Email: birdtours [at] sasktel.net
Phone: 306 [then] 652 [then] 5975

News Flash

Whooping Cranes have arrived. Our October 2 tour found a record 196 Whooping Cranes (35% of the total Canadian population). We expect their numbers to remain high through October.

Select the date for your crane tours

• View rare Whooping Cranes on day trips from Saskatoon, Canada
• Photograph large flocks of Sandhill Cranes near Saskatoon, Canada.
• All proceeds support the local Living Sky Wildlife Rehabilitation charity.

Available Tour Dates for 2025

Book your tour now.
Scroll down page to fill out Reservation Request Form.

• Private 3-day Whooping Crane & Sandhill Crane plus Prince Albert National Park Tour
  October 22-24
• Private 2-day Whooping Crane & Sandhill Crane Tours available:
  October 22-23,  23-24, 26-27, 27-28, 28-29, 29-30, 30-31
• Add-on Tours to Last Mountain Lake Bird Sanctuary and Prince Albert National Park available
• Private 1-day Whooping Crane Tours available:
  October 20,  22, 23, 24, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31
• Public 1-day Whooping Crane Tour: October 18
• 5-day Whooping Crane, Wetland and Forest Birding Tour October 27 – 31
  Includes visits to Last Mountain Lake Bird Sanctuary and Prince Albert National Park
  CLICK HERE for details.
• Private Sunrise Sandhill Crane Photography Sessions:
  October 20 – 30 (Limited to 3 photographers per session.)
• Private Sunset Sandhill Crane Photography Sessions:
  October 20 – 30 (Limited to 3 photographers per session.)

Available Tour Dates for 2026

Book your tour now.
Scroll down page to fill out Reservation Request Form.

• Private 3-day Whooping Crane & Sandhill Crane plus Prince Albert National Park Tour
  September 21-23
  October 21-23
  (Other dates available upon request.)
• Private 2-day Whooping Crane & Sandhill Crane Tours available:
  September 24-25, 28-29,
  October 2-3, 4-5, 8-9, 13-14, 19-20
• Add-on Tours to Last Mountain Lake Bird Sanctuary and Prince Albert National Park available
• Private 1-day Whooping Crane Tours available:
  September 19, 20, 27, 30
  October 1, 6, 7, 11, 12, 15, 16, 24
• Public 1-day Whooping Crane Tour: September 26, October 10
• 5-day Whooping Crane, Wetland and Forest Birding Tour October 25 – 30
  Includes visits to Last Mountain Lake Bird Sanctuary and Prince Albert National Park
  Optional 2-day Golden Eagle Add-On Tour to Cypress Hills
  CLICK HERE for details.
• Private Sunrise Sandhill Crane Photography Sessions: September 16 – 30, October 1 – 17, 20 – 30 (Limited to 3 photographers per session.)
• Private Sunset Sandhill Crane Photography Sessions: September 16 – 30, October 1 – 17, 20 – 30 (Limited to 3 photographers per session.)

Level of Difficulty: Easy

Mostly driving tour. Most walking trails < 0.1 km and are very level.

Environmental Sustainability

All proceeds (after expenses)  from your guiding fees supports the work of Living Sky Wildlife Rehabilitation registered charity. They care for over 2000 injured and orphaned birds and over 600 mammals brought to them from concerned Saskatchewan residents.
CLICK HERE for more details. You can watch segments of the Staying Wild TV Show about the behind the scenes action at this facility by clicking here or checking your local CITYTV listings.

