Shayna Cossette

 Top Birding Destinations in Saskatchewan

These birding hotspots are in no particular order and this list is not comprehensive! But if your new to Saskatchewan or planning a trip here this could give you a few ideas on where to start.

Last Mountain Bird Observatory (LMBO)

Location: Last Mountain Regional Park - Google Pin: https://maps.app.goo.gl/eQPk81rAEtCHNCzd8

Habitat: Lakeshore, Prairies, Shrubs, Trees

Accessibility/Accommodations: Camping in regional park is available, approximately 1.5 hours drive from Regina Saskatchewan. Wheelchair accessible washroom available at the Regional park concession during park season. Walking trails are grass and gravel and may not be easily accessible for those in wheelchairs

Restrictions: Only Open for spring and fall migration - May and August-October, visit Nature Saskatchewan to book your visit.

LMBO is a Saskatchewan bird banding station that is open to visitor during the spring and fall migration. Visitors can assist with walking bird surveys, and observe how a bird banding station operates. Watch as the bander at the station collects scientific information on each bird and bands the leg, then releases the bird to contribute to our knowledge of bird migrations, age, and more! LMBO is located on the shores of Last Mountain Lake and those adventurous birders can take the short drive north to visit the federal Last Mountain Bird Sanctuary, a migratory stopover with habitat perfect for grassland species.

Grasslands National Park

Location: South of Val Marie - Google Pin: https://maps.app.goo.gl/CGRxH33G4Yc3c6ce9

Habitat: Native Grassland Prairies

Accessibility/Accommodations: Camping and rental accommodations available. Visitors Centre in Val Marie is wheelchair accessible with a wheelchair accessible bathroom. Wheelchair accessible campgrounds and additional bathroom information found here - Facilities and services - Grasslands National Park

Restrictions: National Park Pass required for access.

Grasslands National Park, need I say more? Canada’s largest preserved intact native grasslands and home to a large proportion of the remaining population of Burrowing Owls in Canada. This area is home to a large number of both common and at risk species including Loggerhead Shrike, Sprauge’s Pipit, Chestnut-collard Longspurs, and more.

Prince Albert National Park

Location: Waskesiu Town Site - https://maps.app.goo.gl/4Xjvzbpba67i14ZUA

Habitat: Boreal Forest, Bog, Lakeshore

Accessibility/Accommodations: Camping, Air BnB, and Hotel accommodations available both inside the park and in the nearby city of Prince Albert (~45 minutes from park gate). Visitor Center, Nature Center, and main townsite is Wheelchair accessible, Bathroom facilities listed on this website Accessibility and easier access experiences - Accessibility and easier-to-access experiences - Prince Albert National Park

Restrictions: National Park Pass required for access.

Waskesiu/Prince Albert National Park (PANP) is a boreal birders dream destination. All the familiar amenities of a National Park with both walking and driving routes available. Look for loons on one of the many lakes, and be sure to visit the boundary bog boardwalk for those boreal warblers. PANP is also home to various grouse, birds of prey, and winter finches, making this park worth a visit in the winter.

Estevan/Roche Percee

Location: Estevan - https://maps.app.goo.gl/AD9M4UoaWWauMWvh6 Roche Percee - https://maps.app.goo.gl/hiVMSfjskhCi2tNf8

Habitat: Grasslands, Aspen Bluffs, Cropland, Reservoir

Accessibility/Accommodations: Estevan is a small city with a variety of accommodations available.

Restrictions: Saskatchewan laws indicate any travel on private land is trespassing unless written or verbal permission from the land owner. Please respect landowners and stay along roads in rural areas.

This one may seem a little out of left field for those more familiar with Saskatchewan but I have good reason for putting it on this list. First, being in the extreme south-east corner of the province there is great opportunity for more southern and eastern grassland species like Lazuli Bunting, Dickcissel, Wild Turkeys and more. With Boundary Dam Reservoir being artificially heated there is usually a patch of open water all winter long providing an overwintering ground for cold hardy waterfowl. Then the heavily treed Woodlawn Regional Park provides canopy cover for tree-dwelling songbirds. It might be one of the more underrated birding areas in Sask!

