Ellis Bird Farm

Ellis Bird Farm is now closed for the season. See you next year!

News & General

Charlie, Winnie and the Bluebirds: The Story of Ellis Bird Farm

A Perfect Christmas Gift! We are pre-selling this book in time for Christmas. Delivery will be February 2019.
Pre-sale just $9.95 (plus shipping) for online orders only. ORDER HERE
All other pre-sales are $14.95.

Claudia Lipski Receives Prestigious Award from Nature Alberta

Claudia Lipski, Ellis Bird Farm's Education Coordinator, has received a prestigious award from Nature Alberta for her contribution to the Buffalo Lake Nature Club. The award - The Frank and Alice Harper Memorial Award - recognizes an individual’s unassuming commitment and service to a local Alberta nature club, and their efforts to support the betterment, efficiency, administration, operation and fulfillment of the club’s mandate. The award is named for Frank and Alice Harper, two long-time naturalists with the Lethbridge Naturalists Society who exemplified those admirable qualities of people who give whole-heartedly of themselves in carrying out the duties associated with keeping Alberta’s nature clubs active and vibrant. She was presented with the award by Nature Alberta Past President, Dr. Lou Carbyn.

Ellis Bird Farm Environment Scholarship

Each year, Ellis Bird Farm awards a $1,000.00 scholarship to a deserving student in the Wolf Creek School Division. The purpose of the scholarship is to recognize genuine interest in the environment and to facilitate further study in the areas of conservation and the environment. Funding for this award comes from the Charlie and Winnie Ellis Memorial Fund.

This year, Ellis Bird Farm was pleased to present the scholarship to Nick Harper. Nick, who is studying at the University of Alberta, Augustana Campus, has long had an interest in the environment and plans to become a wildlife biologist. Presenting the award to Nick at the Ecole Lacombe Composite High School Awards Night on November 23 on behalf of Ellis Bird Farm was ELCHS teacher Christa Henderson.

Planning exciting 2019 programs

Education Coordinator, Claudia Lipski, and Social Media Coordinator, Kirstin Bouwsema, have been busy finalizing the 2019 schedule of events. We have lots of exciting programs planned for the upcoming season!

Alberta Kestrel Project

EBF has taken delivery of 10 American Kestrel boxes from Mitchell Warne. Mitchell is coordinating a province-wide initiative to place nestboxes for American Kestrels. Ellis Bird Farm will be participating in this program and invites others to join in too! https://www.warneinthewild.com/american-kestrel-nest-box-program

EBF gets viewing tower in 2019

Barry Simpson of Wel-Can Welding of Red Deer has offered to build us a viewing tower at the site. This tower, a memorial to his granddaughter who passed away last fall, will provide an exciting new way for visitors to enjoy the EBF site. Maureen Carey (on top of the ladder!) and Myrna Pearman are seen here with Barry, discussing the details of the tower

EBF visitor - Nov 29

A badger has been hanging around Ellis Bird Farm since early September. On November 24, our trail cam captured one at work on a small den by the grain elevator.

Forging Partnerships

Ellis Bird Farm was pleased to be invited to offer some ideas for how to best take advantage of the beauty and accessibility of Telford Lake in Leduc. The current boardwalk provides unique access for bird watchers and photographers, as well as walking and biking trails for young and old alike. Greg Quirk, a member of the planning team, met with Myrna Pearman recently to get her ideas on how to further develop the area to make it as as attractive as possible to birders and photographers.

Ellis Bird Farm welcomes Patti Pragnell

Ellis Bird Farm welcomes Patti Pragnell (left) to the EBF team as the new Administrative Assistant. Sarah Ritchie (right), our former assistant has moved to Calgary to pursue her career. Patti brings extensive administrative as well as graphic design experience to this position. We look forward to having Patti as part of our wonderful EBF team!

Mountain Cree Office Complex Opening

Ellis Bird Farm was pleased to be invited to attend the official opening of the Mountain Cree Office Complex in Mirror, AB on October 18. Director Joseph Fromhold (right), gave a tour of the new complex and shared details about the history of the Mountain Cree peoples. Joseph was the consultant for the design of the beautiful pergola that covers the EBF Circle Deck.