ALL BIRDING TOURS

Saskatchewan Whooping Crane Tours
and Sandhill Crane Tours

• Private 8-hour Whooping Crane Viewing Tours
  $690 per party of 1 – 4 persons in 1 vehicle
• Private 2-day Whooping Crane and Sandhill Crane Tours
  Good opportunities of viewing both species
  $1330 per party of 1 – 4 persons in 1 vehicle
• Private 3-day Whooping and Sandhill Crane plus Prince Albert National Park Tours
  $1990 per party of 1 – 3 persons plus leader in 1 vehicle
• Public 8-hour Whooping Crane Group Viewing Tours
  Sat. October 18, 2025
  Sun. September 27, 2026
  Sat. October 10, 2026
  $490 for 1 person / $590 for 2 – 4 persons in 1 vehicle
  Car pooling option available to share costs
• Public 3-hour Sunrise and Sunset Sandhill Crane Photography Group Sessions
  $390 for 1 persons / $490 for 2 persons / $590 for 3 – 4 persons
• Sunset Photography Sessions also available as an add-on to Whooping Crane Tours
• Prince Albert National Park Full-Day Add-On Bird Tour
  Good chance for viewing and photographing boreal forest birds including Spruce and Ruffed Grouse, Black-backed, Three-toed, Pileated Woodpeckers, Boreal Chickadees and others.
  This 10 hour option may be taken on the second day of any 2-day Whooping Crane Tour for an additional $150 provided you supply transportation for the guide.
• Last Mountain Lake Bird Sanctuary Full-Day Add-On Tour
  Good chance to view Canada’s largest concentration of Sandhill Cranes at Canada’s first bird sanctuary.
  Many water birds occur here.
  This 10 hour option may be taken on the second day of any 2-day Whooping Crane Tour for an additional $150 provided you supply transportation for the guide.
• Local Guide has 50 years experience leading Saskatchewan Whooping Crane tours!
• Drive your own vehicle for best viewing opportunities (no crowded vans)
• Best selection of tour dates
• Partial Tax Receipt
  (All proceeds support Living Sky Wildlife Rehabilitation charity)

Monthly Newsletter

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

Recent Testimonial

“We felt especially honoured that we had the opportunity to go with you – the wealth of information and knowledge that you shared and the ethical approach you took to watching the birds were really outstanding. We were glad to be seated comfortably in a car and not jostling for position in a crowded van…
We appreciated that you you adjusted your pace to our learner and interest level.”

Joy I. (October 2024 Whooping Crane Tour)

Whooping Crane and Sandhill Crane Tours

Private  Whooping Crane Tours:  Mid September – Late October

WHOOPING CRANE TOUR HOURS

1-Day Tours 7:30 AM – 3:30 PM
2-Day Tours 7:30 AM – 3:30 PM + optional 3-hour evening extension on day 1 until 6:30 PM

Self-Drive Escorted Birding Tour

Advance Booking Required
Scroll down for Fees and Registration.

Whooping Crane and Sandhill Crane Tours Description

Grain fields near Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada have become the best dependable viewing location in the world to view rare Whooping Cranes, the tallest bird in North America. As local birders, we know the best historical places to search for these spectacular birds. Join us for a backcountry journey into Whooperland to see these magnificent birds at the best stopover along the Whooper Highway.

All proceeds support Living Sky Wildlife Rehabilitation charity.

For many years, our Saskatchewan Whooping Crane tours led by Stan Shadick have found groups of 10 – 30 birds feeding during fall migration. In 2018, we found a single flock in excess of 150 whoopers! In 2019 2020 and 2025, there were flocks totaling over 100 individuals. In 2025, a record 196 Whooping Cranes were seen on a single day.

The population recovery of the endangered Whooping Crane has become a tremendous success story for wildlife conservation. The Canadian population of these birds once dipped as low as 15 individuals. In January – February 2025, the population estimate was 557 birds. In summer 2025, 116 nests were counted on their breeding grounds in Wood Buffalo National Park and about 66 young cranes were counted at the end of summer.

In 2025 and 2026, we are planning both 1-day and 2-day custom private tours from mid-September through late-October to look for Whooping Cranes and/or Sandhill Cranes. We also plan 3-hour late afternoon private Sandhill Crane tours.

