40 Great Saskatchewan Bird Photography and Birdwatching Tours and Workshops from Saskatoon Custom Bird Tours

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Birding Tours in Saskatchewan, Canada


Wild Raptor Tour

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

WHOOPING CRANE TOURS
SNOWY OWL TOURS
GREAT GRAY OWL  PHOTOGRAPHY TOURS
DANCING GROUSE PHOTOGRAPHY TOURS

QUESTIONS: Email birdtours@sasktel.net

Night Sounds Tour

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CLICK HERE for Prince Albert National Park Tour April 7 - 8

Where are the Best Places to Go Birding in Saskatchewan, Canada?

Saskatoon Custom Bird Tours offers private and group guided birding tours and bird photography tours out of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada. Our selection of Canada Birding Tours makes Saskatoon the best destination for birding tourists.

Some of our special tours include photographing and viewing Dancing Grouse (spring), Prairie, Forest and Wetland birds (summer), Whooping Cranes and Sandhill Cranes (fall), Snowy Owls and Great Gray Owls (winter).
Custom tours and bird ID workshops available.

Our birding tours and bird photography tours make excellent birthday gifts, Mother's Day gifts, Father's Day gifts, retirement gifts or anniversary birding gifts for birders interested in birds and nature.

Saskatoon is located where two major North American bird flyways meet. During the breeding season in June and July about 150 bird species occur within our nearby grassland, wetland and woodland habitats. This bird list is augmented during the migration months of May, August and September when boreal and arctic nesting warblers, flycatchers, vireos and shorebirds become plentiful.

Because both eastern and western North American birds occur here, our Saskatchewan tours out of Saskatoon, Canada can show you the best selection of North American bird species from a single hub.

Please scroll down on this page and complete our Tour Suggestions Request Form so that we can advise you on the best tours we can offer based upon the dates of your planned visit.

Lists with links to descriptions of our available tours are found below.

JANUARY - MARCH BIRDWATCHING TOURS AND BIRD PHOTOGRAPHY TOURS

Private tours available on most dates. Dates of any special group tours are noted.

Chickadee Tour

 

APRIL - MAY BIRDWATCHING AND BIRD PHOTOGRAPHY TOURS AND WORKSHOPS

Private tours available on most dates. Dates of any special group tours are noted.

Dancing Grouse Tour

Night Sounds Tour

JUNE - AUGUST BIRDWATCHING TOURS AND BIRD PHOTOGRAPHY TOURS

Private tours available on most dates. Dates of any special group tours are noted.

Radisson Lake Birding TourCypress Hills Tour

SE Saskatchewan Birding Tour

Carrot River Birding Tour

SEPTEMBER- OCTOBER BIRDWATCHING TOURS

NOVEMBER - DECEMBER BIRDWATCHING AND BIRD PHOTOGRAPHY TOURS

Monthly Newsletter

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

 

Wild Raptor Tour

Testimonials about our Birdwatching Tours and Bird Photography Tours

CLICK to listen to Calgary Naturalist Brian Keating on CBC Calgary Radio giving an on-air review of a tour he booked with us.

Global TV News Report: Click Here.

"I drove to Saskatoon and met Stan Shadick who arranged for me to observe lekking Sharp-tailed Grouse. Stan set up a blind for me, enabling me to take photos in the early morning hours (04:10 to 08:00, Wednesday, May 5). It was a birding thrill for the year. " (L. Corkum)

That was such a great trip!  Thanks so much for the use of the blind and sharing your general knowledge and expertise. (J. Lee)

"We really appreciated your tour last Wednesday; [Our young grandson] loved it!! He also told us he learned alot.  I believe you have inspired him to continue his passion of birding.  Thanks again for the wonderful guiding! (D. Dear)

"Was in a private tour with Stan this spring. The best one I have ever had. Highly recommended!" (J. Deng)

Gift Certificates Available

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

Click here for information about gift certificates for any of our 2023 birding and bird photography tours.

Birdwatching tours

Multiple Tours Discount for Bird Photography and Birdwatching Tours

Can't decide which birdwatching tour to take?

Check out our multiple tours discount described here.

Carpooling

If you would like to share the costs of a tour with other interested birders, then complete the Carpooling Section of the Registration Request Form or email the tour name, your name, phone number and email address to birdtours@sasktel.net

Questions?

EMAIL birdtours@sasktel.net to book a birdwatching tour, to order a gift certificate or with any questions.
Please include your name and a contact phone number and other pertinent information.

How to get to Saskatoon

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

Other Things to Do

Get more ideas on what to do on the Kayak Saskatoon Travel Guide.

