askatchewan has a wealth of birdwatching opportunities ranging from the fallmigration of waterfowl to the spring rush of songbirds and shorebirds. It is ourhope that this Birding Trail Guide will help you find and enjoy the many birdinglocations in our province.

Some of our Birding Trail sites offer you a chance to see endangered species such asPiping Plovers, Sage Grouse, Burrowing Owls, and even the Whooping Crane as itstops over in Saskatchewan during its spring and fall migrations.

Saskatchewan is comprised of four distinct eco-zones, from rolling prairie to denseforest. Micro-environments are as varied as the bird-life, ranging from active sand dunesand badlands to marshes and swamps. Over 350 bird species can be found in theprovince.

Southwestern Saskatchewan represents the core of the range of grassland birds likeBaird's Sparrow and Sprague's Pipit. The mixed wood boreal forest in northernSaskatchewan supports some of the highest bird species diversity in North America,including Connecticut Warbler and Boreal Chickadee. More than 15 species ofshorebirds nest in the province while others stop over briefly en-route to their breedinggrounds in Arctic Canada.

Chaplin Lake and the Quill Lakes are the two anchor bird watching sites in our province.These sites are conveniently located on Saskatchewan's two major highways, theTrans-Canada #1 and Yellowhead #16. Both are excellent birding areas!

Oh! ....... don't forget, birdwatching in Saskatchewan is a year round activity. Whilemigration provides a tremendous opportunity to see vast numbers of birds, winterbirding offers you an incomparable opportunity to view many species of owls andwoodpeckers and other Arctic residents such as Gyrfalcons, Snowy Owls and massiveflocks of Snow Buntings.

Happy Birding in Saskatchewan !

S

For information on birdwatching in Saskatchewan please contact:

To contact Tourism Saskatchewan:1-877-2ESCAPE

Ken KesslerBox 249

Pangman, SKS0C 2C0

email: saskbirding@yahoo.ca

Red-throated Loon Pacific Loon Common Loon Yellow-billed LoonPied-billed Grebe Horned Grebe Red-necked Grebe Eared Grebe Western Grebe Clark's Grebe American WhitePelican

Double-crestedCormorant American Bittern Least Bittern Great Blue Heron Great Egret Snowy Egret Little Blue Heron Cattle Egret Green Heron Black-crowned Night-Heron

Yellow-crownedNight-Heron White-faced Ibis Turkey Vulture Greater White-fronted Goose Snow Goose Ross' Goose Canada Goose Brant Trumpeter Swan Tundra Swan

Wood Duck Gadwall Eurasian Wigeon American Wigeon American Black Duck Mallard Blue-winged Teal Cinnamon Teal Northern Shoveler Northern Pintail Garganey Green-winged Teal

Canvasback Redhead Ring-necked Duck Greater Scaup Lesser Scaup King Eider Common Eider Harlequin Duck Surf Scoter White-winged Scoter Black Scoter Long-tailed Duck

Bufflehead Common Goldeneye Barrow's Goldeneye Hooded Merganser Common Merganser Red-breastedMerganser Ruddy Duck Osprey Mississippi Kite Bald Eagle Northern Harrier Sharp-shinned Hawk Cooper's Hawk Northern Goshawk Broad-winged Hawk Swainson's Hawk Red-tailed Hawk Ferruginous Hawk Rough-legged HawkGolden Eagle American Kestrel Merlin Gyrfalcon Peregrine FalconPrairie Falcon Gray Partridge Ring-necked Pheasant Ruffed Grouse Greater Sage -Grouse Spruce Grouse Willow Ptarmigan Rock PtarmiganSharp-tailed Grouse Greater Prairie-ChickenWild Turkey Yellow Rail Virginia Rail Sora American Coot Sandhill Crane Whooping Crane Black-bellied Plover AmericanGolden-Plover Snowy Plover Semipalmated Plover Piping Plover Killdeer Black-necked StiltAmerican Avocet Greater Yellowlegs Lesser Yellowlegs Spotted Redshank Solitary Sandpiper Willet Spotted Sandpiper Upland Sandpiper Whimbrel

Long-billed Curlew Hudsonian Godwit Marbled Godwit Ruddy Turnstone Red Knot Sanderling SemipalmatedSandpiper Western Sandpiper Least Sandpiper White-rumpedSandpiper Baird's Sandpiper Pectoral Sandpiper Dunlin Stilt Sandpiper Buff-breastedSandpiper Ruff Short-billed Dowitcher Long-billed Dowitcher Common Snipe Wilson's Phalarope Red-necked Phalarope Red PhalaropePomarine JaegerParasitic JaegerLong-tailed Jaeger Franklin's Gull Little Gull Bonaparte's Gull Mew Gull Ring-billed Gull California Gull Herring Gull Thayer's GullLesser Black-backedGull Slaty-backed Gull Glaucous Gull Great Black-backedGull Sabine's Gull Black-legged Kittiwake Caspian Tern Common Tern Arctic Tern Forster's Tern Least Tern Black Tern Black Guillemot Rock Dove Band-tailed Pigeon Eurasian Collared-DoveMourning Dove Passenger Pigeon Black-billed Cuckoo Barn Owl Eastern Screech-Owl

Great Horned Owl Snowy Owl Northern Hawk Owl Burrowing Owl Barred Owl Great Gray Owl Long-eared Owl Short-eared Owl Boreal Owl Northern Saw-whet Owl Common Nighthawk Common Poorwill Whip-poor-will Chimney Swift Ruby-throatedHummingbird Anna's Hummingbird Calliope Hummingbird Rufous HummingbirdBelted Kingfisher Lewis' Woodpecker Red-headedWoodpeckerRed-belliedWoodpecker Williamson'sSapsucker Yellow-belliedSapsuckerRed-naped Sapsucker Downy Woodpecker Hairy Woodpecker Three-toed Woodpecker Black-backed Woodpecker Northern Flicker Pileated Woodpecker Olive-sided Flycatcher Western Wood-Pewee Eastern Wood-PeweeYellow-bellied Flycatcher Alder Flycatcher Willow Flycatcher Least Flycatcher Dusky Flycatcher Eastern Phoebe Say's Phoebe Great Crested Flycatcher Western Kingbird Eastern Kingbird Scissor-tailed FlycatcherLoggerhead Shrike Northern Shrike White-eyed VireoYellow-throated Vireo

Blue-headed Vireo Warbling Vireo Philadelphia Vireo Red-eyed Vireo Gray Jay Steller's JayBlue Jay Clark's NutcrackerBlack-billed Magpie American Crow Common Raven Horned Lark Purple Martin Tree Swallow Violet-green Swallow N. Rough-winged Swallow Bank Swallow Cliff Swallow Barn Swallow Black-capped Chickadee Mountain ChickadeeBoreal Chickadee Red-breasted Nuthatch White-breasted Nuthatch Brown Creeper Rock Wren House Wren Winter Wren Sedge Wren Marsh Wren American Dipper Golden-crowned Kinglet Ruby-crowned Kinglet Eastern Bluebird Mountain Bluebird Townsend's SolitaireVeery Gray-cheeked Thrush Swainson's Thrush Hermit Thrush Wood Thrush American Robin Varied ThrushGray Catbird Northern MockingbirdSage Thrasher Brown Thrasher European Starling American Pipit Sprague's Pipit Bohemian Waxwing Cedar Waxwing Blue-winged Warbler

Golden-winged Warbler Tennessee Warbler Orange-crownedWarbler Nashville Warbler Northern Parula Yellow Warbler Chestnut-sided Warbler Magnolia Warbler Cape May Warbler Black-throated Blue Warbler Yellow-rumped Warbler Black-throated Gray Warbler Black-throated Green Warbler Townsend's Warbler Blackburnian Warbler Pine WarblerPalm Warbler Bay-breasted Warbler Blackpoll Warbler Black-and-whiteWarbler American Redstart Prothonotary WarblerOvenbird Northern Waterthrush Connecticut Warbler Mourning Warbler MacGillivray's Warbler Common Yellowthroat Hooded WarblerWilson's Warbler Canada Warbler Yellow-breasted Chat Summer Tanager Scarlet Tanager Western Tanager Green-tailed TowheeSpotted Towhee Eastern TowheeAmerican Tree Sparrow Chipping Sparrow Clay-colored Sparrow Brewer's Sparrow Field Sparrow Vesper Sparrow Lark Sparrow Black-throated Sparrow Lark Bunting Savannah Sparrow Grasshopper Sparrow

