant lists with NCC (see contact information below).
While we saw only squirrels and a neighbour’s wandering dog on our spring walk, beaver, mule deer, coyote, Canada lynx, white-tailed deer and moose have all been recorded.
The area is home to a variety of common birds as well as such notable species as turkey vulture, bald eagle, Say’s phoebes, common yellowthroat and red crossbill. Importantly, the Lousana Canyon is home to provincially listed bird species such as ferruginous hawk, peregrine falcon, prairie falcon and loggerhead shrike. We were pleased to hear two male orange-crowned warblers singing in the aspen forests near the badland cliffs on our May walk. Bird watchers are encouraged to eBird all sightings during their visit.
ACCESS: NCC requires permission for access, which can be easily booked through www.connect2nature.ca. Access to south property: east of Elnora on TWP 352, north to the end of RR 214. Parking is in ditch beside fence. Enter though V gate. No clearly marked trails or bathroom facilities. Visitors should be physically fit and have wayfinding skills. Access to the north section is from the ditch along Highway 590.
For more information about this property, check https://www.natureconservancy.ca/en/where-we-work/alberta/featured-projects/fyten-lea.html. NCC contact for the property is Hannah Schaepsmeyer [email protected]
Fyten Lea Nature Conservancy of Canada Property
The Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) is a national non-profit land conservation organization that partners with individuals, governments, corporations, non-profits and Indigenous communities to protect natural landscapes. They secure properties through donation, purchase, conservation agreements etc. and manage them for the long term. Since 1962, NCC and its partners have helped protect 14 million hectares (35 million acres) across Canada.
The Fyten Lea NCC property is located in one of the most heavily cultivated regions in Alberta—the Central Parkland Subregion of the Parkland Natural Region. Although home to about 100 (20%) of Alberta’s rare vascular plant species, only about 5% of the Central Albert Subregion remains in native vegetation. Sites like Fyten Lea therefore provide especially important refugia for many native species.
Despite its small size (only 53 ha), the property is considered ecologically significant. It is connected to the dramatic Lousana Canyon, an area of about 3,467 ha that straddles the Red Deer River and contains the Tolman Badlands Heritage Rangeland Natural Area as well as portions of Dry Island Buffalo Jump Provincial Park. It is also close to other major tracts of Ducks Unlimited Canada and NCC properties in the area.
The property is a rich mosaic of habitats that fall into six broad physiographic zones: a small section on the north side of the highway and five zones on the main property: upper plains above the river valley, open upper valley slopes, forested steep valley slopes, badland slopes, and a bench beneath the slopes.
Fyten Lea does have many agronomic and invasive species growing throughout (e.g., smooth brome, Kentucky bluegrass and common plantain) but it supports a rich diversity of native plant communities, including badland cliffs, aspen groves, shrublands (with choke cherry, buckbrush, common wild rose, wild red raspberry, silverberry, Canada buffaloberry), blue grama grasslands, white spruce woods, and classic prairie habitats dominated by thorny buffalo berry, prairie rose, pasture sagewort, scarlet butterflyweed and purple prairie-clover.
Although the badland slopes at Fyten Lea are small in comparison to the more geologically and paleontologically significant downstream sites (e.g., Dry Island Buffalo Jump, Horseshoe Canyon and Dinosaur Provincial Park), they are interesting to explore and offer a panoramic view of the Red Deer River Valley (but are treacherous when wet). These slopes are largely bare with scattered patches of long-leaved sagewort, dragonwort, northern wheat grass and creeping juniper. The slopes also support white spruce, ground juniper, silver sagebrush, plains rough fescue, sand grass, June grass, pasture sagewort, northern hedysarum and mountain goldenrod.
Fyten Lea also supports some unique features, including saline overflow sites that occur at the base of badland and forested slopes, and a saline draw dominated by plains bluegrass and gumweed. Botanists will appreciate the great variety of grassland and wetland graminoids such as those listed above as well as needle-and-thread, Canada bluegrass, tufted hair grass, graceful sedge and big-head rush, purple oat grass, wire rush, western porcupine grass, needle and thread grass and meadow sedge.
Regionally uncommon plants found on the property include yellow lady’s slipper, streamside anemone, heal all, yellow avens and reed grass. Iconic prairie/parkland species such as prairie crocus and shooting stars can be seen in the spring while wild bergamot blankets the hillsides in the late summer. Plant species of concern that have been identified include few-flowered aster and Parry’s sedge, and rare vascular plant species reported within 15 km of the property include few-flowered aster, Canada brome, waterpod, salt-marsh sand spurry, prairie wedge grass and crowfoot violet. Botanists who visit the area are encouraged to share their plant lists with NCC (see contact information below).
While we saw only squirrels and a neighbour’s wandering dog on our spring walk, beaver, mule deer, coyote, Canada lynx, white-tailed deer and moose have all been recorded.