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. Please wear a mask and maintain physical 2 meter distancing when walking outside or viewing birds through the spotting scope that I will set up.
  4. This policy may change when public health orders change or when Covid case numbers decrease.
  5. 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.

Complete List of Birding Tours

Scroll Down to view our full list of upcoming tours including our popular fall Whooping Crane tour and custom tours.
All proceeds support the work of Living Sky Wildlife Rehabilitation.

TOUR SUGGESTIONS REQUEST FORM

Send us your possible tour dates and we will get back to you with the best tour suggestions for that time period.

You may also list a landline or type NONE.

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

Whooping and Sandhill Crane Viewing Tours

See Canada's most majestic bird. In recent years, the grain fields near Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada have become the best dependable viewing location in the world during fall migration to view rare Whooping Cranes, the tallest bird in North America. 1-day and 2-day tours available.

In 2018, we found a single flock in excess of 150 whoopers! During more recent tours we have observed several flocks totaling over 50 individuals. As local birders, we know the best historical places to take our birdwatching tours in search of these spectacular birds.

Driving Distance: 300 - 400 km per day.
Fees: from $490 per person or $590 for a party of 2 - 4 persons in a single vehicle.

Mid September - Late October

Full Day Tours

Multi-Day Tours

Budget Group Tour: October 1, 2023

Whooping Crane - Photo by Bruce Acton

See our Whooping and Sandhill Crane Tour page for booking and tour details.

Dancing Grouse Viewing and Photography Tours

Join our experienced local birding guide for a  3 or 4-hour early morning or late evening self-driving birdwatching tour to view the spectacle of dancing Sharp-tailed Grouse near Saskatoon. Listen to the excitement of the sounds and dance moves of Saskatchewan's original dancers. Many of the traditional indigenous dances were inspired by this display. The birds are more active near sunrise than near sunset.

During the early morning photography tour, you will drive onto a private pasture for a close-up view of the birds dancing near sunrise. You may view and photograph the performance from your high-clearance vehicle. One member of your group has the option of using our professional photography blind on site to obtain images of the dancing birds from a birds-eye level near the ground.
Total Driving Distance: 15 km from north end of Saskatoon.
Private Sunrise Bird Photography Tour Fee: $390 for your group of 1 - 4 persons in a single vehicle.

The evening driving tour will visit a location on a public road near sunset where you may view the birds as they arrive at their lek roughly 200 meters from the road. Binoculars recommended.
Total Driving Distance: 120 km from Saskatoon.
Private Sunset Bird Viewing Tour Fee: $290 for a party of 1 - 4 persons in a single vehicle.

Saskatoon Winter Birdwatching Tour

Hike through the best bird-rich city parks with our experienced local guide looking for winter's colourful songbirds such as woodpeckers, nuthatches, chickadees, jays, crossbills, finches and Bohemian Waxwings (winter). Sometimes we are treated to flocks of hundreds of flying waxwings fill Saskatoon's living skies.

Visit best hangouts for ducks and geese during this birdwatching tour.

Optional visits to Zoo and Museum of Natural Sciences.

Half Day and Full Day Private Tours available.

Driving Distance: 30 - 80 km
Fees: $190 - $340 for a party of 1 - 4 persons in a single vehicle.

November through March

Half-Day Tours

Full-Day Tours

Bohemian Waxwing by Nick Saunders

Saskatoon Winter Birdwatching Tour

Saskatoon Summer Birdwatching Tour

Hike through the best bird-rich city parks with our experienced local guide looking for summer's colourful songbirds such as warblers, flycatchers, woodpeckers, nuthatches, chickadees, jays, crossbills, finches and Cedar Waxwings.

Visit best hangouts for grebes, ducks and geese during this birdwatching tour.

Optional visits to Zoo and Museum of Natural Sciences.

Half Day and Full Day Private Tours available.

Driving Distance: 30 - 80 km
Fees: $190 - $340 for a party of 1 - 4 persons in a single vehicle.

November through March

Half-Day Tours

Full-Day Tours

Eagle Creek and Eagle Hills Birding Tour
Spotted Towhee
by Nick Saunders

Saskatoon Summer Birdwatching Tour

Bald Eagle Viewing Tour

See eagles perching in a  tree like Christmas decorations! Join Stan Shadick for a 5-hour private self-driving birdwatching tour from Saskatoon to view a location where many Bald Eagles congregate before migrating south.  We should also see many kinds of ducks and other water birds. Fees: $490 for a party of 1 - 4 persons.

