Limosa - Birdwatching and Wildlife Hoildays Worldwide

Trip Diary

This trip was the third Limosa tour to visit Manitoba. The many attractions of the trip, from the generally fine weather to the diverse landscapes and, of course, the wide array of bird species present ensured many good memories were taken home. Whether it was watching a flock of American White Pelicans gliding effortlessly over our heads at Lake Manitoba; filling the view of your scope with a Northern Goshawk on her nest as her reddish-brown eyes watched your every move; watching a Little Gull fly by just in front of you along the Churchill River; gazing in awe at a drumming male Black-backed Woodpecker just above your head at Riding Mountain; admiring an elusive but dapper Baird?s Sparrow on a calm prairie morning, singing from atop a small tuft of vegetation; watching an American Beaver swimming lazily towards you along a small boreal creek in the mist; surfacing and "blowing" Beluga Whales at high tide by the Churchill grain terminal seemingly right below you; or even the mixed wonder and fear in the eyes of Black Bear cubs as they watch you watching them, first climb a tree by the road in front of you and then hastily retreat to be with their nearby mother ? there was something for all!

Day 1. Sat 31 May. Arrived in Winnipeg on Northwest Airlines at 20.00 where Cal was waiting to great us. Everyone was then transferred the short distance to the hotel for a late dinner and overnight. A beautiful evening with a nice sunset.

Day 2. Sun 1 June. After a good night?s rest we had the van loaded by 05.30 and were sitting down to breakfast at a nearby restaurant soon thereafter. By 6.45 with full stomachs, field lunches at the ready and visions of unlimited birding opportunities we departed from Winnipeg stopping only to "pickup" Chimney Swifts. We took Provincial Trunk Highway (PTH) 26 to Provincial Road (PR) 430 and on to St. Ambroise Provincial Park (PP) at the south-east side of L Manitoba (Western Grebe, American Bittern, Virginia Rail, Le Conte?s Sparrow, Warbling Vireo, Baltimore Oriole, etc). Here we also enjoyed the first of many encounters with an American group with Field Guides. Following a field lunch there we departed via PR 227 stopping briefly at the Portage dump for California Gulls and Portage Creek (Great Crested Flycatcher, Eastern Wood-Pewee, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, etc). A quick stop at Portage la Prairie provided some more Chimney Swifts and our first Wood Ducks. Late afternoon arrival at Brandon via the Trans-Canada Highway. A Loggerhead Shrike flew atop a spruce tree by the motel to great us! Following dinner we had a late evening at the Douglas Marsh for Yellow Rail, hearing 2 and then trying for Eastern Screech-Owl, heard only, at a local Brandon park. Overnight at Brandon. 105 sp.

Day 3. Mon 2 June. The day saw a mixture of sun and cloud with a pleasant high of 25C and a very light south-east wind. After a 06.00 breakfast at the motel and picking up our field lunches a leisurely, full day was spent in the Brandon area, including the Brandon Hills (Bufflehead, Grey Partridge, Pileated Woodpecker, Northern Rough-winged Swallow, Yellow-throated Vireo, Indigo Bunting, Eastern Towhee, etc). Dinner in Brandon. Optional evening return trip to Brandon park for Eastern Screech-Owl and seen this time. Overnight in Brandon. 84 sp.

Day 4. Tues 3 June. The weather turned today with primarily overcast, cool and windy weather prevailing reaching only 18C with some showers by late afternoon. After a 06:30 breakfast we loaded the van, picked up our field lunches and again briefly visited the Brandon Hills en route to Pelican L via PR 340 and PR 18. At Wawanesa we had good looks at a female Pileated Woodpecker on a nearby power pole. Near Pelican L brightly coloured male Eastern and Mountain Bluebirds were seen flying to and around nest boxes with food in their bills ? obviously feeding young! A wet walk in a nearby wooded pasture produced a stunning Red-headed Woodpecker, a flyby Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, obliging Red-eyed Vireo, Lark Sparrows, etc. A cool lunch was at an abandoned lakeside farmyard (Black-necked Grebe, Wood Duck, Wild Turkey, Bonaparte?s Gull, Eastern Phoebe, White-breasted Nuthatch, Orchard Oriole, etc). Due mainly to high waves at Pelican L itself few Western Grebes were seen and any Clark?s Grebes eluded us. By 15.00 we arrived at Whitewater L, a huge and truly magical wetland. The cool, wet weather was soon forgotten as seemingly countless varieties of birds, including Cattle Egret, Snowy Egret and White-faced Ibis, were highly visible from the parking lot! A variety of waterfowl dotted the water while hundreds Franklin?s Gulls soared and wheeled overhead. A short dyke walk produced the elegant American Avocet, Short-billed Dowitcher, Marbled Godwit, Willet, thousands of Semipalmated Sandpipers, White-rumped Sandpiper, Dunlin, hundreds of colourful Wilson?s Phalaropes, etc. It was understandably hard to leave this wonderful place but we eventually managed to and continued on to Melita where we called it a day, stopping only for such "new" birds as Snow Goose and Upland Sandpiper. Arrived at Melita by 17.30 and after settling in went out for dinner and following that called it a day. Several feeders at the motel were good for Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Downy & Hairy Woodpecker, Black-capped Chickadee, House Finch, etc. Overnight at Melita. 118 sp.