These 2 species of cranes are usually found in different locations. We often find Sandhills in flocks of 500 to several thousand. We will also be on the lookout for large flocks of Canada, Cackling, Snow, Ross’s and Greater White-fronted Geese as well as ducks, swans plus songbirds including Harris’s Sparrow and Rusty Blackbird.  We regularly find several roosting flocks containing over 100,000 Snow Geese! You may view the birds using our high quality spotting scope.

Most of our out of province guests prefer to book our 2-day tour for the best chances for observing both Whooping and Sandhill Cranes. The 2-day tour option also provides a second chance to view more Whoopers on the second day at additional locations.

This tour is ideal for low-mobility clients because they may remain in their vehicle during this driving tour.

Because cranes sometimes move to different locations on different dates, we cannot guarantee finding whoopers on any tour. Nevertheless, Saskatoon Custom Bird Tours has always found Whooping Cranes on every previous Whooping Crane Viewing tours.

What to Wear

What to Wear. In case of an early snowfall or cool wet weather, bring a winter coat, raincoat, hat, gloves and long underwear. Bring your binoculars and a scope (optional). Cameras are optional.

Sandhill Crane Photography

Thousands of Sandhill Cranes gather near Saskatoon, Canada during fall migration.

Sandhill Crane Photography Sessions

Each session is limited to a maximum of 4 participants.
These sessions will be led by Boyd Coburn and/or Stan Shadick.
Advance Registration is required.

Sunrise 3-hour Sandhill Crane Photography Session Times:

5:45 AM – 8:45 AM September 16 – 22
6:00 AM – 9:00 AM  September 23 – 30
6:15 AM – 9:15 AM October 1 – 10
6:30 AM – 9:30 AM October 11 – 19
6:45 AM – 9:45 AM October 20 – 30

2025 Sunrise Sandhill Crane Photography Sessions Currently Available:
September 16 – 30
October 1 – 17, 19 – 30

Sunset 3-hour Sandhill Crane Photography Session Times:

5:15 PM – 8:15 PM September 16 – 21
5:00 PM – 8:00 PM September 22 – 28
4:45 PM – 7:45 PM September 29 – October 2
4:30 PM – 7:30 PM October 3 – 10
4:15 PM – 7:15 PM October 11 – 17
4:00 PM – 7:00 PM October 18 – 25
3:45 PM – 6:45 PM October 26 – 30

2025 Sunset Sandhill Crane Photography Sessions Currently Available:
September 16 – 30
October 1 – 17, 19 – 30

Scroll down for Fees and Registration.

Sandhill Crane Photography Workshop:
October 17 – 18, 2025

Join a Sandhill Crane Photography Workshop led by Saskatchewan wildlife photographer Boyd Coburn in Saskatoon, Canada. Witness the thousands of sandhill cranes that visit out region every fall.

There will be 3 outdoor photography sessions with hands-on help with camera settings plus an indoor photo editing session. There will also be a special Whooping Crane tour for participants.

CLICK HERE for Workshop details.

Testimonials

Click to hear Calgary Naturalist Brian Keating on CBC Calgary giving his review of a recent Whooping Crane tour he booked with us.

“Thanks again for a terrific couple of days of birding” (Ian T)

“We had such a fantastic time and learned so much from you. We will be back for other tours in the future”  (Paulette M)

“Once again thanks Stan. Many long lasting memories.” (Bob P)

“We just wanted to thank you again for a most enjoyable tour last week.  The whooping cranes, of course, were the highlight, but we also found your history of the cranes quite fascinating.  Over the years, we had heard some of the recovery story, but the original breeding across the prairies was a surprise. And we hadn’t heard about all of the early attempts to help the recovery. As you said, it would be great to see breeding resume in Saskatchewan, and possibly other areas as well.

We also appreciated the opportunity to see several species that only appear in southern Ontario as “rarities” or “accidentals”. Always nice to see birds we haven’t seen in a long time.

Thanks again for all your patient help and guiding.” DJ & SJ

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 phone 306-652-5975 to discuss whether their range is sufficient for this tour. The driving distance may be about 400 km for Whooping Crane tours and 100 km for half-day Sandhill Crane tours. EV charging stations are available in several Saskatoon hotels.