Baird's Sparrow Le Conte's Sparrow Nelson's Sharp-tailed Sparrow Fox Sparrow Song Sparrow Lincoln's Sparrow Swamp Sparrow White-throated Sparrow Harris' Sparrow White-crowned Sparrow Golden-crowned SparrowDark-eyed Junco McCown's Longspur Lapland Longspur Smith's Longspur Chestnut-collaredLongspur Snow Bunting Northern Cardinal Rose-breasted Grosbeak Black-headed GrosbeakLazuli Bunting Indigo BuntingDickcisselBobolink Red-winged Blackbird Western Meadowlark Yellow-headedBlackbird Rusty Blackbird Brewer's Blackbird Common Grackle Brown-headed Cowbird Orchard Oriole Baltimore Oriole Bullock's Oriole BramblingGray-crowned Rosy-Finch Pine Grosbeak Purple Finch House Finch Red Crossbill White-winged Crossbill Common Redpoll Hoary RedpollPine Siskin American Goldfinch Evening Grosbeak House Sparrow

SaskatchewanSaskatchewan BirdingBirding ListList

Regular BreedingRegular Non-BreedingExtinct/ExtirpatedStragglersLE

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GENERAL INFORMATION: The Boreal Forest reaches its southern most limit in Saskatchewanat Duck Mountain, one of a series of uplands marking the boundarybetween the Manitoba Lowlands and Saskatchewan Plains. DuckMountain is reached via Highways #5 and #57 east from Kamsackor north on Manitoba Highway #83 north from Roblin.

BIRDING INFORMATION:Duck Mountain Provincial Park offers mostof the bird species to be found in borealforests much further north. In the summer,warblers, including the Nashville,Magnolia, and Blackburnian Warblers are

particularly plentiful, while the occasionalCanada Warbler may be found onwooded slopes. Other notable woodlandbirds include the summer resident Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Great-crestedFlycatcher, Veery and Rose-breastedGrosbeak, and year-round residents,Ruffed Grouse, Pileated Woodpecker andWhite-breasted Nuthatch.

The birds listed above may been seen onany of a number of good nature trails inthe core area. These include theWoodland, Pelly Point and Boreal ForestTrail. The Boreal Forest, which starts atthe campground is a 1 km walk throughferns, birch stands, spruce and poplar. It

also includes a boardwalkand is wheel chairaccessible. This trail hasattracted such species as theBarred Owl and Winter Wren.

One of the more sought afterbirds by Saskatchewanbirders is the Golden-wingedWarbler. It has been recordedseveral times on south facingslopes near the ski hill. Thearea may be reached bytaking the first right after theCore area. Keep your eyes

peeled for Turkey Vultures inthe sky and Broad-winged Hawks on treesor power lines as you drive the roads.

A check of Madge Lake will produce avariety of waterbirds: Common Loon, Red-necked Grebe, Lesser Scaup, SpottedSandpiper and Common Tern areparticularly common. The scarce White-winged Scoter may be seen at GreenLake on the western edge of the Park.

Duck MountainProvincial Park

Magnolia Warblers

WHAT ELSE TO DO:As a Provincial Park, the area offers a fullrange of outdoor recreational facilitiesincluding a ski hill, cross country skiing,hiking, cycling and snowmobile trails, an18 hole grass green golf course, mini golf,boat rental, fishing, swimming, andequestrian rides.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:Information is available within the Parkitself.For information on nature trails andaccommodations contact Duck MountainProvincial Park.Box 39Kamsack, SKS0A 1S0Phone:(306)542-5500Fax:(306)542-5512Email: duckmountain@serm.gov.sk.ca

Duck MountainProvincial Park

GENERAL INFORMATION: Strategically located near the Yellowhead Highway #16, Good SpiritLake Provincial Park is located not far from the city of Yorkton.Located within the heart of Canada's "duck factory", this region isdotted with a myriad of small ponds or "potholes", each contributingto the production of the millions of ducks each year.

The park can be accessed from Highways #16 and #47 and #229 from the south(Springside). Also from highways #9 and #229 from the east and highways #5 and#47 from north (Buchanan).

BIRDING INFORMATION:Located just northwest of Yorkton, thisspot has everything a traveler could want.The lake hosts a good variety ofwaterbirds including a variety of grebes,herons, blackbirds, marsh-loving wrensand sparrows. Access to the north end ofGood Spirit Lake and the marsh isthrough a private resort (North ShoreBeach). The owners are alwaysaccommodating. Horseshoe LakeHeritage Marsh is located along #229highway S.E. of the park. It can be viewedoff the highway. There are no vehicle trailsthrough the marsh--access is on foot only.Remember that this is private propertywith cattle grazing so keep gates closedat all times.

There are two beaches along the eastside of the lake and camping facilities areavailable at both North Shore and CanoraBeach. Good Spirit Lake Provincial Park atthe southwest side has camping and dayuse facilities. There is a park interpreter onstaff during the peak season of late Juneto mid August. Woodland birds abound inthe campground areas and includePileated Woodpecker, Great CrestedFlycatcher, Rose-breasted Grosbeak andEastern Towhee. There is a denseplantation of white spruce in the picnicarea that houses a good variety of

warblers. Grassland birds may be foundin Good Spirit Community pasture alongthe western edge of the Park.

A 1 km hiking trail to the sand dune areatakes you to a unique landscape withstabilized dunes up to 10 meters highcovered with creeping juniper andbearberry with a variety of shrubs--whitebirch, chokecherry, saskatoon, pincherryand cranberry. Bird life is abundant in thedunes, as it is throughout the park. Duringyears of lower water levels there is a wideexpanse of sandy beach that is ideal forwalking and observing birdlife that mightbe along the shoreline.

WHAT ELSE TO DO:Nearby Canora is a hub of touristactivities. With a Ukrainian cultural basethis community features great food andsome excellent historic sites, all linkedtogether through convenient walkingtrails. Before you leave the area be sureto visit the unique toy museum and thebreathtaking churches.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:Information is available with the Park sofeel free to stop.For more information about Good SpiritProvincial Park call the park supervisor at(306)792-4750. During the off season callBill and Joyce Anaka at (306)792-4780.

Good SpiritProvincial Park

GENERAL INFORMATION:Douglas Provincial Park is located on the east end of LakeDiefenbaker. This man made lake is well known for its tremendousfishing but is just being discovered as a birdwatcher's dream.

The park is situated in a large area of sand dunes. The dunes combine with the locallyhigh water table to create vegetation that is very different from the surrounding area.Much of the park is covered by woody vegetation that varies from shrubbery to maturestands of Trembling Aspen or lush Balsam Poplar. The park with its full range offacilities may be accessed along Highway #19 from Elbow in the north, and CentralButte on Highway #42 from the south.

BIRDING INFORMATION:The woodlands of the park attract avariety of birds. Year-round residentsinclude Sharp-tailed Grouse, GreatHorned Owl and HairyWoodpecker. Theseare joined in thesummer by Cooper'sHawks, Veeries, GrayCatbirds, WarblingVireos, AmericanRedstarts and SpottedTowhees. In the springand fall, the area isvisited by migrantthrushes, warblers andsparrows. Thebeaches of the parkare a good place tosee shorebirds. If youencounter thenationally endangeredPiping Plover, do notdisturb these birds ortheir nests.

Along the southernend of the park is the Qu'Appelle Dam,whose spillway and canal are now thesource of the Qu'Appelle River. During thewinter good numbers of waterfowl may beseen in the relatively warm waters that

flow from the bottom of the reservoir intothe spillway and canal below the dam.Although most of the birds are Mallards,any number of other species haveattempted to overwinter. One might

encounter a Bald Eagle orGyrfalcon, which areattracted by the winteringwaterfowl.

WHAT ELSE TO DO:Check out the park's DunesNature Centre, take part inan interpretive program/hike,or walk/bike theTransCanada Trail. Visit theElbow Museum andHistorical Society, touristinformation is on site.

ADDITIONALINFORMATION:An Information Centre islocated within the Park.For camping information

contact Douglas Provincial Park.Phone:(306)854-6266www.saskparks.netFor greater detail on birding in the areasee Frank Roy's Birds of the Elbow (1996).

