Ferry Birding Tour – Saskatoon

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 Tours:

• Sat. July 20, 2024 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM
• Tue. July 30, 2024 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM
• Sun. August 4, 2024 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM
• Fri. August 16, 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.

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.

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 Ferry Birding Tour (CAD $290 per vehicle)
• Sat. July 20, 2024 Ferry Birding Group Tour starting at 1:00 PM (CAD $190 per vehicle)
• Tue. July 30, 2024 Ferry Birding Group Tour starting at 1:00 PM (CAD $190 per vehicle)
• Sun. August 4, 2024 Ferry Birding Group Tour starting at 1:00 PM (CAD $190 per vehicle)
• Fri. August 16, 2024 Ferry Birding Group Tour starting at 1:00 PM (CAD $190 per vehicle)
• 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 *

• Flying J Travel Centre 3850 Idylwyld Drive N Saskatoon
• Warman (15 minutes later)

I prefer the following date for this private tour:

Alternative dates for a private tour could be:

I request to

• borrow a pair of binoculars if available during tour.
• use Photography Blind when feasible during a private 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 Ferry Birding Tour

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