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Please note that this itinerary may be changed as reports of whooping crane locations are received. |
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The whisper of the prairie breeze is suddenly disturbed by a loud, bugle-like trumpeting as a family group of three whooping cranes, their wings beating slowly and deliberately, fly just above the horizon to reach the edge of the lake northwest of Saskatoon. The majestic whooping cranes, the rarest bird in North America, and the recipients of intense conservation efforts for decades, have arrived from their nesting grounds in Wood Buffalo Park to feed and rest in this area before continuing on to their wintering grounds in Aransas National Wildlife Refuge in Texas. The area around Saskatoon is one of the most reliable areas on the continent to see the tallest bird in North America, the endangered whooping crane.
This is also the perfect time to observe one of the world's best birding spectaculars: the fall waterfowl and shorebird migration. We'll see snow-white tundra swans with 2-metre wingspans and flocks of up to half-a-million white-fronted, snow, Canada and Ross' geese on their way south from arctic nesting grounds. There will also be wheeling flocks of Franklin's and California gulls, many species of shorebirds and large rafts of ducks resting on prairie lakes and ponds. The sonorous calls of the huge flocks of sandhill cranes will always attract our attention as they fly overhead to their nearby feeding grounds. We'll also look for golden and bald eagles, merlins and late woodland migrants such as Harris' sparrow and wood warblers as we explore the backcountry of Saskatchewan. |
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| FACTS: |
| • | 8-day trip |
| • | Maximum 8 participants |
| • | Start and finish in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan |
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| HIGHLIGHTS: |
| • | Catching sight of the tallest bird in North America, the endangered whooping crane |
| • | Observing one of the world's best birding spectaculars: the fall waterfowl and shorebird migration |
| • | Looking for golden and bald eagles, merlins and late woodland migrants such as Harris' sparrow and wood warblers |
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| ACTIVITY LEVEL: |
| • | Easy to Moderate. While this is not a particularly strenuous trip and none of our hikes are particularly long or fast, you should bear in mind that walking on rough paths is sometimes more difficult than on hard ground or pavement. Good firm walking shoes, and perhaps a trekking pole for extra balance, will maximize your enjoyment of this trip. This trip entails a fair bit of driving as we seek out the whooping cranes. However, there will be frequent stops to stretch our legs and look for whoopers. |
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| ACCOMMODATIONS: |
| Manitou Nu-Inn, ManitouLake, Watrous |
| Mainstay Inn, Riverhurst |
| Park Town Hotel, Saskatoon |
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| ITINERARY IN BRIEF: |
| Day 1: |
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Arrive in Saskatoon, drive to Quill Lake |
| Day 2: |
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Last Mountain Lake, Manitou Springs |
| Day 3 - 4: |
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Diefenbaker Lake, Douglas Provincial Park |
| Day 5 - 7: |
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Gardiner Dam, Rice Lake, Wanuskewin Heritage Park |
| Day 8: |
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Prairie Sloughs and departure |
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 Don is formerly a Secondary School Science Department Head who has had extensive experience as a nature tour leader. During his travels to many parts of the world, he has been able to hone his natural history interpretive skills. He has participated in many studies with the Ministry of Natural Resources, Canadian Wildlife Service and Bird Studies Canada and has also written for a number of publications. Don will be using his knowledge, experience, intuition and humour to ensure that everyone on this trip enjoys it to the fullest.
416-633-5666 / 1-800-387-1483
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Our participants say...
It was a genuine treat to see a piece of the Canadian prairie up so close.
M. K.
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