Taradale Wetland Park self-guided walk

As you start to walk West along the pathway, stop to look at the thick sedges that crowd the shoreline. These sedges form excellent habitat for numerous species that call this wetland home. You may find nesting ducks using the thick brush for protection as they lay their eggs. Red winged blackbirds will often be seen perched on cattails in wetlands like this. As you watch you may begin to see just how rich the diversity of wildlife can be.

You’ve come a good distance now, and hopefully seen some great things already, time for a quick break, have a drink or a bite to eat, and watch the birds moving across the lake. If you haven’t, now’s a great time to look at some of the plants that make up this habitat as well. We talked a bit about sedges earlier, but along much of this shoreline there is another, larger plant, willow. Willow shrubs like you see here provide several useful functions to a wetland. They stabilize the bank, helping to avoid erosion, and provide excellent wildlife habitat. In the fall, they also give a beautiful yellow colour to brighten up the wetland. 

If the benches are not your place to rest, walking a little further will bring you to an excellent sheltered location for lunch or any break you require. This great little gazebo not only provides shelter if the weather is unpleasant, but also provides a great back drop for get togethers and all kinds of social events. 

We’re half way around the park now. From here you can stop and take in the whole length of the pond again. Does it look different now that you’ve had a few chances to look more closely at the biodiversity present in this wetland? 

From this end of the wetland you often get to see many ducks and other water birds moving through the water. Ducks and geese can be found here through much of the year, using the pool to rest and feed and raising young amongst the sedges.

The other item you will notice at this end of the pool is a large concrete structure that helps to move water through the wetland. Storm water is collected off of homes, streets, and many other places and is often contaminated when it enters the storm water system. These ponds help reduce that pollution load in a couple of ways. The water slows, allowing sediment to drop out of the water and collect on the bottom. The shoreline plants also filter water, pulling out pollutants and leaving cleaner water to head downstream. This replicates the purpose that wetlands have always served, to cleanse and filter fresh water.

As you begin to head East along the trail you will notice that the water isn’t the only habitat present for wildlife in this park. Groups of trembling aspen and numerous shrubs also surround the wetland. This is similar to the ecology of a natural wetland. The wet conditions, unusual for Alberta’s prairie ecology, become an oasis for many different types of plant and animal. This is what makes wetlands such valuable ecosystems for biodiversity.

All along the storm pool you will find  Colorado blue spruce as well. These trees are ideal for our climate, being drought tolerant and able to survive our cold winters. This has made them attractive trees both for city planting and for private land owners, and you will see them all across Calgary.

The stiff branches also make for good homes for song birds and other small animals, so be sure to look carefully as you pass them to see who may be home. With dense willow stands, trembling aspens and spruce along the pond, this side of the storm pool has an impressive amount of habitat for wildlife to take advantage of. As you are finishing off your walk and heading back to the start be sure to take the time to see who else is using the park you are walking through.