Dr. David Bird

Ellis Bird Farm joined forces with Kerry Wood Nature Centre (Todd Nivens, left) and the Red Deer River Naturalists (Judy Boyd) to host Dr David Bird at Kerry Wood Nature Centre last evening. Over 100 people showed up for his delightful presentation, which was all about bird nests. He also shared the story of the renaming of the Canada Jay (from Gray Jay) and his efforts to have the Canada Jay named as Canada's National Bird. Ellis Bird. Ellis Bird Farm presented him with a special Canada Jay T shirt.
We were also honoured to be able to give Dr Bird a quick tour of Ellis Bird Farm and show him the Canada Jay nest that we were able to have a webcam on last year.

Royal Alberta Museum Appreciation Evening

Ellis Bird Farm was pleased to be able to provide some specimens (blowflies and Purple Martins) that have been used in exhibits at the new Royal Alberta Museum. Myrna Pearman and Claudia Lipski attended the Appreciation Evening on October 15 to get a tour of the museum and chat with some of the curators, including Dr. Cory Scobie (centre) and Dr. Jocelyn Hudon (right), who were involved in designing the Natural History Gallery exhibits.

The lucky raffle winners this year

The lucky raffle winners this year were Diane Adkins, who won the bluebird canvas print and Eleanor Hansen, who won the quilt.

Ellis Bird Farm/Prentiss Site oral history

Thanks to a generous donation from Dow, Ellis Bird Farm has been working on an oral history project, interviewing several of the key players who established Ellis Bird Farm as well as the Prentiss Site. We are in the process of creating vignettes of these interviews. Here are two of the newest ones.
THE HISTORY OF THE ELLIS BIRD FARM - FRED SCHUTZ - NEW VIDEO ADDED
THE HISTORY OF THE ELLIS BIRD FARM - DEAN CHESSOR - NEW VIDEO ADDED
THE OTHERS CAN BE FOUND HERE.

Amazing footage of an adult leaf-cutter bee emerging

Cleaning Purple Martin houses

Marie (left) and Thomasina Payne helped Claudia Lipski clean out all the Purple Martin houses. It was a messy job, but the compartments are all ready for the martins when they return in April. Sept 11, 2018

Beautiful images submitted by Suzan Yaworski

These images were sent to us recently - Mountain Bluebirds bathing in the water collected in old tractor seats. Near Delburne, AB.
Submitted by Suzan Yaworski. Click on image to enlarge.

EBF staff clean-up

EBF staff worked hard (before the snow) to clean out the Purple Martin nests and put away the outdoor furniture.

Thanks to Celia Hayton

A big thanks to Celia Hayton of Red Deer for volunteering to photograph all our gardens and containers. These photographs provide a permanent record of how our gardens change over the years.

Closing day at EBF

EBF enjoyed a grand Closing Day, with entertainment being provided by the Golden Music Makers of Red Deer. Marilyn Jones, who brings her goats to EBF each summer for visitors to enjoy, took them back home.

The lucky winners of the raffle prizes were Diane Adkins (bluebird print) and Eleanor Hansen (quilt). We thank everyone who supported this fund-raising effort by buying tickets.

Bees and Flowers Knee High Nature program very well received - AUG 15th 2018

Mateya Bluett's Bees and Flowers Knee High Nature program was very well received today!
Our Knee High Nature programs are now over for the season. We will be offering them again next season!

Martin watching - August 4th

We were pleased that about 20 people braved a chilly morning to come to EBF today to enjoy the Purple Martins. We were grateful to have both Alisha Ritchie, our Research Coordinator, and Del McKinnon of the Purple Martin Conservancy (who has mentored us on our large colony) on hand to share their knowledge and experience with these beloved backyard birds.

The martins are departing earlier than usual this year, but we still have many pairs on the site for visitors to watch and enjoy.

This event will also be held tomorrow and Monday mornings 9 AM - 10 AM. We hope you will join us for coffee, muffins and martin song!

Look what showed up at Ellis Bird Farm!

2018 Blue Feather Award to Ron Reist of Olds

Ellis Bird Farm was very pleased to award the 2018 Blue Feather Award to Ron Reist of Olds. The award was presented to Ron at our Bluebird Festival and one of his boxes was added to the Blue Feather Award Fence. See Blue Feather Award page for a full description of Ron's accomplishments. Here

Ron is shown here with Myrna Pearman (far right ) and (from left) EBF board members, Maureen Carey, Bob Winchell and Colleen McPhee. Congratulations, Ron, and thank you for helping Alberta's native cavity-nesting birds.

