Ferry Birding Tour – 4 hours with awesome river birds ♿

Ferry Birding Tour – Saskatoon

Ferry Birding Tour on South Saskatchewan River

HALF Day Tours

Private Tours

Private Ferry Birding Tours Available: mid-May – September

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

Public Group Tours

Upcoming Group Ferry Birding Tour:

From $150 per vehicle with 1 – 3 persons.

  • Tue. September 10, 2024 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM

Self-Drive Birding Tour

Estimated Return Driving Distance: 150 km

Ferry Birding Tour may be joined at either

  • Flying J Travel Centre, 3850 Idylwyld Drive N in Saskatoon
  • Warman area 15 minutes later – Phone 306 then 652 then 5975 to discuss meeting location.

Where can you see river birds from ferries in Saskatchewan?

Ferry Birding Tour Description

Join our experienced local birding guide for a 4 hour driving tour that will cross the South Saskatchewan River at two ferry crossings, north of Saskatoon (Clarkboro Ferry and Hague Ferry). From these ferries, we will watch for raptors, pelicans, herons, gulls and terns We will also take short walks along the wooded shoreline at the ferry crossings watching for nesting orioles, vireos, warblers, flycatchers, sparrows and other songbirds. While driving between ferry crossings, we will stop at any good spots to see birds.

We may also make a stop at Fish Creek Historic Site where some of Gabriel Dumont’s men held off General Middleton during the Battle of Tourond’s Coulee on April 24, 1885.

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 on private tours.

This Ferry 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.

Ferry Birding Tour Times

Morning Tours: 8 AM – 12 Noon
Afternoon Tours: 1 PM – 5 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

TOUR FEE – Ferry Birding Tour

Private Ferry Birding Tour Fee: CA$290 (about US$215, £175) for a party of 1 – 4 persons. Taxes included.
Fee covers expert guiding services during 4 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 Ferry Group Birding Tour Fee: CA$190 (about US$140, £115) per vehicle for a party of 1 – 4 persons. Taxes included.
Fee covers expert guiding services during 4 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 1:00 PM and returns at 5:00 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.

Tax Receipts

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 Ferry 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.

Use landline if you don’t have a cell phone.
Mailing address needed for tax receipt.
Select all that applies.
Smoking is allowed only inside your own personal vehicle. No smoking is permitted outside during birding stops or hikes.

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 Ferry Birding Tour

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

Stan Shadick – Tour Leader

 

Blackstrap Lake Birdwatching Tour
Ruddy Duck by Nick Saunders
Horned Grebe by Nick Saunders
American White Pelican by Nick Saunders
Western Grebe by Nick Saunders

Can I bring my pet dog on this tour?

Dogs are permitted on private tours provided they are kept on a leash at all times. Dogs should not be let outside of vehicle at birding stops.

Covid Safety Policy on Tours

  1. Your tour leader is fully vaccinated.
  2. 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.
  3. This policy may change when public health orders change or when Covid case numbers decrease.
  4. 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.

Gift Certificates Available Now

GIFT CERTIFICATES: Click here for information about purchasing a gift certificate for this Blackstrap Lake Birding Tour or any of our other tours.

Other Tours

This Ferry Birding Tour may be taken in conjunction with any of the following summer birding tours.

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

Monthly Newsletter

Learn about special offers and new tours.
CLICK HERE to sign up for the monthly electronic Newsletter from Saskatoon Custom Bird Tours.

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.