Jasper national Park in the Canadian Rockies is an excellent place for birdwatching. From high alpine meadows and tundra to beautiful hidden forests, bird lovers will find rare and beautiful birds all across the mountain chain.

Waterfowl are found in abundance around the network of lakes and rivers that wind through Jasper National Park, ranging from Harlequin Ducks to Osprey. So, if you’re are not a fisherman and you like an activity that is only as strenuous as your choose to make it with a walk, a trip out to one of Jasper’s Lakes to birdwatch might be just the thing. Talbot Lake in particular has a good reputation for attracting interesting birds.

Birdwatchers will also find waxwings, finches, woodpeckers and raptors of all types flying and nesting across the Canadian Rockies. The owls in particular are worth getting a glimpse of, if you can get it. These exceptional (and often ellusive) examples of Jasper’s winged wildlife include species like the great horned owl and the great grey owl. Imagine coming across one of these big fellas in the Jasper Wilderness!

There are many dedicated birders living in Jasper and birding resources available to locals and visitors alike all over town. These include the library and museum as well as the town’s many outfitters like Stoney Creek Outfitting, which always seems to have somebody knowledgeable on hand.

You can also find many events for birders that are held in Jasper. These range from informal get togethers that are announce in local publications such as the Jasper Fitzhugh and more organized tours run by guides across the park.

The best seasons for birdwatching in the Rockies are summer and spring. However, even the harsh mountain winter offers harbour for birds in Alberta and there are many species worth looking for while snowshoeing or cross-country skiing. Winter birds to watch for in Jasper include the American Dipper, the Boreal Chickadee, and the White-winged crossbill.