Day 5. Wed 4 June. The big prairie bird morning we had all been anticipating (even Anna and Dianne who had been feeling poorly) and after a good night?s sleep we were keen to go. The early morning was exceedingly foggy and cool but the fog lifted as the morning progressed. After a 06.00 breakfast arranged at the motel we raced off to the Poverty Plains, including the Broomhill area, with the first stop a Sharp-tailed Grouse lek. Here we met the Field Guides group who were just in the process of departing. Unfortunately when they did so did the majority of the grouse. When the grouse did not reappear after 20 minutes and with threatening clouds appearing far to the west we decided to track down a distant singing Baird?s Sparrow. After locating the Baird?s and securing good looks at this lifer for just about everyone we returned to the lek to find the grouse had done likewise. However, very little dancing occurred amongst the birds so the remainder of the morning was spent with Grasshopper Sparrows, highflying Sprague?s Pipits (including one which landed and continued singing in front of us!), lovely displaying Chestnut-collared Longspurs, Upland Sandpiper, Ferruginous Hawk, etc. A late but very enjoyable field lunch was at Coulter Park but not before seeing Say?s Phoebes and more Lark Sparrows. By now the sun was shining with a high of 20C. After more leisurely birding we returned to the motel by 16.00 and following dinner in Melita at 18.30 drove to the extreme south-west corner enjoying the beautiful evening. More Brown Thrashers and two single Great Horned Owls ended a great day of prairie birding. Night at Melita. 94 sp.

Day 6 Thurs 5 June. An optional pre-breakfast return to the Sharp-tailed Grouse lek at 0530 to see birds displaying. Following breakfast at the motel and with the van loaded we were somewhat sad about leaving this region of wide open spaces but were also filled with anticipation of what was coming at Riding Mountain later that day. A mixture of sun and cloud prevailed with a high of 18C and light winds ? a perfect travelling day. Via a series of "back roads" and 3 more Ferruginous Hawks later we arrived at the extensive Oak Lake/Plum marshes for a field coffee break and more wetland and woodland birding. A large distant nesting colony of Black-necked Grebes and 3 very close-up Western Grebes were enjoyed by all. Leaving there we entered and drove along the ancient and scenic Assiniboine River valley where we added Turkey Vulture and saw a pair of Loggerhead Shrikes. A field lunch was at Lake Watopannah by 12.00 and onwards to the Minnedosa pothole region, home of many of Manitoba?s nesting waterfowl. After picking up our first Horned Grebes near there we spotted a young Great Horned Owl along a woodland edge just days out of the nest ? lots of picture taking of the very obliging bird! We finally arrived at Riding Mountain around 15.30 and checked into our rooms. An optional birdwalk around the resort town site of Wasagaming took us to near dinner time. Following dinner we departed for an area just south of the park around 19.30 for owls seeing our first Hooded Merganser en route. That evening we did see 2 elk, a hunting Short-eared Owl, heard a very close Barred Owl and saw an American Badger trotting down the road towards us! A late evening, not arriving back until nearly 23.30 Night at Wasagaming. 100 sp.

Day 7 Fri 6 June. After a 06.00 breakfast at the motel we headed out into the overcast and somewhat cool morning to PR 19 stopping first for Spruce Grouse. After a brief search a very handsome male was located perched in a jack pine and permitted close approach in the dim forest interior. Further on while searching a woodpecker spot near a creek a distant Solitary Sandpiper was first heard and then briefly seen in flight by some. At Whirlpool Lake we caught up with Osprey, Olive-sided Flycatcher, Lincoln?s Sparrow, etc before the heavens opened up upon us. Fortunately by then we were within the confines of a shelter and stayed dry! Following this initial bout of showers we continued east along PR 19 birding for warblers (even discovering a Hairy Woodpecker nest) before heading back to Wasagaming for a late lunch ? but not before seeing a nicely perched Broad-winged Hawk. An early afternoon drive along PTH 10 and hike down a nature trail near Clear Lake produced Red-breasted Nuthatch, Blue-headed Vireo, Blackburnian Warbler, White-throated Sparrow, etc. before returning to Wasagaming by 16.00. Dinner was at 18.00 but rain again returned, this time steady throughout the evening so it was early to bed with no owling! Night at Wasagaming. 71 sp.

