Backcountry Banff

Text and Photography © Mike Potter

The Fenland trail gives you insights into the ecology of this type of wetland. By definition, a fen is drier than a marsh but - perhaps surprisingly - wetter than a bog or a swamp. You can observe dynamic natural processes along this trail, for as well as fens there are areas in transition to swamp (the driest wetland, with white spruce trees, shrubs, mosses, and a spongy floor).

The biologically-productive mosaic of water, grasses, sedges, and shrubs found in a fen represents ideal habitat for creatures such as elk, beaver, and voles (little rodents that look like mice but aren't).

Birdwatching along the Fenland trail is rewarding. You can usually sight such species as Canada goose, mallard, hairy woodpecker, black-capped chickadee, and yellow-rumped warbler. You might be fortunate to see, or at least hear, a barred owl or a kingfisher.

The belted kingfisher, to give the full name of the species found here, is so-called because of bands of different colours on the breast: blue on white in the male, blue and rust on white in the female. These intriguing birds, with what appear to us to be disproportionately large heads, are often first noticed by their rattling call.

Kingfishers dive head-first for fish from a perch over water, or from the air (sometimes hovering briefly over potential prey). Their nests are long burrows in stream banks, dug using their heavy bills and stubby feet. A belted kingfisher is pictured on the $5 bill.