EBF welcomes new gardener

Ellis Bird Farm is pleased to announce that Linda Sommers has come on board as our new Gardener. She replaces Sydney Wilson, who was our previous gardener. We thank Sydney for her hard work this season and welcome Linda on board! Sydney (left) and Linda (centre) are shown here with EBF Garden Committee Chair, Judy Schwartz.

Baby bunnies at EBF

We are pleased to announce that our resident snowshoe hares have a new family. We discovered this bunny on Thursday, July 19, happily munching on lawn grass. Interestingly, it has a white blaze on its forehead, just like its Mama!

Ellis Bird Farm continues Purple Martin research

Ellis Bird Farm continues to conduct Purple Martin research. On the evening of July 12, EBF staff joined Dr Glen Hvenegaard of the Camrose Wildlife and Stewardship Society and team members from the Beaverhill Bird Observatory to mass trap all the adult martins. This project, which entailed banding and recording all returned banded adult birds, was executed quickly and efficiently, with minimum stress to the birds. Results of the trapping will be posted soon.

First Knee High Nature program this year

Ellis Bird Farm held its first Knee High Nature program on Wednesday. The morning and afternoon programs were well received, with our educator extraordinaire, Claudia Lipski, wowing both the children and their parents about owls. Check out our website about upcoming programs.

Canada Day at EBF

Ellis Bird Farm hosted a very successful Canada Day celebration on July 1. Summer student Payden Johnson even decorated our stuffed eagle as part of the celebrations.

We were very honoured to have elder Roy Louis (in blue shirt) from Maskwacis participate in the completion of our Circle Deck by conducting a smudge ceremony.

Dr Jane Ross gave a brief update about the Lieutenant Governor of Alberta's Art Award and described upcoming plans to celebrate next year's Year of the Grouse.

Joseph Fromhold of the First Nations Research Centre in Mirror, AB, assisted EBF with the design of the Circle Deck. He spoke about the significance of this structure in honoring Indigenous teachings.

New bird bath installed near the Visitor Centre

One of our resident red squirrels enjoys drinking from the bird bath we have installed near the Visitor Centre. The birds love it too!

Dale Mannix supplies beautiful log house bird feeders to EBF

The Ellis Bird Farm site continues to improve each week. Our thanks to Dale Mannix for supplying these beautiful log house bird feeders, which now grace our patio and pollinator garden.

EBF Speaker Series

Dr. Geoff Holroyd was the first presenter at EBF’s 2018 Adult Speaker Series. The very informative evening was spent hearing about the long term research on Tree Swallow reproduction documented at the Beaverhill Bird Observatory, Canada’s second oldest bird banding station, where Dr. Holroyd was a founding member and continues his commitment as the current Chair. Beaverhill Bird Observatory offers the Geoff Holroyd Young Ornithologists’ week-long natural history camp for youth aged 15-18 who are keen to delve into experiencing life as a biologist.

We are pleased to post new oral history videos of EBF

This one is with JY Vanier, Dow Site Leader. Dow provided funding for us to collect and share our oral history. HERE
Video by David Miller, Site Leader for MEGlobal- HERE
Video and article by Morris Flewwelling- HERE

First Family Nature Night a Success

Ellis Bird Farm hosted its first-ever Family Nature Night on June 9th. The event, which featured owls, was enjoyed by over 40 people. Thanks to Tim Showalter, Claudia Lipski and Mateya Bluett for leading the program.

We will have more Family Nature Nights coming up - check here for details!

Judy Reeds delivered a well-received Hummingbird Planter workshop

Parkland Garden Centre's Judy Reeds delivered a well-received Hummingbird Planter workshop on Saturday June 9th. Participants learned about which plants attract hummingbirds and were given guidance about how to design and plant an attractive container. Participants left with their own beautiful planters.

Our thanks to retired school teacher Denise Chiles

Our thanks to retired school teacher, Denise Chiles, for generously donating a large quantity of craft supplies. This supplies will be put to good use in our programs.

