Frank Lake is one of the best birding venues in the Calgary area.
The lake, situated about 50 km southeast of Calgary, is a shallow slough typical of the grasslands of southern Alberta. Directions are given from the southern edge of Calgary where Hwy 2 intersects with Hwy 22X (the Marquis of Lorne Trail).
To reach the lake, drive south on Highway 2 (Macleod or Deerfoot Trail south) until you reach Highway 23. At the junction with Hwy 23 (41.3 km), take the exit east towards Vulcan. At 47.3 km, the highway makes a 90° turn to the north. As you approach this corner slow down and watch for a sign and large gate on the right-hand side of the road. Following this gravel path will take you to an observation blind on the north edge of the lake.
See the map below for other viewing areas around the lake, and be aware some of the areas may be flooded in a wet spring.
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From Greg Wagner:
Several people have asked me to put together a map showing various areas of Frank Lake. The map below shows a variety of roads, parking areas and features around the lake.
The Dark Blue Line around the lake is a circuit that will take you around it using highway 23 and gravel roads. Good for travel outside the open water season, and it will take you around the lake to various basins and parking areas. Lots of wetlands around the lake which are always worth looking at.
Light Green Line – route into the west side of Basin 1, including the sewage outfall and observation blind.
Yellow line – trail into the northeast part of Basin 1. Should only be used in dry weather. Some prairie habitat at this spot.
Parking Area east part of Basin 1. Actually unsure if you can drive to this spot, but there is a large Frank Lake sign at the location.
Teal Line – is the trail around the south end of Basin 2. Fairly rough road which may be tough on small cars. Watch for the wet area south of Basin 4 when approaching from east. Do not drive on when wet, even if it is slightly wet. There is a stream crossing along the road at the Ducks Unlimited weir at the south end of the lake. The surface of this crossing is hardened and can be crossed even when water is present.
Red Line – trail into the northeast Bay of Basin 2.
Green Line – trail into the middle part of the trail around Basin 2. Use only during dry conditions. Not really recommended for travel.
Click on map for larger version
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I wanted to let people know, there is a 1500 acre Solar Farm being proposed 1 km northeast of Frank Lake. While Solar is known as a “green energy”, there is indisputable evidence that solar farms have grave effects on birds, specifically waterfowl. With Frank Lake being the most important wetland in Southwestern Alberta for Waterfowl, this project has the potential to severely impact the conservation efficacy of the Frank Lake Wetlands. There is an open house scheduled for December 1st 2021 in Blackie Alberta, and I would recommend anyone in the bird community to come voice their opinions on the topic. I would also urge everyone to reach out to Ducks Unlimited and request that they make every effort to ensure that this project is not given the opportunity to negatively impact our important wetlands. Thank you very much for your time.
-Landon Z
I just heard about the proposal from a friend. Do you know where I can access a petition to sign? Kim P.
Here’s a petition. Please share it widely
https://www.change.org/p/auc-frank-lake-threatened-by-foothills-solar-project
Can anyone tell me when the site closes in the fall?
Hi Richard, Sorry I missed this! The gate closed on Spetmeber 6. It is usually around that date. You can still go, but it is much more walking to get to the main basin. You have to be careful once hunting season starts too.
I would love to see the huge gathering of Snow Geese and also Trumpeter Swans at Frank Lake. My husband and I did the walk to the blind last weekend but saw only a few birds we did not recognize. Being 75 and asthmatic the 3 plus kilometre walk is hard so can someone tell me when is the ultimate time to go to see lots of birds.
October 2021.
In the fall, Snow Geese peak in the second week of October and the swans in the last week of October and first week of November. In the spring the swans are plentiful throughout March and April and the Snow Geese from late March to early May. The main migration path for Snow Geese in Alberta passes quite a bit east of Calgary, and there are large staging grounds in the Lethbridge area and the SE corner of the province. That is where you can see really big flocks.
Is there a certain time of day to view?
Waterfowl can be viewed at any time of day, but they will go to a water body in the evening to rest overnight, and usually depart in the morning once it has warmed up.
Thank you for the information. We must have just missed the snow geese but now we will try for the swans. Is there a specific part of the lake that they prefer? We will go down first thing in the morning and have a look.
This is all new to us but we are keen to learn.
(Replied by email.)
Hi, when does the gate on the gravel road leading to the blind open in the spring (and close in the fall)? Is there a regular schedule?
I don’t know if there are set dates but the gate opened last Friday, April 27th. Apparently the walk to the blind is pretty wet though!
They r open now but the path to the blind might be under water… Lots of different birds to see 🙂
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I’ve been wanting to visit here! I’m really going to try and make that happen this year
Is kayaking allowed on this lake? Also, is there any campgrounds in the area?
There are no campgrounds right on the lake. The nearest camping is in the town of High River. As far as I know you wouldn’t be able to kayak on the lake. It is a protected breeding area for birds.
The lake is protected insofar as the wildlife is protected by legislation such as the Migratory Birds Convention Act and Wildlife Act and Regulation. The area is patrolled by Fish and Wildlife officers. It is not a provincial or any other kind of park and so no park legislation applies. Boating isn’t prohibited but is very difficult and is discouraged, which is why you never see anyone boating on the lake. Vegetation is so thick it’s difficult to move. Like trying to paddle through spaghetti. Dipping your paddle can be almost impossible. And, of course, you should not go anywhere where you can disturb nesting birds. About half the lake is covered by emergent vegetation (where most of the nests are) so you can’t paddle there. And the rest of the lake area is very difficult because of the reasons I mentioned above. The closest campground is in High River.
We should have a photographers group..we can enjoy birding and take photos
There is a Facebook group called Alberta Birds which has grown rapidly and now has over 5,400 members. You don’t have to be a Facebook user to see the photos but if you join you can post your photos there. See https://www.facebook.com/groups/318242134926755/?fref=ts
If you want to go out with other photographers to photograph birds you can join the Calgary Camera Club, which has group outings which focus on birds, landscape, flowers, etc. See http://www.calgarycameraclub.org/index.php
There is some great duck hunting as well in the fall – lots of room for both birding and hunting. A beautiful place.
I would like to observe swan migration this fall but not sure best places to go within 100 kms of Calgary. Please feel free to suggest. Much appreciated.
Peter.
Both Tundra and Trumpeter Swans might be seen on any open body of water in the area from late September (Tundras) or early October (Trumpeters) through mid to late November. In the city, the best place to see them is Glenmore Reservoir. Chestermere Lake can also be good. Frank Lake stays open longer and can have big numbers of swans in November.
Thank you so much for the tips. I will certainly make the trips to the places you have mentioned. 🙂
Peter.
Wow ! wanted to visit here..