November 10 - December 13

Bald Eagle photo by Nick Saunders

See our Bald Eagle Tour page for booking and tour details.

Beaver Creek Birdwatching and Hiking Tour

Beaver Creek is an attractive bird-rich wooded valley next to grasslands with several walking trails. Here this creek flows into the South Saskatchewan River. Many native wildflowers may be found blooming here in summer. An indoor interpretive centre on site has displays and washrooms with running water.

During guided birdwatching tours, we usually select the trail with the best variety of songbirds. The trails are relatively flat with stairs provided in the steeper portions.

During spring and summer months from mid-May through early-September over 60 species have been found at this location. Additional migrating songbirds may be seen in late May and late August / early September.

Driving Distance: 45 km
Fee: $195 for a party of 1 - 4 persons

Late May to Early September

Half-Day Tours

Belted Kingfisher by Nick Saunders

See our Beaver Creek Tour page for booking and tour details.

Birding By Ear Workshops

Become a Better Birder. Expert birders identify most birds in any habitat using song identification. Some birds can only be safely identified by voice. You can learn to identify bird songs too!

Join in our spring series of sets of online plus optional outdoor workshop pairings designed to improve your skills at identification of common bird songs in Saskatoon's parks. Our online workshops are arranged by habitat. Each series will focus on a small group of songbirds found in a given habitat at a particular time of year. For each set there will be one evening online session lasting about 1 hour followed by an optional 1-hour outdoor morning or evening field trip a day or 2 later.

Useful for birding anywhere from Alberta to Ontario and adjacent states.

Fees: $35 - $95 per person.

May 2023

2-hour online workshops

Optional 1 hour outings

See our Birding by Ear online workshop page for booking and workshop details.

Carrot River Birding Tour

Join birding guide Stan Shadick for a 3-day birdwatching tour from Saskatoon visiting the best bird habitats along the Saskatchewan River and in Pasquia Hills, near the town of Carrot River..

This region is the best part of Saskatchewan to find Eastern Whip-poor-wills and Chimney Swifts. We will also look for many kinds of warblers, flycatchers and woodpeckers at roadside stops in forest habitats.

Driving Distance: 900 km
Fees: $1390 for a party of 1 - 4 persons in a single vehicle.

Private tours: June - July
Special Group Tour: July 1 - 3, 2023

Eastern Whip-poor-will
Eastern Whip-poor-will by Louis Agassiz Fuertes

See our Carrot River Birding Tour page for booking and tour details.

Chaplin Shorebirds Tour

Shorebirds galore! Extended 12 hour birdwatching tour from Saskatoon visiting the best shorebird habitats in Saskatchewan at Chaplin Shorebird Reserve and other nearby hotspots.

Endangered Piping Plovers are often found here. Other shorebirds often include Red Knot, Sanderling, Wilson’s Phalarope, Red-necked Phalarope, American Avocet, Black-necked Stilt, Marbled Godwit, Hudsonian Godwit, Stilt Sandpiper, Least Sandpiper, Baird’s Sandpiper, Semipalmated Sandpiper, Pectoral Sandpiper, Short-billed Dowitcher, Lesser Yellowlegs, Willet, Solitary Sandpiper, Spotted Sandpiper, Black-bellied Plover, Semipalmated Plover, Killdeer.

Driving Distance: 650 km
Fees: From $690 for a party of 1 - 4 persons in a single vehicle.

mid May – August
Full-Day Tour

Special Group Tour: July 23, 2023

 

Piping Plover by Nick Saunders

See our Chaplin Shorebirds Tour page for booking and tour details.

Chappell Marsh Birdwatching and Hiking Tour

Experience prairie songbirds and water birds during a short 2-hour hike over prairie trails. Chappell Marsh Conservation Area contains a large pond surrounded by wolf willow and buffaloberry shrubs and grassland. It is located just outside Saskatoon's boundaries.  The level hiking trails offer good opportunities for observing a variety of songbirds and wildflowers during this birdwatching tour.

During spring and summer months from mid-May through early-September over 80 species have been found at this location. Additional migrating songbirds may be seen in late May and late August / early September.

Driving Distance: 15 km
Fees: $130 for party of 1 - 4 persons.

May to Early September
Half-Day Tour

Northern Pintail
by Nick Saunders

See our Chappell Marsh Tour page for booking and tour details.

Chickadee Feeding Tour

HALF Day Private and Group Tours. Let our experienced birding guide show you the best winter bird-rich locations near Saskatoon.

Chickadees will feed out of your hand! Marvel at the fearlessness of these tiny birds as they boldly fly to your hand for food. Sometimes nuthatches and downy woodpeckers will as well. Sunflower seeds provided. Very popular activity for kids and grand-parents!