Bluebird numbers are up this year!

We are pleased to report that our bluebird numbers are up this year! We have over 40 pairs on our bluebird trail this season, up from only 26 last year. We hope that the upward trend continues.

EBF team at work - June 4 2018

The Ellis Bird Farm team are busy delivering programs to school children.

EBF featured in interview about a new book: 125 Nature Hot Spots in Alberta!

We are so proud of our part in 125 Nature Hot Spots of Alberta--it's an amazing undertaking by Leigh and Debbie and we highly recommend it!

125 Nature Hot Spots in Alberta is the just-published book by co-authors Debbie Olsen and Leigh McAdam. It is a book welcomed by nature-lovers across province as it highlights a huge cross-section of natural spaces in Alberta, both those that are widely known as well as many unique hidden treasures. Olsen and McAdam put a huge effort into researching for the book, doing the challenging mosquito-swatting navigatory work so that readers don't have to. The book has big glossy photographs and lots of helpful information. Finally, both Olsen and McAdam are old friends and supporters of Ellis Bird Farm and we are so proud that EBF included in the book (you can see the EBF spread on pages 140-143).

You can buy the book in various bookstores as well as our gift shop.
Purchase this book on Amazon.ca here
Interview on CTV CALGARY... A PART OF THE CTV NEWS VIDEO NETWORK here

Thanks to Parkland Nursery & Landscape Services

Eric and Dewey from Parkland Nursery & Landscape Services pose beside a Russian Mountain Ash that they planted. Parkland Nursery & Landscape Services kindly donated three of these trees to Ellis Bird Farm, which now grace the entrance to the site. A big thank you to Parkland Nursery & Landscape Services for this very generous donation!

Thanks Alix Home Hardware!

A big thanks to Curt Peterson (left) and Doug McDermand of the Alix Home Hardware for delivering a shipment of bird seed to the site. EBF partners with the store to order quantities of bird seed from Chin Ridge Seeds, Taber, AB. We will have a good supply of high quality birdseed to sell in the Gift Shop this season.

Thanks to a grant from Dow

Thanks to a grant from Dow, Ellis Bird Farm has embarked on a very important project documenting the history of both Ellis Bird Farm and the Prentiss site. Many early EBF board members, Prentiss site team leaders, and neighbours of Charlie and Winnie have been interviewed. Todayville of Red Deer has been retained to produce a series of short interview vignettes. The first of many interviews -- with EBF founding chair, Morris Flewwelling -- has now been posted. Stay tuned for future postings!

EBF Annual General Meeting

Ellis Bird Farm held their AGM on March 13th. The highlights of the meeting included two donation cheque presentations. EBF Treasurer, Barb Shepherd, accepted cheques from the Kiwanis Club of Red Deer (from left, Joe Yamniuk, Larry Pimm, Alec Robertson, Gerry Stelmaschuk) as well as the Twilight Homes Foundation ( Alec Robertson, Marvin Bruce, Vic Willoughby). We are very grateful to both organizations for their ongoing support of Ellis Bird Farm.

EBF Chairman Bob Winchell, left, also took the opportunity to thank outgoing board members Darcy Gabert, Brian Biggs, Gordon Johnson and Joanne Susut. We are very grateful to each of these volunteers for sharing their time and talents with us over the years.

Bob Winchell also welcomed new members, Howard Oudman, Maureen Carey, Joh Wieler and Abey Idicula. Judy Schwartz replaced Bonnie Mullen in November 2018.
Board Pic: Standing from left: Abey Idicula, Tony Blake, Howard Oudman, Jon Wieler, Leo de Groot, Bob Winchell
Seated: Barb Shepherd, Colleen McPhee, Maureen Carey, Judy Schwartz

Ellis Bird Farm Board of Directors

Standing from left: Gordon Johnson, Brian Biggs. Leo de Groot, Tony Blake, Colleen McPhee, Darcy Gabert, Bob Winchell Sitting from left: Joanne Susut, Bonnie Mullin, Barb Shepherd

Ellis Bird Farm is overseen by a volunteer board of up to ten directors. It is both a governance and working board, represented by an appointee from each of Lacombe County, Red Deer River Naturalists, Nature Alberta and MEGlobal Canada, as well as members-of-large.