The guide may drive in a separate car and communicate by cell phone.
If you prefer, you may request the guide to ride in your non-smoking vehicle.
Saskatoon meeting location will be given to registered participants.

Carpooling

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

When are the best dates to view Saskatchewan Whooping Cranes?

• Whooping Cranes can normally be observed near Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada between September 20 and October 26. Whooping Cranes might also be found earlier and later than these dates. There is a small risk of not finding Whoopers on the first tour dates of the season.
• Best Whooping Crane tour dates for warm weather and scenic fall colours are September 20 – 30.
• Best Whooping Crane tour dates for maximum numbers of cranes are usually October 14 – 25.
• Best Whooping Crane tour dates for best photography conditions (minimum heat haze): October 10 – 26.
  Note: We cannot guarantee you will obtain great photos. Our first priority is to avoid harassing the birds. How close we can get without disturbing the whoopers is unpredictable.

Why book a Whooping Crane Viewing tour with Saskatoon Custom Bird Tours?

1. LOCAL EXPERIENCE. Your guide has over 30 years experience in leading birding tours to observe these magnificent birds. Although Whoopers often move to different locations at different times of the day and on different days of the week and during different years, he will lead you to the most likely spots to find them.
2. ETHICS. Your guide will show you how to use special techniques to observe nearby Whooping Cranes responsibly without disturbing these endangered birds. A spotting scope may be used to observe birds that are far away from the vehicle.
3. LEARN ID TIPS. You can learn how to use field marks and sounds to identify the cranes, swans, geese (up to 5 species), ducks, grebes, eagles and other raptors, longspurs plus many songbirds. Your guide will take you to the best locations for finding these species during your tour.
4. LEARN ABOUT CONSERVATION. You will learn about the history of Whooping Crane Conservation in North America and the current conservation issues facing these birds. The Canadian Wildlife Service has played an important role in this conservation success story. Your guide is an experienced researcher of wild birds and has received awards for his activities in the wildlife conservation movement.
5. BEST VEHICLE FOR OBSERVING. We believe that your personal or rented vehicle will usually provide a better observing experience during your tour than the crowded expensive vans offered by some out-of-province companies. Often dark tinted van windows cannot be rolled down to provide optimal conditions for viewing and photography.
6. WILDLIFE CHARITY. Because your tour leader volunteers his time to lead these tours, all of your tour fee is used by our local wildlife rehabilitation center to help pay the cost of food, medicine and hiring of summer students needed to care for injured birds and small mammals harmed by human activities.
7. TAX RECEIPTS. You will receive a tax receipt for 50% of the tour fee.

Can you photograph Whooping Cranes during our tours?

YES. You are welcome to bring your camera on our tours.

During our tours, we ensure that the Whooping Cranes are not harassed by our actions. We stay on public roads and do not trespass on private fields. Because Whooping Cranes are often alarmed if they see humans walking in the open, we take special precautions to avoid such disturbance. If the birds are relatively close to a road, then we require our guests to remain inside their vehicle or hide behind trees or vehicles, when attempting to obtain photos.

Sometimes guests with good experience in bird photography can obtain excellent photos or videos using telephoto lenses. Sometimes a combination of heat haze, weather conditions and distance to cranes may not permit suitable photographic conditions. For this reason, we do not advertise our Whooping Crane tours as photography tours. Often conditions for photography improve during cooler days in mid to late October.

Can I bring my pet dog on this tour?

Dogs are permitted on private tours but cannot be let out of the car when we are near cranes. Dogs are not permitted on group tours.

Whooping Cranes in grain field

Large flock of Whoopers

Images taken on previous tours

Covid Safety Policy on Tours

1. Your tour leader is fully vaccinated.
2. Please contact us before booking tour if you have any special requests with regard to this policy. If requested, leader may be willing to ride in client’s vehicle or drive client’s vehicle.

