TOP 10 SPECIES

Top 10 lists are voted upon by the participants at the completion of each tour.

 

CHURCHILL & SOUTHERN MANITOBA:
7-17 June 2007

  1) NORTHERN HAWK OWL--we found a calling female along Goose Creek Road in Churchill that was incredibly cooperative and gave us fantastic scope views. We even watched it get into a bit of a tussle with a Short-eared Owl.
  2) Gray Partridge--prolonged views of a pair in a field west of Brandon.
  3) Boreal Chickadee--we had at least two close encounters, on at Churchill, the other in Riding Mountain.
  4) King Eider--we saw three adult drakes at the mouth of the Churchill River after a major wind and snow storm.
  5) Upland Sandpiper--several indiduals put on fantastic shows near Whitewater Lake south of Brandon.
  6) Willow Ptarmigan--these beautiful birds are always a bit hit at Churchill. They were seen well and greatly appreciated.
  7) Red Phalarope--we had scope views of two breeding-plumaged birds, another result of our Churchill snowstorm.
  8) American Golden-Plover--a simply gorgeous breeding shorebird at Churchill.
  9) Nelson's Sharp-tailed Sparrow--a cooperative bird near Whitewater led to scope views and photos from 25 feet.
10) Ross's Gull--once again we were lucky enough to find the first Ross's Gull of the season in Churchill, a truly rare find.

Over the course of three consecutive days we saw three different Black Bears at Riding Mountain National Park: a rich brown one, a jet black one, and a blonde one that was in the process of shedding its winter coat. Churchill yielded a large herd of Bearded Seals and a family of Red Foxes that included the two adults and five young pups. We also saw a Coyote, Snowshoe Hares, White-tailed Jackrabbit, and an introduced European Hare. Orchids put on a nice show with numerous Yellow Lady Slippers and a few Coral Root.

 

CHURCHILL AND SOUTHERN MANITOBA
7-17 June 2007
Co-Leaders Bob Schutsky and Kim Schutsky
Trip Report by Kim Schutsky

The air temperature was brisk, the landscape slightly barren, and the ice floes in Hudson Bay were thick, when an intrepid group of birding adventurers deplaned in the sub-arctic outpost of Churchill, Manitoba. Located on the southwest shores of Hudson Bay, Churchill is only accessible via train or plane. The 1200 residents earn their livelihoods mainly through ecotourism (Polar Bears, Beluga Whales, and birds are the main attractions) and the shipping of grain from the port.

Co-leaders Bob and Kim Schutsky had already been in town for 24 hours and had scouted the area for a few key species. Weary from their day of travel, after dinner the Bird Treks entourage piled into the van to locate the Northern Shrike and Northern Hawk Owl found earlier that day.

Two separate rock cairns along the dirt road to the water pumping station marked where the birds had been earlier. As we approached the first, all eyes looked left to spot a tree top bird. “There!” came a shout from the back, and there it was, a Northern Shrike elegantly perched atop a dead snag. It flitted about a bit - edging closer and closer to the van. Striking looks … but not as striking as the views we had of the Northern Hawk Owl further down the road. We watched it to our hearts' content, walking as close to it as we possibly could. It called gently, turned on its perch to give us different views, and was what the birdwatching world refers to as a “very cooperative bird”. Two local but rare specialties located within hours of touchdown, and all this before 10:30 pm, when the sun sank through a brilliant array of colored clouds.

For the next three and a half days, the group tirelessly birded all accessible areas of Churchill. We frequented the grain spill along the railroad tracks near the port granaries for Lapland Longspur, Snow Bunting, Ruddy Turnstone, Sanderling, and a single Red Knot. Goose Creek Road, which took us further upriver, produced all the usual ducks, shorebirds, and gulls - including the Little, Sabine's, and the first Ross's Gull of the season - and a herd of Bearded Seals. Many hours were spent scouring the trees and grounds surrounding the Bilenduke feeders, hours which paid off with amazing views of Boreal Chickadee, Gray Jay, Fox Sparrow, Common Redpoll and Pine Grosbeak, and a fleeting glimpse of a Harris's Sparrow. Multiple trips were made to the granary ponds and further west to Cape Merry at the mouth of the Churchill River. The stellar birds found on the granary ponds were a pair of breeding- plumaged Red Phalaropes, while at Cape Merry we rejoiced at distant, but fantastic scope views of three drake King Eiders. There's only one other locale all Churchill birders visit - Twin Lakes and the scenic and productive drive out there. Willow Ptarmigan, Ross's Goose, Pacific Loon, and Bohemian Waxwings delighted the group. Short-eared Owls were seen daily and the family of Red Foxes was quite entertaining.

