Birdwatching North America with Birdingpaltours
If you are an independent bird watcher who does not care for large group tours then Birdingpaltours is for you.
Do you like to bird with a couple of friends or by yourself, then we have the perfect arrangement for you.
Our tours are flexible, safe and the use of a local guide lets you participate in the planning.
The local guide knows all the hotspots. No more driving around trying to find birds. They will be found for you.
Our tours invariably cost less than the larger organized tours and you get the most out of your trip because you are a member of a small group. Our experience has shown that in trying to organize your own tour you can end up with hidden and unexpected costs.
The Birdingpaltour Birdwatching Experience.
We are birders ourselves and we know what you want. We know that often your time is limited. So we’ll design a tour to fit your needs. We have done the research, we know the best places to go and the best time to go and best of all we’ll provide you with a local guide who knows where the best places are. We’ll also provide you with a self-drive rental car, accommodations and some meals. We’ll provide you with maps and entrance fees into parks. Our tours are flexible, they will fit in with your schedule, 3 or 4 or 6 days you decide. You will be safe as you will be accompanied by a local guide. Our group size limit is 4 people, so
you won’t miss a bird because you are at the end of a long line of birders on a single file trail.
Birdwatching in Manitoba
Winnipeg is the capital city of Manitoba and is almost the geographical centre of North America. It is an ideal place to bird as it combines Western and Eastern birds of Canada. Birders can experience marsh, pot hole and prairie birding along with park land and forest species with a total list of over 300 birds. There are numerous great places to bird in and around Winnipeg; the hard part is selecting where to go.
We have put together two trips to provide the visiting birdwatcher with a sampling of habitats. Our first trip goes east into Ontario and the Rainey River district. The second goes west and explores the Riding Mountain National Park area. If you like you can add on a side trip to Churchill, Manitoba to experience some Arctic birding and perhaps see the Lord of the North, the
mighty Polar Bear.
Birdingpaltours offers three birding tours in Manitoba
4 day Winnipeg/Rainey River Experience
6 day Winnipeg/Riding Mountain National Park Experience
4 day Churchill Experience
Tour I
THE WINNIPEG/RAINY RIVER EXPERIENCE
Day 1.
Oak Hammock Marsh.
Today after meeting your local guide you will drive a short distance north to the famous Oak Hammock Marsh. This vast marsh has been declared a Ramsar site and is home to an amazing number of birds. Look for Yellow-headed and Red-winged Blackbirds, Pied-billed, Eared and Western Grebes. If lucky you should find American Avocets, among the Lesser and Greater Yellowlegs, Killdeers and Marbled Godwits. American White Pelicans and Double-crested Cormorants
can be found here along with Great Blue Herons and American Bittern and Black-crowned Night Heron. Marsh Wrens sing everywhere
in the reeds and Common Yellowthroats are common. Canvasbacks, Green-winged Teal and Lesser Scaup are among the many duck
species in this vast marsh. Black, Common, Forster’s and Caspian Terns can be seen flying over the area along with the
occasional Northern Harrier. Western Kingbirds are possible near the visitor’s centre.
Lunch and overnight in Winnipeg.
Day 2.
Drive to Rainey River/The Trans Canada Highway/Whiteshell Provincial Park.
You and your local guide will stop a various spots along the Trans-Canada Highway, especially in Whiteshell Provincial Park. Possible birds include Blue Jay and Yellow-bellied Flycatcher, Three-toed and Black-backed Woodpecker.
Breakfast, Lunch and overnight in Rainy River Area.
"Black-backed Woodpecker"
Day 3.
Rainy River.
Today we will bird the famous Rainey River Area. This area is a magnet for western birders and birders from Southern Ontario and
Quebec as it is a true meeting place for Eastern and Western birds. You will be looking for such specialties as American White Pelican, Ruddy Duck, Sharp-tailed Grouse, Yellow Rail, Piping Plover, Marbled Godwit, Wilson’s Phalarope, Franklin’s Gull, Western Kingbird, Black-billed Magpie, Yellow-throated Vireo, Brewer’s Blackbird, Connecticut Warbler, Western Meadowlark, Clay-coloured Sparrow and LeConte’s Sparrow. There are numerous other species expected in a day's birding around Rainy River and these are just some of the highlights.
Breakfast, Lunch and overnight Rainey River.
Day 4.
Back to Winnipeg.
Today you will head back to Winnipeg. You will also spend some time in Winnipeg proper, birding in Assiniboine Park for example.
The tour ends this afternoon in Winnipeg.
Breakfast and Lunch.
Please note:
The itinerary described in these notes is intended as an example only. In the event of weather changes, logistical arrangements, or other problems, Birdingpaltours may make changes to the published itinerary. Birdingpaltours reserves the right to make changes in guides, rental cars and accommodations.
4 Days tour price is: 2 People C$805 per person. 4 People C$575 per person.
Please ask for single supplement rates.
Convert your tour cost into your currency of choice.
