Saskatchewan, Oct 17-21
Oct 22, 2023 18:35:33 GMT -8
oldfulica, imperialbirders, and 4 more like this
Post by kestrel on Oct 22, 2023 18:35:33 GMT -8
Just got back from an amazing trip to the Saskatoon area, with my dad. Though it wasn't first-and-foremost a birding trip, I was able to fit plenty of birding in.
We hit the ground running on our first day there. I had arranged for a private Whooping crane tour with a local guide, by the name of Stan Shadick. I first did a day trip with him 3 years ago, and he's fantastic. In addition to 63 Whoopers, we also had a Snow bunting, along with about half a dozen Stilt sandpipers. This was all in the Mareclin area, north of Saskatoon.
The closest we could get to the cranes, without spooking them, was about half a mile:
Whooping cranes by Joel Schmidt, on Flickr
On Thursday, we stopped by the Forestry Farm Park in Saskatoon. Though I dipped on my primary target, I was able to find a Townsend's solitaire and a Harris's sparrow. Another highlight was being followed everywhere by BC chickadees.
Our last birding stop was at Last Mountain Lake National Wildlife Area. Although they were heard only, I was able to get my first Lapland longspurs for Saskatchewan.
Also had a very cooperative Harris' sparrow:
Harris's sparrow by Joel Schmidt, on Flickr
On our way out, we lucked out with a pair of Sharp-tailed grouse (Saskatchewan's provincial bird):
Sharp-tailed grouse by Joel Schmidt, on Flickr
Overall, it was a fantastic trip. Here's the eBird report: ebird.org/tripreport/157726
We hit the ground running on our first day there. I had arranged for a private Whooping crane tour with a local guide, by the name of Stan Shadick. I first did a day trip with him 3 years ago, and he's fantastic. In addition to 63 Whoopers, we also had a Snow bunting, along with about half a dozen Stilt sandpipers. This was all in the Mareclin area, north of Saskatoon.
The closest we could get to the cranes, without spooking them, was about half a mile:
Whooping cranes by Joel Schmidt, on FlickrOn Thursday, we stopped by the Forestry Farm Park in Saskatoon. Though I dipped on my primary target, I was able to find a Townsend's solitaire and a Harris's sparrow. Another highlight was being followed everywhere by BC chickadees.
Our last birding stop was at Last Mountain Lake National Wildlife Area. Although they were heard only, I was able to get my first Lapland longspurs for Saskatchewan.
Also had a very cooperative Harris' sparrow:
Harris's sparrow by Joel Schmidt, on FlickrOn our way out, we lucked out with a pair of Sharp-tailed grouse (Saskatchewan's provincial bird):
Sharp-tailed grouse by Joel Schmidt, on FlickrOverall, it was a fantastic trip. Here's the eBird report: ebird.org/tripreport/157726