Day 8 Sat 7 June. A mixture of sun and cloud with most of the afternoon sunny and a high of 17C. We left the motel by 05.30 for some pre-breakfast birding along PR 19. Near Clear Spring Bog we had decent looks at a male Black-backed Woodpecker. A quick visit to Whirlpool Lake produced an even closer male Black-backed drumming on a tree right above our heads! Following breakfast at 07.00 at the motel we returned a short ways down PR 19 to follow up on "our" singing Connecticut Warbler (we had heard earlier that morning) only to discover Kim Eckert with his Victor Emmanuel Nature Tour group on site. We got great looks at this sought after warbler before continuing on PTH 10 and the Bead Lake trail where we picked up singing Canada and Magnolia Warblers among others. Back to the L Audy Road which we birded leisurely to the lake (Great Northern Diver, Goosander, Bald Eagle, another Hairy Woodpecker nest, elusive Golden-crowned Kinglets, Boreal Chickadee, Grey Jay, etc). Following a pleasant field lunch at L Audy we had to work for our Cape May Warbler (and getting an exceedingly close flyby from a Pileated Woodpecker in the process) before returning to Wasagaming via a bison herd ? some very large bulls present! Following dinner at 18.00 we again returned to a site just south of Riding Mountain for more evening owling but alas the Great Grey Owl was to elude us this trip. Night at Wasagaming. 65 sp.

Day 9 Sun 8 June. After loading the van and following our final breakfast at Wasagaming we headed out to PR 19 and east to the park escarpment. Again, a mixture of sun and cloud dominated. Near the park entrance we got our final new species for Riding Mountain, a beautiful male Golden-winged Warbler singing in the morning sun. After leaving the site at 08.30 we departed for Winnipeg via PTHs 5 and 16 to the Trans-Canada Highway. After lunch at Headingly?s infamous Nick?s Inn at 11.30 we arrived at the Winnipeg airport, checked in and departed for Churchill by 14.40 following a 10 minute delay. After our 17.00 arrival here we loaded our waiting bus and off to our rooms at the Seaport. Following dinner there we spent the evening in the vicinity of the granary ponds and Cape Merry seeing our first Red-throated Diver, Common Eider, Long-tailed Duck, Common & Surf Scoter, Hudsonian Godwit (stunning at close range in the evening light), Stilt Sandpiper, Arctic Skua, Little Gull, etc. A truly memorable introduction to Churchill. We called it a day by 22.00. 60 sp.

Day 10 Mon 9 June. The day started out cool, a mere 3C with a mixture of sun and cloud in the morning eventually warming up to 12C but with occasional showers. After a 06.45 breakfast at Gypsy Bakery we departed for the popular Cape Merry where we checked out the eiders, scoters, gulls, etc. and got our first American Black Ducks, a flyby Ross?s Goose and displaying Buff-bellied Pipits. An obliging first year Iceland and first year Glaucous Gull standing side by each on a nearby ice flow provided a convenient comparison. After that it was off to the Goose Creek and Hydro Road to the pump station, CR-30 (4 more A. Black Ducks, 2 Osprey, Rough-legged Hawk, Short-eared Owl, Blackpoll Warbler, Common Redpoll, American Tree Sparrow, Fox Sparrow, etc.). We arrived at CR-30 by 0945 and remained in the area till 16.45 in a superb effort for a Ross?s Gull ? but to no avail. However up to 6 Tundra Swans and 5 Little Gulls were seen. A local bird feeder produced a Boreal Chickadee and 4 Pine Grosbeaks including some stunning males. After dinner at the motel at 18.00 an optional birding trip at 20.00 was to the Churchill dump where superb looks were obtained of 2 close-by adult Thayer?s Gulls and yet another first year Glaucous Gull among the hundreds of Ring-billed and Herring Gulls. Impressive views were also made of nearby Sandhill Cranes both on the ground and in flight. Back to the motel by 21.30. 78 sp.

Day 11 Tues 10 June. Our Twin Lakes day and chance to bird further afield. Following a 06.30 breakfast and a quick trip out to Cape Merry it was off to points east on a sunny but cool (high 6C) day. Once past the Churchill Northern Studies Centre we saw 3 male Willow Ptarmigan, including 1 allowing close approach. A beautiful American Golden-Plover was scoped and heard with Hudsonian Godwit, Whimbrel and Lesser Yellowlegs also en route. Two splendid Smith Longspur males singing and perched on hummocks in an extensive bog were a highlight for all! Following a field lunch a walk in the Twin Lakes area produced Merlin, Black-backed Woodpecker (heard drumming), Bohemian Waxwing (heard), Brown Creeper, Grey Shrike, Pine Grosbeak (seen briefly), Orange-crowned and Blackpoll Warbler, Fox Sparrow, etc. A tip led to the exciting sighting of a roosting and very tame Northern Hawk-Owl! By mid afternoon we began the return trip to Churchill, stopping briefly at the dump. A late dinner at 19.00. 57 sp.