Five days into our trip, we found ourselves back at 30,000 feet, making a speedy return to Winnipeg, where we would spend one night before driving west toward Riding Mountain National Park. A quick venture was made to Oak Hammock Marsh where a large inventory of shorebirds, freshwater ducks, rails, and common marsh species were easily observed. A Sedge Wren nearly landed on the iPod speaker that was used to lure it out of the marsh. We all enjoyed a relaxing picnic in the warmth of the sun while a plethora of chattering Richardson's Ground Squirrels did their best to make off with the crumbs.

Day six - another travel day - northwest to Riding Mountain National Park and our two-night home on the shores of the glacially-made Clear Lake. The habitats of Riding Mountain differed greatly from those of Churchill, as did the birds. Freshwater lakes and densely wooded forests produced Franklin's Gull, Forster's Tern, Black-billed Cuckoo, several flycatchers, Evening Grosbeak, and warblers galore (Tennessee, Orange-crowned, Cape May, and Blackburnian to name a few). A male Scarlet Tanager was unusual along the main street of the village. The Black Bears were also a highlight of Riding Mountain. We were lucky enough to see three different pelages - black, brown, and pale yellow - lumbering about the roadsides.

Our final birding destination was Brandon. Located due south of Riding Mountain and due west of Winnipeg, Brandon also afforded the group access to new habitat and new birds. Our time was split equally between various wetlands including Douglas Marsh, Oak Lake, and Whitewater Lake (an inland saline lake), and miles upon miles of gorgeous rolling fields. The blue ribbon winner of the Douglas Marsh is the rare Yellow Rail. We set up camp amongst the lightning bugs and Marsh Wrens and patiently waited, while the sun set across the marsh, for the distinct clicking and ticking of the Yellow Rail. As dusk changed to dark we heard the first one calling, but although the hours passed, we never got a glimpse of the elusive bird. Oak Lake was a “hey, why don't we drive this route instead” kind of detour. No doubt the extension will stay on future itineraries. Oak Lake itself was beautiful with access to open water and marshy backwaters. The surrounding Oak Lake Sand Hills were equally as unique and home to many trip birds including Eastern and Mountain Bluebirds, Baltimore Oriole, and Lark Sparrow. Prior to our detour to Oak Lake, we spent a few hours in awe of the thousands of waders and waddlers at Whitewater Lake. You have to see it for yourself, that's all there is to it.

Brandon's endless expanses of fields were both abloom with brilliant flowers and a-flight with impressive birds. Three Gray Partridges strutted in a field spitting distance from the group for fifteen minutes. Upland Sandpiper was a cinch as it sat tall and giraffe-necked on a fence post directly across from the van. When not watching this oddly proportioned bird, you could scan your binoculars two fields of view to the right to study the Nelson's Sharp-tailed Sparrow that sat four feet from the scope. A Ferruginous Hawk effortlessly soared above the field near its nest. A nesting Western Wood-Pewee didn't stray far from its home territory. Bobolink sat upright in the grasses, displaying their brilliant gold, black, and white plumage. Aside from the constant challenge of sparrow identification, birding the fields seemed easy and relaxed.

Eleven days and 210 bird species later, the weary but happy travelers departed for other corners of the earth, with happy memories of a wonderful tour. Please consider joining us next year. The dates of the Churchill & Southern Manitoba Tour are 6-16 June 2008. Two people are already registered for this wonderful birding adventure.

 

CUSTOM MANITOBA:
10-17 June 2006

  1) NORTHERN HAWK OWL--Lengthy and incredibly close views of 4 newly-fledged young and one adult near Pinawa. What an experience!
  2) Black-backed Woodpecker--Close looks at a female at Twin Lakes in Churchill.
  3) Willow Ptarmigan--Repeated good views at Churchill, especially the one on the gravel mound with the Canadian flag in the background.
  4) Spruce Grouse--A displaying male in the spruce forest at Twin Lakes.
  5) Pacific Loon--Many at Churchill, but the nesting birds put on especially good shows.
  6) Virginia Rail--Taped a very cooperative bird into point-blank range at Oak Hammock Marsh. What a view!
  7) Smith's Longspur--three males in a territorial dispute at Churchill.
  8) Little Blue Heron--A 1-year old bird at Akudlik. This was only the second Churchille record.
  9) Bohemian Waxwing--multiple sightings at Twin Lakes.
10) Short-eared Owl--two birds hunting and perching near the Churchill granary.
11) American Bittern--several in flight, one perched for a very good view along Goose Creek Road in Churchille.