Narrow Hills Provincial Park

Location: North of Candle Lake - https://maps.app.goo.gl/5GjMSea82rLPqeGJ8

Habitat: Boreal Forest, Lakeshore, Bogs

Accessibility/Accommodations: Provincial Park Campgrounds available, restricted cell phone service in some areas. Hiking/walking trails available. Bathroom facilities available in summer, may not be available in winter.

Restrictions: Provincial Park Pass required for access.

For those of you looking to bird in the Boreal Forest but with less people than Prince Albert National Park! Narrow Hills Provincial Park consists of boreal forest, lakes, and prime spring warbler migration. There are areas of the park without cell phone service for the birder who truly enjoys a more remote experience. I haven’t been to this park personally yet but I have heard many great things and plan to make it there soon.

Cypress Hills Provincial Park

Location: West Block - https://maps.app.goo.gl/aYX5m1PmEozFAA7RA East Block - https://maps.app.goo.gl/fcVGQfow2dKLDPGB8

Habitat: Cypress Uplands, Lodgepole Pine, Grasslands

Accessibility/Accommodations: Provincial Park Camping in both East and West Block, Maple Creek has additional accommodations. Standard Provincial Park bathroom facilities.

Restrictions: Provincial Park Pass required for access.

Cypress Hills, the Lodgepole Pine island in Saskatchewan. This area had to make the list due to it’s unique ecosystem. If Nighthawks and Whip-poor-wills are your target this might be the best place in the province to find them. Other key targets for the area include Violet-green Swallow, Western Wood-peewee, Red-naped Sapsucker, and the occasional Western Tanager. With many established hiking trails both park blocks offer many birding options, though the west block is considerably less developed and typically quieter.

Chaplin Lake (International Bird Area)

Location: Chaplain - https://maps.app.goo.gl/vFgy6ySUDti2o8aQ9

Habitat: Salt Flats, Grasslands, Wetlands

Accessibility/Accommodations: The city of Moose Jaw is a short drive away with a variety of accommodations and food options. Smaller motels and rentals may be available closer to Chaplain itself.

Restrictions: Chaplin Nature Centre opens in May and closes in September (Visit their Facebook page for season dates Chaplin Nature Centre | Chaplin SK | Facebook). Saskatchewan laws indicate any travel on private land is trespassing unless written or verbal permission from the land owner. Please respect landowners and stay along roads in rural areas.

Chaplin Nature Centre does offer guided tours for birders wanting to add a variety of shorebirds to their life list. Located right on HWY #1 even if you are just driving through Saskatchewan in the summer this place is worth a stop! This area boasts large alkali salt flats and is one location where seeing endangered piping plovers are possible! Just be sure to brush up on your shorebird ID or have a camera ready if your ID skills are as weak as mine!

Quill Lakes

Location: Dafoe - https://maps.app.goo.gl/XBeMCV5DduHcsTbY6

Habitat: Wetlands, Prairie potholes, Cropland

Accessibility/Accommodations: Small towns adjacent the lakes may have limited accommodations with unknown accessibility. Majority access to the area is birding by car. Dafoe (SW of Lakes) has a gas station/restaurant facilities.

Restrictions: Saskatchewan laws indicate any travel on private land is trespassing unless written or verbal permission from the land owner. Please respect landowners and stay along roads in rural areas.

Hello Waterfowl Hotspot! The Quill Lakes are a water and wading bird paradise! Avocets, Egrets, Herons and more ducks than you can bat a wing at. This area is largely flooded agricultural land but is an excellent habitat to hit on your way through the province!

Urban Birding Parks

Visiting one of the major cities in Saskatchewan and want to sneak in some birding? Here are some Urban destinations to try!

Regina - Wascana Park, Wascana Marsh, AE Wilson Park, Condie Nature Refuge

Saskatoon - Meewasin Park, Beaver Creek Conservation Area, Northeast Swale, Cheif Whitecap Park,

Prince Albert - Little Red River Park, Rotary Trail West, Prince Albert Weir

Moose Jaw - Wakamow Valley, Crescent Park, Spring Creek Park

Swift Current - Riverside Park, Swift Current Reservoir Overlook