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Post by kestrel on Aug 22, 2020 20:54:44 GMT -8
I was wondering whether anyone knows of good birding spots in the Prairie provinces, in October.
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Post by Randy on Aug 22, 2020 21:07:45 GMT -8
Whooping cranes are annual around Saskatoon during the Thanksgiving weekend. The most reliable location seems to be Muskiki Lake (Muskiki Lake Bayne No. 371, SK S0K 3K0 maps.app.goo.gl/ixdE74gaJQaaEkWN7)However, I have seen them outside Osler, SK, and just southwest of Saskatoon on Valley road I had one in a flock of thousands of sandhills. The Saskatoon Nature Society usually does a field trip for whooping cranes over the Thanksgiving weekend. Here is a link to my post from 2013 regarding a trip to Muskiki Lake: bcbirding.proboards.com/thread/6998/whooping-saskatoon-october-14-2013
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Post by kestrel on Aug 22, 2020 21:38:38 GMT -8
Thanks Randy. Where, at Muskiki Lake, would be the best spots to look for Whoopers?
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Post by Ben on Aug 23, 2020 9:01:43 GMT -8
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Post by Randy on Aug 23, 2020 13:19:12 GMT -8
Thanks Randy. Where, at Muskiki Lake, would be the best spots to look for Whoopers? Hey Joel, To be honest I would drive the roads all around the lake. I suspect they can be seen in the fields at any part of the lake. It looks like almost all the sightings are between the 5th and the 15th of October. Here's a link to the species map for the past 10 years for October: ebird.org/map/whocra?neg=false&env.minX=176.32623979805396&env.minY=-27.53461973102585&env.maxX=27.009058687671885&env.maxY=58.29702384674009&zh=true&gp=true&ev=Z&mr=on&bmo=10&emo=10&yr=last10You can type in Muskiki Lake to zoom in. I believe over the Thanksgiving weekend the Saskatoon Nature Society usually does a field trip to find Whooping Cranes. Some members have generally scoped out the areas beforehand. The SaskBirds group is usually really good about posting sightings and locations of Whooping Cranes: groups.io/g/saskbirds/topicsOctober is getting a bit late for some other species in Saskatchewan but based on bar charts it looks like Chaplin Lake still has some shorebirds. Grasslands NP is a fantastic prairie birding site but I think October is probably too late for the prairie breeders there. If you're in Saskatoon and want some locations for more local non-specific birding just let me know! Randy
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Post by kestrel on Aug 23, 2020 22:10:46 GMT -8
Thanks very much. However, it looks like I might be passing through the Prairies in September instead of October.
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Post by kestrel on Aug 24, 2020 14:47:00 GMT -8
What hotspots out there would be good in September?
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Post by oldfulica on Aug 24, 2020 17:34:18 GMT -8
What hotspots out there would be good in September? Brooks area should be good especially Pakowki Lake. Lots of waterfowl.
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Post by Randy on Aug 24, 2020 17:42:49 GMT -8
What hotspots out there would be good in September? Can you be more specific about approximately where you will be?
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Post by kestrel on Aug 24, 2020 19:51:48 GMT -8
My parents and I would be taking the Yellowhead Highway, passing through Edmonton, Saskatoon, and Winnipeg.
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Post by paulos on Aug 25, 2020 11:29:06 GMT -8
I might just recommend stopping at any shallow lakes or ponds you pass on the way. It sounds like great shorebird and waterfowl season, though I think you would find more by way of shorebirds further south in the province. We just did a circuit through Alberta, but I'm not aware of any specific spots on that route.
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Post by kestrel on Aug 25, 2020 18:31:00 GMT -8
I might just recommend stopping at any shallow lakes or ponds you pass on the way. It sounds like great shorebird and waterfowl season, though I think you would find more by way of shorebirds further south in the province. We just did a circuit through Alberta, but I'm not aware of any specific spots on that route. Good to know. Thanks !
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Post by Randy on Aug 25, 2020 20:33:37 GMT -8
I'll put together some hotspots around Saskatoon for you in the next week or so.
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Post by kestrel on Aug 25, 2020 22:12:09 GMT -8
I'll put together some hotspots around Saskatoon for you in the next week or so. Sounds good.
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Post by Randy on Aug 30, 2020 10:05:11 GMT -8
Hey Joel, here are a few spots you could consider checking out. I'm not sure how active they are in September but the bar charts should be helpful in sorting this out. 1. Pike Lake Provincial Park:This is one of the best places around Saskatoon for White-Breasted Nuthatch around the picnic areas. I've also had a number of warbler species here around the campsites and nature trail, including palm and Connecticut warbler. The areas along Valley Road have had thousands of Sandhill Cranes (and a single Whooping Crane) in the fall in the past for me, but I believe that was October. ebird.org/hotspot/L1589720ebird.org/barchart?r=L1589720&yr=all&m=2. Forestry Farm Park:The area around the picnic grounds can be very good for warblers. A number of species have been seen here. I've also had a yellow-bellied flycatcher here. A quick look at the bar chart suggests that warbler activity is still good in September. ebird.org/hotspot/L3063315ebird.org/barchart?r=L3063315&yr=all&m=3. Cranberry Flats:This is a native grassland along the Saskatchewan River and can have some good prairie species in the summer. If nothing else, it's a beautiful prairie walk: ebird.org/hotspot/L3705262ebird.org/barchart?r=L3705262&yr=all&m=4. Brightwater Marsh:A nice prairie marsh that can produce some good birds in the summer. Lots of Sora around. I've also found Le Conte's and Nelson's Sparrows as well as Sedge Wren. ebird.org/hotspot/L2826985ebird.org/barchart?r=L2826985&yr=all&m=5. Beaver Creek Conservation Area:A great site with some really nice trails through aspen parkland and native prairie. ebird.org/hotspot/L2835281ebird.org/barchart?r=L2835281&yr=all&m=6. Last Mountain Lake NWA:I've never actually been here but it seems to be great for some prairie species as well. I believe it's a bird observatory that does some banding etc. It's a bit further from Saskatoon. ebird.org/hotspot/L268020ebird.org/barchart?r=L268020&yr=all&m=Hope that gives you some ideas. Unfortunately the eBird lists aren't as comprehensive as in many other areas of the country. It has only started to be used more frequently in the last 5-10 years and there are many fewer active birders in Saskatoon. Looking forward to your report!
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