Blackstrap Lake Birding and Bird Photography Tour

Private Half Day Tours

Private Blackstrap Lake Birding Tours Available on most dates: mid-April – early November

For a quote, email your proposed date to birdtours [at] sasktel [dot] net

Public Half Day Group Tours

Afternoon Group Birding Tours to Blackstrap Lake:

From $135 per vehicle with 1 – 3 persons
Advance Registration Required.

• Sat. May 4, 2024 from 1:30 PM – 4:30 PM
• Fri. May 10, 2024 from 1:30 PM – 4:30 PM
• Fri. May 24, 2024 from 1:30 PM – 4:30 PM
• Fri. May 31, 2024 from 1:30 PM – 4:30 PM
• Fri. June 28, 2024 from 1:30 PM – 4:30 PM
• Tue. July 16, 2024 from 1:30 PM – 4:30 PM
• Sat. July 27, 2024 from 1:30 PM – 4:30 PM
• Sat. August 3, 2024 from 1:30 PM – 4:30 PM
• Sun. August 11, 2024 from 1:30 PM – 4:30 PM
• Sun. August 25, 2024 from 1:30 PM – 4:30 PM
• Sat. August 31, 2024 from 1:30 PM – 4:30 PM

Self-Drive Birding Tour

ESTIMATED DRIVING DISTANCE: 120 km

Blackstrap Lake Birding Tour may be joined at either

• Wild Birds Unlimited Store, 2600 8th St E in Saskatoon
• Mountain View Picnic Site in Blackstrap Lake Provincial Park (35 minutes later)

Where can you see prairie lakes birds in Canada?

Blackstrap Lake Birding Tour and Bird Photography Tour Description

Join our experienced local birding guide for a 3 hour driving tour to visit some of the best bird-rich hotspots in the Saskatoon region in and near Blackstrap Lake Provincial Park. We will visit deep water regions for viewing diving ducks and pelicans. We will also visit shallow ponds for observing dabbling ducks, grebes and wetland sparrows, rails and other marsh birds. Over 175 bird species may be found here between May and September.

Novice and experienced bird watchers are especially welcome. A loaner pair of binoculars may be available if requested. The leader will bring a spotting scope to allow you to view the water birds under high magnification.

Good opportunities for bird photography.

This Blackstrap Lake Birding Tour is ideal for low-mobility clients because they may remain in their vehicle during most of this driving tour.

A checklist of Saskatchewan birds is available HERE.

Blackstrap Lake Private Birding Tour Times

Morning Tours: 9 AM – 12 Noon
Afternoon Tours: 1:30 PM – 4:30 PM

Suggested items to Bring:

• Clothes suitable for the weather (rain coat, hat, walking shoes, etc.)
• Water bottle
• Binoculars and camera or spotting scope (optional)

Transportation

Participants on these tours need to drive their own personal or rented vehicle. RVs and vehicles pulling trailers are permitted on private tours but are not recommended. Owners of full electric vehicles should have sufficient range for this tour if they charge up at Saskatoon. Several Saskatoon motels have charging stations.

Carpooling on Group Tour

If you would like to share the costs of a group tour with other interested birders, then complete the Carpooling Section of the Registration Request Form below or email the tour name, your name, phone number and email address to birdtours@sasktel.net

Accommodation Options

• Saskatoon has many hotels and motels
• Dundurn (closest town) has a motel
• Camping available in Blackstrap Park

TOUR FEE – Blackstrap Lake Birding Tour

Private Blackstrap Lake Birding Tour Fee: CA$290 (about US$215, £175) per vehicle for a party of 1 – 4 persons. Taxes included.
Fee covers expert guiding services during 3 hour tour.
Meals, transportation and accommodation are NOT included.
SAVE $40 if you have room to transport leader in your vehicle from Saskatoon and back.

Public Blackstrap Lake Group Birding Tour Fee: CA$175 (about US$130, £105) per vehicle for a party of 1 – 4 persons. Taxes included.
Fee covers expert guiding services during 3 hour tour.
Meals, transportation and accommodation are NOT included.
SAVE $40 if you have room to transport leader in your vehicle from Saskatoon and back.
This tour begins at 1:30 AM and returns at 4:30 PM.  It is limited to a maximum of 5 vehicles plus the leader. Advance booking required.

