The Weaselhead Natural Area covers an area of approximately 404 hectares and receives the highest level of protection available to a Calgary natural area. The area consists of the Elbow River, the north and south escarpments of the river valley, the river floodplains and delta. A walk through the area will give the keen observer insight into the geological, anthropological and natural history of the area. Fossils dating back 35 million years can be seen in the sandstone deposits along the cliffs of the river valley. There are numerous indigenous archaeological sites, including buffalo kills and hunting campsites that can be dated as recently as 1887 when the buffalo runs still existed. The natural history of the area is extensive. Coniferous forests of white spruce can be found next of deciduous riverine forests of balsam poplar mixed with shrubs such as Red-osier dogwood and wolf willow (silver-berry) and stands of trembling aspen. During the warm seasons, wildflowers bloom in the grassland areas. There are numerous aquatic habitats ranging from riverine wetlands, to beaver ponds, to the river itself; all supporting a variety of aquatic plant life. The flora of the area is made up of some 480+ species. Some of these species are endangered or threatened such as the western wood lily. The varied plant life supports a variety of wildlife forms. There are untold numbers of invertebrates both aquatic and terrestrial. At least ten species of fish are known in the area, with several being sought by sport fishers. Although there have been no recent recorded sightings of the endangered northern leopard frog, it was once found in this area. There are other amphibians found in the area including the tiger salamander, the boreal chorus frog, and the wood frog. Few reptiles inhabit Alberta, but the garter snake is sometimes seen in the area. Over 200 species of birds, from waterfowl to songbirds to raptors, can be found in the region. Some of these use the region as a stop-over during fall and spring migrations; others nest in the Weaselhead during the summer months; still others live here all year round. For mammals like the shrews, hares, deer, and beaver, the Weaselhead Natural Area provides a permanent home. Other species, including moose, black bear, and lynx are known to use the region on a seasonal basis. Nocturnal habits and human disturbance make the mammal life harder for human Weaselhead visitors to find. Keep your eyes open as you search for other caches and you may be rewarded with wildlife sightings.
(This cache was originally part of a series of five caches placed in 2006 by Master 11; however, all but this cache have gone missing. It was adopted by GeoDreamCacher from January 2011 to August 2020.)