The Trumpeter Swan is a graceful, snow-white waterbird occasionally seen on lakes and wetlands in the Northwest Territories during summer. Known for their deep, resonant calls and powerful wingspan, they nest in quiet northern wetlands and feed on aquatic plants. Summer offers the best chance to spot these elegant birds near larger lakes and calm shorelines.
Year-Round
Wolf
Wolves roam the wild boreal forests near Blachford Lake year-round, often heard howling on cold winter nights or spotted crossing frozen lakes in small packs. In spring and summer, they raise pups in hidden dens and travel farther in search of food. Their adaptability and close-knit social bonds make them one of the North’s most resilient and captivating animals.
Spring - Fall
Black Bear
Black bears emerge from hibernation in late April to early May, hungry and ready to forage the forests around Blachford Lake. Through the summer and early fall, they feed heavily on berries, roots, and fish to prepare for their long winter sleep. Generally shy, they prefer quiet forested areas and are most active at dawn and dusk.
Rare
Muskox
The Muskox is a powerful, thick-coated grazer found in tundra regions farther north in the Northwest Territories. While not typically seen around Blachford Lodge, they are an iconic northern species known for their long guard hair and strong social herds. Spotting one on adventures farther into the tundra is always a memorable experience.
Year-Round
Moose
Moose are year-round residents near Blachford Lake, but are more easily spotted in the spring and summer as they graze near wetlands and lake shores. In autumn, bulls display their massive antlers during the rutting season. By winter, they retreat into thicker forest, using their long legs to wade through deep snow in search of woody browse.
Rare
Caribou
Caribou are rare and elusive visitors to the Blachford Lake region, occasionally passing through during seasonal migrations. These majestic deer are known for their impressive antlers and endurance across vast tundra and boreal landscapes. Spotting a caribou here is a rare and special experience, connecting you with the wild spirit of the North.
Winter - Spring
Lynx
Canada lynx are most active and visible in the winter, when their snowshoe-like paws give them an advantage over their prey, mainly snowshoe hares. Their thick, silvery coats help them blend into the snowy forests around Blachford Lake. In summer, they are harder to spot, moving quietly through the dense undergrowth to stay cool and hidden.
Spring - Summer
Red Fox
The red fox is a clever and striking animal with a fiery coat and bushy tail. Around Blachford Lake, it's often seen in spring and summer hunting or raising kits near its den. In winter, it remains active, using sharp hearing to catch prey beneath the snow. Agile and adaptable, it thrives year-round in the northern wild.
Rare (Winter)
Arctic Fox
The Arctic fox is a small, hardy survivor of the North, known for its thick coat that changes from brown in summer to white in winter for perfect camouflage. While rare around Blachford Lake, it may venture south in colder months. Adapted to extreme cold, it stays active year-round, hunting rodents and scavenging along frozen landscapes.
Year-Round
Snowshoe Hare
The snowshoe hare is a key species around Blachford Lake, known for its large hind feet that act like snowshoes. Its fur shifts from brown in summer to white in winter to blend with the changing landscape. Active year-round, it’s a favorite prey for many northern predators, playing a vital role in the boreal ecosystem.
Winter - Spring (Rare)
Wolverine
The wolverine is a powerful and elusive creature of the North, about the size of a medium dog but with unmatched strength and endurance. Around Blachford Lake, they are most active in the winter and early spring, roaming vast territories across frozen terrain in search of food. Their thick fur and snowshoe-like paws make them well-suited to the snowy boreal landscape. Rarely seen, spotting one is a remarkable moment.
Year-Round
Porcupine
A gentle and solitary resident of the forest. Covered in sharp quills for protection, the porcupine spends its days foraging for leaves, bark and twigs. Around Blachford Lake, it can often be spotted moving slowly through the trees or pausing to snack in the undergrowth year-round.
Year-Round
Pine Marten
The pine marten is a nimble and curious member of the weasel family, with rich brown fur and a creamy throat patch. Around Blachford Lake, it’s most active in spring and summer, climbing trees and hunting small mammals and birds. Well adapted to the forest, it uses its agility to navigate dense woodland year-round.
Year-Round
Ermine
The ermine is a small, agile predator known for its striking seasonal coat—brown in summer and pure white in winter, except for its black-tipped tail. Found throughout the forests around Blachford Lake, it hunts small mammals and birds with quick, precise movements. Despite its size, the ermine is a fierce and skilled hunter, perfectly adapted to survive the harsh northern winters.