Douglas Provincial Park

Bald Eagle

GENERAL INFORMATION:Gardiner Dam was one of two dams constructed in the 1960's onthe South Saskatchewan River to create Lake Diefenbaker. Theresultant reservoir became the largest permanent water body insouthern Saskatchewan. The dam was built for a number of purposes including powergeneration, irrigation, flood control and recreation.

Gardiner Dam is crossed by Highway 44 west from Highway 11 at Davidson. Highway44 can also be reached from Highway 45 south from near Outlook or north from Birsay.From Saskatoon it may be reached from Highway 219.

BIRDING INFORMATION:Your tour begins at the dam. Waterbirdscan be observed in the outflow below the

dam throughout the year. In the fall thearea is a magnet for diving ducks, and therarer loons and gulls. During the wintergood numbers of a variety of waterbirdsmay be seen including the CommonMerganser, Mallard, Bald Eagle, Gyrfalconand the occasional Common Loon orGlaucous Gull. In the spring and summer

Piping Plover and other shorebirds nestalong the shorelines. If you encounter theendangered Piping Plover do not disturbthem or their nests.

For those interested in seeingsome songbirds, visit ColdwellPark, an inviting oasis tuckedalong the river northwest of thedam. To reach the park takeHighway 44 west from the damfor 4km then north on thegravel road for another 4km.

An old stand of ManitobaMaple, Green Ash and BalsamPoplar attracts a variety of

summer resident birdsincluding the Veery, Orange-crownedWarbler, American Redstart and SpottedTowhee. The rarer Black-and-whiteWarbler and Yellow-breasted Chat havealso put in appearances. Ring-neckedPheasant, Great Horned Owl, HairyWoodpecker and Black-cappedChickadee are some of the permanentresidents.

Gardiner Dam and Danielson Provincial Park

Common Mergansers

WHAT ELSE TO DO:The Visitor Centre (open daily fromVictoria day weekend to Labour dayweekend, nine to five) features interpretivedisplays on the dam. Hike or bike alongthe TransCanada Trail which windsthrough the eastern side of the park.Camping is also available there.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:Located right on the dam, a VisitorInformation/Interpretive Centre will answerall your questions about the area.Phone:(306)857-5500www.saskparks.netBirding in the area is described in greaterdetail in Frank Roy's Birds of the Elbow(1996). For camping information contactDanielson Provincial Park.

Gardiner Dam and Danielson Provincial Park

GENERAL INFORMATION:As you travel along the TransCanada #1 Highway between Chaplinand Moose Jaw, be sure to stop in at Pelican Lake and BesantCampground. Besant campground is well signed on the highwayand you will find Pelican Lake directly north of the campground.

BIRDING INFORMATION:As its name indicates, this lake is a havenfor a large number of nesting pelicans.Sharing space with the pelicans are alsolarge numbers of Double-crestedCormorants, Common Terns, Western andpossibly Clark'sGrebes.

In addition, Pelicanlake is a waterfowlmecca. Tens ofthousands ofgeese can be seenduring migration inaddition to thetremendousdiversity of ducks,including RuddyDuck, NorthernPintail, Canvasbackand Mallards.

There are two access points that allow forgreat viewing of the lake. DucksUnlimited Canada has begun thedevelopment of a viewing area that canbe accessed by following the ViewingArea signs north of the TransCanada #1Highway. However, these roads are notall weather roads and caution should betaken in inclement weather.

The lake can also be accessed byfollowing the road on the east side of thelake north a short distance until it ends.This will get you right onto the lake andallow for a great overview of the area.

Do not overlook Besant campgroundlocated on the south side of the highway.In addition to its excellent camping, thisarea is alive with birdlife. Day passes areavailable and this area is well worth thestop. Many forest species are commonvisitors including Great Horned Owls,Northern Flickers, Gray Catbirds, BankSwallows and Yellow- breasted Chat. Thissite is an oasis for migrating birds as well.Several species, including Cape May,

Pelican Lake

American White Pelicans

Blackpoll, Black-and-white, Magnolia andCanada Warblers, Ruby-crowned Kingletsand Brown Creepers can be spotted here.

WHAT ELSE TO DO:If your time is flexible be sure yourvacation coincides with BesantCampground's Fiddler's Jamboree the 3rdweekend in July or the Gospel Jamboreethe 4th weekend in July.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:The Visitor Centre in Besant Campgroundcan provide you with any information youmay need. For more information please contact:Bill CambellP.O. Box 24Caron, SKS0H 0R0Phone:(306)756-2700Off Season:(306) 756-2774

Pelican Lake

GENERAL INFORMATION:Moose Jaw is located on the TransCanada #1 highway and is fastbecoming the most exciting tourism destination in Saskatchewan. Ithas the excitement of a big city with the atmosphere of a small town.It can cater to anyone's tastes, whether they want to rough it in oneof the campgrounds or get pampered in the mineral spa.

BIRDING INFORMATION: Your first stop in the city has to be theBurrowing Owl Interpretive Centre. You willbe given the opportunity to observe someof their captive birds and learn about theCentre's efforts to preserve this importantand endangered grassland species. Thecentre also includes a scaled up model ofan owl's burrow giving visitors theopportunity to experience what it is like tolive like a burrowing owl.

Another great stop within the city isWakamow Valley. This beautifully treedpark is nestled along the Moose Jaw Riverand is home to a variety of plants andanimals. Visitors can walk or drive throughthe area and enjoy the many bird speciesthat call this area home. Many forestspecies abound including BeltedKingfisher, Baltimore Oriole, Western andEastern Kingbirds.

WHAT ELSE TO DO:Moose Jaw is a charming prairie city whichretains much of the architectural beauty ofthe early 20th Century. The Tunnels ofMoose Jaw, the Casino and TempleGardens Mineral Spa are also importanttourist attractions.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:Moose Jaw has a new Visitor Centrelocated on the TransCanada #1 highwayon the east side of town.Toll Free: 1-866-693-8097 Fax: 1-306-694-1882Email:tourism.moosejaw@sk.sympatico.ca

Website: www.citymoosejaw.com

Moose Jaw

GENERAL INFORMATION:Buffalo Pound Provincial Park may be reached from theTransCanada #1 highway via Highway #301, or from Highway #2via Highway #202. A map of the Park and the location of its trailsmay be obtained at the Park Gate. The feature birdwatchinglocation within the Park is Nicolle Flats.

Nicolle Flats was named after Charles Nicolle, who homesteaded near the Flats in1881. The Flats refer to the area between the walls of the Qu'Appelle Valley, and fromthe dam forming Buffalo Pound Lake in the west and Moose Jaw Creek in the east.

BIRDING INFORMATION: The best place to find birds in the park isthe walking trail. This trail will take youalong a boardwalk right through thecenter of a deep marsh were you can betotally surrounded by the sights andsounds of a prairie marsh. The trail thenskirts the southern edge of the marshwhere Willow Flycatchers are frequent,and then crosses a few ravines, a goodplace for Veeries.

The trail will also take you into habitatswhere you can expect to see nestingEastern and Say's Phoebes, Great BlueHerons, Wood Ducks, Belted Kingfishers,Sedge Wrens, Le Conte's Sparrows andBobolinks.

As one proceeds west, speciescharacteristic of cattail marshes appear:Sora, Virginia Rail, Marsh Wren andYellow-headed Blackbird. As you loopback towards the trail head check thespillway for feeding American WhitePelicans and the lake for Western Grebes.

WHAT ELSE TO DO:There are many activities in the park thatvisitors can enjoy. This includes boatingand fishing on Buffalo Pound Lake, fishingin the Trout Pond, swimming at thebeaches or heated outdoor swimmingpool, mini golf, camping, trying themountain biking trails and viewing thecaptive Plains Bison herd.

Buffalo PoundProvincial Park

Nicolle Flats

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:The Park has an Information Centre andwelcomes your inquiries.For general information and campgroundscontact Buffalo Pound Provincial Park.Administration Office - (306) 694-3658 Campground Office - (306) 694-3229

(summer only) Website - www.saskparks.net E-mail - BuffaloPound@serm.gov.sk.ca For more information on birding consult aBirdfinding Guide to the Regina Area byAdam, Riffel, Luterbach and Kreba (1985).

