The Binocular Site
Drumheller, Alberta
Drumheller Valley lies in the heart of the Canadian Badlands, within southern Alberta.
Over half a million visitors drop by each year, and the area brings together prairie, parkland, and forests as well as the desert-like badlands. This unique array of habitats attracts a lovely range of birds. Canada geese and turkey vultures, wrens, chickadees, and woodpeckers, join the area.
Perhaps most recognizable here are the tundra swans, which stop here during their migratory journeys. Wrens, bluebirds, Say’s phoebes, catbirds, rufous-sided towhees, and yellowthroats are common along with warblers, vireos, and orioles. Also look for golden eagles, prairies falcons, Merlins, and great horned owls along with saw-whet owls, ferruginous hawks, and peregrine falcons. Be sure to pack your sunscreen and you are sure to enjoy the unique scenery and beautiful bird species.
Undoubtedly the most unique geological sites here are the badlands, with towering natural stone sculptures. The spectacular formations have lent themselves to the filming of several movies including Superman in 1978 and Shanghai Noon in 2000.
Television shows have also been filmed here with Texas Rangers episodes recorded in 2000, Lonesome Dove in 1992. Even a few music videos were recorded here, for Tom Cochrane, Corey Hart, Terry Clark, and K.D. Lang. See the Drumheller website for more information.
The provincial bird of Alberta is the Great Horned Owl and you can find a birding checklist for Alberta here.
Photo credit to ru_24_real, used with permission under the creative commons license.
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