Included:
Rental Car For 4 days, 4 Breakfasts, 4 Lunches, 3 nights accommodation, Local guides and Entrance Fees
Excluded:
Gasoline and insurance for the car, Dinners, Alcoholic drinks, Phone calls of a personal nature, Costs incurred due to mechanical failure of the rental vehicle or other emergencies and Fines or tolls.
Tour II
THE WINNIPEG/RIDING MOUTAIN NATIONAL PARK EXPERIENCE
Day 1.
Oak Hammock Marsh.
Today after meeting your local guide you will drive a short distance north to the famous Oak Hammock Marsh. This vast marsh has been declared a Ramsar site and is home to an amazing number of birds. Look for Yellow-headed and Red-winged Blackbirds, Pied-billed, Eared and Western Grebes. If lucky you should find American Avocets, among the Lesser and Greater Yellowlegs, Killdeers and Marbled Godwits. American White Pelicans and Double-crested Cormorants
can be found here along with Great Blue Herons and American Bittern and Black-crowned Night Heron. Marsh Wrens sing everywhere
in the reeds and Common Yellowthroats are common. Canvasbacks, Green-winged Teal and Lesser Scaup are among the many duck
species in this vast marsh. Black, Common, Forster’s and Caspian Terns can be seen flying over the area along with the
occasional Northern Harrier. Western Kingbirds are possible near the visitor’s centre.
Lunch and overnight in Winnipeg.
"Canada Warbler"
Day 2 to 4.
Riding Mountain National Park.
Today you’ll drive to the famous Riding Mountain National Park. The park is situated on part of the Manitoba Escarpment and
forms a wildlife “island” in the middle of extensive farmlands. It is home to a captive Bison herd, Wolves, Black Bear and
Moose. It features vast expanses of Boreal Forest, Eastern Deciduous forest and extensive prairies. These different habitats are home to a great variety of birds. You will be looking for, among others, American Widgeon, Green-winged Teal, Bufflehead, Common Merganser, Ring-necked Duck, Broad-winged Hawk, Merlin, Ruffed Grouse, Spotted Sandpiper, Ring-billed Gull, Mourning Dove, Great Horned Owl, Common Nighthawk, Ruby-throated Humming Bird, Pileated Woodpecker, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Great Crested Flycatcher, Olive-sided Flycatcher, Tree Swallow, Black-billed Magpie, Boreal Chickadee, House Wren, Mountain Bluebird, Hermit Thrush, American Redstart, Blackburnian Warbler, Black-throated Green Warbler, Chestnut-sided Warbler, Northern Waterthrush, Chipping Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Brown-headed Cowbird, and Purple Finch. You will spend several days here to make sure that you cover each of the varied habitats.
Breakfast, Lunch and B&B near Riding Mountain National Park.
Day 5.
Douglas Marsh.
Douglas Marsh is an IBA, an important bird area in Canada. Birders come here to look for Yellow Rail. You will spend some time here looking or listening for this elusive species. Virginia Rails and Sora also nest here along with Leconte’s Sparrow and Nelson’s Sharp-tailed Sparrow and Sedge Wrens nest in the hundreds. As you return to Winnipeg you will expore the farmlands
along the secondary roads off the main highways looking for Swainson’s and Ferruginous Hawks and Northern Harriers. American Kestrels use the fences and telephone wire to hunt for their grasshopper prey. Lark Sparrows are fairly common as are Vesper and Savannah Sparrows.
Breakfast, lunch and B&B near Brandon.
Day 6.
Return to Winnipeg.
Today you will do some birding around the city of Winnipeg itself and in particular you will visit Assiniboine Park, a famous natural area in the city.
Breakfast.
If you decide to do the Churchill extension this itinerary may vary slightly.
Please note:
The itinerary described in these notes is intended as an example only. In the event of weather changes, logistical arrangements, or other problems, Birdingpaltours may make changes to the published itinerary. Birdingpaltours reserves the right to make changes in guides, rental cars and accommodations.
6 Days tour price is: 2 People C$1190 per person. 4 People C$740 per person.
Please ask for single supplement rates.
Convert your tour cost into your currency of choice.
Included:
Rental Car For 6 days, 5 Breakfasts, 5 Lunches, 5 nights accommodation, Local guides and Entrance Fees
Excluded:
Gasoline and insurance for the car, Dinners, Alcoholic drinks, Phone calls of a personal nature.
THE CHURCHILL EXPERIENCE
Churchill, an old granary port on the shores of Hudson Bay, has long been the first port of call for those who want to visit the near Arctic. From the early days of the Fur Trade and the search for the North West Passage, explorers have used Churchill as a base. Today it has retained its status as a place where people can easily access the Arctic, especially bird watchers. It is
here that they can see northern birds not easily seen in the south and also experience "southern" birds nesting and on
territory. Lately Churchill has become famous as a nesting site for the very rare Ross's Gull, attracting birding visitors from all over. The other main attractions are the Polar Bears of Churchill. Most likely seen in the fall as they wait for the sea ice to form, they can also be seen at other times of the year. In the mouth of the Churchill River and Bay, it is possible to see hundreds of Beluga Whales. Arctic Foxes are plentiful on the Tundra as is their prey, the ubiquitous Arctic Hare. Churchill is a delightful place to visit not only for the birds but also for the culture and to meet the wonderful aboriginal peoples in their environment.