Day 12 Wed 11 June. Following breakfast and yet another tip on some good birds it was a quick check at Cape Merry on this sunny morning then off again to Twin Lakes where we met with 2 other groups at 11.00. Within minutes we were watching a Boreal Owl watch us at the entrance of it?s hole in a white spruce! Following a quick lunch we then proceeded to another site and had splendid views of a fully exposed Northern Goshawk on her nest with a young one tucked inside her breast feathers and her mate soaring nearby. A close-range Trumpeter Swan seen alongside a Tundra Swan on a wetland while returning to Churchill was still another highlight! From 14.30 to 18.30 we were back along the Churchill River near the grain terminal/granary ponds watching for the elusive Ross?s Gull as it had been seen there the previous day ? but again to no avail. After a late dinner a quick check at the dump for gulls. 68 sp.

Day 13 Thur 12 June. Our last breakfast at the motel and after loading the bus a final check by the granary ponds and grain terminal and out to Bilenduke?s feeders where we finally pulled off a reluctant but very impressive Harris?s Sparrow before racing off to the airport and leaving for Winnipeg by 11.20. After a 2 hour wait at the Winnipeg airport, check throughs and farewells the folks boarded their 16.15 flight to Minneapolis (excepting Ann who was staying behind to visit a friend) and then an overnight flight home. An overall enjoyable and successful tour with the total number of bird species recorded by the group at 244.

Annotated Species List

Red-throated Diver (Red-throated Loon) Gavia stellata
Seen daily at Churchill on the river but in small numbers; max of 6 seen on 9th.

Pacific Diver (Pacific Loon) Gavia pacifica
A few pairs of these beautiful birds were seen on tundra ponds but most sightings were on the Churchill River. 11 in total.

Great Northern Diver (Common Loon) Gavia immer
Total of 10 birds with one at Douglas Marsh, 7 at Riding Mountain and 2 flybys at Churchill.

Pied-billed Grebe Podilymbus podiceps
Seen on three different days in the south; max of 3 on 1st.

3 were at Delta Marsh on 1st , 2 en route to Riding Mountain on 5th and seen almost daily at Riding Mountain.

One was on a small wetland near Minnedosa on 5th while a pair was along the Goose Creek road at Churchill on the 9th.

Black-necked Grebe (Eared Grebe) Podiceps nigricollis
40 were at Whitewater Lake on June 3 while over 300 were at Oak Lake/Plum Marshes on the 5th.

Western Grebe Aechmophorus occidentalis
Over a hundred on these graceful water birds were on L Manitoba on the 1st while 15 were at Whitewater Lake on 3rd and 3 at Oak Lake on 5th.

30 were at L Manitoba on 1st (including close flyby views) while 20 were seen at Pelican L on 3rd and at least 8 at Riding Mountain.

Double-crested Cormorant Phalacrocorax auritus
At least 1500 were observed in the vicinity of a rookery at L Manitoba on 1st while 120 were at a Ducks Unlimited Canada project near Melita on 4th.

At least 1 or 2 birds seen on 5 of 8 days in the south; absent at Churchill.

Snowy Egret Egretta thula
One of these elegant waders was with some of the Cattle Egrets at Whitewater L on 3rd and provided some exciting viewing!

Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis
Up to 23 of these small egrets in high breeding plumage provided a more "southern latitude" scene at Whitewater L on 3rd.

2 were at L Manitoba on 1st, 2 at Whitewater L on the 3rd and 1 at Oak L/Plum Marshes on the 5th.

Up to 6 were seen at the Delta Marsh on 1st (some providing excellent standing views) with single birds elsewhere, including Churchill.

White-faced Ibis Plegadis chihi
3 of these provincially rare, long-legged waders were seen at close range at Whitewater L on 3rd.

One was with a Tundra Swan on a small lake near the Churchill Northern Studies Centre on 11th. Excellent scope views were obtained as the birds both sat and stood together at a distance of no more than 50 to 75 yards.

Tundra Swan Cygnus columbianus
6 were on the Churchill River south of the pump station on 9th. One also seen near the Churchill Northern Studies Centre on the 11th.

4 mixed white and blue phase were in a field near Melita on 3rd while 24 were flying NW at Cape Merry on 8th and 2 there on the 9th.

Ross’s Goose Chen rossii
One was with 2 close flyby Snow Geese at Cape Merry on 9th.

Canada Goose Branta canadensis
Common and widespread, including the Churchill area.

Wood Duck Aix sponsa
These beautiful ducks were seen almost daily in small numbers through the south with up to 5 seen on 3rd.

Scarce in the south with up to 5 seen on 3rd and 4th; considerably more common at Churchill.

Fairly common through the south with up to 50 on 4th; less common at Churchill.

Green-winged Teal Anas carolinensis
These handsome little ducks were scarce and local in the south but more common at Churchill.

Mallard Anas platyrhynchos
Everywhere; several broods seen.

American Black Duck Anas rubripes
2 flew by at Cape Merry while 4 others were along the Goose Creek Road, all on 9th .

Scarce in south but fairly common at Churchill where up to 30 seen on 9th .

Common through the southern wetlands while 2 were at Churchill on 9th.

Quite common through the south in large and small wetlands, roadside ditches.

Canvasback Aythya valisineria
These impressive ducks were seen daily through the south in small numbers (except Riding Mountain); 1 drake at Churchill on 9th.