Possible birds to be seen during this birdwatching tour include Ruffed Grouse, Sharp-tailed Grouse, Pileated Woodpecker, Great Horned Owl, Hairy Woodpecker, Downy Woodpecker, Black-capped Chickadee, Blue Jay, Northern Shrike, White-breasted Nuthatch, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Bohemian Waxwing, Pine Grosbeak,  Common Redpoll, Black-billed Magpie, Common Raven.

Driving Distance: 90 km
Fees: $190 for a party of 1 - 4 persons in a single vehicle.

November through April

Half-Day Tours

Black-capped Chickadee - photo by Nick Saunders


See our Chickadee Feeding Tour page for booking and tour details.

Chief Whitecap Park Birdwatching and Hiking Tour

Enjoy a 3-hour guided birding hike through the bird-rich moist woodland habitat of Chief Whitecap Park near Saskatoon, Canada. Your expert guide will identify the field marks of the wide variety of nesting and migratory songbirds.

During summer months from June through August over 100 species have been found at this location. Additional migrating songbirds may be seen in late May and late August / early September.

Driving Distance: 30 km
Fees: $190 for a party of 1 - 4 persons.

May to mid September
Half-Day Tour

Veery
by Nick Saunders

See our Chief Whitecap Park Tour page for booking and tour details.

Custom Bird Photography Tour

Use our special 1-person professional Tragopan Hokki Version 3 photographic blind to obtain close up images and videos of birds at a wetland near Saskatoon.

3-hour custom tour from Saskatoon.

Driving Distance: 100 km
Fee: $190

Cypress Hills - Grasslands Birdwatching Tour

See the birdlife of Saskatchewan birder's favourite birding region. Join a small group of birders on a 8-day / 7-night guided birdwatching tour to the Cypress Hills  and Grasslands National Park regions of SW Saskatchewan.

Some of the special unique birds of this region include MacGillivray's Warbler, Dusky Flycatcher, Red-naped Sapsucker, Poorwill, Pacific Wren, Violet-Green Swallow. We also look for rare Cordilleran Flycatcher found in the park in 2022. We plan to visit the west, central and east blocks of this birding hotspot.

Driving Distance: 1900 km
Group Tour Fee: $2490 for a party of 1 - 4 persons in a single vehicle.

June - September

Group Tour: June 10 - 17, 2023

Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park Trails

See our Cypress Hills Tour page for booking and tour details.

Donna Birkmaier Park Birdwatching and Walking Tour

Enjoy a 3-hour guided birding hike through the bird-rich moist woodland habitat of Donna Birkmaier and Hyde Parks in Saskatoon, Canada. Your expert guide will identify the field marks of the wide variety of nesting and migratory songbirds and waterbirds.

During summer months from June through August over 80 species have been found at this location. Additional migrating songbirds may be seen in late May and late August / early September. Fees: $190 for a party of 1 - 4 persons.

May to mid September
Half-Day Tour

Brown Thrasher
by Nick Saunders

See our Donna Birkmaier and Hyde Parks Tour page for booking and tour details.

Duck Lake and Nisbet Forest Birdwatching Tour

Visit Duck Lake and nearby ponds and then explore dense woodlands of the Nisbet Forest  in search of native songbirds and lake birds!

Join our experienced local birding guide for a 6-hour drive to visit the birding hotspots in Eagle Hills and Eagle Creek valley. Optional extensions to Fort Carlton Historic Park and Gillies Lake available.

See unique grassland and wetland birds during this birdwatching tour. Also visit shallow ponds for viewing dabbling ducks and grebes. Listen to the varied musical offerings of woodland warblers, sparrows, rails and other songbirds.

Driving Distance: 300 km
Fees: $590 for a party of 1 - 4 persons in a single vehicle.

Duck Mountain Park Group Birdwatching Tour

See the birdlife of Saskatchewan's eastern forests. Join a small group of birders on a 4-day / 3-night guided birdwatching tour to the Duck Mountain Provincial Park on the Manitoba border.

Some of the special unique birds of this region may include Trumpeter Swan, Black-backed Woodpecker, Nashville Warbler, Great Crested Flycatcher,  Winter Wren, Nashville Warbler. Golden-winged Warbler is possible. We plan to visit all of this park's birding hotspots.

Driving Distance: 1000 km
Fee: $790 for a party of 1 - 4 persons in a single vehicle.

June

Duck Lake Birding Tour
Blackburnian Warbler by Nick Saunders

See our Duck Mountain Park Tour page for booking and tour details.

