Email: birdtours [at] sasktel.net
Phone: 306 [then] 652 [then] 5975
Table of Contents
Day Tours to view and photograph Burrowing Owls
Private 1 – Day & 2 – Day Burrowing Owl Tours:
Daily: Most days from August 1 2024 – September 15 2024
Burrowing Owl Photography Tour Times: 3:00 PM – Sunset
CAD $490 per photography party with 1 or 2 persons.
Advance Registration Required
Burrowing Owl Photography Tour Description
- Join Boyd Coburn, our local professional wildlife photographer guide, for a private Burrowing Owl Photography Tour at a private pasture in southern Saskatchewan, Canada. Boyd knows this region very well. He grew up and farmed in this district.
- A pair of Burrowing Owls have nested in this private pasture this year and have raised 4 young as of late July, 2024. Because this species is very rare in Canada, it is uncertain if we will be able to offer this photography opportunity in future years.
- Burrowing Owls were once common throughout southern Saskatchewan as far north as Saskatoon. They are now an endangered species in Canada.
- Both novice and experienced bird photographers are welcome.
- Novice photographers may request the assistance of our professional wildlife photographer to help you choose the best camera settings during the tour.
- If there is only 1 photographer in your party, we recommend you use our 1-person professional bird photography blind which the guide will set up for you in the pasture near where the owl burrow. By remaining inside the blind, you minimize disturbance of the owls during your session. The photographer must lie on their belly while doing photography from this low profile blind. The blind has 3 photography portals looking forward as well as both left and right. When in this blind, you should support your camera on either a large bean bag or small tripod no taller than 6 inches. Normal tripods are not suitable for use within this low profile blind. No food in blind please. Keep water in a bottle that will not spill.
- The land owner has advised us that there are no cattle in the pasture where the owls are nesting in 2024.
- If there are 2 photographers in your party or if you prefer to photograph from a sitting position, we recommend you bring your own blind to set up at the site.
- Non-photographers in your party are welcome to remain in the comfort of your vehicle during the photography tour session. To avoid disturbing the owls and attracting cattle, nobody should be walking outside near this site during the tour.
- Lightning or Thunder. If a lightning storm is approaching, you will need to leave the blind and retreat to your vehicle for safety reasons.
- Normally late afternoon and early evening is the best time to photograph Burrowing Owls. These birds often hide underground earlier in the day.
- Participants should arrange accommodation in the town of Shaunavon, Saskatchewan. This town is located on paved highway 37, about 51 km south of the town of Gull Lake on the Trans Canada Highway. Gull Lake is 56 km west of the city of Swift Current, Saskatchewan A list of accommodation options are found elsewhere on this webpage.
- The nearest airports to Shaunavon are at Medicine Hat, Alberta (217 km), Regina, Saskatchewan (346 km) and Saskatoon, Saskatchewan (378 km).
- The tour starting point is in the village of Climax located 51 km south of Shaunavon on highway 37. You will then drive your vehicle on rural gravel roads to reach the Burrowing Owl site.
- Other possible birds in the area might include Golden Eagle, Swainson’s Hawk, Ferruginous Hawk, Prairie Falcon, American Kestrel, Sharp-tailed Grouse, Gray Partridge, Chestnut-collared Longspur, Black-billed Magpie, Brewer’s Blackbird.
- Your guide volunteers his time so that all funds support the work of Living Sky Wildlife Rehabilitation charity. The person paying for the tour will receive a tax receipt for 50% of the tour fee.
- We do NOT bait owls. Any owls we observe should be behaving naturally.
- This private tour normally begins at 3:00 pm but can start at 4:00 pm if you need to check into your hotel at 3:00 pm.
Ethical Burrowing Owl Photography Policy
We feel it is important that we follow ethical owl photography techniques when photographing owls in the wild during our tours and workshops. We suggest clients read the Owl Observation and Photography Tips suggested by Birds Canada.