Insurance

We suggest you consider buying travel medical insurance to cover emergency medical expenses during your tour.
We also recommend Trip Cancellation and Interruption insurance.

Travel insurance with trip cancellation and interruption benefits can reimburse you for non-refundable, pre-paid trip costs (up to the amount of your plan limits) should your participation in the trip be canceled or interrupted for a covered reason. According to our cancellation policies, your payment to us will become non-refundable if you cancel your participation after the deadlines outlined in our policies.

In general, Trip Cancellation insurance reimburses you for non-refundable expenses if you are unable to join the tour. Trip Interruption reimburses you for the unused portion of your tour if you have to leave part-way through a tour and it also covers some additional unexpected expenses incurred during your travel (e.g. additional hotel of flight costs due to weather delays or other delays that are not covered by your airline).

Gift Certificates Available Now

This tour makes an excellent birthday gift, anniversary gift, graduation gift, father’s day gift or special gift for a birder, birdwatcher or anyone interested in nature.

Click here for information about purchasing a gift certificate for this tour or any of our other tours.

Fees

Please consider sending your cell phone number by email to birdtours {at} sasktel.net, so that we can discuss the best payment option.

FEE for private 3-day Whooping and Sandhill Crane plus Prince Albert National Park tour: CAD $1990 (about USD $1425,  £1065) for a party of 1 – 3 persons plus leader in your personal or rented non-smoking vehicle. Fee includes only guiding services (8 hours/day) of leader and shared use of spotting scope.  This fee is the total fee for your party. It is not a per person fee. No additional taxes. Client must cover the transportation costs. Accommodation and meals are not included.  We may stop to pick up food for lunch.  This 3-day option is a great choice for observing both Whooping and Sandhill Cranes plus boreal forest birds.

FEE for private 2-day Whooping and Sandhill Crane tour: CAD $1330 (about USD $950,  £710) for a party of 1 – 3 persons plus leader in your personal or rented non-smoking vehicle. Fee includes only guiding services (8 hours/day) of leader and shared use of spotting scope.  This fee is the total fee for your party. It is not a per person fee. No additional taxes. Client must cover the transportation costs. Accommodation and meals are not included.  We may stop to pick up food for lunch.  This 2-day option is a great choice for observing both Whooping and Sandhill Cranes.

FEE for private 2-day Whooping Crane tour including either Prince Albert National Park or Last Mountain Lake Bird Sanctuary add-on day trip: CAD $1480 (about USD $1035,  £800) for a party of 1 – 3 persons plus leader in your non-smoking vehicle. Fee includes only guiding services (8 hours/day) of leader and shared use of spotting scope.  This fee is the total fee for your party. It is not a per person fee. No additional taxes. Client must cover their transportation costs in their personal or rented vehicle for themselves plus the guide.  Accommodation and meals are not included.  We may stop to pick up food for lunch.

FEE for  private 1-day Whooping Crane tour excluding transportation:  CAD $690 (about USD $490, £370) for a party of 1 – 3 persons plus leader in your non-smoking vehicle. Fee includes only guiding services (8 hours/day) of leader and shared use of spotting scope.  This fee is the total fee for your party. It is not a per person fee. No additional taxes. Client must cover their transportation costs in their personal or rented vehicle for themselves plus the guide.  Accommodation and meals are not included.  We may stop to pick up food for lunch. This 1-day tour will focus on looking for Whooping Cranes but likely will not find Sandhill Cranes.

FEE for 3-hour public Sandhill Crane Photography Session excluding transportation:  CAD $390 for 1 person (about USD $280, £210) or CAD $490 for a party of 2 persons or $590 for a party of 3 or 4 persons. No additional taxes. Fee includes only guiding services of leader. Client must cover transportation costs for themselves plus the leader in their personal or rented vehicle. Guide may travel in a separate vehicle. Accommodation, transportation and meals are not included. This 3-hour tour will focus on observing and photographing Sandhill Cranes near Saskatoon. A late afternoon tour may be added to your 1-day private Whooping Crane tour on the same day.

