Winter birding in western Canada...

Discover the magic of winter birding in Alberta on this expertly guided tour birding tour. This tour starts and ends in Calgary, where we will spend all nights.  This tour is designed for high chances to encounter iconic winter specialties, dramatic prairie landscapes, and exceptional photography opportunities. From urban parks and river valleys in Calgary to the windswept grasslands and coulees of southern Alberta, this tour offers diverse habitats that attract some sought birds throughout the colder months.

Winter is one of the best times to spot Alberta’s most famous raptors and northern specialties. Target species include Great Gray Owl, Snowy Owl, Northern Hawk Owl, Rough-legged Hawk, Prairie Falcon, and Golden Eagle. We will also search for the elusive Gyrfalcon, but this species requires some luck to find. Open farmland and prairie habitats provide opportunities to find Gray Partridge, Sharp-tailed Grouse, and Ring-necked Pheasant. In riparian corridors and areas with open water, we will look for wintering waterfowl such as Barrow’s Goldeneye, and the striking Harlequin Duck. Woodland and urban habitats may reveal three chickadee species; Black-capped, Boreal and Mountain.  Woodpeckers are plentiful on this tour and we have chances to see 6 species, including American three-toed and Pileated. and the beautiful Bohemian Waxwing. Winter finches such as Common Redpoll, Pine Grosbeak and Evening Grosbeak may also be encountered, as well as White-winged and Red Crossbills and Gray-crowned Rosy-Finches. 

Tour Information 

Dates: February 8-13, 2027
Starting City: Calgary, AB (YYC) 
Ending City: Calgary, AB (YYC)
​Cost: $2995 CAD | $2150 USD
Single Supplement: $395 CAD | $285 USD
Group size: 4-10
Photo opportunities: Excellent
The price includes all accommodation from, February 8-13 2027, professional guiding services, park entrance fees, breakfast, water and snacks, and ground transportation in a 15 passenger van. Does not include travel to/from Calgary, travel insurance, items of a personal nature, and GST. Space can be reserved with an initial deposit of $500 CAD | $360 USD.

Gavin McKinnon
Born in Saskatchewan, Gavin now lives in Calgary, Alberta. In 2022, Gavin founded Meadowlark Birding Tours, intending to share his passion for birds with others. After high school, he studied Renewable Resource Management at Lethbridge College. Gavin is the lead guide at Meadowlark Birding Tours, handling all day-to-day operations and bookings. 

Itinerary

February 8: Arrival in Calgary
Welcome to Alberta! Day one begins with your arrival in Calgary (YYC), where you’ll be met by your guide at the hotel where we will have dinner and review plans for the coming days, and get to know your fellow participants. 

February 9: East of Calgary
Winter birding northeast of Calgary offers an exciting opportunity to explore Alberta’s open prairies, agricultural fields, which is prime habitat for many of our target birds. We hope for excellent chances to observe Snowy Owl perched on fence posts or on the ground on snow-covered fields. Farmland shelter-belts provide habitat for Gray Partridge, Ring-necked Pheasant, and flocks of Horned Larks and Snow Buntings can be seen over the open fields and roads. In the evening we may have a chance to see Short-eared Owls before returning to the hotel for dinner. 

Snow Bunting - Ethan Denton

Great Gray Owl - Gavin McKinnon

February 10: West of Calgary
Today offers a striking contrast to the open prairies, with a mix of foothills, coniferous forest, and sheltered valleys that support a different assortment of species. Our main target in the morning will be the Great Gray Owl, and in some years we may also have a chance to see Northern Hawk Owl. This region is ideal for finding woodland birds such as American Three-toed Woodpecker and the imposing Pileated Woodpecker. Mixed flocks of Boreal Chickadee, Mountain Chickadee, Red-breasted Nuthatch, and are commonly encountered, often accompanied by Golden-crowned Kinglet. Winter finches such as Pine Grosbeak, Evening Grosbeak and Redpoll may also be present, at local feeder setups. White-winged Crossbills and Red Crossbills could be here as well depending on food availability. As we head southwest toward Brown-Lowery Provincial Park, we will keep our eyes peeled for species like Canada Jay and Blue Jay (and maybe Northern Pygmy-Owl!). Raptors such as Bald Eagle, Rough-legged Hawk, and American Goshawk are possible throughout.  
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February 11: South of Calgary 
Our third day is our most driving-intensive day, taking us south of Calgary  into the dramatic foothills of the Crowsnest Pass. This route offers very winter birding opportunities and the chance to encounter several species that are difficult elsewhere. Some of our targets here include elusive Gray-crowned Rosy-Finch, Clark's Nutcracker, and Steller's Jay in the small mountain towns. We will also search for American Dipper in fast-flowing, partially open streams, and Wild Turkeys in more open areas. During the drive south, we will keep watch for Golden Eagles and Prairie Falcons soaring over ridgelines and open country.  Depending on timing and conditions, we may include a stop in Lethbridge to check for lingering waterfowl or additional targets, rounding out an exciting and diverse day of winter birding in southern Alberta.

Gray-crowned Rosy-Finch - Gavin McKinnon

Bohemian Waxwing - Gavin McKinnon

June 12 – Birding in Calgary
Our final day focuses on rewarding winter birding within Calgary, exploring the productive Bow River corridor and Fish Creek PP. These areas remain surprisingly active in winter, offering excellent opportunities to catch up on species we may have missed earlier in the tour. A key target for the day is the beautiful Bohemian Waxwing, often found in large flocks feeding on  Mountain Ash trees. The Bow River’s open stretches can host a variety of waterfowl, including Common Goldeneye, Bufflehead, Redhead, and possibly Harlequin Duck and Trumpeter Swan. Woodland edges and parks are ideal for Downy and Hairy Woodpeckers, Black-capped Chickadee, White-breasted Nuthatch in the cottonwood forests. After our final group dinner, participants will have the option to join an evening owling excursion. We will venture into suitable habitat in search of Northern Saw-whet Owl, a widespread but elusive nocturnal species. 

June 21: Departure from Calgary
Today marks the end of our winter Alberta birding adventure. Participants are free to depart from Calgary at any time.