Inventory and Monitoring
Waterfowl
Kimiwan Lake is a well known waterfowl habitat, of particular importance to migrating and staging waterfowl. It’s strategic location amongst the major migration routes of the Pacific, Central and Mississippi flyways, results in a high density and diversity of species. It is one of the most important waterfowl habitats in Alberta.
The earliest records of waterfowl census that we have on record comes from a series of consecutive early fall aerial surveys by Ducks Unlimited Canada. On September 3, 1962 a total of 172,000 ducks were observed. The following year on September 1, 1963 only 26,000 ducks were observed. On September 4, 1964 a total of 23,200 ducks were observed. On September 8, 1965 a total of 79,000 ducks were observed. In August of 1966 a total of 45,900 ducks were observed and on August 29, 1967 a total of 20,005 ducks were observed. The field notes from the 1967 survey indicated that there were extensive mud flats on the east shore.
The next aerial survey occurred in September 1970 by Alberta Fish and Wildlife. That survey recorded 24, 705 ducks. In July 1971 a total of 56, 235 ducks were observed, and in September of 1972 39,195 ducks were observed. There were periodic ground-based waterfowl surveys completed between 1979 and 1985 at Kimiwan Lake, although the timing and methods of the surveys were variable and the results cannot be compared to the more complete aerial surveys.
The punch line is that Kimiwan Lake is a very “ducky” lake when the water condition are right for waterfowl.
In 1998, approximately 50,000 dabbling ducks were collected after a probable outbreak of avian botulism. Total waterfowl losses in 1998 were estimated at 200,000 birds.
The earliest records of waterfowl census that we have on record comes from a series of consecutive early fall aerial surveys by Ducks Unlimited Canada. On September 3, 1962 a total of 172,000 ducks were observed. The following year on September 1, 1963 only 26,000 ducks were observed. On September 4, 1964 a total of 23,200 ducks were observed. On September 8, 1965 a total of 79,000 ducks were observed. In August of 1966 a total of 45,900 ducks were observed and on August 29, 1967 a total of 20,005 ducks were observed. The field notes from the 1967 survey indicated that there were extensive mud flats on the east shore.
The next aerial survey occurred in September 1970 by Alberta Fish and Wildlife. That survey recorded 24, 705 ducks. In July 1971 a total of 56, 235 ducks were observed, and in September of 1972 39,195 ducks were observed. There were periodic ground-based waterfowl surveys completed between 1979 and 1985 at Kimiwan Lake, although the timing and methods of the surveys were variable and the results cannot be compared to the more complete aerial surveys.
The punch line is that Kimiwan Lake is a very “ducky” lake when the water condition are right for waterfowl.
In 1998, approximately 50,000 dabbling ducks were collected after a probable outbreak of avian botulism. Total waterfowl losses in 1998 were estimated at 200,000 birds.
Shorebirds
Similarly to its importance as a strategic waterfowl migration stopover, Kimiwan Lake has also demonstrated its importance as a shorebird migration stopover.
The earliest records of shorebird census come from 1987 where biologists from the Canadian Wildlife Service observed total shorebird numbers of over 20,000. In the spring of 1988, two counts of over 20,000 shorebirds were recorded at Kimiwan Lake, including a one-day maximum of 27,067. The actual numbers of shorebirds moving through this site is likely much larger considering the likelihood of high turnover rates. During the 1988 surveys, the most abundant species were Pectoral Sandpipers (7,000 or perhaps 5% of the world's population of this poorly known species), and dowitchers (12,000, most probably Long-billed, which would represent about 2% of the world's population).