Buffalo PoundProvincial Park

GENERAL INFORMATION:Often described as one of the most beautiful cities in the country,Saskatoon's location along the South Saskatchewan River makes itan oasis for migrating and nesting birds. The contrast between athriving metropolis and the splendor of parks make Saskatoon agreat stop for any visitor.

BIRDING INFORMATION:Saskatoon's major geographic feature isthe South Saskatchewan River, and it isalong its banks that you will find most ofthe city's best birding. Hotspots along theeast bank include DiefenbakerPark, Sutherland Beach andespecially Cosmopolitan Park(located between the Broadwayand 25th Street Bridges) whichincludes one of the few naturalstretches of riverbank in the city.The park is a good place toobserve woodland birds especiallymigrant thrushes, warblers andsparrows. On the west side checkout the old Sanitorium Grounds,Bessborough Park and the areanorth of the Mendel Art Gallery.

On the river itself the best places are nearthe Queen Elizabeth Power Plant (bestvisited on the west side) and the Weir(both sides). These areas never freeze sothey are the best places to see firstmigrants of the spring and last migrants ofthe fall, as well as any wintering birds.

A site some distance from the river worthvisiting is President Murray Park (located

between Wiggins and McKinnon Avenues,and Aird and Colony Streets). Its 500mature White Spruce attract a goodselection of birds. Merlins, Blue Jays andRed-breasted Nuthatches are year-round

residents. During the late spring and earlyfall, the park is particularly attractive toOlive-sided Flycatchers and spruce-lovingmigrants such as the Cape May, Black-throated Green and Bay-breastedWarblers. During the winter look for borealforest birds such as Black-backed andThree-toed Woodpeckers, BorealChickadees, Golden-crowned Kinglets,and both Crossbills.

Saskatoon

Blue Jay

WHAT ELSE TO DO:Among the city's many attractions are theWestern Development Museum, MendelArt Gallery and Forestry Farm Park andZoo. Also, just outside the city anddefinitely worth the stop is WanuskewinHeritage Park.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:Visitor information can be found in acouple of locations, including downtownSaskatoon and as you come in from thenorth.For visitor information contact TourismSaskatoon at (306)242-1206www.tourismsaskatoon.comFor more information on birding andviewing other wildlife in the area refer to AGuide to Nature Viewing Sites in andaround Saskatoon edited by Jonker andGollop (1998) For more information please contactSaskatoon Nature Society at (306)665-1915

Saskatoon

GENERAL INFORMATION:Located in northwestern Saskatchewan on Highway #26 just belowthe northern provincial forest, this area is rich in wetlands, rollinghills, eskers, sloughs, lakes and rivers. This ecologically diverseregion supports an equally diverse population of flora and fauna.Over 250 bird species have been catalogued in this region.

BIRDING INFORMATION:The St. Walburg District offers a variety ofbirding experiences. Known as thehummingbird capital of Saskatchewan, itis also a great spot to see warblers suchas the Yellow, Orange-crowned andYellow-rumped. In addition to these,waterbirds, owls and various species ofwoodpeckers abound. Sightings alsoinclude Whooping Cranes, Forster’s Tern,Caspian Tern and both Blackburnian andConnecticut Warblers. Locally availablebrochures contain maps and informationon exceptional sites to visit and areavailable year round in the birding loungeat the Farmhouse Inn, at the campsitenext door or at St. Walburg Town Hall.

WHAT ELSE TO DO:Step back in time with a visit to therenowned Imhoff Gallery and Museum,the Historical Museum, the Rifle PitsNational Historic Site or Steele Narrows.Spend a day at the lake and do somebirding at Bright Sand Regional Park orTurtle Lake Nature Reserve. Relax with awalk on the TransCanada Trail or a roundof golf on grass greens. Visit a workshopor studio of one of the many artists orcrafters in the area.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Information can be obtained within thetown. Feel free to ask local merchants forinformation while in the area.www.stwalburg.comOr Town of St. Walburg, Main Street, St.Walburg, SK S0M 2T0(306) 248-3232

St. Walburg District

Ruby-throated Hummingbird

GENERAL INFORMATION:Located on the Yellowhead Highway #16, the Battlefords are a greatjumping point to the northwest part of the Province. Rolling hills,lakes and river valleys offer fantastic wildlife viewing opportunitieswith birdwatching being a great attraction year round.

Birds are not the only year round attraction.There are many plants and animals to befound where forest meets agriculture.Saskatchewan's largest mammals aboundincluding moose, elk, white-tailed deer andblack bear.

BIRDING INFORMATION:The Battlefords area has viewingopportunities suitable for all visitors.Within the city are many walking trails anda beautiful urban park complete withinterpretive center, nesting islands andremote viewing camera. This is a greatspot to see waterfowl, shorebirds,songbirds and raptors. Interesting visitorshave included Great Egret, Red-breastedand Common Mergansers and HerringGulls.

For those looking for a more secludedviewing experience, this area has manylakes, marshes and forests which aboundwith birdlife. For example, a stop atJackfish Lake just north of the city allowsfor some great viewing of a 1,300-acreDucks Unlimited Canada marsh. BlackTerns, Red-necked and Pied-billedGrebes, geese and ducks are commoninhabitants of the marsh.

WHAT ELSE TO DO:The Battlefords has excellent camping atseveral parks in the area. In addition,

there are great opportunities for golfingand fishing. Be sure to visit the localmuseums.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:An Information Centre can be found withinthe city of North Battleford.For information on this area please feelfree to contact Battlefords Tourism at(306)445-2000website: www.city.north-battleford.sk.ca

The Battlefords

Black-crowned Night-Heron

GENERAL INFORMATION:Lloydminster is Canada's only border city. Located on theSaskatchewan/Alberta border along the Yellowhead #16 Highway,Lloydminster offers a diversity of activities for the traveler to the area.Fortunately for the birdwatcher, the bird species in the area are just as diverse. Thismakes Lloydminster a natural stop forpeople traveling throughout the province.

BIRDING INFORMATION:Ducks Unlimited Canada has a strongpresence in the area with several projectswithin easy driving distance ofLloydminster. DUC's driving tours are thebest way to experience the birdwatchingopportunities in the Lloydminster area.These scenic drives will take you toseveral of their projects where you willlikely see birds such as Great Blue

Herons, Pied-billed Grebes, CommonYellowthroats, as well as several speciesof gulls and ducks. Raptors also abound,

with sightings of Peregrine Falcons, BaldEagles and Red-tailed Hawks.

WHAT ELSE TO DO:Lloydminster and area lends itself topleasant selfguided tours. They havemuseum, historic, artistic, and scenictours as identified in the "LloydminsterVacation Guide", yours for the asking at 1-800-825-6180. Other area outdooractivities include fishing, camping andwater recreation at the many nearbylakes.

Lloydminster is proud of its pioneeringheritage, which you can experience at the

Lloydminster

Pied-billed Grebe

Yellow-headed Blackbird

Barr Colony Heritage Cultural Centrewhich houses the Imhoff Gallery, acollection of over 250 pieces of religiousand historically themed art; The OTSHeavy Oil Science Centre, an interactiveadventure in geology, drilling and refining;and the Fuchs Wildlife Exhibit believed tobe North America's largest display of oneperson's taxidermy.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:Information is available at the TourismCentre located within the city ofLlyodminster. Toll free: 1-800-825-6180www.lloydminsterinfo.com

Lloydminster

GENERAL INFORMATION: Halfway between Saskatoon and Yorkton, just north of theYellowhead #16 Highway is one of the most internationallyrecognized sites of importance to birds, the Quill Lakes. Hostingover 300 species and over one million birds annually, it is nowonder the lakes have received numerous distinctions as a site

of exceptional interest. The QuillLakes were first recognized as awetland of global importance in1971 when they were designated a"Ramsar" site. Since then they havebeen recognized as aSaskatchewan Heritage Marsh, anInternationally important WesternHemisphere Shorebird ReserveNetwork Site, and wasSaskatchewan's first Important BirdArea.

Because of its large size andlimited access, visitors to the QuillLakes are advised to stop first atone of the areas three visitorcentres (located in Wadena, Foam

Lake and Wynyard) for information before venturing out. Here you can pick up allthe information you'll need to plan your adventure while at the same time learnmore about the Quill Lakes natural and cultural heritage.

