One of the things that I love about Edmonton is that the River Valley trails are all unique in their own way. At just under 5 km, Whitemud Creek Ravine Trail South is one of our favourite trails because it’s good for all skill levels and it’s also where we can hand feed chickadee birds.
Exploring Whitemud Creek Ravine Trail South
First off, don’t forget your bird food! We brought some sunflower seeds with us as well as cheerios. For more ideas on what you can feed chickadees as well as chickadee facts, Wild Birds Unlimited is a great resource.
To get to Whitemud Creek Ravine you’re going to want to take the Whitemud and turnoff at the 122 street exit, following the street signs to the park.
There are 2 parking lots available, the first one will be on your left when you first drive into the park, this is also where we prefer to start off from because it’s right by where the trail starts. The second parking lot is at the end of the road which also is shared with Rainbow Valley Campground and Snow Valley.
Following the trail, you’re going to want to head to the second bridge where you will find a small lookout area with a bench for you to sit on. There is also a side trail that goes past the lookout where you can often find chickadees too.
For the chickadees to eat from your hand, it’s important to stand still and keep the food in your hand with an open palm. The trail, however, can get quite busy during the day so it may take some time and patience too. While you’re waiting you will most definitely see some chipmunks and squirrels running around and they too can get pretty close.
There are a few other trails around Edmonton where you can find and feed chickadees. Stay tuned as we explore them over the coming weeks.