Van Scoy Lakes Birding Tour – 6 hours with fascinating woodland and water birds
A six-hour self-drive circuit west of Saskatoon through prairie, ponds, Eagle Creek and the Van Scoy Lakes for waterbirds and shorebirds.
About this tour
Travel west from Saskatoon across prairie back roads and pond habitat before crossing Eagle Creek and reaching the Van Scoy Lakes. The varied route can produce grassland birds, swallows and herons as well as ducks, grebes, marsh birds and shorebirds.
Lakeshore loops and marsh stops are chosen for current water levels and activity. Migration in May, July and August may add arctic-nesting shorebirds, while a final town-park lunch stop can provide woodland and urban-edge songbirds. No observation is guaranteed.
This easy, six-hour self-drive tour covers about 160 kilometres and uses roadside stops. Participants provide their own or rented vehicle, and the guide supplies identification support and a spotting scope.
Planning a wider trip? Read our birdwatching guide to Canada.
Birds you can spot
Recurvirostra americana
target
Mareca americana
target
Centronyx bairdii
target
Megaceryle alcyon
target
Spatula discors
target
Bucephala albeola
target
Aythya valisineria
target
Spatula cyanoptera
target
Mareca strepera
target
Ardea herodias
target
Charadrius vociferus
target
Anarhynchus pecuarius
target
Aythya affinis
target
Lanius ludovicianus
target
Anas platyrhynchos
target
Anas acuta
target
Podilymbus podiceps
target
Aythya americana
target
Oxyura jamaicensis
target
Anthus spragueii
target
Buteo swainsoni
target
Tyrannus verticalis
target
Sturnella neglecta
target
Tringa semipalmata
target
Guides
Itinerary ▼
Drive west from Saskatoon on a six-hour route through prairie, pond and Eagle Creek habitat before looping around the Van Scoy Lakes. Add marsh and lakeshore viewpoints plus a town-park lunch stop, with the exact sequence based on access and current birds.
Locations & map
- Van Scoy Lakes - Saskatchewan Canada
Availability & pricing
Availability: Available on request · Season: Mid-May–August
Included
- Guiding - Guiding only.
Not included
- Meals - Not included.
- Accommodation - Not included.
- Transportation - Not included. For driving tours, clients must rent a vehicle and provide transportation for the guide.
- Park entry fees - Not included.
- Other costs - Not included.
Transport & stays
- Self-drive or walking, depending on tour For driving tours, clients must rent a vehicle and provide transportation for the guide. Walking tours use the confirmed meeting point. | Meet: Confirmed after inquiry
Policies & FAQ
How long and how far is the tour?
The guided programme lasts six hours and the estimated driving distance is about 160 kilometres.
What is the walking difficulty?
It is rated easy and is primarily a driving tour with roadside stops.
Who supplies transportation?
Participants use their own or rented vehicle. A lower fee applies when the participant transports the guide from Saskatoon.