FEE for 2-day Sandhill Crane Photography Workshop:  CAD $1490 per person (about USD $1040, £805). No additional taxes. Fee includes only leadership services. Clients must cover transportation costs in their personal or rented vehicle. Guide will travel in a separate vehicle. or ride in your vehicle, if your prefer. We can communicate via hands-fee cell phone when driving. Accommodation, transportation and meals are not included.

BUDGET TOUR FEE for September 27, 2026 public Whooping Crane public tour excluding transportation:  CAD $490 (about USD $340, £265) for 1 person or $590 (about USD $410, £315) per vehicle for a party of 2 – 4 persons travelling in a single car or truck. No additional taxes. RVs are not suitable on group tours. Unlike the previous private “family” tours, participants in this 8-hour public tour will join a group of whooping crane enthusiasts in a small convoy of up to 6 vehicles.

1-day and 2-day Whooping Crane tours start about 7:30 am and returns to Saskatoon about 3:30 pm.  The times for the 3-hour Sandhill Crane photography sessions are listed earlier on this webpage and vary with sunrise and sunset times.

Fee includes guiding services of leader and shared use of spotting scope during Whooping Crane tours. Client must cover transportation costs in their personal or rented vehicle.  Accommodation and meals are not included. The 1-day public tour will focus on looking for Whooping Cranes.

Private Prince Albert National Park 1-day Birding Tour Fee: CAD $790 (about USD$575, £465) for your party of 1 – 3 persons plus leader travelling in a non-smoking vehicle.
This fee is the total fee for your party of 1 – 3 persons. It is not a per person fee. No additional taxes.
Fee includes guiding services. Meals and accommodation and transportation are NOT included.
Trip begins in Saskatoon at 8 am on day 1 and ends in the park about 4 PM.
Participants may then drive back to Saskatoon with the leader.

Private Full Day Last Mountain Lake Bird Sanctuary Tour Fee: CAD$790 (about USD $580, £465) for a party of 1 – 3 persons plus leader in your non-smoking vehicle. No additional taxes.
Fee includes guiding services only for 10 hour trip. The fee is the total amount for your group (not a per person fee). No additional taxes. Client supplies their own transportation in personal or rented vehicle. Meals, transportation and accommodation are NOT included.

Private 5-day Whooping Crane, Wetland and Forest Birding Tour Fee: CAD $3490 (about USD $2540, £1860) for a party of 1 – 3 person plus leader in your personal or rented non-smoking vehicle. No additional taxes. Fee includes only guiding services of leader. Client must cover transportation costs for themselves plus the leader in their personal or rented vehicle.  Accommodation, transportation and meals are not included.
CLICK HERE for instant booking.

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.

All guiding fee proceeds will be donated to Living Sky Wildlife Rehabilitation.

How to get to Saskatoon

Air: Saskatoon International Airport (YXE) is served by Air Canada, Westjet, Flair, Porter 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.

SPECIAL DISCOUNT

Anyone who books any whooping crane tour during 2025 is eligible for a 20% discount off any Prairie Lakes Birding tour bookings between October 27 and 31, 2025.

Whooping Crane Poetry

©️ Madeleine McLaughlin

Long necked
with legs like ruby stilts
the crane lifts it wings
to it’s side
and dances with little strides

Click here for balance of poem

SNOW GEESE FLOCK

We frequently find flocks containing more than 100,000 birds!

Snow Geese by Bob Godwin.

Recommended Reading:
Into Whooperland
by Michael Forsberg

During one of our 2025 Saskatchewan Whooping Crane tours, my guest kindly arranged for me to meet Nebraska Conservation Writer and photographer Michael Forsberg and gifted me a copy of his fabulous book – Into Whooperland. I highly recommend you read this book before joining a future tour with us.
CLICK HERE for purchase details.

You can also watch a great video he produced about the Whooping Crane migration through Saskatchewan.
CLICK HERE to watch The Whooper Highway video.