Eagle Creek and Eagle Hills Birdwatching Tour

Visit the dense woodlands in Eagle Hills and drive along Eagle Creek Valley in search of native songbirds!

Join our experienced local birding guide for a full day (8-hour) drive to visit the birding hotspots in Eagle Hills and Eagle Creek valley.

See unique grassland and wetland birds during this birdwatching tour. Also visit shallow ponds for viewing dabbling ducks and grebes. Listen to the varied musical offerings of woodland warblers, sparrows, rails and other songbirds.

Driving Distance: 200 km
Fees: $590 for a party of 1 - 4 persons in a single vehicle.

Mid-May to July
Full-Day Tours

Eagle Creek and Eagle Hills Birding Tour
Spotted Towhee
by Nick Saunders

See our Eagle Creek and Hills Tour page for booking and tour details.

Fall Warbler ID Workshops

Become a Better Birder. During fall migration, warblers occur in a wide variety of colourful plumage patterns. You can learn to use field marks to identify warblers too!

Join in our series of workshops designed to improve your skills at identification of warblers and vireos in the Canadian Prairies or anywhere east of the Rocky Mountains. Our workshops are arranged by migration date. Each series will focus on a small group of warblers and vireos found at a particular time of year. For each set there will be one evening online session lasting about 1.5 hour. A Bonus optional outdoor morning field trip is available to birders visiting or residing in Saskatoon. Fees: $35 - $65 per person.

Forest Winter Private Birdwatching Tour

Extended Full Day Private Birdwatching Tour to Prince Albert National Park and Area.

Good opportunities for bird photography!

Join our experienced local birding guide for an Extended Full Day Drive to Boreal Forest habitat in Prince Albert National Park and adjacent areas. Visit best areas for finding and observing majestic Great Gray Owls and fearless Northern Hawk Owls. See Pine Grosbeaks, Redpolls and other winter finches. 1-day and 2-day tours available.

Total Driving Distance: 500 km (1-day tour)
Private Tour Fees: from $790 for your party of 1 - 4 persons.
Group Tour Fees: from $590 for your party of 1 - 4 persons.

 

 

Private Tours: November through April

Group Tour: February 19 - 20, 2023

Full-Day Tours

Two-Day Tours

Great Gray Owl by Nick Saunders

See our Forest Winter Tour page for booking and tour details.

Grasslands National Park Group Birdwatching Tour

See the birdlife of Canada's best grassland park. Join a small group of birders on a 2-day / 1-night guided birdwatching tour to Grasslands National Park in southern Saskatchewan.

Some of the special unique birds of this region include Burrowing Owl, Long-billed Curlew, Thick-billed Longspur and Chestnut-collared Longspur. We also look for rare Greater Sage-Grouse and Black-tailed Prairie Dogs, which are  found nowhere else in Canada. We plan to visit the birding hotspots in the west block of the park

Driving Distance: 1200 km from Saskatoon
Fee: From $1290 for a party of 1 - 4 persons in 1 vehicle

May - June
Multi-Day Tours

Group Tour: May 20 - 22, 2023

Grasslands National Park

See our Grasslands National Park Tour page for booking and tour details.

Greenwater Lake Birdwatching Group Tour

Join a 3-day / 2-night guided birdwatching tour to visit Greenwater provincial park famous for its abundance of warblers, finches, flycatchers, woodpeckers and other forest songbirds. Saskatchewan's Greenwater Provincial Park is located in a mixed forested region about 270 km east of Saskatoon.

The lakes and wetlands within this park attract many water birds including various ducks, rails, herons and many duck species. A remote area in this park is well-known as a breeding site for Trumpeter Swans. We will keep our eyes peeled for this special bird on any of the park's accessible ponds.

June - September

Blackburnian Warbler
by Nick Saunders

See our Greenwater Lake Tour page for booking and tour details.

Last Mountain Lake Bird Sanctuary Tour

Visit the First National Bird Sanctuary to be established in North America!

Ducks galore! Watch the mating antics of male ducks in spring or cute families of ducklings later in summer. Join our experienced local birding guide for a full day (8-hour) drive to visit the birding hotspots at Last Mountain Lake.  An optional 3-hour evening extension is possible.

See unique grassland and wetland birds during this birdwatching tour. Visit deep lakes for diving ducks and pelicans. Also visit shallow ponds for viewing dabbling ducks and grebes. Listen to the varied musical offerings of wetland sparrows, rails and other marsh songbirds.

Driving Distance: 450 km
Fees: From $490 for a party of 1 - 4 persons in a single vehicle.