Our owl observation and photography policy includes the following key points designed to avoid disturbing any owls we find. Whenever we are near an owl, we will let you know what is permitted depending upon the distance and behaviour of the owl.
- We do NOT bait owls. Baiting owls with food may alter their behaviour near people. Any owls we encounter should exhibit natural wild behaviour and may be wary of humans.
- Clients should use a telephoto lens on your camera for the best images or view the owls using binoculars or with a spotting scope.
- We normally recommend using a photographic blind to minimize disturbance to the owls. Alternately, you may use camouflage gear if you remain lying down on the ground
- In some situations, it may be best to observe and photograph owls from inside a vehicle which may act as a blind. Bring a bean bag or window mount for your camera. Also bring 2 dark pieces of cloth (t-shirts, pillow cases, towels) to cover the windows on the opposite side of your vehicle from the owls so that they are less likely to see you move inside your vehicle.
- In some circumstances, you may exit the vehicle on the side away from the owl and then crouch down to hide behind the vehicle for photography or observation.
- Avoid talking loudly or making noise when an owl is close to us. We want the owl to be able to listen for its prey.
List of Accommodation Options in Shaunavon
- Canalta Hotel 306-297-2595 Website
- Inn of the South Motel 306-297-2686
- Bear’s Den Lodge 306-297-2975 Website
If you prefer to camp, we recommend either the town campground in Eastend, Saskatchewan, the Pine Cree Regional Park campground or Grasslands National Park campground.
What to Wear
Dress for the weather.
If hot, wear light weight clothing if you plan to remain in a photographic blind. Bring a jacket or sweater if it gets cool near sunset.
Transportation
Participants on these tours need to drive their own personal or rented vehicle. RVs and vehicles pulling trailers are permitted on a private tour but not on group tours. Our half-day tour may be suitable for owners of full electric vehicles. Several Saskatoon hotels have EV charging stations.
Weather Delay
If the weather forecast is stormy, we may need to postpone the tour to a later date.
Tour Fees
The following fees apply to your party of 1 or 2 bird photographers. It is your total fee. There are no per person fees. No additional taxes. Non photographers may remain inside your vehicle during tour at no charge. We recommend the 2-day tour option in case weather or cattle prevent optimal photography conditions on 1 day.
1-day Private Burrowing Owl Tour Fee: CAD $490 (about US$350, £275) for a photography party of 1 – 2 persons. No additional taxes.
Fee includes guiding services and use of 1-person blind. The person paying for the tour will receive a tax receipt for 50% of the tour fee. Clients drive their own personal or rented vehicle. Meals, transportation, accommodation and other costs are NOT included.
Tour normally begins at Climax, Saskatchewan at 3 pm or 4 pm and ends near sunset between 8 and 9 pm.
2-day Private Burrowing Owl Tour Fee: CAD $690 (about US$495, £390) for photography party of 1 – 4 persons. No additional taxes.
Fee includes guiding services and use of 1-person blind. The person paying for the tour will receive a tax receipt for 50% of the tour fee. Clients drive their own personal or rented vehicle. Meals, transportation, accommodation and other costs are NOT included.
Tour normally begins at Climax, Saskatchewan at 3 pm or 4 pm and ends near sunset between 8 and 9 pm.
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 60 days before date of tour.
No refunds if cancellation notice received less than 60 days before date of tour unless another client takes your place.
Tour Reservations
RESERVATIONS: Please complete and submit the following form 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.
If you do not hear back from us within 24 hours, then please email: birdtours@sasktel.net or phone 306-652-5975.
Monthly Newsletter
Learn about special offers and new tours.
CLICK HERE to sign up for the monthly electronic Newsletter from Saskatoon Custom Bird Tours.
Owl Photography Workshops:
CLICK HERE for workshop details
Where is best place to see Snowy Owls?
Saskatoon is located at Center
of Snowy Owl Winter Range.