"Polar Bears"
Your tour of Churchill and your activities will depend a lot on the weather and if any rare birds are reported. Although there is
a lot of territory to cover, actual roads are limited so you can cover all the areas of interest quite easily.
Tour III
THE CHURCHILL EXPERIENCE
Day 1.
Fly to Churchill
You will meet your local guide today and be taken to your hotel or B&B to freshen up after the short flight from Winnipeg. You will spend the rest of the day being introduced to the wonderful world of Churchill birding. Bonaparte`s Gull`s nesting on the tops of small spruce trees. Stilt Sandpipers scolding from telegraph wires. Nesting Black-bellied Plovers allowing close encounters as they rely on their wonderful camouflage to remain undiscovered. Parasitic Jaegers patrolling their nest sites and driving off intruders and occasionally a Long-tailed Jaeger will fly by Cape Merry.
Lunch and overnight Churchill.
"Ross's Gull"
Day 2 and 3.
Churchill.
The great thing about Churchill birding is that everywhere is close and you can access any of the birding areas quickly, so for the next two days you will cover areas such as Cape Merry and the entrance to the Churchill River. Small groups of Pacific and Red-throated Loons forage in among the Beluga Whales and you should expect rarities such as a Harlequin Duck or even a King
Eider among the waterfowl. This is a good place to see Black and Surf Scoter. You will visit the Akudlik Marsh where perhaps a Ross`s Gull has taken up residence on one of the small islands. Although they haven’t nested here recently juvenile birds are still being seen around Churchill meaning that they must be nesting nearby.
The Granary Ponds will be a mandatory stop each day to see what may have arrived. The ponds are a well known stop over for birds migrating farther north. Many species of shorebirds roost here including Red Phalarope, Hudsonian Godwit and Short-billed Dowitcher and there may be an occasional Sabine`s Gull among the Lapland longspurs and Snow Buntings. Arctic Terns, Little and Thayer’s Gulls are common, as are Long-tailed Ducks, and Greater Scaup.
The days are long in the summer and you may be able to call out Yellow Rails from the roadside in the marshes along Goose Creek Road in the early evening. The marshy tundra should also have Swamp Sparrow, Nelson’s Sharp-tailed Sparrow, Rusty Blackbird and Northern Waterthrush. You should also check the Black Spruce stands for Spruce Grouse and Bohemian Waxwings. The willows and low shrubs should yield Blackpoll, Orange-crowned, Yellow and Yellow-rumped Warblers. As you walk on some parts of the tundra you will have to be careful as there are many nesting shore birds which remain on their nests until the last minute before flushing.
Lunch and overnight Churchill.
Day 4.
Flight to Winnipeg.
Today, depending on our flight times you may get in some more birding before your plane departs. Your tour ends today on your return to the Churchill airport.
Lunch.
Please note: The itinerary described in these notes is intended as an example only. We will design a tour that fits your time constraints and interests if you wish. In the event of weather changes, logistical arrangements, or other problems, Birdingpaltours may make changes to the published itinerary. Birdingpaltours reserves the right to make changes in guides,
rental cars and accommodations.
4 Days tour price is: 2 People C$710 per person. 4 People C$470 per person.
Please ask for single supplement rates.
Convert your tour cost into your currency of choice.
Included:
3 Lunches, 3 nights accommodation, Local guides and Entrance Fees
Excluded:
Dinners, Alcoholic drinks, Phone calls of a personal nature and airfair.
Notes:
The above birding itineraries are based on what are essentially popular routes for birders. It can be shortened or extended.
All the date of itineraries include arrival and departure dates.
All trips are available year round, but prices may be adjusted around special holidays.
Minimum lead time 4 weeks.
To check availability for tours on short notice, fill out “Request for Quote” form with desirable dates.
Fitness:
Moderate but quite a bit of walking involved on mostly flat terrain.
Electronic map of Manitoba
Guide books and CD’s recommended:
National Geographic Field Guide to the Birds of North America, 5th edition
The Sibley Field Guide to Birds of Eastern North America, D Sibley Knopf 2003
Peterson Guide to Western Birds
Find lowest prices here
Bird Recordings from Manitoba
www.birdsounds.nl
Complete package tour including air and ground fares is available upon request:
Many of our destinations require multiple flight connections, and it is very important you are protected if complications arise. Our experienced travel consultants are well trained in booking complicated itineraries, not only to obtain the most economical pricing, but also to make sure you are protected, should delays or other complications occur.
For a quote please request it on the form below.
Note: To ascertain tour availability and best pricing, select a week for departure date. e.g. Sep 01 - 07
Need more information please email us.
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