The area is home to a variety of common birds as well as such notable species as turkey vulture, bald eagle, Say’s phoebes, common yellowthroat and red crossbill. Importantly, the Lousana Canyon is home to provincially listed bird species such as ferruginous hawk, peregrine falcon, prairie falcon and loggerhead shrike. We were pleased to hear two male orange-crowned warblers singing in the aspen forests near the badland cliffs on our May walk. Bird watchers are encouraged to eBird all sightings during their visit.
ACCESS: NCC requires permission for access, which can be easily booked through www.connect2nature.ca. Access to south property: east of Elnora on TWP 352, north to the end of RR 214. Parking is in ditch beside fence. Enter though V gate. No clearly marked trails or bathroom facilities. Visitors should be physically fit and have wayfinding skills. Access to the north section is from the ditch along Highway 590.
For more information about this property, check https://www.natureconservancy.ca/en/where-we-work/alberta/featured-projects/fyten-lea.html. NCC contact for the property is Hannah Schaepsmeyer [email protected]
EMBRACING WINTER THROUGH BIRDING - CANADIAN GEOGRAPHIC - February 17, 2021

Fellow Myrna Pearman offers her tips for a successful winter birding season
A Canadian winter — fraught as it is with cold temperatures, blizzards, sometimes-hazardous roads and deep snow — is the perfect season to celebrate birds. As long as one is safe, well-prepared and dressed appropriately, the rewards for birding in winter are many: no mosquitos, no crowds, the appearance of winter-only bird species, the opportunity to observe unique bird behaviours and, for the beginner, fewer species to puzzle over.
Bringing the birds to youIn the long-term, the best way to attract birds — and to contribute to overall biodiversity — is to bring birds and other wild creatures into your yards and gardens by creating habitat (providing space where animals can find food, water and shelter). Creating habitat through “naturescaping” is readily achievable, even in urban landscapes, and most Canadian provinces have programs and/or resources related to creating and enhancing backyard biodiversity.
In the shorter-term, winter birds can be enticed to visit backyards by setting out bird feeding stations. Unless prohibited by local/condo ordinances, even city centre backyards, including urban balconies, can attract avian neighbours if the proper food is offered. Not only do bird feeding stations attract resident species such as chickadees, jays and woodpeckers, but they may also entice the species, such as redpolls, that migrate south during the winter from their Arctic nesting grounds. Having birds come into feeding stations provides an excellent opportunity to study and appreciate bird behaviour and is an excellent way to introduce children to the wonders of nature.
I recommend three bird feeding staples: sunflower seeds, peanuts and suet. Both sunflowers and peanuts can be offered shelled or unshelled. Shelled seeds are more expensive than unshelled, but are easier for the birds to eat (no shell to crack open) and less messy (no buildup of husked shells). Commercial suet cakes are the easiest way to dispense suet, although it can also be offered raw or rendered (melted) and mixed with other ingredients.
Feeding stations may also be visited some years by “winter wanderers” — species such as grosbeaks and crossbills that move over vast tracts of our boreal forests in search of abundant cone crops and — when they are in the neighbourhood —will avail themselves of sunflower seeds. During the shoulder seasons of spring and fall, especially during stormy weather, feeding stations will also attract migrants such as juncos and other species of native sparrows. Finally, feeding stations, with all their busyness and activity, will inevitably attract birds of prey, such as Northern Shrikes, and Sharp-shinned and Cooper’s Hawks.
Out in the fieldWinter is a good time to explore the great outdoors, especially local neighbourhoods, parks and natural areas. What better “excuse” to get out and explore than to go out looking for birds; birding provides both purpose and interest to any outdoor ramble.
Many keen birdwatchers and photographers drive rural backroads during the winter, looking for the highly visible species such as eagles, owls and Snow Buntings. They will also check areas of open water such as sewerage outlets, dams and rivers that support overwintering populations of ducks and geese.
For the most enthusiastic and dedicated birders, winter birding is done on foot (or snowshoes or skis). As long as one is dressed appropriately, walking in any wooded area will likely yield a surprising diversity of winter birds. Birding on foot has the distinct advantage over driving (besides being healthier) because the birds can be heard, and species not likely seen from a vehicle can be spotted. Walking is the best way to find flocks of winter finches, smaller and more elusive species, less common woodpeckers and the smaller owls.
With so many outstanding birding apps now available, such as eBird and iNaturalist, it is easy to find out which local species have been recently sighted, and these apps make it easy for even novice birders to become citizen scientists by contributing their sightings to important global bird tracking research.
Social media is another excellent way to keep updated on winter sightings. There are dozens of Facebook pages and other platforms dedicated to birds, from bird feeding groups to those that specialize in bird photography. While the locations of rare owls and other sensitive species are not usually disclosed, social media is a great way to find out where local winter species are being seen.
