Discover St. Patrick's Island with Nature Calgary
You already know St. Patrick’s Island as that 31-acre, gorgeous stretch of green space just across the bridge from East Village — perfect for a picnic, a paddle, or a stroll. But what if we told you, it’s also one of Calgary’s best-kept secrets for spotting osprey, falcons, bat listening, and more?
Whether you’re a hardcore birder or just bird-curious, Nature Calgary walks are the perfect way to reconnect with the wild side of YYC.
Nature in the heart of the City
Two years ago, we teamed up with Nature Calgary for our very first Birding on St. Patrick’s Island walk. Back then we had a hunch the island’s unique landscape would offer something special. Turns out the island is a bit of a hidden gem for birdwatching and discovering other wildlife.
Nature Calgary has been bringing people closer to Calgary’s wildlife for nearly 70 years. What began in 1955 as the Calgary Bird Club evolved into the Calgary Field Naturalists’ Society in the 1960s—and today, it’s known as Nature Calgary, a hub for community members who care about local ecosystems, wildlife, and natural history.
Over the decades, the group has done more than simply observe nature. They’ve been instrumental in shaping it—advocating for the protection of beloved spaces like Nose Hill, Fish Creek Provincial Park, and the Inglewood Bird Sanctuary, while helping document biodiversity across the city through surveys, publications, and public education.
Their mission is simple, but powerful: to encourage appreciation, observation, study, conservation, and protection of the natural world.
Why Urban Green Spaces Matter
Urban green spaces are more than just pretty places to read a book or walk your dog, although we love them for that too, they’re also critical habitats for wildlife. That park you jog through every morning? That might just be someone’s nesting ground.
By documenting the birds, plants, and bugs that show up in places like St. Patrick’s Island, Nature Calgary helps us understand what lives here, what’s thriving, and what needs a little extra love.
Ecosystems like St. Patrick’s Island aren’t just good for the birds—they’re good for us, too. Birding, walking, and even just sitting quietly in nature have been shown to boost mental health, reduce stress, and spark a deeper sense of connection to the world around us.
From nesting American Kestrels (fun fact: they’re our tiniest falcons), Common Mergansers nesting in trees (!), and even a Pileated Woodpecker, which usually hangs out in more forested areas, St. Patrick’s Island has proven itself to be a valuable ecosystem in its own right. As a relatively under-birded area in Calgary, the island provides rare insight into how wildlife adapts and thrives in urban environments.
Spoiler: it’s not just birds. Nature Calgary has spotted wild mint growing in secret damp zones, and even a wayward monarch butterfly looking for a snack.
A female Common Merganser spotted swimming on St. Patrick’s Island
A Pileated Woodpecker sitting on a log on St. Patrick’s Island.
A male Downy Woodpecker perched on a branch on St. Patrick’s Island.
Become a citizen scientist
Interested in helping further scientific discoveries? There’s an app for that! iNaturalist is like Pokémon GO, but for real-life plants and animals. It’s a powerful tool where anyone can upload a photo and help document biodiversity. Plus, your observations can contribute to actual scientific research.
Thanks to a sharp-eyed nature lover, a spider species never before recorded in Alberta was officially identified in the app — all from a single photo upload. Every photo you share helps researchers, nature groups, and fellow explorers learn more about the wild side of our city. So next time something catches your eye on St. Patrick’s Island, snap it, upload it, and who knows — you might just make the next big discovery.
St. Patrick’s Island Nature Series
We are once again teaming up with Nature Calgary to bring you the St. Patrick’s Island Nature Series. From bird watching and plant walks to pollinator and bug explorations, each event invites you to engage with the vibrant biodiversity thriving right in the heart of the city. Learn about the delicate balance of local ecosystems and the importance of protecting them, while connecting with nature.
Explore upcoming walks and event dates from the St. Patrick’s Island Nature Series below:
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Spot feathered friends, learn the difference between a Downy and Hairy Woodpecker (we promise, it’s a thing), and find out why certain birds pop up in certain seasons. Whether you’re a seasoned birder or new to binoculars, these walks help you identify local species, track seasonal changes, and witness the daily drama of island bird life—including falcons, woodpeckers, mergansers, and more.
Event dates: May 10, June 14 & 27, July 12, August 22, September 6 & 20, October 11, November 15, December 13
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Learn how to spot native species and understand their role in the ecosystem, while discovering how you can support plant biodiversity at home.
Event dates: June 7, August 9
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Help remove invasive species and restore the natural balance of the island’s plant life. Yep, you can actually help restore the island’s balance with your own hands. Bonus: it’s weirdly satisfying.
Event dates: July 18, August 8
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See the island in a new light—literally. Join us to listen for bats with high-frequency detectors and lure in moths using UV light.
Event date: July 26