BIRDING INFORMATION:Consisting of three large lakes (BigQuill Lake, Mud Lake and Little QuillLake), the lakes are also recognized asCanada's largest salt-water lake, andone of the most productive waterfowlareas in North America. Spring and fallmigration is spectacular as over200,000 shorebirds, 400,000 ducks,130,000 Snow Geese, 80,000 Canada

Geese and 40,000 Sandhill Cranesstop here. Globally significant numbersof Red Knot, Red-necked Phalaropeand Semipalmated, Least, White-rumped, Baird's and Stilt Sandpiperscan be seen. Some of the more rarebirds include Hudsonian Godwit, andVirginia Rail. Resident wildlife includeWhite-tailed deer, Mule Deer, Red Fox,Badger, Coyote, Muskrat, and Beaver.The lakes are also home to breedingcolonies of American White Pelicans,

Wadena Wildlife Wetlands

Quill Lakes International Bird AreaWadena, Wynyard, Foam Lake

Western Grebes, Eared Grebes andendangered species such as the PipingPlover, and migrating WhoopingCranes and Peregrine Falcons. TheQuill Lakes contains the largestbreeding population of the endangeredPiping Plover in North America and onequarter of all the Piping Plovers inprairie Canada. Grasslands around thelakes support a richvariety of native plantsand wildflowers.

Visitor can gain a specialappreciation for thelakes by visiting the QuillLakes Interpretive Centrein Wynyard. There you'llfind interactive displays,wildlife dioramas, and amovie theatre. You'lldiscover how theCanadian Air Force usedthe lakes during WorldWar II, how wildlifeorganizations areworking to conserve thelake's valuable resources, and why theyare so important to the endangeredPiping Plover. The centre operatesfrom spring until fall.

The best place to access the QuillLakes and view wildlife is at theWadena Wildlife Wetlands / Quill LakesInterpretive Area along Highway #35.There you'll find over 5 miles of trails,

along with marshboardwalks, a canoelaunch andobservation towers.Picnic and washroomfacilities andinformational signage are located at themain observation tower near theentrance. Trails include the "Plover's

Path" which travels along the shore ofLittle Quill Lake, "Blackbird Alley" whichtravels through the marsh, and"Wildflower Way" which highlightsnative prairie plants. The area is open,free of charge to the public, andoperates spring until fall.

For those looking to explore a large4,000 acre prairie wetland there's also

Quill Lakes International Bird AreaWadena, Wynyard, Foam Lake

Snow Geese

the Foam Lake Heritage Marsh. Thereyou'll find hiking trails, lookout towers,picnic area, and informational signage.Ducks Unlimited Canada manages themarsh and surrounding uplands forwildlife, so viewing opportunities areexcellent. Visitors will gain specialinsights into how wetlands aremanaged. A waterfowl feeding stationand two lure crops are operated eachfall feeding thousands of ducks, geese,and cranes, thus preventing cropdamage to surrounding farmlands. Thearea is open, free of charge to thepublic, and operates spring until fall.

WHAT ELSE TO DO:Other area attractions include variousmuseums, Main Street Wadena Murals,teahouses, craft shops, and bakeries.Area events include town and countryfairs, rodeos, farmers markets, fall

supers, heritage days,and a variety offestivals. There arealso numerousrestaurants, hotelsand campgrounds tosuit everyone's needs.

ADDITIONALINFORMATION:Stop by any one of the three visitorcentres for more information or contactus at:Wynyard: Box 963, Wynyard SK S0A4T0, (306)554-2123,www.town.wynyard.sk.caWadena: Box 730, Wadena SK S0A 4J0(306)338-2145, www.wadena.caFoam Lake: Box 57, Foam Lake SKS0A 1A0, (306)272-3359,www3.sk.sympatico.ca/foamlake

Quill Lakes International Bird AreaWadena, Wynyard, Foam Lake

American Avocets

GENERAL INFORMATION:Saskatchewan Landing Provincial Park takes its name fromSaskatchewan Landing, an important crossing of the SouthSaskatchewan River in the late 19th and early 20th Century. Todaya bridge crosses what is now the western extremity of LakeDiefenbaker.

One of three provincial parks formed after the creation of Lake Diefenbaker, this parkmay be reached along Highway #4 south from Rosetown, or north from Swift Current.The park offers a complete range of camping, recreational and interpretive facilities.

BIRDING INFORMATION:One of the best birding areas is theCoulee Trail. The trail, located on SmithCreek and on the south side of the riverwest of the bridge, takes you through anarea of beaver dams and heavy riparianshrubbery. Some of the species to lookfor are the Gray Catbird, CommonYellowthroat, Willow Flycatcher, Yellow-breasted Chat and Spotted Towhee.

While camping in the northeast corner ofthe park, keep your eyes peeled forsummer-resident Northern Flickers(including the odd Red-shafted), BaltimoreOrioles and Lark Sparrows. The latter areparticularly abundant in the planted treesof the campground as well as the coulees.On summer nights the booming ofCommon Nighthawks resound throughthe area.

Check the waters and shores of the lakefor summering Common Loon, WesternGrebe, American White Pelican, GreatBlue Heron and Belted Kingfisher, andmigrant diving ducks, mergansers, Clark'sGrebes and the occasional Osprey.

Most of the park is steep rugged hills,razorback ridges and wooded coulees ofthe South Saskatchewan River Valley. Youmight see the majestic Golden Eagle orPrairie Falcon. Check the uncultivatedtablelands on the north and southernfringes of the park for grassland birds

such as the Sharp-tailed Grouse, Long-billed Curlew, Lark Bunting, Sprague'sPipit, Baird's Sparrow and VesperSparrow.

Saskatchewan LandingProvincial Park

Belted Kingfisher

WHAT ELSE TO DO:On your way to and from Smith Couleecheck out Goodwin House, a former stagestation and North West Mounted Policepost along the historic Battleford Trail.The Visitor Centre is on the main floor.There are two new interpretive trails in thepark.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:A Visitor's Centre is located right onhighway #4, just south of the SouthSaskatchewan River. Staff there cananswer any questions you may have. For more information contactSaskatchewan Landing Provincial Park.Phone:(306)375-5525www.saskparks.net

Saskatchewan LandingProvincial Park

General Information:Swift Current is located on the TransCanada #1 highway insouthwest Saskatchewan. It is a commercial and professionalservice centre with a population of about 15,000. This dynamiccommunity has numerous cultural, sporting, shopping and visitoramenities.

Birding Information:Swift Current has a number of variedhabitats to attract birds. Its mature trees,shrubs and gardens are an oasis for manysongbirds during spring and fallmigration. Milderwinters and numerousbird feeders attractand sustain severalspecies and make forgood winter birding.

The Swift CurrentCreek, with adjacentcattails, shrubs andtrees, providesnesting sites fornumerous birdsincluding Red-wingedand Yellow-headedBlackbirds, BrownThrashers and GrayCatbirds. Merlins andAmerican Kestrelsnest in mature trees in residential areasoften over-winter. Swainson's Hawkspatrol the outskirts of the city.

A good way to view birds in Swift Currentis to walk the Chinook Pathway. Itmeanders next to the Creek from near theTransCanada highway at its north end tothe south side of the city. There are

convenient rest and viewing stops alongthe way.

There are several areas on the outskirts ofSwift Current that have mixed nativeprairie and introduced grass species.

This transition zoneprovides nesting andfeeding habitat forWestern Meadowlarks,Horned Larks andvarious sparrowspecies.

Visitors may also stop atthe Semi-arid PrairieAgriculture ResearchCentre adjacent toHighway #4, on thesoutheast edge of SwiftCurrent. It has a varietyof mature coniferoustrees and many floweringshrubs. It is also a great

place for winterbirding, attracting Red-breasted Nuthatches, Brown Creepersand Golden-crowned Kinglets.

What Else to Do:The Swift Current Museum has naturaland human history exhibits. The naturalhistory exhibits include plant and animal

Swift Current

Western Meadowlark

species of southwest Saskatchewan,including sixty varieties of birds. Includedare many endangered species and it isone of the few places to see a preservedPassenger Pigeon. It is open year-round.

The Art Gallery of Swift Current and SwiftCurrent Library area great places to relaxand get acquainted with cultural events inthe city.

