Spring Has Arrived - McGrath Hills Park FM Crowd
The Spring Has Arrived - McGrath Hills Park FM is an opportunity for an outdoor FM before the summer holiday season. It's seems like a get together at an Edmonton high point might be a good idea following an Event in the park back in August and November 2022. Come on out and enjoy a continuation of the amazing weather - fingers crossed that it will continue to warm up!
About the Park
Southwest Highland natural area is a very unique natural feature. It is the highest point in Edmonton, with an elevation of 716 m at its southern end and steep slopes on its east and west sides. It offers a beautiful view of Edmonton to the east, west and south, and Whitemud Ravine to the southeast. Given its proximity to both the ravine and the River Valley, the natural area provides an important linking function for wildlife. Its steep slopes support an interesting combination of successional stage and pioneer vegetation communities, including beaked hazelnut and snowberry.
Getting There and Around
There is an informal trail through southern portion of the natural area, connected to a walkway off Malone Way to the west and another from the east.
What you might see or hear
This primarily deciduous tree stand likely no longer supports large mammals given adjacent development, but you could still spot snowshoe hare, coyote, white-tailed jackrabbit, red squirrel, thirteen-lined ground squirrel, least chipmunk, porcupine, and other small mammals and bats. The site supports a rich diversity of songbirds and the occasional raptor. Birds you might see include Clay-coloured, Song and Savannah sparrows, Cedar Waxwings, American Robins, Least and Alder Flycatchers, Baltimore Orioles, and Red-eyed Vireos Black-capped Chickadees, Black-billed magpies, and Pine grosbeaks.