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.

My Name *

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Names of additional persons travelling in my vehicle during tour

My Email *

My Cell Phone *

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Mailing address needed for tax receipt.

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

• Private 1 – Day (4 – 6 hour) Burrowing Owl Photography Tour
• Private 2 – Day (4 – 6 hour) Burrowing Owl Photography Tour

Select all that apply. We will email payment instructions to you. Deductions available if you can transport leader in a non-smoking vehicle.

I prefer the following date(s) for the private tour(s):

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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 in photography blind or anywhere outside your vehicle during tour.

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