Alberta
Take part in North America’s longest-running citizen science project
Blue jays are commonly found across Alberta during the Christmas Bird Count.
From the Province of Alberta
Christmas bird counts taking flight
Volunteers across the province are taking part in the Christmas Bird Count – North America’s longest-running citizen science project.
Cities and towns across Alberta have begun the annual Christmas Bird Count, which takes place every year between Dec. 14 and Jan. 5. Each local area plans its own bird count and provides data to the National Audubon Society.
Christmas Bird Counts are organized by volunteer groups at the local level. Thousands of volunteers participate each year, making the Christmas Bird Count one of the world’s largest sets of wildlife survey data.
The results of the bird count play an important role in protecting bird species year-round. Wildlife biologists at Alberta Environment and Parks use the data to assess bird population trends and inform strategies to protect birds and their habitat.
The Christmas Bird Count is a fun outdoor activity for the whole family to learn about birds and become active participants in wildlife conservation.
“The Christmas Bird Count is a great example of how everyday Albertans can play an important role in wildlife conservation. Thank you to the thousands of volunteers across the province who participate in this one-of-a-kind initiative.”
Although many birds migrate to warmer climates in the winter, you might be surprised to learn how many birds stick around all year long. Although we are all familiar with the common winter species, such as chickadees, house finches, magpies and blue jays, the Christmas Bird Count uncovers a few more unusual winter gems.
Quick facts
- The Christmas Bird Count is now in its 120th year.
- During the Christmas Bird Count, volunteers comb the surrounding forests, parks, backyards and back alleys for any sign of bird life.
- The count continues all day, with teams out at night listening for nocturnal birds, such as the great horned owl – Alberta’s provincial bird.
- Last year, there were 59 Christmas Bird Counts across Alberta.
- Calgary recorded 73 bird species, which is 10 more species than the previous year.
- Lethbridge recorded the highest number of Canada geese for a bird count circle in Canada at 29,459.
- Sheep River recorded both the most Canada jays (160) and boreal chickadees (177) in Canada.
- Over the last 10 years, bird counters in Edmonton found a bald eagle, belted kingfisher, a bufflehead (duck), and a chipping sparrow – not unusual birds for the spring and summer months, but not typically found braving our winters.
- Calgary has seen Wilson’s snipe and Steller’s jay – a bird more commonly found in British Columbia.
- Lethbridge has had the occasional bald eagle, greater white-fronted goose and red-tailed hawk. Last year, there was a small flock of wild turkeys.
- There have also been highly sought-after sightings of gyrfalcons and snowy owls, species that birders in other parts of North America maybe only dream of seeing.
Premier Danielle Smith issued the following statement on the April 2, 2025 U.S. tariff announcement:
“Today was an important win for Canada and Alberta, as it appears the United States has decided to uphold the majority of the free trade agreement (CUSMA) between our two nations. It also appears this will continue to be the case until after the Canadian federal election has concluded and the newly elected Canadian government is able to renegotiate CUSMA with the U.S. administration.
“This is precisely what I have been advocating for from the U.S. administration for months.
“It means that the majority of goods sold into the United States from Canada will have no tariffs applied to them, including zero per cent tariffs on energy, minerals, agricultural products, uranium, seafood, potash and host of other Canadian goods.
“There is still work to be done, of course. Unfortunately, tariffs previously announced by the United States on Canadian automobiles, steel and aluminum have not been removed. The efforts of premiers and the federal government should therefore shift towards removing or significantly reducing these remaining tariffs as we go forward and ensuring affected workers across Canada are generously supported until the situation is resolved.
“I again call on all involved in our national advocacy efforts to focus on diplomacy and persuasion while avoiding unnecessary escalation. Clearly, this strategy has been the most effective to this point.
“As it appears the worst of this tariff dispute is behind us (though there is still work to be done), it is my sincere hope that we, as Canadians, can abandon the disastrous policies that have made Canada vulnerable to and overly dependent on the United States, fast-track national resource corridors, get out of the way of provincial resource development and turn our country into an independent economic juggernaut and energy superpower.”
