Inglewood Bird Sanctuary

Visited over the holidays for a little winter nature walk, was very nice; saw 2 deer, magpies, an eagle in distance. Some parts were fenced off for flood recovery but you can get pretty close to the river and duckies. Look fwd to visiting next time in summer for a different perspective.

Not a lot of birds today, but last week saw an owl, blue heron, chickadee, wood duck and merganser! Flood did a lot of damage hope they can repair it soon! Still a beautiful serene park! Don’t bring your dogs please! Not allowed.

With your eyes alone, you would think that you are in the middle of the wilderness. It’s only the hum of Deerfoot Trail nearby that would give you any indication that on a map, you are pretty much in the dead centre of a metropolis of 1.2 million people.
There’s an information centre with a bunch of teaching on the local plants, birds and wildlife to be seen in the area. This is undoubtedly the destination of many a school field trip.
Myself, when I lived in the area, I used to go running here in the mornings. I love all the different wildlife I would see. Almost always deer, plenty of elk, coyotes and even a moose and a wolf once. At least I think it was a wolf… I turned up the pace pretty quickly!
It’s also nice to just stroll through here — take your time, read the signs and see if you can spot any of the birds they tell you about.
Walking or running only though — No bikes or blades allowed.
For a date, I once went here and ate a full roast chicken dinner in front of the ducks. True story. I should probably feel bad about it, but I don’t. Birds are delicious!

I think its great that a spot like this exists within the city limits. Going there I didn’t feel like I was in the city, and I got photographs of about 15 species as well as baby deer and some falcons. Kudos to Calgary for keep this area for nature rather than more development.

I first visited the Inglewood Bird Sanctuary a couple years ago on a chilly September day following brunch at The Coup with some couchsurfers.
Despite my couchsurfers’ incessant whining about the temperature being only 12 degrees Celsius (silly Hawaiians, that is a BEAUTIFUL day in Calgary), and trying to trick me into believing I kept missing GIANT HAWKS flying by, I was quite enchanted.
I have visited the bird sanctuary many times since then, both by myself and others. The little centre you walk through to get to the sanctuary is both interesting and educational. Taxidermic animals of any kind creep me out, but I really enjoy the donated collection of wooden bird carvings. The sanctuary itself is rather peaceful. Mostly untouched with the exception of it being gated off, with a couple manmade bridges and benches to sit. If in a calm state of mind, I can spend a long time there by myself.
To be honest, sometimes I see more birds while driving past flocks of seagulls swarming to a McDonalds parking lot for french fries. But really, how can you rate a BIRD SANCTUARY on the amount of birds you see per visit? I always manage to catch a few pretty little things, and there are usually ducks. I have also seen a couple beaver, and some deer in the area which is quite cool. It would kind of make my life to come across an owl, but it’s not like that is a controllable variable, haha.
*Review ⁷⁄₃₀ of Unilocal’s 30 Day Challenge 2012

I recommend the Inglewood Bird sanctuary as a great spot to go for some serenity and quiet while surrounded by the hushed bustling of nature.
It’s perfect in any weather, and Isn’t so large that you have the option to take a quick stroll. It is also an easy stroll, which makes it suitable for anyone.
Bring your walking shoes and your camera. lots of photo-​ops at every turn!

Here’s the backstory. I knew I would be in Calgary for just a day, so ahead of time I looked on Unilocal for things that would be interesting and bookmarked them. This was one of only two places that I got to visit in Calgary (the other one was the hatchery) and both are awesome! This was my first bird sanctuary so I didn’t have any expectations.
It’s a beautiful place to spend an hour or a day. There’s a body of water with lots of animals and birds and fish. Bring binoculars and/​or a camera and a snack for yourself.
Great spot for kids too. The lobby has a lot of information about birds and models of birds that you may be able to see. Also nice, clean restrooms.

This place must be the Calgarian equivalent to a serene Japanese Garden, sans Buddhist monks tending to the place. It’s so serene that even the large fish lie still in the water here. Smart fish, they know no one would bother them.
To be honest I’m not into birds and I’m the last person considered to embark on a BIG YEAR, but I like how this sanctuary gives me a chance to peacefully watch these feathered creatures without them having to fly all over the place in a frenzy, pooping everywhere and pecking eyes. Its nice having to watch these things waddle about carrying on with their business at peace without the presence of a predator. One gets easily dragged into the simplicity of their savage world.
This sanctuary provides a more natural experience compared to other city gardens, where they go all out by making sure that every blade of grass is the same height, flowers planted to give an aesthetically pleasing view, and trees trimmed to provide adequate shade. Here all it seems to have is a well kept path and a few benches to sit on. Birds could care less about Lilacs and Orchids!!!
Definitely visiting this place more during the fall and winter.

This is one of those places that once you go to, you feel lucky our city has it.
Just like Wendy P. mentioned, this place rules for stopping off for an afternoon walk on a wintery day. We spent an hour or so walking around here and exploring the area. It’s an easy walking area, it would be suitable for anyone really.
There was also a helpful bird lady (probably not the proper name for her — ha ha!) that was setup as a resource on behalf of the centre. She had her bird book and gave us some wicked information about birds we had seen and the ones we had questions about.
All in all — super fun place to spend a few hours outside.
Unilocal Kicks Butt: ²⁄₁₀

Go Nature or go home.
When I first moved to Calgary I lived in Inglewood — an inner city community where a brewery covered everything like a blanket of fermentation, Recordland was on the west side of 9^th avenue, H.A. had yet to patch-​over the Reapers, and the Inglewood Bird Sanctuary was at the very end of 9^th avenue — not alone yet not well-​known.
Over two decades later I have the ability to declare to the world my feelings on the Sanctuary — a subtle monastery of biophilia. A place which is – to me – as complete a signature for Calgary as one could hope for. A universal metaphor in which one may be immersed. The heart of this city.
The IBS is a space one should plan to go to, at first. If you wish to sequence your trip, check various sites to give you a sense of the situation (IE
). Here is an example of what you may experience:
What cannot be conveyed completely in photographs is the immediacy of the occasion of experience. Especially in juxtaposition to the proximity the IBS has to the industry of south east Calgary, as well as to the downtown core. The reality of this point on the planet sans post-​industrial development by homo sapiens can be quite striking. If you meditate, like to think or do types of yoga, this is the place downtown. If you like a minimum of human interface while writing, drawing or thinking — yet still like doing so in public — go to the IBS.
I’m not mentioning the specific analysis which can be done at the Sanctuary concerning birds, trees, plants, or other aspects of biology/​botany. User groups online, as well as literature and staff at the interpretative centre will be of more use to you than I regarding the details of the various classifications.
Trust me, you will want to go to there. Good times!

Have I mentioned how much I love the Inglewood Bird Sanctuary? It’s now one of my favourite places to head for a stroll on a gorgeous wintry day. The path is easy to walk, it’s nice and quiet, and there are photos to be taken at every turn if you so choose.
During the summer, there’s a lot more selection as far as bird watching goes. But come winter, you’ll still find some chickadees and the likes fluttering through the bushes.
So grab your walking shoes (maybe ones that are snow ready), your camera, and a thermos of hot cocoa. This is one park you should check out!
Unilocal’s 30 Day Challenge ²⁶⁄₃₀