Additional Information:Swift Current Tourism Centre at junction ofTransCanada #1 highway andhighway #4.Phone(306)773-5686Swift Current Museum at 105 Chaplin Street EPhone(306)778-2775City of Swift Current:www.city.swift-current.sk.ca

Swift Current

GENERAL INFORMATION:Grasslands National Park(GNP) consists of two units, the WestBlock and East Block. The West Block includes the FrenchmanRiver Valley. The Park's Interpretive Centre is located in Val Marieat the junction of the Highway and Centre Street. The East Block,centred on the Killdeer Badlands, may be reached via Highway #2west of the village of Killdeer.

Aside from the birdlife described below there are a number of other unusual animals inthe area. These include the Eastern Short-horned Lizard, Yellow-bellied Racer, PrairieRattlesnake, Swift Fox and Canada's only colonies of Black-tailed Prairie Dogs.

BIRDING INFORMATION:For those who are seeking some of therarer prairie birds, Grasslands NationalPark is the place to go. Access to the EastBlock is limited, and as its birdlife is

similar to that of the West Block, wedescribe birding only in the latter area.The suggested birding tour follows theEcotour (available at the Park Office).

The heavy Buffaloberry along the river isan excellent place to listen for Yellow-breasted Chat, Loggerhead Shrike andother shrub birds. Further along the

Ecotour you pass through the prairie dogtowns. Check the "dogs" carefully as oneof them might be a Burrowing Owl. Thisis also a great part of the province to findMountain Plover. Inspect the skies forGolden Eagles, Prairie Falcons,Ferruginous Hawks and other raptors, andthe sagebrush and greasewood flats forrarities such as the Brewer's Sparrow andGreater Sage Grouse. Follow the Ecotourto return to Val Marie.

WHAT ELSE TO DO:In Val Marie visit "Prairie Wind and SilverSage" (a gift shop and art gallery), andPerrault's Museum and Guided Tour.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:Information on self-guided tours and thearea in general can be obtained from theVisitor's Centre within the town of ValMarie. For more information on GrasslandsNational Park, contact: GrasslandsNational Park at 306-298- 2257.

Grasslands National Park

Greater Sage-Grouse

GENERAL INFORMATION: Originally believed to have been named for a "wee burn", Weyburnis a small prairie city on the upper reaches of the Souris River. Thecity lies on the upper Souris River on Highway 39 115kmsoutheast of Regina and 86km northwest of Estevan. It also lieson the east-west Redcoat Trail (Highway 13).

BIRDING INFORMATION:The Souris Valley Regional Care Centre isthe best place for an early morning birdwalk. The Center is located in thenorthwest part of the city, just north ofHighway 13. The area is good at any timeof year, but is especially productive in thespring and fall for raptors and songbirds.

Another excellent birding spot is NickleLake, a reservoir located just south of thecity on the Souris River. As it is one of thefew waterbodies in the region, Nickle Lakeis a good place for waterbirds. Forexample the Common Loon and PipingPlover have nested here, while all threespecies of scoter have been observedduring the fall migration.

An exploration of the grasslands areassurrounding the lake should yieldFerruginous Hawk, Baird's Sparrow andChestnut-collared Longspur. Althoughincreasingly rare in the province, thepastures in the surrounding area remaingood spots to see Burrowing Owls.

WHAT ELSE TO DO:Those with a historical bent should visitWeyburn's Soo Line Historical Museumand the Weyburn Historical Village.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:An Information Centre can be found withinthe city right on Highway # 39. Forcamping information contact River Park orNickle Lake Regional Park. For moreinformation on Weyburn contact TourismWeyburn at (306) 848-3224.A Guide to the flora and fauna of theTatagwa-Souris Valley by Ray Belangerincludes birding hotspots, a checklist andcontacts for the area. It is available fromthe Weyburn City Hall.

Weyburn

Ferruginous Hawk

GENERAL INFORMATION:Moose Mountain Provincial Park is located within the MooseMountain Upland which rises some 150 metres above thesurrounding plains. Most of the upland is covered in a forest ofTrembling Aspen, Balsam Poplar and White Birch. As the park'sname suggests, Moose frequent the area along with Elk and the abundant White-tailedDeer. Numerous small lakes and ponds make the area a haven for aquatic wildlife;amphibians are particularly abundant.

The park lies along Highway 9 and may be reached from Carlyle to the south and fromWhitewood on the Trans- Canada Highway to the north. The park is centred onKenossee Lake, a resort with the full range of amenities.

BIRDING INFORMATION:One of the specialties of the MooseMountain is the Yellow-throated Vireo. Thebest place to look for them is on maturestands on well-drained slopes throughout

the park. Another sought-after bird is theEastern Wood-Pewee. The species ismost frequently recorded at Little KenoseeLake which may be accessed from theLake View Interpretive Trail north of theFish Creek Campground.

The Beaver Lake Trail is one of the betterbirding trails in the park. MourningWarblers are especially common, whileBroad-winged Hawks nest in the woodsaround Beaver Lake. Other species tolook for include the Great CrestedFlycatcher and White-breasted Nuthatch.

A drive down the Centre Road or any ofthe side roads can be rewarding. TurkeyVultures and Red-tailed Hawks can oftenbe seen soaring across the road. Aninspection of the numerous wetlandsshould turn up Common Loon, Red-necked Grebe, Great Blue Heron, Ring-necked Duck and Green-winged Teal.

Moose MountainProvincial Park

Great Blue Heron

WHAT ELSE TO DO: The park offers a full range of outdooractivities including golf, horseback riding,water sports and cross-country skiing. Amust for historians is Cannington ManorHistoric Park. Access can be reachedfrom Highway 9km south of the ProvincialPark.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:There is a complete Visitor's InformationCentre located within the park. Forgeneral and campground informationcontact Moose Mountain Provincial Parkat (306)577-2600.Email: jadams@serm.gov.sk.ca.An excellent, though dated, description ofthe avifauna is in the Birds of MooseMountain by Nero and Lein (1971).

Moose MountainProvincial Park

GENERAL INFORMATION:The town of Leader lies just south of the South Saskatchewan Riverand just east of the Alberta border. The area has the mostextensive riparian woodlands in southern Saskatchewan. Leadermay be reached via Highway #21 which runs between Kindersleyand Maple Creek, or on Highway #32 west from Swift Current.

The area has a wide diversity of wildlife. Large numbers of Mule and White-tailed Deerinhabit the area. If you are lucky you may spot one of the many species of snakes thatinhabit the area including the Prairie Rattlesnake which uses the river breaks west ofthe Leader Bridge for denning.

BIRDING INFORMATION:Your first stop in Leader should be thetourism booth where you can pick up theirfirst class birding brochure, which willguide you through some of the moststriking territory in Saskatchewan.

An example of one of the stops is theEstuary Ferry. If you park in the turnoffopposite the ferry operator's trailer, youcan explore a young cottonwood forest, agood spot for Willow Flycatcher, Warbling

and Red-eyed Vireos, Gray Catbird,Yellow-breasted Chat, Baltimore Oriole,Spotted Towhee and Lark Sparrow. Thisis also a good place to view owls such asthe Great Horned and Northern Saw-Whetnear dusk. While crossing the ferry watchfor Wood Duck, Great Blue Heron, Ring-necked Pheasant, American Kestrel,Spotted Sandpiper, Belted Kingfisher andNorthern Rough-winged Swallow. Keepspecial watch for the Violet-greenSwallow, which reach their northeasternlimits in this area. Bald Eagles are oftenseen along the river. After crossing theriver you can park on the other side whereWestern Wood-Pewee are often heardcalling from the towering cottonwoods.This is one of the areas in the provincewhere you have a reasonable chance ofseeing a Red-headed Woodpecker.

Another spectacular area that cannot bemissed is the Great Sandhills. Theseactive dunes are worth the trip themselvesbut an added bonus are the large tracts ofnative prairie. Burrowing Owls,Ferruginous Hawks, Loggerhead Shrikeand Long-billed Curlews are commonresidents of this area.

Leader

Long-billed Curlew

WHAT ELSE TO DO:There are a number of tourist attractionsin the area, including the Smith Barn andCheckerboard Hill. A resident artist canalso be found in the area and tours of hisgallery are available. Within the Town ofLeader are several "larger than life" uniquewildlife sculptures, including aFerruginous Hawk, Burrowing Owls andOrd's Kangaroo Rats.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:A Tourist Information booth is locatedwithin the town of Leader right alongHighway # 21.Contact the Town of Leaderat 1-800-424-8335

Website: www.town.leader.sk.ca.