As part of the effort to support a nomination of Kimiwan Lake under the Western Hemisphere Shorebird Reserve Network, additional shorebird surveys were carried out in 2001-2003. An aerial survey on May 20, 2001 showed another impressive total of approximately 24,500 shorebirds with 90% of the birds falling into small shorebird species. Seeing such impressive numbers from the air, the biologists completed further surveys from the ground in order to record the distinct species numbers. They observed an estimated 12, 128 Pectoral Sandpipers, 9482 Semipalmated sandpipers and 441 Baird’s Sandpiper. Black-bellied Plovers, Solitary Sandpipers, Dowitchers, Stilt Sandpipers and American Avocets were observed as well.
Detailed ground surveys were carried out May 16-22, 2002 resulting in a total of 16,853, 17,603 and 21,804 shorebirds observed respectively. And with the lake being totally dry in 2003, ground surveys between May 14 and May 24 showed observations of 11,993, 4687 and 2317 shorebirds respectively.
In addition, the lake also supports large numbers of other species. Over 5,000 non-breeding Franklin's Gulls (about 1% of the world's estimated population) have been recorded at the lake during the mid-summer. Songbird monitoring in 2000 found at least 66 species utilizing the nearshore forested habitats.
The earliest records of shorebird census come from 1987 where biologists from the Canadian Wildlife Service observed total shorebird numbers of over 20,000. In the spring of 1988, two counts of over 20,000 shorebirds were recorded at Kimiwan Lake, including a one-day maximum of 27,067. The actual numbers of shorebirds moving through this site is likely much larger considering the likelihood of high turnover rates. During the 1988 surveys, the most abundant species were Pectoral Sandpipers (7,000 or perhaps 5% of the world's population of this poorly known species), and dowitchers (12,000, most probably Long-billed, which would represent about 2% of the world's population).
As part of the effort to support a nomination of Kimiwan Lake under the Western Hemisphere Shorebird Reserve Network, additional shorebird surveys were carried out in 2001-2003. An aerial survey on May 20, 2001 showed another impressive total of approximately 24,500 shorebirds with 90% of the birds falling into small shorebird species. Seeing such impressive numbers from the air, the biologists completed further surveys from the ground in order to record the distinct species numbers. They observed an estimated 12, 128 Pectoral Sandpipers, 9482 Semipalmated sandpipers and 441 Baird’s Sandpiper. Black-bellied Plovers, Solitary Sandpipers, Dowitchers, Stilt Sandpipers and American Avocets were observed as well.
Detailed ground surveys were carried out May 16-22, 2002 resulting in a total of 16,853, 17,603 and 21,804 shorebirds observed respectively. And with the lake being totally dry in 2003, ground surveys between May 14 and May 24 showed observations of 11,993, 4687 and 2317 shorebirds respectively.
In addition, the lake also supports large numbers of other species. Over 5,000 non-breeding Franklin's Gulls (about 1% of the world's estimated population) have been recorded at the lake during the mid-summer. Songbird monitoring in 2000 found at least 66 species utilizing the nearshore forested habitats.
Fall Staging Swan Monitoring
The Kimiwan Lake Naturalists have been conducting ground-based surveys for fall staging (September and October) swans (both Tundra and Trumpeter) since 2001. This data is important to quantify the value of the lake to swans during this time of year and was a census effort for two species that had not previously occurred.
Similar to previous waterfowl survey data, when water conditions are favourable at Kimiwan Lake, the site is used by thousands of swans of both species beginning in the last week of September and lasting until the third week in October. If you are planning a visit to see this spectacle, the first or second week in October should be about the right time to hit the peak staging numbers.
Similar to previous waterfowl survey data, when water conditions are favourable at Kimiwan Lake, the site is used by thousands of swans of both species beginning in the last week of September and lasting until the third week in October. If you are planning a visit to see this spectacle, the first or second week in October should be about the right time to hit the peak staging numbers.
You can download our 2022 fall staging survey below.
| fall_staging_swan_survey_2022.pdf |
Birdhouse Trail
Along Highway #2 between McLennan and High Prairie, the Birdhouse Trail is made up of 150 wooden bird houses hung on fence posts. Keep your eyes peeled for tree swallow pairs and other renters as you travel the route.
