March in Alberta is a season of change—longer days, melting snow, and nature slowly waking up from winter’s grip. While it might not be peak wildlife season just yet, this is actually one of the best months for spotting owls, moose, and the first wave of migratory birds. With the right timing and a little patience, you can witness some amazing animal activity before the summer crowds arrive.
Here’s where to go and what to look for on your March wildlife-watching adventure.
1. Cooking Lake-Blackfoot – Owls, Moose & Waterfowl
Location: East of Edmonton
Best for: Great horned owls, moose, and early-returning waterfowl
Best trails: Waskahegan Trail, Blackfoot Staging Area
Just east of Edmonton, Cooking Lake-Blackfoot Provincial Recreation Area is a great spot for early-season wildlife watching. It’s home to Alberta’s provincial bird, the great horned owl, which begins nesting in February, meaning you have a solid chance of hearing or even seeing them in March. Moose are also common here, often foraging in open meadows as the snow melts.
What to Look For:
Great horned owls nesting in old tree cavities
Moose grazing in wetland areas or along forest edges
Canada geese, trumpeter swans, and mallards arriving at thawing ponds
Pro Tip: Visit at dawn or dusk for the best chance to hear owls calling or see moose moving through the trees.
More info: Cooking Lake-Blackfoot
2. Lesser Slave Lake – A Birdwatcher’s Spring Dream
Location: Lesser Slave Lake Provincial Park
Best for: Migratory birds, trumpeter swans, bald eagles
Best trails: Songbird Trail, Lily Lake Trail
Lesser Slave Lake is one of Alberta’s best birdwatching destinations year-round, but March is particularly special. As ice begins to break up on the lake, thousands of waterfowl make their first stop here on their way north. The Lesser Slave Lake Bird Observatory isn’t fully open until later in the season, but you can still see plenty of bird activity along the lakeshore and nearby wetlands.
What to Look For:
Trumpeter swans (one of the first species to return in spring)
Bald eagles soaring along the shoreline
Northern shrikes and boreal chickadees in the forests
Pro Tip: Bring binoculars and stop at Devonshire Beach for a panoramic view of the lake—ideal for spotting swans and eagles.
More info: Lesser Slave Lake Bird Observatory
3. Kananaskis Country – Moose, Elk & Winter Birds
Location: West of Calgary
Best for: Moose, elk, and winter birds like gray jays and woodpeckers
Best trails: Troll Falls, Ribbon Creek, or anywhere along Highway 40
Kananaskis in March is still wintery, but that’s part of the magic. With less traffic on the roads, it’s one of the best places in Alberta to spot moose. Look for them near marshy areas or on the move between forested valleys. You’ll also see winter birds like gray jays (whiskey jacks), pine grosbeaks, and pileated woodpeckers flitting through the trees.
What to Look For:
Moose browsing near wetlands or on quiet trails
Elk herds along Highway 40 or near Barrier Lake
Gray jays & woodpeckers in the dense pine forests
Pro Tip: Drive Highway 40 at dawn or dusk for your best chance at spotting moose or elk crossing the road.
More info: Kananaskis Country
4. Beaverhill Lake – Owl Watching Paradise
Location: Near Tofield, east of Edmonton
Best for: Northern saw-whet owls, short-eared owls, snowy owls
Best trails: Nature trails near the Beaverhill Bird Observatory
Beaverhill Lake is one of Alberta’s top birdwatching spots, and March is an excellent time to see owls. As the snow begins to melt, this area becomes a hotspot for short-eared owls hunting over the grasslands and the last of the snowy owls before they head north. The Beaverhill Bird Observatory isn’t fully operational in March, but self-guided walks can still offer some great sightings.
What to Look For:
Short-eared owls flying low over open fields at dusk
Snowy owls perching on fence posts in early March
Northern saw-whet owls roosting in dense forested areas
Pro Tip: Bring a spotting scope if you have one—some owls like to perch in the distance, and a closer view makes all the difference.
More info: Beaverhill Bird Observatory
5. Elk Island National Park – Bison, Beavers & Birdwatching
Location: East of Edmonton
Best for: Bison, beavers, and the first spring songbirds
Best trails: Tawayik Lake Trail, Amisk Wuche Trail
Elk Island is a year-round wildlife haven, but March is particularly interesting. Bison herds are often more active as they search for the first green grass of the season, and beavers start emerging from their lodges as the ice melts. Early migratory birds, like red-winged blackbirds and horned larks, also start showing up.
What to Look For:
Plains bison & wood bison grazing in open meadows
Beavers working on their lodges in ponds
Red-winged blackbirds returning to the wetlands
Pro Tip: Visit Astotin Lake at sunrise for a beautiful, peaceful setting to watch wildlife wake up.
More info: Elk Island National Park
Final Tips for March Wildlife Watching in Alberta
Dress in layers – It can still be chilly, especially in the mornings.
Bring binoculars – Many birds and animals keep their distance in early spring.
Go early or late in the day – Dawn and dusk are the best times for spotting wildlife.
Be respectful of animals – Keep a safe distance, especially during nesting season for birds and calving season for moose.
Where Will You Go First?
March is an underrated time for wildlife watching in Alberta, with fewer crowds and amazing early spring sightings. Whether you’re listening for owls in Cooking Lake-Blackfoot, watching trumpeter swans on Lesser Slave Lake, or spotting moose in Kananaskis, this is a great time to hit the trails and experience nature waking up.
Have you spotted any cool wildlife this spring? Let us know in the comments! 