Additional highlights included large numbers of Beluga Whales in the Churchill River, a young Black Bear in Whiteshell Provincial Park, roadside Showy Orchids on the road to Whitemouth Bog, and numerous White Admiral butterflies. We also saw Bearded, Ringed and Harbor Seals, an easy-going Arctic Hare, a very speedy White-tailed Jackrabbit, and a large colony of Richardson's Ground Squirrels. Standing on the ice on Hudson Bay and boating among the floe ice was quite an experience.

 

CHURCHILL & SOUTHERN MANITOBA:
5-15 June 2003

  1) NORTHERN HAWK OWL--incredible looks at this totally unexpected bird, plus we heard it calling!
  2) Ross's Gull--a close adult bird and the first Churchill sighting of the season.
  3) Willow Ptarmigan--multiple birds, but we were especially impressed by the one taking a dust bath.
  4) Gray Partridge--two pairs in one day: WOW!
  5) Little Gull--a simply spectacular bird, and we saw adults daily at Churchill.
  6) Three-toed Woodpecker--great scope views of a male.
  7) Le Conte's Sparrow--superb scope view at Douglas Marsh.
  8) Black-backed Woodpecker--a pair feeding young at close range.
  9) Connecticut Warbler--great looks at an otherwise elusive species.
10) Spruce Grouse--two males along a beautiful woodland trail.

Nice mammals at Churchill included many close looks at Beluga Whales, two Bearded Seals, numerous Arctic Hares, and several black-phase Red Fox, which was new to all of us. In the southern portion of the province we found two Black Bears, an Elk, and a Coyote that was visiting a Black-tailed Prairie Dog town. The biggest surprise was a Short-tailed Weasel (Ermine) carrying a vole that was probably as heavy as it was. It carried it down a gravel road toward us until it was only ten feet away! The vole was so heavy the the weasel had to rest after every few steps.

 

CHURCHILL & SOUTHERN MANITOBA:
7-15 June 2002

  1) WILLOW PTARMIGAN--as many as 12 in one day on the tundra, with several of them calling.
  2) Short-eared Owl--many sightings, with some catching voles at Riding Mountain.
  3) Yellow Rail--one of the most sought after birds in North America, in the beam of our spotlight.
  4) Spruce Grouse--two displaying males, sometimes only three feet from us!
  5) Pacific Loon--beautiful silky-plumaged pairs on many of the ponds and lakes at Churchill.
  6) Bohemian Waxwing--great looks on our day at Twin Lakes.
  7) Arctic Tern--almost constantly in sight at Churchill.
  8) Connecticut Warbler--a singing male in the scope for all to see at Riding Mountain.
  9) Sprague's Pipit--we witnessed both the prolonged aerial display and the male perched in the short-grass prairie.
10) Smith's Longspur--great looks at this striking bird of the tundra.

We also enjoyed the pods of Beluga Whales at the mouth of the Churchill River, the female Red Fox nursing her 5 pups and the male fox carrying a Hudsonian Godwit toward the den, and the female Black Bear with 2 cubs feeding on dandelions at Riding Mountain. The White-tailed Deer that turned away a large stalking Coyote and sent it running was also a very exciting moment, as was the Merlin dust bathing in the road!

 

CHURCHILL & SOUTHEAST MANITOBA:
8-16 June 2001

  1) SMITH'S LONGSPUR
  2) Ross's Gull
  3) Great Gray Owl
  4) Connecticut Warbler
  5) Willow Ptarmigan
  6) Bohemian Waxwing
  7) Little Gull
  8) Sharp-tailed Grouse
  9) Gray Jay
10) Harris's Sparrow

That is undeniably THE MOST impressive Top 10 list that I've ever seen for a North American Tour! Also enjoyed by all were the Beluga Whales feeding at the mouth of the Churchill River and the Fisher swimming to shore in a remote lake.

 


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