Help with Camera Settings during Snowy Owl Tours
You may request the assistance of Boyd Coburn, professional wildlife photographer during your Snowy Owl photography tour. He will ride in your vehicle and help you use the best camera settings to obtain optimal pictures with your camera and lens for the lighting conditions that you experience when photographing owls. This optional add-on is available for an extra fee of $100 on half-day tours and $200 on full-day tours. You must request this option in advance.
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Gift Certificates Available Now
GIFT CERTIFICATES: Click here for information about purchasing a gift certificate for this tour or any of our other tours.
Other Bird Photography Sessions
- Chickadee Photography Tour
December – February - Dancing Grouse Photography Sessions
April – May - Great Gray Owl Photography Sessions
December – March - Northern Hawk Owl Photography Sessions
December – March - Goose Lake Photography Tour
- Pelican Photography and Viewing Tour
Special Group Tour: September 5 - Ptarmigan Tour
December – February - Sandhill Crane Photography Sessions
September – October - Sandhill Crane Photography Workshop
October 12- 14, 2024 - Snowy Owl Photography Workshops
December 29 – 31, 2024
Other Birding Tours
- Forest Winter Birding Tour (good for Great Gray Owl and Northern Hawk Owl)
December – March - Chickadee Feeding Tour
November – April - Chaplin Shorebird Tours
Special Group Tours: August 11 & 19, 2024 - Pike Lake Park Birding Tour
Year round - President Murray Park Bird Walk
Year round - Weir Birding Tour
Year round - Whooping Crane Tours
September – October
Other Tours and Workshops: Click here to see a complete list of our upcoming tours and workshops.
Multiple Tours Discount
Can’t decide which tour to take?
Check out our multiple tours discount described here.
Proceeds support Living Sky Wildlife Rehabilitation
Information about Snowy Owl research near Saskatoon is available here.
According to international researchers the highest concentration of wintering Snowy Owls occurs near Saskatoon, Saskatchewan Canada. This behavior makes this tour your best option for finding these majestic birds.
Covid Safety Policy on Tours
- Your tour leader is fully vaccinated including booster.
- Clients must normally drive themselves in their own personal or rented vehicle. The leader will usually drive in a separate vehicle. We will use cell phones to communicate between each other during the tour.
- This policy may change when public health orders change or when Covid case numbers decrease.
- Please contact us before booking tour if you have any special requests with regard to this policy. In certain cases, if requested, leader may be willing to ride in client’s vehicle or drive client’s vehicle.
How to get to Saskatoon
Air: Saskatoon International Airport (YXE) is served by Air Canada, Westjet and their U.S. partners United and Delta.
Air Canada Star Alliance partners also include Aegean, Air China, Air India, Air New Zealand, ANA, Asiana, Austrian, Avianca, Brussels, Copa, Croatia, EgyptAir, Ethiopian, EVA, Lot, Lufthansa, SAS, Shenzhen, Singapore, South African, Swiss, TAP, Thai, Turkish, United.
Westjet international partners include AeroMexico, Air France, Air Transat, Azores, Cathay Pacific, China, China Eastern, China Southern, Delta, Emirates, Hainan, Hong Kong, Japan, KLM, Korean, LATAM, Philippine, Quantas, Virgin Atlantic, Xiamen.
Train: Saskatoon’s Train Station is served by Via Rail’s Canadian train serving Toronto, Winnipeg, Saskatoon, Edmonton, Jasper and Vancouver.
Bus: Saskatoon – Edmonton and Saskatoon – Regina bus service
Car: Saskatoon is located on Canada’s Yellowhead cross-country highway plus 6 other major highways connecting with all cities in Canada and USA. If you drive, you do not need to rent a car for our tours.
Entering Canada
CLICK HERE for government regulations for entering Canada.
My recent fully vaccinated international clients tell me there are no significant delays at the border provided they have fully completed the ArriveCan app in advance.
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