Redhead Aythya americana
Seen almost daily in south; up to 30 in the Whitewater L and Oak L/Plum marshes on the 3rd and 5th.

Seen daily through the south in small numbers; not seen at Churchill.

Scaup (Greater Scaup) Aythya marila
Fairly common at Churchill.

Seen on 3 days in the south with up to 12/day on 3rd and 4th. Also seen daily at Churchill.

Fewer than 50/day seen at Churchill, primarily on the Churchill River.

Small numbers at Churchill.

Primarily on the Churchill River where 40 plus were seen on 9th.

Seen almost daily on the Churchill River where 24 seen on 9th.

2 seen on the Churchill River on 8th and 10 there on the 9th.

Seen at L Manitoba, Portage la Prairie and some singles at Riding Mountain; up to 300 on the Churchill River on 9th.

Bufflehead Bucephala albeola
These attractive little ducks were seen almost daily in the south.

2 females seen in the vicinity of Riding Mountain.

Fairly common at Churchill where up to 300 were seen on 9th.

Goosander (Common Merganser) Mergus merganser
4 were at L Audy, Riding Mountain on 7th ; considerably more common at Churchill.

Surprisingly few seen in the south; max of 5 seen on 5th.

Turkey Vulture Cathartes aura
A pair were flying over Spring Valley flats west of Brandon on 5th.

Single birds seen at Riding Mountain on the 6th and 7th including one plunging into Whirlpool L. Two seen near their nest along the Goose Creek Road at Churchill on 9th.

One immature bird flew over the Douglas Marsh in evening while we were railing on 1st, one adult flying at L Audy at Riding Mountain offered spectacular views on 7th and one adult was perched on a rock on the Churchill River on 9th.

Seen daily in the south, up to 5 at Churchill on 10th.

A very quick look by a lucky few as it darted across a road in Riding Mountain on 6th.

One seen gliding across an opening in the Brandon Hills by one person on 2nd.

Superb looks at a fully visible female on her nest while the male soared overhead at Twin Lakes on 11th was truly one of the highlights of the trip.

Broad-winged Hawk Buteo platypterus
A flying bird was at the Brandon Hills on 2nd while both a perched bird and an active nest were discovered on the 6th and 7th respectively at Riding Mountain.

Seen only in the "south-west" of the south where up to 6 seen on 5th.

Common, seen daily including Riding Mountain. Not seen at Churchill.

One of these regal birds was seen flying from its nest and also perched on the ground some distance away on 4th. Next day excellent views were seen of both a perched and soaring bird at another nest site. Within the hour a second year bird was also seen.

Nice view of one flying over the Churchill River at the pump station on 9th.

2 of these colourful falcons were seen on 3rd while one more seen on 6th , all in the south.

Fine scope views of a very pale richardsonii male on 5th near Melita. Also seen almost daily at Churchill.

One was at L Manitoba on 1st (minus a few tail feathers) while another was soaring gracefully south-west of Melita on 4th.

2 toms were actively courting a hen in a field north of Portage la Prairie on 1st while a more secretive hen was spotted drinking along a wooded shoreline near Pelican L on 3rd.

Spruce Grouse Falcipennis canadensis
After a very short search a finely attired male perched in a pine tree permitted a very close approach in Riding Mountain on 6th.

Willow Ptarmigan Lagopus lagopus
3 males, one of which allowed for some very close photography, were along the Twin Lakes Road on 10th.

2 drumming birds heard in the south but none seen.

A total of 43 birds were seen on two leks on 4th north-west of Melita. A few single flying birds also seen.

A pair of these elusive birds flew low across the road in front of us in Brandon on the evening of 2nd.

Encountered only at Churchill where at least 20 seen feeding on waste grain near the Churchill dump. Several had very rust stained plumage.

2 "ticking" birds were heard on access denied private property in the Douglas Marsh on 1st.

Fine views were obtained of one taped out of the cattails at St. Ambroise, L Manitoba. One other bird heard in the same area and 1 heard at Douglas Marsh.

One seen as it walked across openings in the vegetation at St. Ambroise, L Manitoba and two others heard in the same vicinity. Two others heard in the south and one heard at Churchill.

Locally common in south, up to 25 seen on 3rd.

American Avocet Recurvirostra americana
3 of these attractive long-legged waders were at Whitewater L on 3rd while 4 were on a Ducks Unlimited Canada project near Pierson on 4th .

An impressive scope view of a calling bird along Twin Lakes Road on 10th.

3 were along L Manitoba on 1st and not seen again until Churchill when 2 were at the granary ponds on 11th.

Common along roadsides, fields in the south with up to 25 seen on the 1st alone. At least 3/day at Churchill.

Wilson’s Snipe Gallinago delicata
Frequent good views of perched birds near L Manitoba on 1st and also seen and heard elsewhere in the south and at Churchill.

Short-billed Dowitcher Limnodromus griseus
2 were at Whitewater L on 3rd and not seen again until Churchill where 1 or 2 were seen almost daily.

