[troutman]

http://www.cd.gov.ab.ca/enjoying_alb...aur/nature.asp

The three distinct habitats of Dinosaur Provincial Park support many animals and plants. Cottonwood and willow trees share the moist riverbanks with saskatoon, rose and buffalo-berry bushes. Cacti, greasewood and many species of sage survive in the hot dry badlands. Prairie grasses dominate the landscape above the valley rim. Many different animals make their home here. Watch for mule and white-tailed deer as well as cottontail rabbits. Coyotes may be seen but are more often heard. Look for pronghorn antelope on the vast rolling prairie. Birdwatching is excellent in May and June in the cottonwood groves where warblers, woods and waterfowl are easy to observe. Away from the river's edge scan the sky for golden eagles, prairie falcons, and mountain bluebirds.

Bird Checklist (133 kb)
Flora Checklist (96 kb)

http://www.srd.gov.ab.ca/fishwildlif...at/meddpp.aspx

Explore the Cottonwood Flats Trail and campground to see mule deer, Canada geese, eastern and western kingbirds, rufous-sided towhees and northern orioles. Watch for belted kingfishers, great blue herons, great horned owls, brown thrashers and yellow-breasted chats near the Red Deer River.

Take a guided bus tour into the Nature Preserve or hike the Badlands Trail to see rock wrens, Say's phoebes, mountain bluebirds, prairie falcons and possibly a golden eagle or ferruginous hawk. On the prairie, look for Swainson's hawks, long-billed curlews, marbled godwits and horned larks.

In winter, watch for snow buntings, common redpolls and pronghorn. Waterfowl are abundant during spring and fall migrations. Following spring rains, listen for the rarely seen plains spadefoot toad. Bull snakes and prairie rattlesnakes are present here in summer. In May and June, blooming cactus and wildflowers are spectacular.