Leader

GENERAL INFORMATION:The Town of Eastend is located in the southwest corner ofSaskatchewan, in the east end of the Cypress Hills, along Highway#13 (the Red Coat Trail). The area is famous for its fossils ofdinosaurs, particularly a "Tyrannosaurus rex", plus a variety ofprehistoric mammals.

BIRDING INFORMATION:Great birding can be found right in townat the local campground along theFrenchman River: the shrubbery is adependable place for Yellow-breastedchats. The reservoir nearby is a greatplace to observe water birds. Pheasants,Sage Grouse and Golden Eagles residehere, while Ferruginous Hawks and Violet-green Swallows nest in the area.

Jones Peak has one of the mostincredible vistas in the province. PrairieFalcon, Say's Phoebe, Violet-greenSwallow, Rock Wren and White-crowned

Sparrow are just a few of the species youmight see. A natural driving loop downthe Frenchman River Valley west toRavenscrag will allow observations of avariety of bird species. Pine Cree RegionalPark boasts a variety of boreal species.

A Birding Checklist of this area, includingCypress Lake is available.

WHAT ELSE TO DO: The T-Rex discovery Center has displaysfeaturing the recently-discoveredTyrannosaurus Rex. It is the first of its kindto be found in Saskatchewan. The centeris open-year round, and also includesother plants and animals form theCretaceous period. Tours are available.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Follow the T. rex signs within the town ofEastend to the T-rex Discovery Centre formore information on the area.Contact: T.rex Discovery CentreBox 646, Eastend, SKPhone:306-295-4009; Fax:306-295-4702e-mail: ecta@sk.sympatico.caWebsite: www.dinocountry.com

Eastend

Bronothere

GENERAL INFORMATION: Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park is comprised of two areas

covering most of the West and Center Blocks of the hills. The

Center Block is reached via Highway 21 (south from Maple Creek

or north from Consul), while the West Block is accessed from Maple Creek via Highway

#271. Most of the park's facilities are located in the Center Block and include the park

headquarters, hotel, campgrounds and

main services.

BIRDING INFORMATION: The Cypress Hills is noted for birds that

nest nowhere else in the province. It is

also a major migration route in spring and

fall. Specialties include Red-naped

Sapsucker, Dusky Flycatcher and

MacGillivray's Warbler. Although perhaps

nesting elsewhere, Cypress Hills is also

the stronghold of the Common Poorwill.

Most of the species of the nearby Rocky

Mountains have been recorded in the hills

on at least a few occasions.

Several nature trails in the Center Block

provide good birding, especially in the

spring and summer. A drive through the

western portion of the park is worthwhile

for Mountain Bluebirds and raptors.

The West Block has a birdlife similar to

the Center Block. There are, however, a

few species easier to find in the West

Block. For example, you could see Lazuli

Bunting and Violet-green Swallow at Fort

Walsh, and Turkey Vulture and

Townsend's Solitaire at the Conglomerate

Cliffs. In past years Trumpeter Swans

nested in the area.

WHAT ELSE TO DO: A visit to Fort Walsh National Historic Park

is an obvious choice. The site includes

recreations of an early North West

Mounted Police post and Farwell's Trading

Post.

Cypress HillsInterprovincial Park

Common Poorwill with transmitter on its back

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:For camping information contact Cypress

Hills Interprovincial Park(phone: (306)662-

5411). A map of the core area is available

at the park gate, and bird checklists and

interpretive programs may be obtained at

the Nature Centre.

FM station: 103.5 along TransCanada by

Maple Creek: 103.7 in Centre Block

website: www.cypresshills.com

Cypress HillsInterprovincial Park

Yellow Warbler

GENERAL INFORMATION:Regina boasts what has been touted as the largest urban park inNorth America. Wascana Park, with extensive lawns, 350,000planted trees and Wascana Lake is a birdwatchers paradise.Regina, Saskatchewan's capital city, is also the proud home of theRoyal Canadian Mounted Police and the University of Regina.

BIRDING INFORMATION: Because the surrounding plains are nearlydevoid of trees and in many years bereftof standing water, the Wascana Park andsurrounding urban area acts as a trap formigrating waterfowl and songbirds. Partlybecause of this richness and partlybecause of the large number of birders,Regina has the longest bird list of anyarea in the province.

During the spring and fall migrations, thecity and especially the Park, canliterally be dripping with migrantflycatchers, vireos, warblers andthrushes. Almost any species ispossible. The trees just north of theLegislature are so dependable duringmigration that the area is knownamong local birders as "WarblerAlley". In the spring and late fall thelake attracts a wide variety ofwaterbirds including loons, scotersand gulls.

Although the summer and winter arereferred to as the 'off season', there is stillplenty of birdlife. For example, the eastend of Wascana Lake is a good spot tosee nesting waterbirds, while the city'snumerous planted conifers host a varietyof winter birds including the erraticcrossbills and the odd Three-toedWoodpecker.

WHAT ELSE TO DO:Regina has many outstanding attractions.The Royal Saskatchewan Museumfeatures an Earth Sciences, First Nations

and Life Sciences galleries. The LifeSciences Gallery features exhibits of allthe major ecological regions in theprovince as well as dioramas featuring thetundra of the Mackenzie Delta and theRainforest of Costa Rica. Other localattractions include Government House,the Royal Mounted Police CentennialMusuem, the Saskatchewan ScienceCentre and Kramer Imax Theatre, theMacKenzie Art Gallery, and CasinoRegina.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:The Tourist Information booth is locatedon the east side if Regina right on theTransCanada #1 highway.For more information please contactTourism Regina at 1-800-661-5099 or visitwww.tourismregina.com For moreinformation on birding in the area consultthe Birds of Regina, Belcher (1980) and aBirdfinding Guide to the Regina Area byAdam, Riffel, Luterbach and Kreba (1985).

Regina

Wood Duck

GENERAL INFORMATION:Last Mountain Lake is a lake of two names, those living at thesouth end know it as Long Lake, those at the north end call it LastMountain Lake. The lake itself reflects a duality, the southern halfof the lake is deep with a narrow beach confined by a narrowvalley, at Rowan's Ravine the lake and beach widen as thetopography slopes more gradually away toward its marshy northern end.

Two main areas are included, the Regina Beach on the west side of the lake and theValeport Marshes on the south end. Both areas can be reached from the picturesquetown of Lumsden which lies on Highway #11 26km north of Regina. Last MountainLake National Wildlife Area includes the oldest bird sanctuary in North America. TheWildlife Area includes some 15,602 hectares of lake, marsh and uplands (mostly nativegrasslands).

BIRDING INFORMATION:The Regina Beach-Little Arm area is bestvisited in the fall, while the Valeport area isgood from spring through the fall. Checkthe waters for Loons including the rareRed-throated, Pacific and Yellow-billed,sea ducks including the Greater Scaup,Long-tailed Duck, all three Scoters andboth Goldeneyes, gulls and even the oddalcid! Valeport Marsh has numerous

species of waterbirds but the area is mostfamous for its nesting Western and Clark'sGrebes. It is one of only a few areaswhere the Clark's Grebe has been foundnesting in the province.

Towards the north end of the lake you willalso encounter a large diversity of birds.The specialty of the summer is the rareOrchard Oriole. Other, more common,nesting birds include the WesternKingbird, Warbling Vireo, Brown Thrasher,Cedar Waxwing, and Baltimore Oriole.Check offshore for White-winged Scoter,Hooded Merganser, and Western andClark's Grebes. In the early fall, a dozenspecies of warblers can often be seen in aday, including the Yellow-rumped,Blackpoll, Yellow and the odds are betterthan even that you will see a CanadaWarbler.

In the fall watch for Whooping Cranesfeeding in the fields along the sides of theroad. If you are here in the late fall, takein the view from the observation towerwhere you can observe huge flocks ofSnow Geese and other waterfowl. Thebest time to arrive is mid-day as mostbirds are out feeding in distant fields inthe mornings and evenings.