Seen only at Churchill where up to 6 of these striking birds noted on 8th. Frequently seen perched on stunted black spruce giving their distinctive calls.

No more than 10 seen in the south, mostly at Whitewater L on 3rd.

3 seen at Churchill.

Upland Sandpiper Bartramia longicauda
Surprisingly scarce, total of 5 seen in the south in association with large pastures.

Seen and heard daily at Churchill where up to 15 were seen on 9th. Hard to miss!

One heard then briefly seen flying along Swanson Creek in Riding Mountain on 6th. Another also seen and heard briefly at Churchill.

1-2 seen almost daily in the south along exposed shorelines, also 2 at Churchill on 9th.

Local in the south with up to 12 seen in the Whitewater L area on 3rd. Quite striking when in flight!

Ruddy Turnstone Arenaria interpres
Total of 45 at L Manitoba on 1st and not seen again until Churchill where seen almost daily in small numbers (max. of 9 on 8th).

Sanderling Calidris alba
Seen only at Churchill with 12 in a flyby along the Churchill River.

About 2500 were at Whitewater L on 3rd.

Least Sandpiper Calidris minutilla
12 seen at L Manitoba on 1st, some single birds at Churchill on 8th and 9th.

White-rumped Sandpiper Calidris fuscicollis
9 flew by at L Manitoba on 1st but good views obtained at Whitewater L on 3rd where up to 500 associated with Semipalmated Sandpipers. 1 also at Churchill in a small pond.

Seen only at Churchill where 2 accompanied a White-rumped Sandpiper in a pond on 12th.

2 were at Whitewater L on 3rd.

Encountered only at Churchill where 3 were seen at the granary ponds on 8th and 1 there the next day.

Wilson’s Phalarope Phalaropus tricolor
Seen almost daily in the south except Riding Mountain. Up to 600 at Whitewater L including many brightly coloured females on 3rd.

3 were among hundreds of Wilson’s at Whitewater L on 3rd but were seen daily at Churchill in small numbers (max 15 on 8th).

Seen daily at Churchill, where total of 13 seen between 8th and 11th , mainly over the Churchill River.

Noted almost daily through the tour in a variety of habitats with a max of 140 on 9th.

California Gull Larus californicus
4 paired adults and 2 subadults were at the Portage dump on 1st with many Ring-bills.

One 1st year bird was at Cape Merry and another at the Churchill dump on 9th; 1 adult and 1 1st year (same?) at the dump there on 10th and again a 1st year bird at the dump on 11th.

A 1st year bird was perched on an ice-flow along the shore at Cape Merry on 9th . Beside it was a 1st year Glaucous providing an exciting study opportunity between the 2 species

2 superb close range adults were side by side with Herring and Ring-bills at the Churchill dump on 10th much to the group’s delight.

American Herring Gull Larus smithsonianus
5 were at Portage dump on 1st, otherwise seen only at Churchill with up to 215 at that dump on 9th.

A first summer bird was near Pelican L on 3rd but was commonly seen over the Churchill River (max 350 on 11th).

Undoubtedly the most common "southern" gull of the tour with over 2000 at Whitewater L alone on 3rd.

Little Gull Larus minutus
One of these handsome small gulls seen along the coast at Churchill on 8th but up to 5 were seen at one time over the Churchill River on 9th. Some exceedingly close range views obtained.

Good views of 2 individuals were finally made on 11th as they worked their way up the Churchill River.

Up to 10 distant birds were at L Manitoba on 1st while close views were obtained of 1 flying with Commons at Whitewater L on 3rd.

Arctic Tern Sterna paradisaea
Common at Churchill.

Forster’s Tern Sterna forsteri
Locally common in the south with 40 at L Manitoba on 1st , 12 at Whitewater L on 3rd, and 3 en route to Riding Mountain on 5th.

Fairly common in the south in small and large wetlands, up to 300 on 3rd.

Feral Rock Dove Columba livia

American Mourning Dove Zenaida macroura
Common throughout the south.

Black-billed Cuckoo Coccyzus erythropthalmus
One frustratingly close in the Brandon Hills but would not be seen on 2nd while 1 seen briefly in flight at Pelican L by one person the following day.

Eastern Screech-Owl Otus asio
One heard in the evening of the 1st in a Brandon park but could not be seen. The following evening the site was again visited and this time the grey morph bird was seen with flashlights and watched as it only occasionally looked down at the delighted onlookers!

Great Horned Owl Bubo virginianus
2 adults were seen at dusk near Melita on 4th while 1 young just out of the nest was perched on a snag near Minnedosa on 5th.

Barred Owl Strix varia
A very vocal bird could not be called out the woods at dusk near Riding Mountain on 6th.

Northern Hawk Owl Surnia ulula
A very close-up adult was seen perched in a spruce along the Twin Lakes Road on 10th and again the following day at the same site. Bonus!

