Nature Journal Entry #13: Spring Migration at Frank Lake

Where: Frank Lake Conservation Area

When: May 24th 2026 (Early Morning to Late Morning)

Highlight: All of the new lifers, but specifically, the American Avocet!

Given the local notoriety of Frank Lake amongst zealous local birders, Alexis, Taylor, and I decided to wisely join Alberta Wilderness Association for a group birdwatching trip. Managed by Ducks Unlimited Canada and located to the east of High River, Frank Lake Conservation Area, is composed "3,100 acres of flooded area with an additional 1,700 acres of managed upland habitat." Despite the first impressions one might have regarding this land, this wonderful stretch of unassuming prairie is vital to innumerable migratory birds and is a beacon of biodiversity in southern Alberta. When we get out of the vehicle at 8 AM, the cacophony of avian voices makes this undeniably apparent. This was confirmed later, as my e-bird checklist was incredible and the trip garnered a total of twelve lifers for myself (including the famously elusive Sora and elegant American Avocet). It is amazing that habitats like this continue to be home to so much life and it is another example of the stunning work that conservationists have been doing for generations. Whether these birds are nesting here or using the lake as a migratory stopover, they find sanctuary in this wetland. I want to highlight a few of the wonderful birds we seen below.

One of the most interesting (and adorable) characteristics of the Wilson's Phalarope (Phalaropus tricolor) is the way the shorebird gathers food. If you spend enough time observing them, you will notice that they often spin in circles. This spinning creates a whirlpool that brings food to the surface of the water for a daytime feast.

Watching a Forester's Tern (Sterna forsteri) dive into the marsh to hunt for food is a wonderful sight. There is this beautiful flight the tern does while waiting for its moment to strike, which is akin to a frenetic hover above the freshwater. Then, just as captivating, the tern darts into the waters and receives its aquatic bounty. If I was one of the migratory birds we seen at Frank Lake,, I'd definingly be a tern. Just like a tern, I am forever restless – and I also like fish too.

Whilst the Red-winged Blackbird is be more abundant across the continent and deliver a more iconic spring song, the Yellow-Headed Blackbird (Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus) was the domineering bird of these reeds! Their call is screeching and commonly considered less charismatic than their red-winged family members, but I find their burst of yellow to be much more delightful.

Since moving back to Calgary in mid-2023, I have been longing to see an American Avocet (Recurvirostra americana). There is something irresistibly charming about this long-billed wading bird that I cannot get over. Despite my prior excursions to Glenmore Reservoir and 68th Ave Wetlands, I was left without adding them to my life list. Right after leaving the parking lot at Frank Lake, I was stunned to instantly (and finally) make the visual contact I had longed for! They are a fantastic mix of regal and peculiar, making them the odd princes of the marsh.

Now, I would like to present the rest of our photographs from our Frank Lake trip. Among them are a selection of photographs of the scenery, ourselves, and of course, the birds themselves! As a specific note, Alexis is the elite photographer behind all of the phenomenal bird photographs!