Our job postings are now closed. Thank you to all the applicants who took the time to apply for the positions.
The Kimiwan Lake & Wildlife Preservation Society would like to acknowledge the Alberta Conservation Association for receipt of a grant which will enable us to construct a new Gazebo which will act as an outdoor classroom located along the edge of a hemi-marsh wetland and will provide a gathering location for up to 50 people to view wildlife, carry out conservation education activities, interpretive presentations and share outdoor
Merchandise now available! Contact the Birdwalk by email ([email protected]) to place your orders. Tshirts, Water Bottles, Colourful tote bags.
Kimiwan Birdwalk
The pride of the Kimiwan Lake Naturalists is the Interpretive Center located along Highway #2 on the south side of the lake. The Center, which opened in 1992, is staffed from May until September. The Center provides the starting point for an exciting and rewarding birding experience! We are located approximately 4.5 hours north of Edmonton and 1.5 hours northeast of Grande Prairie.
What can you expect to find at the Kimiwan Birdwalk? Well, that depends somewhat on what time of year you decide to visit and the water level. To date, 233 species of birds have been observed within 15 km of Kimiwan Lake. Here is what you can expect in each month:
- April - Kimiwan Lake is usually frozen until late April. The first migrants to return are typically Canada geese and they quickly stake out nesting locations and defend their territories from other geese. Often already incubating eggs, the first broods will start to hatch in mid May.
- May - By early May most species of waterfowl will have returned with puddle duck species using smaller, shallow ponds in the area to pair bond and fuel up following the migration. As the lake opens up from a long winter, a diversity of diving duck species appear. Early-mid May is the best time to observe waterfowl as there is a combination of migrants and residents at the lake. In late May you can usually see some species initiating nest-building activities.
- June - Nesting season! By early June, nearly all resident species are on eggs. There is still a lot of bird activity at the lake. There is an abundance of sunshine with the long days. Check out the unique relationship between Kimiwan Lake and Winagami Lake and the Franklin’s Gull population that share these two lakes. The gulls nest at Winagami Lake on an island just south of the boat launch as well as another location in the north west corner of the lake but make daily feeding flights to Kimiwan Lake in order to gorge on insects. Up to 5000 Franklin Gulls have been observed daily at Kimiwan Lake. They arrive in the early morning and large numbers can be seen leaving the lake, heading back to Winagami Lake in the evening.
- July - Early in the month you may start to see the first broods of ducks arrive. For the songbirds, blackbirds and sparrows, there is a lot of activity as adults of various species forage for enough food to feed the gaping mouths of young. Later in the month, the first shorebirds begin to arrive out of the Arctic, already on their way south from the very brief nesting season. Look carefully at the far north and east ends of the lake as you may spot a Trumpeter swan.
- August - Not exactly the summer doldrums if you are a bird! There is a real diversity of activities happening. If there are mud flats present on the lake, shorebirds can appear in high densities. Peregrine falcons can be observed hunting these shorebirds. Waterfowl are molting. By the end of the month, typically by August 20, the first white-fronted geese will arrive to stage at the lake.
- September - This is waterfowl migration time. Kimiwan Lake may stage up to 10,000 geese (Canada, white-fronted and snow geese), and 30,000 ducks. Trumpeter swans who raised broods on area wetlands will move to the lake to take advantage of the abundant aquatic vegetation. Tundra swans begin arriving in the third week.
- October - The first week of the month is typically the peak of swan staging activity. We have recorded up to 9000 swans on certain days! When the light condition are right, the sight of thousands of white swans on the lake with a backdrop of a baby blue sky and the yellow and orange leaves of the aspen trees on the east side of the lake make for a truly spectacular scene! Muskrat activity is at a peak as thousands of individuals construct pushups, racing against time to build their winter shelters.
- November - The lake is typically frozen by the first week of November. The most hardy of the waterfowl, typically a few hundred mallards, hang on to the last remaining open water as long as they can. Bald eagles are seen sitting on the ice near the ducks, hoping to catch another meal.