Mid-April to October
Full-Day Tour

Group Tour: July 16, 2023

Marbled Godwit
by Nick Saunders

See our Last Mountain Lake Bird Sanctuary Tour page for booking and tour details.

Night Sounds Nature Tour

Experience the variety of nature's sounds on a still dark night.

Join Stan Shadick as he leads a small group of nature enthusiasts on an April 1 night drive birdwatching tour along the backroads of Nisbet Forest near Duck Lake. We will make frequent stops near woods and ponds to listen for the hooting of Great Horned Owls and the whistles of Northern Saw-whet owls. We may also hear the drumming of a Ruffed Grouse or the whinny of a Wilson's Snipe. Other sounds might include the duck-like calls of Wood Frogs, the comb-like call of Boreal Chorus Frogs or the howling of a pack of coyotes. Who knows what other sounds we might discover!

Private tours also available on other dates.

Driving Distance: 90 - 280 km.

Private Tour Fees: From $190 for a party of 1 - 4 persons in a single car.

Group Tour Fee: $95 for a party of 1 - 4 persons in a single car.

March 25 - April 30

Half-Day Tours

Special Group Tour Date: April 1, 2023

 

Great Horned Owl
by Jan Shadick

See our Sounds of the Night Tour page for booking and tour details.

Pelican Photography and Viewing Tour

Watch flying pelicans, which have the greatest wingspan of any Saskatchewan bird. Join Stan Shadick for a 7-hour self-driving birdwatching tour to view a location where hundreds of pelicans congregate before migrating south. We should also see many other kinds of ducks and other water birds. Round-trip driving distance about 300 km. This trip is ideal for photography of pelicans in flight. Fees: $590 for a party of 1 - 4 persons.

Pike Lake Birdwatching Tour

Guided Self-Drive Birdwatching Tour

Let our experienced birding guide show you the best bird-rich locations between Saskatoon and Pike Lake Provincial Park.  During this 4-hour Pike Lake birding tour, we will walk some trails and visit a variety of bird habitats.

During spring and summer months from April through early September over 200 species have been found at this location. Additional migrating songbirds may be seen in late August / early September.

Driving Distance: 50 km
Fees: From $290 for a party of 1 - 4 persons.

January to Early September

Half-Day Tour

Black-crowned Night Heron
by Nick Saunders

See our Pike Lake Tour page for booking and tour details.

Porter Lake Birdwatching Tour

Guided Self-Drive Birdwatching Tour

Experience the sights and sounds of nesting colonies of Black-crowned Night Herons, Double-crested Cormorants and Bank Swallows. View numerous ducks, grebes and prairie songbirds this 3-hour birdwatching tour.

During spring and summer months from April through early September over 120 species have been found at this location. Additional migrating songbirds may be seen in late May and late August / early September.

Driving Distance: 50 km
Fees: $190 per group.

April to Early September

Half-Day Tour

Black-crowned Night Heron
by Nick Saunders

See our Porter Lake Tour page for booking and tour details.

Prairie Grasslands Birdwatching Tour

Listen to the sweet songs of Western Meadowlark, Sprague's Pipit and Baird's Sparrow. Watch for Long-billed Curlew and Swainson's Hawk. Join our experienced local birding guide for a 8 hour self-drive birdwatching tour visiting the best prairie grassland birding habitats in the Saskatoon region.

Driving Distance: 500 km
Fees: $890 for a party of 1 - 4 persons in 1 vehicle.

Late April – July

Full-Day Tour

Western Meadowlark by Nick Saunders

See our Prairie Grasslands Tour page for booking and tour details.

Prairie Lakes Birdwatching Tour

Ducks galore! Watch the mating antics of male ducks in spring or cute families of ducklings later in summer. Join our experienced local birding guide for a 4 hour self-driving birdwatching tour to visit some of the best bird-rich lakes in the Saskatoon region. Visit deep lakes for diving ducks and pelicans. Also visit shallow ponds for viewing dabbling ducks and grebes. Listen to the varied musical offerings of wetland sparrows, rails and other marsh songbirds.

Driving Distance: 200 km
Fees: From $190 for a party of 1 - 4 persons in a single vehicle.

Mid-April to October

Half-Day Tours

Ruddy Duck by Nick Saunders

See our Prairie Lakes Tour page for booking and tour details.

Prince Albert National Park Group Birdwatching Tour

See the birdlife of Saskatchewan forested national park. Join a small group of birders on a 3-day / 2-night guided birdwatching tour to the Prince Albert National Park regions of northern Saskatchewan. We will also visit historic Fort Carleton Provincial Park.