Tengmalm’s Owl (Boreal Owl) Aegolius funereus
One seen at the entrance of it’s nest hole in a white spruce at Twin Lakes on the 11th was a definite trip highlight for some!

Short-eared Owl Asio flammeus
1 was watched as it hunted at dusk near Riding Mountain on 6th while 3 different birds were at Churchill.

Common Nighthawk Chordeiles minor
A perched bird at St. Ambroise on 1st provided great scope views. 1 flying bird also near Melita on 4th and 2 more at Riding Mountain on 6th.

Chimney Swift Chaetura pelagica
2 were flying over Portage Avenue in Winnipeg on 1st while 3 were seen at Portage later the same day.

Ruby-throated Hummingbird Archilochus colubris
Seen daily in the south by someone in the group with up to 3 coming to feeders at Melita on 4th and 5th providing good views.

Belted Kingfisher Ceryle alcyon
One seen briefly at Portage on 1st but good views were obtained of at least 2 different birds in the south-west corner on 4th. Also heard but not seen at Riding Mountain.

Great views were obtained of this stunning woodpecker near Pelican L on 3rd.

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker Sphyrapicus varius
A quick flying view of one bird made in the Brandon Hills on 2nd and again at Pelican L the following day.

Downy Woodpecker Picoides pubescens
1-2 birds were heard or seen almost daily in the south. A pair were active at feeders at Melita.

Hairy Woodpecker Picoides villosus
More frequently heard than seen through the south with up to 4 identified on 4th. Two active nest sites were located in Riding Mountain and provided good views of these birds.

Black-backed Woodpecker Picoides arcticus
A male at Clear Springs in Riding Mountain on 7th gave a fair view. However, within an hour another male at Whirlpool L landed on the snag we stood beside and began drumming, providing superb views much to the delight of the group.

Northern Flicker Colaptes auratus
Seen almost daily with no more than 4 seen any one day. 2 also seen at Churchill.

Pileated Woodpecker Dryocopus pileatus
One distant female was at the Brandon Hills on 2nd, another much closer female along the Souris River at Wawanesa on 3rd and 1 flying bird at Riding Mountain.

Olive-sided Flycatcher Contopus cooperi
Good views obtained of a perched bird along the Whirlpool L trail on 6th.

Eastern Wood-Pewee Contopus virens
1 heard but only briefly seen by some at Portage Creek on 1st, 1 heard in the Brandon Hills the following day and 2 heard and seen by some near Pelican L on 3rd.

Alder Flycatcher Empidonax alnorum
Excellent close-up looks at one south of the Brandon Hills on 2nd. Almost seen and heard daily in Riding Mountain.

Least Flycatcher Empidonax minimus
Heard with some seen almost daily in the south (with varying degrees of difficulty!). Up to 12 identified on 2nd.

Eastern Phoebe Sayornis phoebe
Seen on 3 days in the south, generally a pair by old buildings or a bridge.

Say’s Phoebe Sayornis saya
Good scope views of one as it sat in a tree near an abandoned farm house on 4th. Soon after it’s mate darted out of the building and after a flyby landed briefly in a nearby field.

Great Crested Flycatcher Myiarchus crinitus
A superbly close view was made of this handsome flycatcher at Portage Creek on 1st in response to a tape. Sightings also made in the Brandon Hills and en route to Riding Mountain.

Western Kingbird Tyrannus verticalis
These attractive kingbirds were seen daily in the south along fencelines and shelterbelts with max seen on one day 10 on 5th.

Eastern Kingbird Tyrannus tyrannus
More common and widespread than the Western these too were seen daily in the south. Totally fearless as the name implies they were sometimes seen in rapid pursuit of crows or other potential nest thieves!

Shore Lark (Horned Lark) Eremophila alpestris
Unfortunately very few noted of this disappearing prairie population with only up to 10 seen on 4th. Formerly common to abundant.

Purple Martin Progne subis
Generally present in small numbers in the vicinity of local martin houses.

Tree Swallow Tachycineta bicolor
Common and widespread, also some seen at Churchill.

Northern Rough-winged Swallow Stelgidopteryx serripennis
Fine views of perched and flying birds were made near Brandon on 2nd while up to 4/day were seen in the vicinity of their nest holes along creeks in the south-west.

Sand Martin (Bank Swallow) Riparia riparia
Locally common in the vicinity of steep banks where they nested. The most on any one day was 20 on 1st.

American Cliff Swallow Petrochelidon pyrrhonota
Good numbers frequently seen in the vicinity of bridges over larger creeks and rivers. Over 500 were noted on 3rd.

Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica
Seen daily throughout the south generally near farm buildings, none at Churchill.

Buff-bellied Pipit (American Pipit) Anthus rubescens
Only at Churchill where 2 close-up displaying birds were seen daily at Cape Merry.

Up to 6 individual birds were heard and seen high overhead north-west of Melita on 4th. One of these was "taped down" and landed close by in full view where it kept singing to the delight of the group!

Golden-crowned Kinglet Regulus satrapa
2 of these uncooperative mites were first heard and then only briefly seen by some in spruce along the L Audy road on 7th.