Reservations

Reservations: Complete the form below or email: birdtours {at) sasktel.net and provide names of clients, their addresses and requested type of tour and tour date.
Full payment due at time of booking. Payment instruction will be emailed to you after registration form is received. You may also phone Stan Shadick at 306 then 652 next 5975.

Payment Options

• E-transfer must be made at least 2 days before date of tour
• Canadian cheques must be received at least 10 days before date of tour
• USA checks must be received at least 6 weeks before date of tour
• Payment by credit card is accepted with a 3.5% processing fee

2025 and 2026 Crane Tour Reservation Request Form

• E-transfer must be made at least 2 days before date of tour
• Canadian cheques must be received at least 10 days before date of tour
• USA checks must be received at least 6 weeks before date of tour

My Name *

First

Last

Names of additional persons travelling in my vehicle during tour

My Email *

My Cell Phone *

If you do not have a cell phone, enter your land line.

My Mailing Address *

Mailing Address needed for tax receipt.

I (We) would like to register for the following 2025 or 2026 event. *

• 3-day Whooping and Sandhill Crane plus Prince Albert National Park Private Tour (CAD $1990)
• 2-day Whooping and Sandhill Crane Private Tour (CAD $1330)
• 1-day Whooping Crane Private Tour ($690).
• 5-day Whooping Crane, Wetland and Forest Birding Private Tour (CAD $3490)
• 7-day Whooping Crane, Wetland and Forest Birding Tour plus 2-day Golden Eagle Quest Tour to Cypress Hills (CAD $6480)
• 3-hour Sandhill Crane Public Photography Session for 1 person ($390)
• 3-hour Sandhill Crane Public Photography Session for 2-4 persons ($490)
• 2-day Sandhill Crane Photography Workshop, October 18-19, 2025 ($1490 per person)
• Budget 1-day Whooping Crane Public Tour for 1 person on September 27, 2026 (CAD $490)
• Budget 1-day Whooping Crane Public Tour for 2-4 persons in 1 vehicle on September 27, 2026 (CAD $590)

My Preferred Date(s)

2-DAY Whooping and Sandhill Crane 2025 TOUR DATES: Oct 22-23, 23-24, 26-27, 27-28, 28-29, 29-30, 30-31 1-DAY Whooping Crane 2025 TOUR DATES: Oct 22, 23, 24, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31 3 hour Sunrise Sandhill Crane 2025 TOUR DATES: September 16 – 30, October 1 – 17, 20 – 30 3-hour Sunset Sandhill Crane Photography Sessions Currently Available: September 16 – 30, October 1 – 17, 20 – 30 Budget 1-day Whooping Crane Group Tour: Sep. 27

Alternate possible dates if preferred date is not available

I would also like to register for the following Add-On Tours

• 1-day Prince Albert National Park Bird Tour
• 1-day Last Mountain Lake Bird Sanctuary Tour

Binoculars

• If available, I would like to borrow a pair of binoculars during tour.
• Please contact me to discuss the possibility of purchasing top-quality image-stabilized binoculars.

Leader Transportation

• I can provide transportation for the leader in my vehicle.

Carpooling during Public 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.
• I (We) do NOT wish to carpool.

Smoking Restrictions *

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

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.

Reservation for Whooping Crane Birding Tours when paying by credit card

• This form is recommended for USA and overseas residents who wish to pay by credit card.
• It may be used by Canadian residents paying by credit card.
• Note that due to CRA rules, partial Canadian tax receipts are not available with this method of payment.
  (Use the other Reservation Request Form instead.)

QUESTIONS?

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

1-DAY PRIVATE WHOOPING CRANE TOUR

2-DAY PRIVATE WHOOPING CRANE AND SANDHILL CRANE TOUR

Click Here for link to Instant Registration Form.