Some of the special unique birds of this region include Spruce Grouse, American Three-toed Woodpecker, Barred Owl, and many species of warblers. We plan to visit the best nature trails and birding hotspots in this region.

Driving Distance: 700 km
Fee: From $790 for a party of 1 - 4 persons.

Private Tours: January - December

Early Spring 2-Day Group Tour: April 6 - 7, 2023

Early Summer 3-Day Group Tour: June 24 - 26, 2023

 

Prince Albert National Park

See our Prince Albert National Park Tour page for booking and tour details.

Ptarmigan Tour

See the winter birdlife in the shield country of northern Saskatchewan. Join a small group of birders on a 2-day / 1-night guided birdwatching tour.

Some of the special unique birds of this region include Spruce Grouse, American Three-toed Woodpecker, Barred Owl, and Canada Jays. We plan to visit the best birding hotspots in this region.

Driving Distance: 1200 km
Fee: From $1190 for a party of 1 - 4 persons.

January - April

Group Tour: March 7 - 8, 2023

Ptarmigan Tour

 

See our Ptarmigan Tour page for booking and tour details.

Quill Lakes Birdwatching Tour

Visit the multitude of birds at Canada's largest salt water lake on this birdwatching tour.

Birds galore! The Quill Lakes region is the best place in Saskatchewan for observing Great Egrets, Great Blue Herons and Black-crowned Night Herons.

During the peak of the shorebird migration, about 200 thousand individuals have been counted in a single day! During this time, several percent of the world populations of White-rumped, Baird’s, Least and Stilt Sandpipers occur here along with significant numbers of Hudsonian Godwits, dowitchers and American Avocets.

Driving Distance: 500 km
Fees: From $490 for a party of 1 - 4 persons.

Mid-April to August
Full-Day Tours

Group Tour: May 18, 2023

Black-crowned Night Heron
by Nick Saunders

See our Quill Lakes Birding Tour page for booking and tour details.

Saskatoon Riverbank Guided Bird Walk

Join local birding expert Stan Shadick for a 2-hour guided walking birdwatching tour.

Distance: 1.5 km
Fee: $65 per person

May - early September
2-hour Tours
Next Tour: TBA

Brown Thrasher
by Nick Saunders

See our Saskatoon Riverbank Guided Bird Walk for booking and tour details.

Saskatoon Shorebirds Tour

Shorebirds! 3 hour birdwatching tour from Saskatoon visiting the best shorebird habitats near Saskatoon.

Shorebirds often include Sanderling, Wilson’s Phalarope, Red-necked Phalarope, American Avocet, Marbled Godwit, Hudsonian Godwit, Stilt Sandpiper, Least Sandpiper, Baird’s Sandpiper, Semipalmated Sandpiper, Pectoral Sandpiper, Short-billed Dowitcher, Lesser Yellowlegs, Willet, Solitary Sandpiper, Spotted Sandpiper, Black-bellied Plover, Semipalmated Plover, Killdeer.

Driving Distance: 150 km
Fees: $240 for a party of 1 - 4 persons in a single vehicle.

July – August
3-hour Tour

Saskatoon Shorebird Tor
Willet displaying
by Burt Wang

See our Saskatoon Shorebirds Tour page for booking and tour details.

Signs of Spring Birdwatching Tour

♪ Spring in the Prairies, Comes like a Surprise! ♫
(Connie Kaldor, Saskatchewan Song Writer)

Experience the sights and songs of birdlife during springtime on the prairies.

Join us for a 3-hour leisurely self-drive birdwatching tour along back roads near Saskatoon to look for newly arriving birds as they return to our area.

Total Driving Distance: 150 km
Fees: From $75 per person - $190 per group of 1 - 4 persons.

April to May

Half-Day Tours

Mountain Bluebird
by May Haga

See our Signs of Spring Birding Tour page for booking and tour details.

Snowy Owl Tour

See the white ghosts of winter!

Join our experienced local birding guide for a drive through a rural farming district reputed by owl experts to have the highest concentration of wintering Snowy Owls in the world!

We may also choose to visit the best hangout for wintering ducks and geese and Bald Eagles in the province.

Other possible birds to be seen during our birdwatching tour include Golden Eagle, Gyrfalcon, Prairie Falcon, Sharp-tailed Grouse, Gray Partridge, Snow Bunting, Common Redpoll, Common Raven, Bohemian Waxwing, Black-billed Magpie.

Half-Day Private Tours
Total Driving Distance: 150 km
Fees: $390 per group of 1 - 4 persons.

