Frank's Lake Bird watching & photography-guests welcome

Frank Lake, located 50 km southeast of Calgary near High River, Alberta, is a productive wetland ( a shallow slough typical of the grasslands of southern Alberta) for at least 256 bird species and is listed as one of 597 Important Bird Areas in Canada.
The Lake consists of 3100 acres (1010 ha) of wetlands and about 1,700 acres of surrounding managed upland.

Most of the surrounding landscape is agriculture and pasture land. The primary inflow of water is from treated municipal and industrial wastewater via a pipeline, agriculture runoff from Mazeppa Creek and Blackie creek. The treated waste water is from High River and the nearby Cargill meat packing plant. The water quality at Frank lake is monitored by Alberta Government .

Some birds that can be seen here include:
Waterfowl: Tundra and Trumpeter Swans (Spring/Fall), Snow Geese, Ruddy Ducks, and Northern Pintails.
Shorebirds & Waders: American Avocets, Black-necked Stilts, Marbled Godwits, Long-billed Curlews, and the striking White-faced Ibis.
Colonial Birds: American White Pelicans, Great Blue Herons, Black-crowned Night Herons, and Double-crested Cormorants.
Raptors & Others: Yellow-headed Blackbirds, Marsh Wrens, various gulls (including Franklin's Gulls), and occasionally Short-eared Owls or Ferruginous Hawks
May/June is the prime time for viewing nesting shorebirds and migrating songbirds.
Interesting tidbit: During WWII from the fall of 1941 to spring 1942, when Frank Lake was dealing with a drought cycle, the dry lake basin was used briefly as an auxiliary landing field for the Royal Air Force.

IT COULD BE EXTREMELY COLD IN THE MORNING;
MANDATORY GEAR: water proof boots; water (atleast 500 ml); gloves , warm clothes and toque.
RECOMMENDED GEAR: binoculars; camera(lens 400-600mm or more); tripod., Bird watchers' handbook

FACILITIES: Before COVID, there use to be "a port-a-pottie" ; don't know, if it is still there.

WAIVER: You are required to read the Slow and Steady Hiker Club Waiver: https://www.meetup.com/Slow-and-Steady-Hikers/pages/OUR_NEW_WAIVER/
You are coming at your own risk.

DISCLAIMER : You are fully aware that your hosts are volunteers and not trained guides and you assume all responsibility for your own safety and well-being. All participants are responsible for assessing the current road conditions, current weather conditions, your current physical condition, and current conditions at Frank Lake for the trip and you are responsible for your safety and well-being. You are fully prepared with proper gear and you're physically fit to do this hike with the group.

ACTIVITIES : Bird watching photography, socializing

I shall carry my bird identification cheat sheet.

CARPOOLING: please use comments section for carpooling or contact participants directly.