3-DAY PRIVATE WHOOPING CRANE AND SANDHILL CRANE PLUS PRINCE ALBERT NATIONAL PARK TOUR

Click Here for link to Instant Registration Form

5-DAY PRIVATE WHOOPING CRANE, WETLAND & FOREST BIRDING TOUR
with optional 2-DAY GOLDEN EAGLE QUEST ADD-ON TOUR

Click Here for link to Instant Registration Form.

1-DAY PUBLIC BUDGET WHOOPING CRANE TOUR

Click Here for link to Instant Registration Form.

SANDHILL CRANE PHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOP: October 18-19, 2025

Click Here for link to Instant Workshop Registration Form.

SANDHILL CRANE SUNRISE PHOTOGRAPHY SESSIONS: September 16 – October 30, 2025

Click Here for link to Instant Registration Form.

SANDHILL CRANE SUNSET PHOTOGRAPHY SESSIONS: September 16 – October 30, 2025

Click Here for link to Instant Registration Form.

TOP QUALITY BINOCULAR OFFER

Do you want a better pair of binoculars for birdwatching?

Great for viewing Whooping Cranes

CLICK HERE for information about the
Kite Optics 16X42 Image Stabilized Binoculars

Binoculars may be shipped to your home address or picked up during any birding tour in Saskatoon.

STAN SHADICK:  Guide for Saskatoon Custom Bird Tours

TOUR GUIDE: Your guide has many years of experience finding and observing birds throughout Saskatchewan. For over 30 years, Stan Shadick has been a birding guide for nature tours around Saskatchewan and other parts of the country that have been organized by Living Sky Wildlife Rehabilitation, Saskatoon Custom Bird Tours, Nature Saskatchewan and the University of Saskatchewan Extension Division.

Stan is past president of Nature Saskatchewan as well as past president and current field trip chairman for the Saskatoon Nature Society. He is a co-editor of the reference publication “Birds of the Saskatoon Area” and contributed significantly to the recently published “Birds of Saskatchewan”.

Stan was a regional coordinator for the Saskatchewan Breeding Bird Atlas project and helps with their bird identification workshops. He regularly contributes sightings to e-bird and currently holds the e-bird record for the most bird species seen in Saskatchewan.

Stan volunteers his time leading Saskatoon Custom Bird Tours so that all proceeds benefit the work of Living Sky Wildlife Rehabilitation.

ALL BIRDING TOURS
BIRD PHOTOGRAPHY TOURS
HALF-DAY PRIVATE BIRDING TOURS
FULL-DAY PRIVATE BIRDING TOURS
MULTI-DAY GROUP BIRDING TOURS
LOW MOBILITY BIRDING TOURS
BLIND / LOW VISION BIRDING TOURS
BIRDING BY EAR ONLINE WORKSHOPS
WARBLER ID ONLINE WORKSHOPS

Multiple Tours Discount

Can’t decide which tour to take?

Check out our multiple tours discount described here.

Other Bird Photography Sessions

• Dancing Grouse Photography Sessions
  April – May
• Great Gray Owl and Northern Hawk Owl Photography Tours
  December – early March
• Goose Lake Photography Tour
  May – September
• Owl Photography Workshops
  Dates TBA
• Pelican Photography and Viewing Tour
  August – September
• Sandhill Crane Photography Sessions
  September – October
• Sandhill Crane Photography Workshop
  October 18 – 19, 2025
• Snowy Owl Photography Tours
  December – early March
• Snowy Owl Photography Workshops

Other Tours

Other Tours and Workshops: Click here to see a complete list of our upcoming tours and workshops.

• Blackstrap Waterfowl Tour
• Canada Saskatchewan Late-Summer Birding Grand Tour: August 25 – September 1
• Canada Saskatchewan Autumn Birding Grand Tour: September 9 – 18
• Chief Whitecap Park Birding Tour (early September)
• Golden Eagle Quest Birding Tour
• Last Mountain Lake Birding Tour
• Pelican Photography and Viewing Tour
• Prairie Lakes Birding Tour – 4 hours
• Prince Albert National Park Birding Tour
• Warbler Walking Tour