TAX RECEIPT: A tax receipt for 50% of the tour fee will be issued to the person paying for the tour.

CANCELLATION POLICY: Refunds less a $50 administration fee will be given if cancellation notice received 14 days before date of tour.
No refunds if cancellation notice received less than 14 days before date of tour unless another client takes your place.

Reservation for Blackstrap Lake Birding Tour

RESERVATIONS: Please complete and submit the form below or email us your full name(s), mailing address, email address and requested tour dates.

E-mail: birdtours@sasktel.net
Phone: 306-652-5975

Full payment due at time of booking. Payment instruction will be emailed to you after registration form is received.

My Name *

First

Last

Names of additional persons travelling in my vehicle during tour

My Email *

My Cell Phone *

Use landline if you don’t have a cell phone.

My Mailing Address *

Mailing address needed for tax receipt.

I (We) would like to register for the following tour *

• Private Blackstrap Lake Birding Tour (CAD $290 per vehicle for a party of 1 – 4 persons)
• Sat. May 4, 2024 Blackstrap Lake Group Birding Tour starting at 1:30 PM (CAD $175 per vehicle for a party of 1 – 4 persons)
• Fri. May 10, 2024 Blackstrap Lake Group Birding Tour starting at 1:30 PM (CAD $175 per vehicle for a party of 1 – 4 persons)
• Fri. May 24, 2024 Blackstrap Lake Group Birding Tour starting at 1:30 PM (CAD $175 per vehicle for a party of 1 – 4 persons)
• Fri. May 31, 2024 Blackstrap Lake Group Birding Tour starting at 1:30 PM (CAD $175 per vehicle for a party of 1 – 4 persons)
• Fri. June 28, 2024 Blackstrap Lake Group Birding Tour starting at 1:30 PM (CAD $175 per vehicle for a party of 1 – 4 persons)
• Tue. July 16, 2024 Blackstrap Lake Group Birding Tour starting at 1:30 PM (CAD $175 per vehicle for a party of 1 – 4 persons)
• Sat. July 27, 2024 Blackstrap Lake Group Birding Tour starting at 1:30 PM (CAD $175 per vehicle for a party of 1 – 4 persons)
• Sat. August 3, 2024 Blackstrap Lake Group Birding Tour starting at 1:30 PM (CAD $175 per vehicle for a party of 1 – 4 persons)
• Sun. August 11, 2024 Blackstrap Lake Group Birding Tour starting at 1:30 PM (CAD $175 per vehicle for a party of 1 – 4 persons)
• Sun. August 25, 2024 Blackstrap Lake Group Birding Tour starting at 1:30 PM (CAD $175 per vehicle for a party of 1 – 4 persons)
• Sat. August 31, 2024 Blackstrap Lake Group Birding Tour starting at 1:30 PM (CAD $175 per vehicle for a party of 1 – 4 persons)
• I have room to transport leader in my personal or rented vehicle from Saskatoon (SAVE $40)

Select all that applies.

I (We) plan to join this tour at *

• Saskatoon’s Wild Birds Unlimited Store, 2600 8th St E in Saskatoon
• Mountain View Picnic Area in Blackstrap Park (35 minues later)

I prefer the following date for this private tour:

Alternative dates for a private tour could be:

Carpooling on Group Tour

• I (We) have space in our vehicle to transport 1 person willing to share costs.
• I (We) have space in our vehicle to transport 2 persons willing to share costs.
• I (We) prefer to ride in another person’s vehicle and will share costs.
• I (We) cannot drive and need to ride in another person’s vehicle and will share costs.

Check the best answer.

I request to

• borrow a pair of binoculars if available during tour.

Smoking Restrictions *

• At least 1 member of my party is a smoker.
• All members of my party are non-smokers.

Smoking is allowed only inside your own personal vehicle. No smoking is permitted outside during birding stops or hikes.

Some Bird species I hope to see include:

Comment or Message

Submit

If you do not hear back from us within 24 hours, then please email: birdtours@sasktel.net or phone 306-652-5975.

Tour Guide for Blackstrap Lake Birding Tour

Tour Guide: Stan Shadick. Click for more information about your tour guide.