Canadian Destinations

Birding takes flight in Manitoba

Inspired by the promise of a birder's paradise, nature lovers are packing their binoculars and flocking to Manitoba.

Situated on two major migration routes known as the Mississippi and Atlantic flyways, Manitoba has the advantage of attracting birds from both east and west. Birders might see whiskey jacks from the boreal forest region, meadowlarks from the prairies, herons from the lakeshores, and sandpipers from the north, depending on where they travel in the province.

The northern Manitoba port of Churchill is often associated with whales and polar bears but also offers stellar birding opportunities. Cape Merry National Historic Site at the mouth of the Churchill River is a popular stop for sea ducks, eiders, oldsquaw ducks, jaegers, scoters and Pacific loons. Further inland, birders can see Arctic terns and Bonaparte's gulls.

About 40 kilometres north of downtown Winnipeg, Oak Hammock Marsh earns its reputation as one of the best bird-viewing sites in North America. Home to 260 varieties of birds, as well as assorted mammals and reptiles, the marsh features an excellent interpretive centre with an impressive array of family-oriented activities. Great blue herons, American white pelicans, bobolinks and short-eared owls have been observed in the area.

Right in Winnipeg, the Fort Whyte Nature Centre has 27 species of waterfowl, and thousands of migrating ducks and geese in the spring and fall. Evening goose landings at both Oak Hammock and Fort Whyte in October are amazing as skein after skein of geese descend on the lakes. Self-guided trails lead through replicas of seven Manitoba wetland habitats, where floating boardwalks provide excellent sight lines.

To the east, birding havens like the Wild Wings Trail in Grand Beach Provincial Park draw ospreys, eagles, western grebes, yellow-headed and red-winged blackbirds and majestic blue herons.

West of the Manitoba capital is Delta Marsh, home of the University of Manitoba's Field Research Station and 130 species of birds. During the migration season, in May and September, as many as 300 different varieties of birds may visit the marsh.
Another birder's choice locale is Riding Mountain National Park, 95 kilometres north of Brandon in Manitoba's scenic parkland region. Here more than 260 varieties of birds are seen, including the bald eagle, great grey owl and peregrine falcon.

Travel Manitoba's 46-page Great Outdoor Adventure Guide includes many more wildlife viewing options, as well as helpful information on hiking, biking, horseback riding and other active, outdoor adventures. For more information call Travel Manitoba at 1-800-665-0040 or see www.travelmanitoba.com