- December - March - Frozen solid! However, not without wildlife! Coyotes are often seen hunting mice along the lakeshore, snowy owls can be spotted in the country side. Wolves have been seen along the shoreline on the east side of the lake and the northern lights and the stars can be unbelievable under the right conditions.
The Facilities- Interpretive Centre and Birdwalk
Inside the Interpretive Centre you will find information about the birds of Kimiwan Lake including some interesting taxidermy of native birds that will be sure to generate interesting discussion! Additional information and entertainment is available on the large SmartBoard. Pick up a bird checklist and see how many species you can record on your visit.
Next, as you exit the Interpretive Centre, be sure to explore the self-guided interpretive Birdwalk. The first portion is a hard-packed gravel walking trail of approximately 300 m which circles around a wetland and leads you to the wooden portion of the walkway. Walk slowly and quietly to have the best chance to observe some really interesting bird behaviour. Be sure to check out each “Watchable Wildlife Fact" sign which highlights a specific bird that is common to the site.
The wooden portion of the walkway takes you approximately 400 m out towards the main lake and over shallow water. Each step you take can result in a different sighting or bird behaviour. You’ll walk past a second small wetland and then proceed out into the lake. There are three decks along the wooden walkway stretch, each with a picnic table and a garbage can. At the last deck and furthest into the lake, there is a viewing scope for your pleasure. Allow yourself at least 30 minutes to complete the Birdwalk, although if you are a serious birder or not pressed for time you’ll appreciate taking more time.
Back at the Interpretive Centre, take a few minutes to observe the breeding colony of purple martins who occupy the huge birdhouse north of the Centre. How many pairs can you observe this year?
There are picnic tables at the Interpretive Centre and seating on the deck. Washrooms are available inside the Interpretive Centre during open hours.
Next, as you exit the Interpretive Centre, be sure to explore the self-guided interpretive Birdwalk. The first portion is a hard-packed gravel walking trail of approximately 300 m which circles around a wetland and leads you to the wooden portion of the walkway. Walk slowly and quietly to have the best chance to observe some really interesting bird behaviour. Be sure to check out each “Watchable Wildlife Fact" sign which highlights a specific bird that is common to the site.
The wooden portion of the walkway takes you approximately 400 m out towards the main lake and over shallow water. Each step you take can result in a different sighting or bird behaviour. You’ll walk past a second small wetland and then proceed out into the lake. There are three decks along the wooden walkway stretch, each with a picnic table and a garbage can. At the last deck and furthest into the lake, there is a viewing scope for your pleasure. Allow yourself at least 30 minutes to complete the Birdwalk, although if you are a serious birder or not pressed for time you’ll appreciate taking more time.
Back at the Interpretive Centre, take a few minutes to observe the breeding colony of purple martins who occupy the huge birdhouse north of the Centre. How many pairs can you observe this year?
There are picnic tables at the Interpretive Centre and seating on the deck. Washrooms are available inside the Interpretive Centre during open hours.
Forgot your binoculars? We’ve got a pair for you to borrow! Want to plan the next leg of your birding trip? Log on the computer and access the links to other great Alberta birding destinations.
We invite you to log your bird sightings in the Centre and chat with the staff about additional birding and other tourism opportunities in the area.
Before you leave, be sure to pick up a special souvenir of Kimiwan Lake. We have a selection of unique gifts including bird feeders and nest boxes, guide books, hats and shirts, post cards and even hand-carved wood feather pins!
We invite you to log your bird sightings in the Centre and chat with the staff about additional birding and other tourism opportunities in the area.
Before you leave, be sure to pick up a special souvenir of Kimiwan Lake. We have a selection of unique gifts including bird feeders and nest boxes, guide books, hats and shirts, post cards and even hand-carved wood feather pins!
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The most common birds we see on the walk are:
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Tours and Interpretive Presentations
