Saskatchewan Cranes & Geese
Witness the migration of tens of thousands of geese & cranes on this birding tour! This birdwatching spectacle in southern Saskatchewan features the Sandhill Crane, Snow Goose, and Whooping Crane.
About this tour
In the fall, Sandhill Cranes migrate by the thousands south across southern Saskatchewan, stopping at various localities to refuel before continuing their journey. With them are a handful of Whooping Cranes, coming south from breeding grounds in Wood Buffalo National Park in the Northwest Territories.
During our Saskatchewan Cranes & Geese birding tour, we have a good chance of finding Whooping Cranes as there is a fine network of field observers scouting the area for these legendary birds. Along with cranes, tens of thousands of Snow Geese and Canada Geese, with lesser numbers of Ross’s, Greater White-fronted and Cackling Geese, are pouring through, as well as other waterfowl, shorebirds, raptors and passerines, especially large flocks of Lapland Longspurs with Snow Buntings and possibly Northern Shrikes.
We will also venture to Prince Albert National Park and the boreal forest, where we will have chances for boreal specialties like Spruce Grouse, Pileated, Black-backed & American Tree-toed Woodpecker, Canada Jay, Boreal Chickadee, Bohemain Waxwing, and occasionally Pine or Evening Grosbeak, or White-winged Crossbill. We also have the possibility to see Moose, Elk & sometimes River Otter.
Itinerary ▼
Our Saskatchewan Whooping Cranes birding tour starts in Saskatoon with supper and an opportunity to discuss the upcoming adventure.
During the following three days, we travel to pothole country east of Saskatoon, Blackstrap lake, and boreal forests in and near Prince Albert National Park. It is almost guaranteed that one or more groups of Whooping Cranes will appear in the Saskatoon area during the tour period.
Our schedule is flexible such that we can alter our itinerary to visit an area where the cranes have touched down. The habitat here is a mixture of grassland with potholes, saline wetland complexes and fresh water lakes. Lakes and potholes in the area are teeming with ducks and some lingering shorebirds can still be found. These areas also support thousands of Snow Geese each year; the actual fields that the birds occupy shifts from one year to the next, depending upon the type of crop grown the previous summer, but we should have little difficulty in locating the foraging areas for the flocks. Snow Geese will be the most abundant species in these flocks, but there are also groups of Greater White-fronted Geese, Ross’s Geese and several species of ducks. Sandhill Cranes will also be gathering. Raptors of several species will be present, and we will scan for Lapland Longspurs and Snow Buntings as they are migrating south. Finally, both Sharp-tailed Grouse and Gray Partridge may be encountered in our travels.
After some morning birding around Saskatoon, we will make our way north to Prince Albert National Park. Here we will experience the boreal forest, and will have chances for boreal specialties like Spruce Grouse, Pileated, Black-backed & American Tree-toed Woodpecker, Canada Jay, Boreal Chickadee, Bohemain Waxwing, and occasionally Pine or Evening Grosbeak, or White-winged Crossbill. We also have the possibility to see Moose, Elk & sometimes River Otter. Night in Prince Albert National Park.
We will spend the day enjoying Prince Albert National Park. In the late afternoon, we will drive back to Saskatoon.
Our Saskatchewan Whooping Cranes birding tour ends today. You can depart anytime for flights home.
Availability & pricing
Included
- All accommodation
- All meals & soft drinks
- Ground transportation
- One EET guide with 4 - 8 participants and 2 EET guides with 9 - 12 participants
- All park, conservation and entrance fees
Not included
- Flights to and from Saskatoon
- Travel Insurance
- Items of a personal nature
- Taxes (5% GST)
- Alcoholic beverages