Get up close and personal with bluebirds and pretty well every other species native to Central Alberta at the Ellis Bird Farm, operated by a non-profit society on land donated by the neighbouring Dow Chemicals plant.
Visit the farm online at www.ellisbirdfarm.ab.ca or in person throughout the spring, summer and fall. The farm and tea house are Tuesday through Sunday and on holiday Mondays from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m. for the remainder of the season, which ends on Sunday, Aug. 30.
The farm is located eight kilometres east of Blackfalds on Range Road 26-0, south of Hwy 12 and north of Hwy 597, directly across from Dow’s Prentiss plant (formerly Union Carbide).
Special planned for this summer include:
* Attracting butterflies workshops with Cynthia Pohl at 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. on Sunday, July 5. The cost is $30 per person.
* Bluebird Festival on Saturday, July 11, including a pancake breakfast for a toonie (free for children under five).
* Grandparents/grandchildren days with Jeanette Jones from Lady Bug Organic Gardens on July 23 and on August 20, at $20 per person, not including lunch and bird boxes.
* Nature day camps on Monday, July 13.
* An evening of classical music, wine and cheese on Friday, August 7.
* Bug Jamboree on Saturday, Aug. 8, with featured guests including Johnny Acorn, Ken Frey, Ken Madder, Don Wales and Elaine Johnson.
* Art and nature day camps on Monday, Aug. 10 and again on Monday, Aug. 17.
The bird farm also offers children’s birthday parties including building nest boxes, making tree cookies, nature games, pond dipping and other activities at $12 per child.
For more information, please call 403-885-4477.