Year-Round
Otter
The otter is a playful and agile swimmer often seen darting through the waters around Blachford Lake. Most active in spring and summer, it hunts fish and crustaceans with remarkable speed and agility. In winter, otters remain active beneath the ice, using breathing holes to navigate frozen waterways.
Spring - Fall
Beaver
The beaver is a master builder of Blachford Lake’s waterways, known for its strong teeth and impressive dams. Most active in spring and summer, it shapes the landscape by creating ponds and lodges from branches and mud. In winter, beavers stay safely in their lodges, feeding on stored wood beneath the ice.
Year-Round
Red Squirrel
The red squirrel is a lively and vocal resident of the boreal forests around Blachford Lake. Known for its reddish-brown fur and bushy tail, it’s often seen darting through trees, gathering seeds and cones to store for winter. Active year-round, red squirrels play an important role in forest ecosystems by helping disperse seeds and nuts.
Year-Round
Mink
The mink is a small, sleek, and agile predator found near the waterways around Blachford Lake. With its dense, dark brown fur and sharp senses, it thrives in spring through fall, hunting fish, small mammals, and birds. Though less active in winter, it remains a stealthy presence along riverbanks and wetlands.
Spring - Fall
Bald Eagle
The bald eagle is a majestic and powerful bird of prey often spotted soaring above Blachford Lake. With its striking white head and tail contrasting against dark brown body feathers, it hunts fish and small mammals mostly in spring and summer. These iconic raptors are symbols of strength and freedom in the North.
Spring - Fall
Golden Eagle
The golden eagle is a powerful and majestic raptor that soars over the rugged landscapes around Blachford Lake. Most active in spring and summer, it hunts small mammals and birds with incredible speed and precision. Known for its rich brown plumage and impressive wingspan, the golden eagle is a symbol of strength and freedom in the northern skies.
Year-Round
Gryfalcon
The Gyrfalcon, the largest falcon in the world and the official bird of the Northwest Territories, is a powerful predator occasionally seen near Blachford Lodge. With plumage ranging from white to dark gray and impressive speed, it hunts birds and small mammals with precision. These falcons breed across northern tundra and are year-round northern residents, though some younger birds may move farther south in winter.
Spring - Summer
Peregrine Falcon
The peregrine falcon is a sleek and fast hunter often seen soaring high above Blachford Lake during spring and summer. Known as the fastest bird in the world, it dives at incredible speeds to catch birds and small mammals mid-air. With striking slate-gray plumage and powerful flight, the peregrine falcon is a spectacular sight in the northern wilderness.
Summer
Rough-Legged Hawk
The Rough-legged Hawk is a distinctive migratory raptor occasionally seen in the Northwest Territories during the summer months. With its feathered legs, mottled plumage, and habit of hovering into the wind, it’s a memorable sight for birdwatchers exploring the region. These hawks breed on northern tundra from May to August, then migrate south for winter, making summer the best time for a possible sighting near Blachford Lodge.
Year-Round
Boreal Owl
The boreal owl is a small, elusive night bird found in the dense forests around Blachford Lake. Mostly active in fall and winter, it hunts quietly for small mammals under the cover of darkness. With its rounded head and bright yellow eyes, this owl is a mysterious and rare sight in the northern boreal wilderness.
Year-Round
Great Horned Owl
The Great Horned Owl is one of the most iconic and elusive predators found around Blachford Lodge. Known for its piercing golden eyes and distinctive feathered tufts, this powerful nocturnal hunter silently moves through the Boreal forest in search of small mammals. These owls are active year-round, but they’re especially vocal and easier to spot at dawn and dusk in late winter through early spring when nesting begins. Seeing one perched at dusk feels like witnessing a true symbol of wilderness mystery and Northern beauty.
Year-Round
Northern Hawk Owl
The northern hawk owl is a unique and striking bird of prey found in the boreal forests around Blachford Lake. Active mostly in fall and winter, it hunts by day with keen eyesight, swooping silently to catch small mammals. Known for its sharp, hawk-like appearance and distinctive facial markings, this owl is a rare and fascinating sight in the northern wilderness.
Fall - Spring
Snowy Owl
The snowy owl is a stunning and iconic Arctic bird, easily recognized by its bright white feathers and piercing yellow eyes. Mostly seen during the fall and winter months around Blachford Lake, it hunts over open tundra and frozen landscapes for small mammals. Spotting a snowy owl is a breathtaking reminder of the North’s wild beauty and resilience.
