Eager to get out and enjoy what’s left of the fall season? Among the many incredible places to take a walk from coast to coast, are Big Lake and the scenic John E. Poole Boardwalk in Alberta.

Located in Lois Hole Centennial Provincial Park, this stunning destination is “where dreams take flight,” but here’s what you need to know before checking it out.

What to expect

Love bird watching? Here, you’ll find colourful trees and a serene wetland, as well as the 235 winged species that call Big Lake home.

From pelicans and Sprague’s pipits to peregrine falcons, short-eared owls, and even bald eagles, those who visit will see some incredible creatures along the way. It is, after all, a particularly special place.

According to Ducks Unlimited Canada, Big Lake is considered one of 20 key habitat areas in the province by Alberta Fish and Wildlife.

“Big Lake is globally recognized as an Important Bird Area and provides critical habitat for thousands of nesting and migrating waterfowl and shorebirds,” they explain.

“At the site, DUC has established a forest trail, a wetland boardwalk with interpretive signs and critter dipping stations with the goal of providing hands-on wetland and environmental education, interpretation and exploration.”

Photo via The Big Lake Environment Support Society (BLESS) / Facebook

Want to check it out? Now is the perfect time!

“In the fall, the lake is a staging area for Tundra Swans and Pelicans,” says the City of St. Albert.

“Fall populations of swans have been as high as 20,000! Cormorants, Loons, Great Blue Herons and Ospreys fish the lake. Lesser Yellowlegs, Dowitchers, American Avocets and Sandpipers reside during low water years.”

As always, wear comfortable shoes, be respectful, and keep your eyes peeled!

In addition to that of the winged variety, there are also a lot of other critters in the area.

Moose, white-tailed deer, beavers, muskrats, minks, skunks, coyotes, red foxes, porcupines, snowshoe hares, and red squirrels are also known to frequent the area.

It’s truly something else, Alberta, so check it out and enjoy yourself.

You never know what you’ll see.

Big Lake – John E. Poole Boardwalk, Alberta 

Where: Directions here

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Cassandra Stefanic

Regional Editor, Prairies –Cassandra is a Calgary-based journalist with a deep appreciation for music, film, food, travelling, and storytelling. When she’s not chasing a story, writing, or editing, you’ll likely find her in the mountains, binge-watching a new series, at a speakeasy, cooking, or getting lost in a Taylor Swift re-record.

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