From the Fraser Institute
By any measure, Alberta is an energy powerhouse—within Canada, but also on a global scale. In 2023, it produced 85 per cent of Canada’s oil and three-fifths of the country’s natural gas. Most of Canada’s oil reserves are in Alberta, along with a majority of natural gas reserves. Alberta is the beating heart of the Canadian energy economy. And energy, in turn, accounts for one-quarter of Canada’s international exports.
Consider some key facts about the province’s energy landscape, as noted in the Alberta Energy Regulator’s (AER) 2023 annual report. Oil and natural gas production continued to rise (on a volume basis) in 2023, on the heels of steady increases over the preceding half decade. However, the dollar value of Alberta’s oil and gas production fell in 2023, as the surging prices recorded in 2022 following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine retreated. Capital spending in the province’s energy sector reached $30 billion in 2023, making it the leading driver of private-sector investment. And completion of the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion project has opened new offshore export avenues for Canada’s oil industry and should boost Alberta’s energy production and exports going forward.
In a world striving to address climate change, Alberta’s hydrocarbon-heavy energy sector faces challenges. At some point, the world may start to consume less oil and, later, less natural gas (in absolute terms). But such “peak” consumption hasn’t arrived yet, nor does it appear imminent. While the demand for certain refined petroleum products is trending down in some advanced economies, particularly in Europe, we should take a broader global perspective when assessing energy demand and supply trends.
Looking at the worldwide picture, Goldman Sachs’ 2024 global energy forecast predicts that “oil usage will increase through 2034” thanks to strong demand in emerging markets and growing production of petrochemicals that depend on oil as the principal feedstock. Global demand for natural gas (including LNG) will also continue to increase, particularly since natural gas is the least carbon-intensive fossil fuel and more of it is being traded in the form of liquefied natural gas (LNG).
Against this backdrop, there are reasons to be optimistic about the prospects for Alberta’s energy sector, particularly if the federal government dials back some of the economically destructive energy and climate policies adopted by the last government. According to the AER’s “base case” forecast, overall energy output will expand over the next 10 years. Oilsands output is projected to grow modestly; natural gas production will also rise, in part due to greater demand for Alberta’s upstream gas from LNG operators in British Columbia.
The AER’s forecast also points to a positive trajectory for capital spending across the province’s energy sector. The agency sees annual investment rising from almost $30 billion to $40 billion by 2033. Most of this takes place in the oil and gas industry, but “emerging” energy resources and projects aimed at climate mitigation are expected to represent a bigger slice of energy-related capital spending going forward.
Like many other oil and gas producing jurisdictions, Alberta must navigate the bumpy journey to a lower-carbon future. But the world is set to remain dependent on fossil fuels for decades to come. This suggests the energy sector will continue to underpin not only the Alberta economy but also Canada’s export portfolio for the foreseeable future.
Jock Finlayson
Senior Fellow, Fraser Institute
The High Cost Of Continued Western Canadian Alienation
DOGE discovered $330M in Small Business loans awarded to children under 11
17-year-old died after taking COVID shot, but Ontario judge denies his family’s liability claim
Cover up of a Department of Energy Study Might Be The Biggest Stain On Biden Admin’s Legacy
-
International2 days agoTrump’s ‘Golden Dome’ defense shield must be built now, Lt. Gen. warns
-
Alberta2 days agoOwner sells gas for 80 cents per litre to show Albertans how low prices ‘could’ be
-
2025 Federal Election1 day agoMORE OF THE SAME: Mark Carney Admits He Will Not Repeal the Liberal’s Bill C-69 – The ‘No Pipelines’ Bill
-
Break The Needle1 day agoWhy psychedelic therapy is stuck in the waiting room
-
Automotive1 day agoTrump Must Act to Halt the Tesla Terror Campaign
-
2025 Federal Election1 day ago‘Coordinated and Alarming’: Allegations of Chinese Voter Suppression in 2021 Race That Flipped Toronto Riding to Liberals and Paul Chiang
-
2025 Federal Election1 day agoThree cheers for Poilievre’s alcohol tax cut
-
Opinion2 days agoSome scientists advocate creating human bodies for ‘spare parts.’