Year-Round
Ptarmigan
The ptarmigan is a hardy bird perfectly adapted to northern climates around Blachford Lake. Its feathers change color with the seasons—white in winter for snowy camouflage and brown in summer to blend with tundra vegetation. Active year-round, ptarmigans forage on buds, berries, and insects, thriving in harsher conditions.
Year-Round
Raven
The common raven is a highly intelligent and adaptable bird frequently seen soaring above or perched in the forests around Blachford Lake. Known for its glossy black feathers and deep, resonant calls, ravens are curious scavengers that thrive in the North. They’re often spotted investigating campsites or playing in the wind, making them a fascinating and entertaining part of the northern wilderness.
Spring & Fall
Trumpeter Swan
Spring & Fall
Snow Goose
Snow geese are striking white birds with black-tipped wings that migrate through the Blachford Lake region each spring and fall. They travel in large, noisy flocks, stopping to rest and feed on tundra grasses and wetlands during their long journeys between Arctic breeding grounds and southern wintering areas.
Spring-Fall
Canadian Goose
The Canada goose is a familiar and hardy bird often seen around Blachford Lake year-round. Known for its distinctive black head and neck with a white chinstrap, it grazes on grasses near water and migrates in large V-shaped flocks during spring and fall. Their loud honking calls are a classic sound of the northern wilderness.
Spring - Summer
Common Goldeneye
The Common Goldeneye is a striking diving duck often seen on northern lakes in spring and summer. Recognized by its crisp black-and-white plumage and bright yellow eyes, it dives for insects and small aquatic creatures in clear, cold water. These ducks nest in tree cavities and are regular warm-season visitors around lakes in the Blachford Lodge region.
Spring - Fall
Common Loon
The common loon is a striking bird known for its haunting calls that echo across Blachford Lake. Seen mostly in spring and summer, loons nest along shorelines and dive underwater to catch fish with impressive agility. They migrate south in fall but return each year to the northern lakes to breed.
Year-Round
Gray/Canada Jay
The gray jay is a friendly and curious bird common in the boreal forests around Blachford Lake. With soft gray plumage and a distinctive dark cap, these birds are known for their boldness around humans and their remarkable food-storing habits. Active year-round, gray jays are a favorite among birders for their cheeky behavior and presence even in the coldest months.
Year-Round
Three-Toed Woodpecker
The American three-toed woodpecker is a shy and specialized bird found in the boreal forests near Blachford Lake. Sporting a mostly black-and-white plumage with a distinctive yellow patch on the crown (in males), it’s known for its unique three-toed feet—unlike most woodpeckers that have four. This woodpecker feeds primarily on insects beneath tree bark and is often found in areas affected by forest fires or insect outbreaks, making it a fascinating species for birders and nature lovers alike.
Spring - Fall
Northern Flicker
The northern flicker is a striking and colorful woodpecker commonly found in the forests around Blachford Lake. Unlike many woodpeckers, it often feeds on the ground, searching for ants and insects with its long, curved bill. Recognizable by its spotted chest, barred back, and distinctive red or yellow shafted wing feathers (depending on the region), the northern flicker’s loud, rhythmic drumming and distinctive calls make it a lively and memorable presence in the northern wilderness.
Year-Round
Spruce Grouse
The spruce grouse is a secretive, ground-dwelling bird native to the dense boreal forests around Blachford Lake. Known for its mottled gray and brown plumage, it blends perfectly with the forest floor and spruce trees. Active year-round, spruce grouse feed mainly on conifer needles and berries, making them well-adapted to the northern environment. Birders prize sightings of this elusive bird for its subtle beauty and quiet presence in the wilderness.
Spring - Fall
Wilson's Snipe
Wilson’s snipe is a small, well-camouflaged shorebird commonly found in the marshy wetlands around Blachford Lake during the warmer months. With its long, straight bill and cryptic brown and white plumage, it blends seamlessly into tall grasses and reeds. Known for its distinctive “winnowing” sound produced during flight displays, Wilson’s snipe is a favorite among birders who enjoy spotting this elusive and fascinating species in the boreal wetlands.
Spring - Fall
Yellow Warbler
The Yellow Warbler is a bright, cheerful songbird often seen around Blachford Lodge in spring and summer. With its vivid yellow plumage and sweet, whistled song, it flits through willows and lakeside shrubs in search of insects. These warblers are active breeders in the region from May to August, making summer the best time to spot their sunny flashes of colour.
Spring - Summer
Cedar Waxwing
The Cedar Waxwing is a sleek, social bird known for its silky plumage and bright red and yellow wing accents. Common in the Blachford Lodge region during summer, they travel in flocks and feed on berries and insects near the water’s edge. Their soft, high-pitched calls and elegant flight make them a favourite summer visitor.
