If you live in rural Manitoba, you are probably familiar with the various types of swallows that spend their summers here: the dark-green and white tree swallow which nests in boxes or cavities; cliff swallows which nest in colonies under bridges or occasionally on barns; the smaller light- and dark-grey bank swallow which tunnels into
Species at risk
Both the barn and bank swallows are on this list in Manitoba
Get ready for the returning birds
What a welcome sight and sound after such a long, cold winter
As winter is finally drawing to a close, many birders turn their thoughts to the return of our migrating birds. My husband and I have enjoyed feeding and watching the hardy species that stay here all year; we have been excited when a few that usually migrate have overwintered — such as the single junco
Winter getting you down?
Have some fun with all that snow – make a quinzhee
If winter seems to be dragging on for you and your family, consider a different outdoor activity — try building a quinzhee. Quinzhee — the word is of Athabaskan origin — is a sort of snow house built for survival purposes, for winter camping, or just for fun. With all the snow this winter you
Weather folklore: true or false?
Proverbs and folklore about the weather are often quoted, but can we depend on these? For centuries, those whose living depends on the weather — farmers, shepherds, sailors, fishermen and hunters — have observed their surroundings and connected changes in nature with changes or patterns of weather. Frequently they invented proverbs or ditties to predict
From a tourist’s view
A trip to the beaches of Varadero, Cuba may be what you’re dreaming of. But perhaps, after some time in the sun, you might want more — to see the ‘real’ Cuba, outside of the all-inclusive resort strip. My husband and I recently spent two weeks on the tropical island. We admired the fabulous Varadero
A good winter for birders
The term bird irruptions (also known as eruptions), sounds like it might be something dangerous, but it just means a year when an unusually large number of a certain bird invades a region. This can be an exciting event for birders. Some winters there may be a larger-than-usual number of snowy owls in the southern
MacGregor teacher promotes winter activities
In the ’50s, when I attended classes at a one-room school, noon hours meant tobogganing, snowshoeing and skiing on the hills behind our school. I remember with pleasure learning to ski on the smallest hill and then advancing to the longer, steeper slopes on the bigger hill. But nowadays, with most rural schools located in
Explore Manitoba’s parks off-season
If you’re one of those who can’t manage a holiday during the busy summer and fall seasons, don’t be afraid to take off-season drives or holidays around our province. Hotels usually have plenty of space available and may even offer special off-season deals; it’s often possible to make last-minute bookings. You can watch the forecast
BIRDBATHS: Important in winter and summer
If you’re trying to attract birds to your yard, one of the most useful items is a birdbath. Both winter and summer, a source of water near your feeders will attract songbirds to feed and bathe. My husband and I found this particularly true when there has been a long dry spell, such as we’ve
Step back in time and visit a one-room school
If you’re interested in Manitoba’s history, and enjoy short daytrips around our province, a visit to a couple of one-room schools might make for an interesting fall tour, through one of Manitoba’s scenic regions. Over the last couple of years, my husband and I have visited two such schools in the Parkland region south of
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
