Churchill and Southern Manitoba Jun 08—20, 2006
Posted by Jeri Langham
Jeri Langham
Jeri M. Langham has a Ph.D. in plant ecology from Washington State University, and after 38 years as a professor of biological sciences at California State University ...Related Trips
Every Churchill and Southern Manitoba tour has so many special experiences and varied ecosystems that it is always difficult to select the highlights.
At Oak Hammock Marsh, we had superb looks at a Vesper Sparrow and Virginia Rail, and also Yellow-headed Blackbirds, White Pelicans, Black Terns, and others. On the west side, a Le Conte's Sparrow crawled through the grass like a mouse, almost onto my speaker. We also saw Sharp-tailed Grouse, Short-eared Owl, Hooded Merganser, Willet, and Marbled Godwit. Near the visitor's center, a pair of Wilson's Phalaropes showed off near breeding-plumaged Eared Grebes and colonies of Richardson's ground squirrels.
The next morning at Riding Mountain National Park, a singing Sedge Wren and a surprise Philadelphia Vireo gave us excellent scope views, while Wilson's Snipes winnowed in the sky. Driving through the boreal forest, Steve Hilty and I listened carefully for new birds, and we had excellent views of Swamp Sparrow, Olive-sided Flycatcher, Northern Waterthrush, and a host of other warblers: Connecticut, Mourning (both in the scope), Cape May, Chestnut-sided, Black-throated Green, Tennessee, and Myrtle. Our afternoon trip was highlighted by male Spruce Grouse and Northern Three-toed Woodpecker.
Before leaving for Brandon, we enjoyed three Black-backed Woodpeckers. A Ruffed Grouse drumming on its special log allowed everyone to see it. We had wonderful looks at Blue-headed Vireo, Magnolia Warbler, and then Canada Warbler. A mother and calf moose were at the escarpment overlooking the park. At the McCreary ski area, we added a beautiful male Golden-winged Warbler.
The short-grass prairie fields near Brandon produced a Sprague's Pipit. I always enjoy watching and hearing this ethereal species, especially the one Steve called out of the sky several times. Baird's Sparrow flew onto a fence for superb looks and a male Chestnut-collared Longspur was very cooperative. On the way out, we had our best views of Sedge Wren and then a cooperative Sora. We had numerous looks at Upland Sandpiper throughout the day and great views of a soaring Ferruginous Hawk. Whitewater Lake Wildlife Management Area added Pectoral Sandpiper, White-faced Ibis, Cattle and Great egrets, Forster's and Black terns, many Black-crowned Night-Herons, and an incredible number of waterfowl.
We flew from Winnipeg to Thompson so that we could ride the VIA RAIL train overnight to Churchill. This spruce-dominated boreal forest near Thompson produced a Bald Eagle with perfect lighting conditions on our way to Paint Lake Provincial Park. There we saw such gems as Cape May, Magnolia, and Bay-breasted warblers in full breeding plumage, Boreal Chickadee, Winter Wren, Swainson's Thrush, incredible Pileated Woodpecker views, Calypso bulbosa orchids, and a great snowshoe hare.
Arriving in Churchill, we got off the train to face a "heat wave" with the warmest temperature of the trip (about 88ºF). At the docks, Ruddy Turnstone, Whimbrel, beluga whales, Common Eiders, and lots of Bonaparte's Gulls greeted us. The Granary Ponds brought breeding-plumaged Stilt and Least sandpipers, Red-necked Phalarope, Short-billed Dowitcher, Hudsonian Godwit, and many species of ducks. We had tremendous luck with Little Gull. At least five birds were seen flying and dropping into nests. At Cape Merry, the overlook of the Churchill River mouth, American Pipit, a few Parasitic Jaegers, Arctic Terns, Common Eiders, and three gull species were seen well. We spent many hours at this magical spot that changes by the minute, ice floes showing the direction of the tide. At Landing Lake road, we added American Tree Sparrow, Blackpoll Warbler, Common and Hoary redpolls, Harris's Sparrow, and both male and female Willow Ptarmigans. We saw three flying American Bitterns. After dinner we returned to Cape Merry, but by now it was cold and windy. According to the news, Churchill set a record high (88ºF) and low (37ºF) temperature for the entire Province that day.
On an absolutely beautiful day with little wind, the kind of time to really enjoy all the ice floes, belugas, seals, and constantly changing bird life, we added Red-throated Loon and a late Lapland Longspur and male Snow Bunting. The Lapland rosebay was spectacular this year?probably the best display I had seen in all my visits. A Pacific Loon on its nest was a real treat since it was so close to the road. Soon we were near Camp Nanuk, where our first American Golden-Plover gave us good scope views and later did an aerial display after helping to chase a Raven.
Our morning drive to the distant Twin Lakes produced a male Willow Ptarmigan, Hudsonian Godwits, and Short-billed Dowitchers. A Spruce Grouse was the crowd pleaser, but the heart-stopper was the male Smith's Longspur.
It was a trip most of us will long remember. Come join me next June to discover the beauty for yourself.