In southern Alberta, warblers are emerging from hibernation

If you're planning to head down to Cooley this weekend to enjoy the nice weather, don't forget to look down.

There may be a few shakers here.

A Lethbridge rattlesnake says he found his first rattlesnake of the season crawling out of his nest Thursday morning.

This is the normal time for snakes to wake up and start moving in search of food.

The Helen Schuler Nature Center is warning all hikers to exercise caution. Stay on trails and listen for rattles, which is a defense mechanism used by snakes when approached.

“This time of year they often hibernate together in the same area,” says Jessica Deacon-Rogers of the Helen Schuler Nature Center.

“You can have several snakes in one area because they don't go far from their hibernation. We still have cold nights and they sometimes have to go back to that shelter and protection when it's cold, so they haven't spread or dispersed yet.”

If you find a snake in the wild, you will be asked to give it space by moving slowly.

However, if you encounter a snake in an unnatural location, you can call the city's rattlesnake line or visit the nature center's website.