Fall - Spring
American Tree Sparrow
The American Tree Sparrow is a hardy migratory songbird that passes through the Blachford Lodge area in spring and fall. Recognizable by its rusty cap and dark chest spot, it forages in open shrubs and along lake edges. These sparrows breed farther north on the tundra in summer and migrate south for the winter, making their visits here seasonal.
Spring - Fall
White-Throated Sparrow
The White-throated Sparrow is known for its bold black-and-white head stripes and clear, whistled “Oh sweet Canada” song. Active around Blachford Lodge in spring and summer, it nests in the Boreal forest and forages in low shrubs and forest edges. Their melodic calls are a classic sound of the northern summer.
Year-Round
Boreal Chickadee
The Boreal Chickadee is a small, energetic resident of the northern forest, found year-round around Blachford Lodge. With its brown cap, soft gray body, and raspy calls, it moves quickly through spruce trees in search of seeds and insects. These tough little birds stay active even in the coldest months, adding life to winter walks.
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Joelle R
Oct 2024
Peacefull retrea
I went to the lodge only for one night, but I wish I would've stayed longer. The location is amazing, and the accommodation are beyond expectation. I had a room in the main lodge with view over the lake, big window to enjoy the night sky. There are also cabins that looked great as well, to be more in nature. The staff is so great, the food is really good, the drinks are unique. We went on a fishing ride, and I never caught fishes that big, and it is catch & release which I like. In the morning, I felt at peace having a coffee in front of the lake, looking at the sun rise and the quietness of the forest.
mimi peppe
Sep 2024
One of our best Experiences ever!
Where do I begin? I wish I could give BLL more than 5 stars! Everyone did their best to make us feel welcomed and nurtured! Our room was clean & cozy, we chose to stay in the lodge as opposed to a cabin. It was more convenient and very comfortable- sometimes a little noisy- The food was amazing!!! Three creative and delicious meals a day! We stayed 4 nights but could easily have stayed longer! My hubby went fishing - I made a dream catcher and harvested spruce gems to make salves! Of course, the main attraction, the Aurora, did not disappoint! The hiking trails were moderate and the views spectacular! It was a dream come true! I cannot say enough good things about the whole experience!
BeenandSeenTravel-JW
Sep 2024
Father-son trip to remember!
A father-son trip to remember! After enjoying this amazing lodge in the winter, I was able to take my son on a trip here in August. Blachford seems to be a dream in the summer and fall. The lake was beautiful for swimming, and the secluded cabin with modern comforts was lakefront, looking out into the northern wilderness in the evening as eagles hunted. We caught some huge fish and explored the lake by boat. The food is delicious, and the staff are wonderful, (thanks)We hiked a beautiful loop trail through the Boreal forest and listened from the hot tub as wolves howled across the lake and the sun gave way to dancing Aurora. ...Simply Spectacular.
Danae D
May 2024
Best Remote Lodge - once in a lifetime!!
Blachford is a very unique place that I would love to stay at again. The pressure of being awake for the Aurora is off as the staff will come and wake you, if you’d like them too! During the day they have so many activities to participate in, I was nervous about if there would be enough activity wise (I'm a pretty ancy person) and there absolutley was! They’re optional which is nice if you want to relax as well. The hot tub under a starry, sky was incredible and there were always snacks out incase you felt a little peckish. The Aurora was stunning, staff was friendly, and activities were engaging. Thanks again Blachford for such an incredible experience!
Luke P
May 2024
What an experience!
Fantastic trip. We went for a few nights in August on a bit of a spur of the moment idea. Of course the lights were spectacular, but the lodge and grounds blew us away too - swimming, wood fired hot tub, mountain bikes, fishing, etc. - with top notch meals as well. Can’t say enough about the staff too. A great team that made booking, getting around Yellowknife, and our stay, special (and easy!).
Candice L
May 2024
I heart Blachford.
I’ve been going to Blachford for years, both for business and for personal visits, and it’s one of my favourite places! The location is beautiful, the lake is stunning, the food is delicious, and the aurora views are amazing (even for a lifelong Northerner)! Blachford is a gem.
Kaila
May 2024
The Best
My favourite remote lodge ever. I have had the privilege of visiting during three different seasons and each one is so special. Fishing, hiking, northern lights, sauna, hot tub, swimming are all to be had here. The rooms and cabins are wonderful, the food has always been delicious. I highly recommend.