Inglewood Bird Sanctuary: Over 260 Bird Species and More!

More Than 260 Species at the Inglewood Bird Sanctuary!

Calgaryism Fact #29

Did you know that over 260 bird species have been recorded at the Inglewood Bird Sanctuary?

That’s a lot of birds – to see them all in one place is a profound experience whether you are a bird lover, or are simply a recreational lover looking for something new to do in Calgary.

Located in the southeast inner city community of Inglewood (you guessed it), the Inglewood Bird Sanctuary is a 36 hectare wildlife reserve with over 2000 metres of paved walkways and more than 1000 metres of paths winding through the beautiful riverside landscape.

In the spring and summer, countless locals and tourists flock to the bird sanctuary; you just never know what kind of majestic, beautiful bird you’ll see next. After all, no one likes to go outside in winter, not even the birds!

But birds aren’t all that you will see at this wildlife reserve. Much more has been observed over the years including:

• As mentioned above, more than 260 bird species

• 21 species of mammals

• 347 species of plants

• 27 species of butterflies

• 2 species of reptiles

• 2 species of amphibians

Nature Centre 

So remember to bring your binoculars the next time you visit the park and make sure to stop by the Nature Centre for additional information.

This centre is a great educational resource for wildlife lovers and families alike and is where visitors have the option to record any sightings they have made.

This hidden gem is accessible to the public during daylight hours; however, there are some limits to take into account. Visitors are asked to leave their pets, roller blades, bicycles at home and are asked to keep their food to themselves.

This helps keep the Inglewood Bird Sanctuary pristine so that wildlife, and people for that matter, can continue to enjoy its scenic beauty for years to come.

The best part is that the sanctuary is only a short drive eastward from the downtown core (approximately 5 km), and is even accessible by the river parks and pathways. Just follow the signs and you will make your way!

Make sure you keep your eyes and ears open for when the Inglewood Bird Sanctuary opens once again… we will do our best to keep you updated!

Closed For Now

Unfortunately, the Inglewood Bird Sanctuary is located directly along the Bow River and has suffered damage due to the June 2013 floods. It remains closed for now – expect clean-up and any reclamation to be done soon this spring and summer. However, the Nature Centre does remain open during regular hours.

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