Full-Day Private Tours
Total Driving Distance: 400 km
Fees: $690 per group of 1 - 4 persons

 

December, January, February and March.

Half-Day Tours

Full-Day Tours

Snowy Owl - photo by Nick Saunders

See our Snowy Owl Tour page for booking and tour details.

Best Birding Hotspots of Souris River Tour

See the birdlife of Saskatchewan birder's favourite birding region. Join a small group of birders on a 3-day / 2-night guided birdwatching tour to the Souris River Valley region of SE Saskatchewan.

Some of the special unique birds along the Souris River include Eastern Wood-Pewee, Willow Flycatcher, Yellow-throated Vireo, Eastern Bluebird, Orchard Oriole and Lazuli Bunting. We also look for a rare Chimney Swifts, Red-headed Woodpecker or Black-headed Grosbeak.

Driving Distance: 1300 km
Fee: From $1290 for a party of 1 - 4 persons in a single vehicle.

June - July
Group Tour: July 7 - 9, 2023

See our Souris River Tour page for booking and tour details.

Sunday Morning Guided Bird Walk

Join local birding expert Stan Shadick for a 2-hour guided walking birdwatching tour.

Distance: 15 km
Fee: $65

May - August
Half-Day Tours
Next 2-hour tour: TBA

Brown Thrasher
by Nick Saunders

See our Sunday Morning Guided Bird Walk for booking and tour details.

Van Scoy Lakes Birdwatching Tour

Join our experienced local birding guide for a 6-hour driving tour to visit the Van Scoy Lakes birding hotspots and adjacent prairie ponds and grasslands.

See unique marsh, grassland and wetland birds during this birdwatching tour. Also visit shallow ponds for viewing dabbling ducks and grebes. Listen to the varied musical offerings of woodland warblers, sparrows, rails and other songbirds.

Driving Distance: 160 km
Fees: $490 for a party of 1 - 4 persons in a single vehicle.

Mid-May to August
Full-Day Tour

Watch for avocet during Chaplin Shorebirds Tour
American Avocet
by Nick Saunders

See our Van Scoy Lakes Birding Tour page for booking and tour details.

Warbler Walking Tour

View the huge variety of colourful patterns of Saskatchewan's warblers.  Join Stan Shadick for a 3-hour birdwatching tour through one of the best bird-rich city parks. We will walk and look for migrating warblers and other songbirds on this birdwatching tour. Your guide will help you find the field marks to identify them.

Driving Distance: 10 km from downtown Saskatoon.
Fees: $130 for a party of 1 - 4 persons.

 

Weir Birdwatching and Walking Tour

Obtain close-up views of water birds swimming on the river near Saskatoon's weir during a 2-hour birding tour. Then take a walk along the riverbank trails where your guide will identify a variety of songbirds.

During summer months from June through August over 90 species have been found at this location. Other waterfowl seen during migration and winter seasons.

Driving Distance: 2 km from downtown
Fees: $130 for a party of 1 - 4 persons.

November to mid-September
Half-Day Tour

See our Weir Tour page for booking and tour details.

Wild Raptor Tour

Join local birding expert Stan Shadick for a 2-hour guided self-drive birdwatching tour in search of buteos, eagles, accipiters, harriers, falcons and other wild raptors near Saskatoon.

Next 2-hour tour: To Be Announced

Swainson's Hawk
Swainson's Hawk
by Nick Saunders

See our Wild Raptor Tour for booking and tour details.

Camp Wolf Willow Birdwatching Tours

Experience the sounds and sights of birdlife in a prairie wilderness on this scenic birdwatching tour. Camp Wolf Willow is a natural oasis situated on the east bank of the beautiful South Saskatchewan River valley south of Saskatoon. This private site has a grassy coulee with a small stream plus a wooded valley offering several km of hiking trails. Beavers have dammed the stream where it enters the river creating a bird-rich wetland. The camp has its own private beach and winery.

Fees: $290 per group of 1 - 4 persons in a single vehicle.

July - September
Half-Day Tours

Camp Wolf Willow

See our Camp Wolf Tour page for booking and tour details.

Custom Private Birdwatching Tour

Want a guide for birding in other Saskatchewan localities?

Have a list of birds that you would like to see?

Hire Stan Shadick for your private escorted birdwatching tour. Rates are just $65 per hour and 70 cents per km.

Email your special requests to birdtours@sasktel.net and provide your name, contact information and preferred dates.

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

Year round Birdwatching Tours

Yellow-headed Blackbird
by Nick Saunders

Other websites that have generously advertised our birding tours.

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