Yellowknife is surrounded on three sides by the massive boreal forest, a nursery for migratory birds and wildlife that spans the country. Most of the forest surrounding Yellowknife is intact which makes Yellowknife a great destination for any wildlife enthusiast. In the summer, the long days provide excellent and extended opportunities to get out into the wilderness and go exploring.
Between May and September, there are all sorts of animals mating, feeding, raising their young, stocking their larders, and expanding their territories. There are a number of great places to spot wildlife in and around Yellowknife so whether you’re new to town, coming for a visit, or looking for a new hobby, grab a pair of binoculars and get ready to do some wildlife spotting.
During the summer months, May to September summer keep your eyes open for ravens, red foxes, owls, songbirds, waterfowl, eagles, coyotes, beaver, muskrat, weasel, wolves, and if you’re really lucky wolverine. If you’re willing to venture out of the city a way you might even spot black bears, wood bison, moose, river otters, lynx, and pine marten.
Frame Lake Trail
The Frame Lake trail loops around Frame lake and offers a number of wildlife viewing opportunities. In the summer you can expect to see all sorts of birds: grebes, ducks, gulls, loons, ravens, magpies, and a variety of songbirds decked out in their colourful breeding feathers. Other wildlife you are likely to encounter include muskrat, foxes and coyotes.
Note that the area between Jackfish Lake and the Frame Lake Trail is known coyote territory so be sure to keep your dog leashed at all times to avoid a potential conflict.
Niven Lake Trail
The trail around Niven Lake is quite accessible thanks to recent upgrades to improve the surface. In the summer, Niven trail is alive with the sound of birdsong and you can spend hours wandering this trail listening to and looking for all sorts of birds. Warblers, sparrows, red-winged blackbirds, swallows, chickadees, and a plethora of other songbirds can be spotted throughout the day. Grebes, ducks, and other waterfowl can be spotted on the lake as well.
The best times for birding along the trail are early morning and late evening when the bugs are out, so be sure to take your mosquito spray and wear long sleeves and pants. Other animals that frequent the area around Niven Lake in the summer months include beaver, muskrat, squirrels, voles, and foxes.
In winter things quiet down considerably but you can still find ptarmigan, woodpeckers, house sparrows, redpolls, white-winged cross bills, snow buntings, magpies, ravens, and foxes. Once in a blue moon, you might catch a glimpse of a coyote.
This is a multi-use path and dogs are REQUIRED to be on a leash. Keeping your dog leashed prevents conflicts with wildlife, people, and other dogs.
Rotary Park
Rotary Park is down along School Draw Avenue and is one of the best places in Yellowknife to go birding. The shallow mudflats are a stopover for a number of bird species on their way to the arctic breeding grounds. May and June are the best times to see birds travelling through and catch glimpses of songbirds arriving from the south. Foxes and coyotes are often spotted around this area so be sure to keep your dog on a leash to avoid any unwanted interactions and to protect nesting and resting birds.
Ski Hill and Back Bay
The ski hill is a pleasant area for a hike in the summer provided you have waterproof shoes and a thick skin. Take bug spray! The area around the ski hill and back bay include Back bay Cemetery. This area is in close proximity to the Yellowknife landfill where many animals spend time in the evenings eating leisurely from the Landfill Buffet.
There are plenty of foxes, coyote, showshoe hare, in and around the trails at the ski hill. You’ll likely also see eagles, songbirds, ducks, gulls, and other waterfowl around the marshes and along the bay. Black bears and wolves have also been known to pass through this area. Stay alert while visiting this area.
There are known coyote dens in and around the YK Ski Hill and Back Bay area. April-August is when coyotes are busy raising their young. Coyotes are not dangerous but they will defend their young and den sites if they feel threatened. Be aware of your surroundings when you are out in the early morning or evening. KEEP YOUR DOG LEASHED AT ALL TIMES when in this area to avoid wildlife conflicts.
Bristol Monument Trails
Another set of trails that are lovely to explore are the trails that lead out into the area surrounding Jackfish Lake from Bristol Monument. Trails pass by the cemetery and you can walk down to Jackfish Lake or continue around to meet up with the Frame Lake trail. The area is beautiful and is a good spot to bird watch summer or winter.
This is a popular area for dog walkers so if you are hoping for a wildlife encounter I recommend heading out early in the morning or late evening. This is another area known for coyote sightings but as mentioned before they are more curious than dangerous. Keep dogs leashed to avoid potential conflicts.