Ruby-crowned Kinglet Regulus calendula
Seen or heard almost daily in Riding Mountain with max of 3 on 7th.

Bohemian Waxwing Bombycilla garrulus
1 elusive bird was heard in the vicinity of Twin Lakes on 10th but it was not until the following day that satisfactory looks of 1 were obtained there.

Cedar Waxwing Bombycilla cedrorum
These sleek and beautiful birds were seen in small flocks almost daily in the south with up to 60 seen on 4th.

Winter Wren Troglodytes troglodytes
Heard but not seen at two different locations in Riding Mountain.

House Wren Troglodytes aedon
Seen or heard almost daily in the south. Fairly elusive at this time of year.

Sedge Wren Cistothorus platensis
6 were heard and good scope looks obtained at some at St. Ambroise on 1st. 12 heard en route to Melita on 3rd with most of those in the vicinity of Whitewater L.

Marsh Wren Cistothorus palustris
At least 12 singing birds were at St. Ambroise in thick stands of cattail with good looks finally obtained at some. 6 were also heard at Whitewater L on 3rd.

Grey Catbird Dumetella carolinensis
Seen and more often heard almost daily in the south with a max of 9 on 4th in the south-west corner, always near thick undergrowth.

Brown Thrasher Toxostoma rufum
One of these flashy birds was seen by some at L. Manitoba on 1st but 4 were seen in the south-west corner on 4th and 1 again the following day en route to Riding Mountain.

Eastern Bluebird Sialia sialis
Seen daily in the south near nest boxes (frequently good views) with a max of 6 on 3rd. Not seen at Riding Mountain.

Mountain Bluebird Sialia currucoides
Up to 5 of these stunning birds were seen on 3rd near Pelican L. Single birds seen the following 2 days.

Veery Catharus fuscescens
3 singing birds heard in late evening near the Douglas Marsh while we were railing.

Grey-cheeked Thrush Catharus minimus
Very difficult to locate at Churchill. The call notes of 1 were heard at Twin Lakes but wouldn’t come out with the VENT group’s taping.

Swainson’s Thrush Catharus ustulatus
Singing birds were heard on 2 occasions at Riding Mountain while we were owling.

The beautiful evening songs of this thrush were heard on two occasions at Riding Mountain.

American Robin Turdus migratorius
Common and widespread, also at Churchill.

Black-capped Chickadee Poecile atricipalla
Seen or heard almost daily in the south with a max of 7 on 4th. At least 2 were regulars at feeders by the Melita motel where we stayed.

Boreal Chickadee Poecile hudsonica
One heard only at Riding Mountain on 6th. Next day there were 2 more heard with 1 seen briefly by some on 2 occasions. The best view was at Churchill with 1 feeding at Bilenduke’s feeders.

Red-breasted Nuthatch Sitta Canadensis
Good views of 1 along a trail near Clear L at Riding Mountain on 6th. Abundant last year but very scarce this year.

White-breasted Nuthatch Sitta carolinensis
Seen or heard almost daily in the south. Best views were at the Melita motel feeders where at least 2 birds were regulars.

Brown Creeper Certhia americana
One first heard (call notes and song) then seen briefly by some at Twin Lakes on 10th was also heard there again the following day.

Loggerhead Shrike Lanius ludovicianus
One of these attractive and endangered birds was seen at close range by our motel at Brandon on 1st and again there the following day. A pair was also present near Spring Valley Flats on 5th.

Great Grey Shrike (Northern Shrike) Lanius excubitor
On 10th 1 was initially seen perched some distance away at Twin Lakes before flying in closer to offer better views of itself!

Grey Jay Perisoreus canadensis
Surprisingly scarce at Riding Mountain where only 2 were heard and seen on the 7th. Best views were of a pair with their sooty juveniles at Churchill.

Blue Jay Cyanocitta cristata
Total of 7 of these colourful jays seen and heard in the south with none at Churchill.

American Magpie Pica hudsonia
Common in the south and particularly in the south-west corner. Max seen any one day was 10 on the 5th.

American Crow Corvus brachyrhynchos
Common everywhere in the south. Regional populations of this species is approaching epidemic proportions.

Common Raven Corvus corax
One of the few species seen every day of the tour!

European Starling Sturnus vulgaris
Up to 20 seen on 1st, 6 on the 4th and 2 at Churchill on 11th.

House Sparrow Passer domesticus
Almost seen daily except at Riding Mountain, common and widespread.

Yellow-throated Vireo Vireo flavifrons
3 singing birds were in the Brandon Hills with at least one of them providing distant views for some. 1 also heard at Coulter Park along the Souris River.

Blue-headed Vireo Vireo solitarius
2 heard and 1 seen along a trail in Riding Mountain on 6th with another seen by some the following day.

Warbling Vireo Vireo gilvus
At least 6 were at St. Ambroise on 1st with great looks at 3 of them. A few singing birds were also heard els