Birding Course

Discover the Magic of Birds This Spring 2025!

March 31 – June 22, 2025 (12 weeks)

Registration is now open!

Join us for our Spring Birding Course, running from March 31 to June 22 over a 12-week session! As the park comes to life with migrating and nesting birds, this is the perfect time to explore Fish Creek Provincial Park and other natural areas with experienced birding leaders. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned birder, you’ll have the opportunity to improve your bird identification skills, learn about bird behavior and habitats, and enjoy the beauty of spring in nature. Register today to discover the incredible diversity of birds in our community!

We will visit different parks throughout the city of Calgary as we try to capture a glimpse of birds who live here year-round or who visit us during the worm months!

This 12-week course runs every day of the week (except on Fridays), with each session being approximately 3 hours. Of the offered sessions for the program, you can register for one of the repeated time slots. The course is offered at a discounted rate to Friends of Fish Creek members.

Start Time (no sessions on Fridays)

• • • • • • Monday to Thursday: 9:15 am  
          • Saturdays: 9:00 am
          • Sundays: 9:00 am and 1:15 pm

Course Fee

• • • • • • Friends of Fish Creek Members – $60/person/12weeks
          • Non-Members – $100/person/12weeks

           

          • • Become a Member or Renew Your Membership

               

          Who Can Participate

          Whether you’re a nature enthusiast, a wildlife photographer, or someone looking to delve into a new hobby, this course welcomes individuals of all skill levels and backgrounds.

          Registration 

          Limited spots available! Secure your place today by registering.

           

          Member Registration

          Non-Member Registration

           

          When you register, you will be able to select your preferred day of the week, however, there are only a certain number of tickets available for each day. If there are no tickets available for your preferred day, please either register for an alternate date or go on our waitlist by choosing the ticket “My preferred day is sold out” (after which you will be given the opportunity to indicate your preferred day, later in the registration process). If you are on the waitlist and we have a space for you, we will be in touch.If you would like to sign up for an additional day each week, you can do so by registering for your preferred date, then also registering for the “Additional Day” ticket (i.e., you will be purchasing one regular ticket and one add-on). You will be able to indicate your preferred additional day later in the registration process.You can register multiple people at one time, however, please be sure to have their full name, email address, and emergency contact information on hand, as you will be required to enter this information as part of your registration.

          
          We thank you for your interest and support! By taking part in this course, not only will you experience a unique opportunity to engage with nature and the outdoors, but you will also be supporting the Friends’ ongoing education and environmental stewardship initiatives in Fish Creek Provincial Park.

          Thank you to David Mitchell and the team of knowledgeable and skilled Birding Leaders he has assembled: Alan Knowles, Angela Krauss van Son, Annie Finch, Bernie Diebolt, Bob Byers, Bob Leonhardt, Brent Murphy, Carole Steeves, Colleen Rodgers, David Mitchell, Dermot Lane, Diane Stinson, Donna Franke, Doug Maxwell, Grace Sullivan, Jenn Meredith, Jennifer Solem, John Anderson, John Thompson, Leao Vermeylen, Liz Soria, Lorrie Anderson, Marco van Son, Melinda Bell, Mike Meredith, Peter Nielsen, Randy Plishka, Rob Brown, Rob Worona, Sandy Davis, Stephen Boucher, Stephen Phelps, Teresa Brown, Wlad Franco-Valias

          Photo: Cedar Waxwing – taken by David Ritch

          Check out the following links in case you’d like to do a bit of birding on your own!

          Fish Creek Provincial Park NotesBird Checklist

          Enjoy watching, listening for, and learning about birds, but please do not feed the birds in Fish Creek Provincial Park. Read more