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Calgary

Ellis Bird Farm

Located in the heart of Central Alberta not far from the small city of Lacombe, Ellis Bird Farm is a non-profit facility and a working farm. There are lovely gardens, the world’s largest collection of bluebird nesting boxes, purple martin houses, a visitor’s centre and a cute, onsite cafe where visitors can enjoy a delicious lunch or afternoon tea. The facility has also been involved with some fascinating research on mountain bluebirds and purple martins and visitors can learn more about those species and other backyard birds during a visit. Stop in nearby Lacombe and enjoy the historic downtown, great dining, a craft brewery and a craft distillery.

Calgary

Iron Horse Trail

The Iron Horse Trail stretches for 300 km northeast of Edmonton and is the longest completed section of The Great Trail in Alberta. Built on abandoned rail bed, the gravel trail is ideal for ATV and snowmobile use, but it’s also used by cyclists, hikers and cross-country skiers. This region of Alberta is particularly good for birding. Along the trail, you can experience the flora and fauna of the parkland, boreal forest, wetlands and sand dunes. The trail passes through a region of Alberta sometimes called “the land of big.” You can see the world’s largest mushrooms in Vilna, giant pumpkins in Smoky Lake, a UFO landing pad in Saint Paul and several other very “big” attractions. There are staging areas and campgrounds along the route, so visitors can traverse individual sections of the trail without committing to the whole thing.