Additional information about winter birding can be obtained from the many volunteer nature and birding organizations that operate across the country. A good place to start is with Nature Canada’s Nature Network.
Provincial organizations have excellent resources (including provincial checklists) while many regional nature and birding clubs have their own websites and social media feeds. Most clubs also offer year-round field trips, as well, which provide beginning birders with excellent opportunities to avail themselves of the knowledge of local naturalists and learn more about local areas. Happily, many friendships are formed through a shared love of birds.
So, while we might tire of the snow, the cold and the dark — or whatever else a Canadian winter can throw our way — we thankfully have the option to share it with the birds!
A Canadian winter — fraught as it is with cold temperatures, blizzards, sometimes-hazardous roads and deep snow — is the perfect season to celebrate birds. As long as one is safe, well-prepared and dressed appropriately, the rewards for birding in winter are many: no mosquitos, no crowds, the appearance of winter-only bird species, the opportunity to observe unique bird behaviours and, for the beginner, fewer species to puzzle over.
Bringing the birds to youIn the long-term, the best way to attract birds — and to contribute to overall biodiversity — is to bring birds and other wild creatures into your yards and gardens by creating habitat (providing space where animals can find food, water and shelter). Creating habitat through “naturescaping” is readily achievable, even in urban landscapes, and most Canadian provinces have programs and/or resources related to creating and enhancing backyard biodiversity.
In the shorter-term, winter birds can be enticed to visit backyards by setting out bird feeding stations. Unless prohibited by local/condo ordinances, even city centre backyards, including urban balconies, can attract avian neighbours if the proper food is offered. Not only do bird feeding stations attract resident species such as chickadees, jays and woodpeckers, but they may also entice the species, such as redpolls, that migrate south during the winter from their Arctic nesting grounds. Having birds come into feeding stations provides an excellent opportunity to study and appreciate bird behaviour and is an excellent way to introduce children to the wonders of nature.
I recommend three bird feeding staples: sunflower seeds, peanuts and suet. Both sunflowers and peanuts can be offered shelled or unshelled. Shelled seeds are more expensive than unshelled, but are easier for the birds to eat (no shell to crack open) and less messy (no buildup of husked shells). Commercial suet cakes are the easiest way to dispense suet, although it can also be offered raw or rendered (melted) and mixed with other ingredients.
Feeding stations may also be visited some years by “winter wanderers” — species such as grosbeaks and crossbills that move over vast tracts of our boreal forests in search of abundant cone crops and — when they are in the neighbourhood —will avail themselves of sunflower seeds. During the shoulder seasons of spring and fall, especially during stormy weather, feeding stations will also attract migrants such as juncos and other species of native sparrows. Finally, feeding stations, with all their busyness and activity, will inevitably attract birds of prey, such as Northern Shrikes, and Sharp-shinned and Cooper’s Hawks.
Out in the fieldWinter is a good time to explore the great outdoors, especially local neighbourhoods, parks and natural areas. What better “excuse” to get out and explore than to go out looking for birds; birding provides both purpose and interest to any outdoor ramble.
Many keen birdwatchers and photographers drive rural backroads during the winter, looking for the highly visible species such as eagles, owls and Snow Buntings. They will also check areas of open water such as sewerage outlets, dams and rivers that support overwintering populations of ducks and geese.
For the most enthusiastic and dedicated birders, winter birding is done on foot (or snowshoes or skis). As long as one is dressed appropriately, walking in any wooded area will likely yield a surprising diversity of winter birds. Birding on foot has the distinct advantage over driving (besides being healthier) because the birds can be heard, and species not likely seen from a vehicle can be spotted. Walking is the best way to find flocks of winter finches, smaller and more elusive species, less common woodpeckers and the smaller owls.
With so many outstanding birding apps now available, such as eBird and iNaturalist, it is easy to find out which local species have been recently sighted, and these apps make it easy for even novice birders to become citizen scientists by contributing their sightings to important global bird tracking research.
Social media is another excellent way to keep updated on winter sightings. There are dozens of Facebook pages and other platforms dedicated to birds, from bird feeding groups to those that specialize in bird photography. While the locations of rare owls and other sensitive species are not usually disclosed, social media is a great way to find out where local winter species are being seen.
Additional information about winter birding can be obtained from the many volunteer nature and birding organizations that operate across the country. A good place to start is with Nature Canada’s Nature Network.
Provincial organizations have excellent resources (including provincial checklists) while many regional nature and birding clubs have their own websites and social media feeds. Most clubs also offer year-round field trips, as well, which provide beginning birders with excellent opportunities to avail themselves of the knowledge of local naturalists and learn more about local areas. Happily, many friendships are formed through a shared love of birds.
So, while we might tire of the snow, the cold and the dark — or whatever else a Canadian winter can throw our way — we thankfully have the option to share it with the birds!