The present board is made up of: Bob Winchell, Chairman and member-at-large; Darcy Gabert as secretary, representing MEGlobal; Barb Shepard as treasurer, representing Lacombe County (she has just been re-appointed to the board following the recent municipal election); Brian Biggs as vice-chairman, member-at-large; Joanne Susut, member-at-large; Gordon Johnson, member-at-large; Tony Blake, representing Nature Alberta; Colleen McPhee, member-at-large; and Leo de Groot, member-at-large. Recently retiring from the board was Bonnie Mullin, representing Red Deer River Naturalists. Bonnie is moving to British Columbia to be closer to family.

Several additional board members will be retiring at the next EBF AGM, which will be held in March, 2018. To this end, EBF is seeking additional members to serve on the board. Since the board relies on the expertise of board members to help oversee the operation, it is hoped that community members with some experience or expertise in the legal, agriculture, ecology, wildlife conservation, horticulture and financial fields will be interested in applying. A note of interest can be sent to info@ellisbirdfarm.ca.

**BEAUTY EVERYWHERE: PHOTO ESSAYS BY MYRNA PEARMAN **

Myrna Pearman's exciting book, Beauty Everywhere: Photo Essays by Myrna Pearman is a compilation of five years of her Red Deer Advocate monthly photo essays (2010-2015).
Purchase it here in our EBF bookstore.
It is also available through Myrna Pearman's official website here.

Also at the following retailers:
Kerry Wood Nature Centre, Red Deer
Hannas Seeds, Lacombe
Alix Home Hardware, Alix
Parkland Garden Centre, Red Deer
Peavey Mart stores
Wildbird General Store, Edmonton
Wild Bird Store, Calgary
Rimbey Review, Rimbey
Ponoka Bookstore, Ponoka

BACKYARD BIRD FEEDING: An Alberta Guide BY MYRNA PEARMAN

Ellis Bird Farm’s Backyard Bird Feeding: AN ALBERTA GUIDE is available in our new online bookstore here.
When purchasing from our online bookstore, Myrna will be happy to "sign" this book for you.
The proceeds from the sale of this book support the conservation, education and research programs of Ellis Bird Farm.
Media/ Press Kit for this book

Stores where you can purchase this book:
Right here on our website ( You can request a signed copy)
Ellis Bird Farm Visitor Centre - Gift Shop
Kerry Wood Nature Centre - Red Deer
Chapters - Red Deer
Co-op, Red Deer Home Centre - Riverside Drive
The Wildbird General Store - Edmonton
Westview Co-op - Eagle Hill Grocery & Farm Store
Rona - Sylvan Lake
Nowco Home Hardware - Lacombe
Hannas Seeds - Lacombe
Second Glance Books - Lacombe

Central Alberta Coop Flower Shop - Lacombe
Meats and Sausage - Bashaw
Alix Home Hardware - Alix
South Side Greenhouse - Barrhead
Ponoka Bookstore - Ponoka
Peavey Marts - All stores in Alberta
The Wild Bird Store - Calgary
Spruce It Up Garden Centre - Calgary
Owl's Nest Books- Calgary- Britannia Shopping Plaza
Country Living & Garden Centre - Okotoks
Parkland Garden Centre - Red Deer

Map and Directions

The Weather Network

Basic information

Hours of Operation for next 2019 season will be:
Tuesday through Sunday 11:00 am to 5:00 pm
Holiday Mondays 11:00 am to 5:00 pm
*Admission to EBF by drop-in visitors is by donation.
*Tour groups must book ahead.
Contact Ellis Bird Farm
Event Calendar Check out our summer
FAQ Questions you might have about EBF

Tweets by @EllisBirdFarm

Our Horned Owls-Ellie & Albert here

Myrna Pearman Engagements -2018

WISH LIST

Wheelbarrow
Household brooms
Yarn and plastic lacing cord
Umbrellas to loan out to visitors on rainy days
Wooden or nature-based plastic beads for our school and day camp programs
Old fashioned one-speed bike (to keep the farmstead theme of EBF). This would be used for staff to open and close the gate and other errands around the site.
Leaf blowers
Bistro sets (small table, two chairs)
Shoelaces (new or lightly used)
World globes
Craft supplies, tempera and acrylic paints for crafts
Golf cart