Van Scoy Lakes Birdwatching Tour

Following a 30 minute highway drive from Saskatoon, we will take a series of back roads through grassland and pond habitat where we can stop and listen for prairie birds which might include Swainson's Hawk, Western Kingbird, Loggerhead Shrike, Pied-billed Grebe, Western Meadowlark, Sprague's Pipit, Baird's Sparrow and Long-billed Curlew.

At our crossing over Eagle Creek, we should find Bank and Cliff Swallows and possibly a Belted Kingfisher or Great Blue Heron.

Later, we will drive a loop stopping at various points along the shores of the Van Scoy Lakes watching for numerous species of ducks, grebes, marsh birds and shorebirds. Our waterbird list should include Horned and Eared Grebes, Blue-winged Teal, Northern Shoveler, Gadwall, American Wigeon, Mallard, Northern Pintail, Canvasback, Redhead, Lesser Scaup, Bufflehead and Ruddy Duck. Black Terns, Ring-billed and Franklin's Gulls are normally found flying over the lakes. Breeding shorebirds should include American Avocet, Willet, Killdeer, Wilson's Snipe, Spotted Sandpiper and Wilson's Phalarope.

In marsh habitat near the shores of Van Scoy Lakes, we may find Marsh Wrens, Common Yellowthroats, Red-winged and Yellow-headed Blackbirds. We will watch the shrubs near these Van Scoy lakes for Clay-colored and Song Sparrows plus Brown Thrashers and Gray Catbirds.

During the months of May, July and August, we could find a variety of migrating arctic-nesting shorebirds visiting Van Scoy Lakes including Least, Semipalmated, Baird's, Pectoral, Solitary and Stilt Sandpipers, Greater and Lesser Yellowlegs plus Black-bellied and Semipalmated Plovers and dowitchers. Rare nesting Black-necked Stilts and Sandhill Cranes are sometimes found.

During our final lunch stop in a town park, we may find Warbling Vireo, House Wren, Yellow Warbler, Baltimore Oriole, Purple Martin and Eurasian Collared-Doves. You can bring a lunch or pick up some food at the local Co-op store.

Join us for this leisurely driving tour. Great for a family outing. Both novice and experienced birders are welcome. If requested, a pair of binoculars may be borrowed during tour.

During this Van Scoy Lakes birding tour, your leader will identify the birds and set up a spotting scope allowing you to get the best view of the birds.