In many ways, fall can feel like a new beginning. As the seasons change, it’s fun to observe the wildlife of Banff National Park preparing for life in the winter landscape.
Bears Get Ready for Bed
For Banff’s bears, fall is the last chance to stock up on calories before winter hibernation. Bears usually hibernate from October or November through to April. However, this can vary depending on their size, how well they fed in the summer, and the weather conditions that year. So, make sure you’re still bear aware and carrying bear spray on your fall hikes!
Elk are Looking for Love
From September through to mid-October, Banff’s elk are focused on the future of the herd as they enter mating season, also known as ‘the rut’. Listen out for bull elk serenading the ladies with their distinctive ‘bugle’ call!
Male elk are more aggressive during this period. They need to prove their strength and protect their harem of females from other suitors! Take extra care around elk at this time. Stay at least 3 bus lengths (30m) away and keep pets and children close. Binoculars or a telephoto lens will allow you to observe and photograph them from a safe distance!
Wildlife Wear White (After Labour Day)
Some animals get a whole new look as the winter season approaches. Admire the minimalist winter wardrobe of the Ptarmigan, as they trade in classic brown for some winter camouflage.
The tiny Ermine weasel had a traditional role in human fashions. For centuries, its white winter coat was used to trim magnificent royal robes and create expensive coats. We hope you’ll agree, we prefer to see the fur on its original owner!
See Creatures Great and Small
One of Banff’s more elusive creatures, Moose can sometimes be easier to spot in the quieter fall season. They tend to be more common in the northern part of the park. Visitors have been lucky with sightings along the Icefields Parkway (93N), especially around Waterfowl Lakes and Saskatchewan crossing.
The Golden-Mantled Ground Squirrel wears fall colours year round. Females tend to be a more golden-brown colour, while males develop a reddish hue to their coat. Spot them by the distinctive black and white stripe on their backs.
Birds on the Move
As winter sets in, many birds begin their annual migration. Banff’s best bird-watching season is April-June, but a couple of rare species make important journeys in the fall. Johnston Canyon is one of only 3 nesting habitats in Alberta for the endangered Black Swift. These small birds likely mate for life, and lay only a single egg in a moss-lined cavity high up the rock face. In September and October, the swifts leave the relative safety of their breeding grounds and fly to the Brazilian Amazon for the winter. They are hard to spot, but it’s worth keeping an eye out on a trip to the canyon. To protect this sensitive species, it’s very important to stay on the trail and far away from any nests.
For the Golden Eagle, the Rocky Mountains are the smoothest route between their summer breeding grounds in the far north and winter homes down south. They begin their fall migration at the end of August, with numbers usually peaking around mid-September. Dedicated observers from Rocky Mountain Eagle Research Foundation have identified prime viewing sites in nearby Kananaskis and Crowsnest Pass. Anyone can visit these sites to spot raptors, and even join in their annual migration counts.