Last Mountain Lake

Sandhill Cranes

WHAT ELSE TO DO:Just to the north on Highway #20 is LastMountain House Provincial Historic Park,the site of a reconstructed 19th centuryHudson's Bay Company trading post.While in the Last Mountain Regional Parkdrop into Saskatchewan's only birdobservatory. Last Mountain BirdObservatory was established in 1989 tomonitor and study the songbird migrationin the area. It is open in May, August andSeptember. You can visit fine museums inNokomis and Simpson or take in themineral spa at nearby Manitou Lake.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:Detailed information on birdwatchingaround the lake can be obtained at theInformation Centre located on the northend of the lake.

Alan R. Smith Environment Canada 115Perimeter Road Saskatoon, SK S7N 0X4Phone: (306)975-4091 e-mail:alan.smith@ec.gc.caFor more information on birding in thearea consult a Birdfinding Guide to theRegina Area by Adam, Riffel, Luterbachand Kreba (1985).

Last Mountain Lake

GENERAL INFORMATION:Chaplin is located at a timely stop along the TransCanada #1Highway between Moose Jaw and Swift Current. Be sure to tuneinto their local radio station at 103.1FM which discussesinteresting facts about the area and its shorebirds. The ChaplinNature Centre has undergone an expansion and now includes a large area filledwith world class displays. Guided tours of the lake and its wildlife are availablefrom the Nature Centre upon request. In addition, horse drawn tours are availablefor larger groups if they are pre-booked. The Centre is open from Victoria Day inMay to Labour Day in September.

BIRDINGINFORMATION:On 29 May 1997, Chaplin Lake(along with nearby Old Wives,Frederick and Reed lakes)gained world-wide recognitionas a Western HemisphereShorebird Reserve Networksite. The area has gained thisdistinction because it harbourssubstantial proportions of theworld populations of severalshorebirds: the Piping Plover,American Avocet, Sanderlingand Baird's Sandpiper.

Late May counts ofSanderlings have consistentlyexceed 50,000 birds, Baird'sSandpiper numbers haveapproached 30,000, while counts of allshorebirds have exceeded 100,000!The Snowy Plover has occasionallynested, but you will have to be lucky tosee one of these shorebirds.

One of the best areas to bird is alongHighway #58 south from Chaplin. Theroad passes through the lake, over anisland and returns to the lake.Ferruginous Hawk, Long-billed Curlew,

Upland Sandpipers, Sharp-tailedGrouse and Lark Bunting should belooked for on the island. The proximity

of the lake to the road affords theopportunity to view a wide variety ofwaterfowl, shorebirds, gulls and terns.

To really get the full experience of thelake, a guided tour is a must. This tourtakes the visitor along dykes that cutright through the lake, allowing fortremendous viewing opportunities. Thebirds along this tour are unconcernedwith human traffic and give visitors the

Chaplin Lake

unique opportunity for close-upexperiences with nature's greatestmigrants.

The grasslands bordering the lake aregood places to see Chestnut-collaredLongspur, Baird's Sparrow andSprague’s Pipit. Most of the prairie-nesting shorebirds can be seen on theshallow basins such as those found onthe south side of the dyke. Within thetown of Chaplin itself many species ofbirds are attracted to gardens andfeeders, including the Northern

Mockingbird.

Southeast of Chaplin is the ChaplinHeritage Marsh. Information on how toaccess the marsh can be obtainedfrom the Nature Centre. The freshwatermarshes of the south end of the lakeoffer a stark contrast to the mudflats ofthe north end. Four basins covering anarea of 1,323 hectares were dyked

from the lake. Theresulting basins vary indepth and offer acomplete range ofhabitats from wetmeadow, sedge andcattail marshes toopen water.

American Bittern, Cinnamon Teal, rails,Common Snipe, Marsh Wren, CommonYellowthroat and Yellow-headedBlackbird frequent the shallowermarshes. Eared Grebe, Franklin's Gull,

Forster's Tern and Black-crowned Night- Heronnest in the moreextensive reed beds.Western Grebe anddiving ducks can be seenon the open waters of thedeeper basins. Gull andcormorant coloniesoccupy the islands.Potential rarities includethe Black-necked Stilt,which is now a commonnester to this specificarea, and White-facedIbis.

While you are in the area,be sure to stop atShamrock Regional Park.

This park is nestled alongthe Wood River and acts

like an island in a sea of prairie. Manyforest species can be viewed includingEastern and Western Kingbirds,Loggerhead and Northern Shrikes, andNorthern Flickers.

Just west on the Trans-Canada, ReedLake is well worth a visit. At Morse turnsouth and bird along the causewayacross the lake. In the spring, the lake

Chaplin Lake

Tundra Swan on Reed Lake

is a good place to observe largenumbers of migrant shorebirdsincluding Black-bellied Plover, RuddyTurnstone, Red Knot, and Sanderling.In recent years a small island just to thewest of the southern end of thecauseway has hosted one of the fewCaspian Tern colonies inSaskatchewan. Nesting associateshave included the Double-crestedCormorant, Common Tern and Ring-

Billed, California and Herring gulls.Eared, Western and the occasionalClark's Grebe nest in the reed beds ofthe lake.

Also, superb viewing is available fromtheir viewing tower 2.4km west ofMorse just south of the highway.Waterfowl abound and several nestingislands are visible, especially with goodoptics. A walking trail through the townof Morse is an excellent way to spendan evening and a reliable way to seeLoggerhead Shrike, Purple MartinNighthawks and American Kestrels.For more information on the birding

opportunities in andaround Morse pleasestop in at the Morse

Museum(phone:(306)629-3230).

WHAT ELSE TO DO:Be sure to allocate extra time for the

many activities available to visitorsduring your stay. Bison tours areavailable as well as golfing,camping, nature walks and somegreat local museums at Morse andHerbert.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:Information is readily available atthe Chaplin Nature Centre, locatedright on the TransCanada #1highway. While in the Morse areafollow the museum signs into townto find their museum/visitor's

centre.Contact Clem Millar(Chaplin Tourism)Box 30, Chaplin, SK S0H 0V0. Phone(306)395-2223. Website: www.chaplintourism.com.

Chaplin Lake

Piping Plover

Apart from theirwintering grounds in AransasNational Wildlife Refuge, Texas, thebest place to see Whooping Cranesis on migration. In Canada, the onlyaccessible portion of the mainmigration route between Aransasand the species' breeding groundsin Wood Buffalo National Park onthe Alberta/Northwest Territoryborder is Saskatchewan. In thespring the species moves throughthe province rather rapidly(from lateApril to mid-May) and it is unusualfor them to stop for more for than aday or two. The fall migration ismuch more leisurely from lateSeptember through October, whenbirds or family groups are frequentlyseen for a week or more in manyareas.

Although the species may be seenanywhere in a diagonal area fromMeadow Lake and Whitewood inthe north and Kindersley andAssiniboia in the south, the species

is most frequently seen in thecentral portion of this flyway. Themost reliable spots are aroundSaskatoon, the Quill Lakes and LastMountain Lake. Unfortunately, theseareas are not 100 percent reliable.In order to narrow your search tothose areas having birds in a givenyear, contact Brian Johns of theCanadian Wildlife Service at(306)975-4109 or the WhoopingCrane Hotline at (306)975-5595.

Once you have information directingyou to specific locations, it isimportant to know the habits of theWhooping Cranes as well as otherfield-feeding waterbirds. Birds willfeed in croplands twice a day in themorning and in the evening and thatis where your directions will leadyou. During the day and night thebirds roost on a nearbywaterbody(thus the association withwetlands).

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We would like to thank the following people for their tirelessefforts in making this project possible:

Western Economic Partnership Agreement

Saskatchewan Watershed Authority

Saskatchewan Environment

Western Litho Printers Ltd.

Ducks Unlimited Canada

Chaplin Tourism Committee

Quill Lakes Tourism Committees

Nature Saskatchewan

Bob Luterbach

Josh Bilyk

Bill Anaka

Nolan Matthies

Ken Kessler

Chuck Deschamp and the late Wayne Harris

All the communities involved in the Saskatchewan Birding Trail

Photos are property of the Saskatchewan WatershedAuthority, Tourism Saskatchewan, Saskatchewan

Environment, Royal Saskatchewan Museum, Corel, DucksUnlimited Canada, Josh Bilyk and Mark Brigham

AcknowledgementsAcknowledgements

PRINTED IN CANADA by Western Litho Printers Ltd.