Observation towers near Oak Lake will track shorebirds living in and passing through the area.

New towers to track shorebirds

Southwestern Manitoba a key stopping point in birds' annual migration

New tracking towers in southwestern Manitoba aim to aid the tracking of shorebirds passing through the area, which is considered a Prairie hot spot for the creatures. The Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) has installed three towers near Oak Lake, and another near Whitewater Lake. Antennae atop the towers collect signals from radio transmitters that

This great horned owl was at the festival last year.

2018 declared the Year of the Bird

A good way to celebrate is by attending La Rivière’s Raptor Festival


This year has been declared the Year of the Bird. National Geographic, the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, and over 100 other organizations have announced this as a way to mark the centennial of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. This bird-protection law was passed 100 years ago, and the centennial is an occasion to recommit to


The ruby-throated hummingbird migrates from Central America — a distance of up to 6,000 km.

Long-distance flyers

Many migrating birds travel an astonishing number of kilometres and some even make the trip non-stop

It’s migration time, not just for “Canadian snowbirds” returning from a winter in the southern U.S. or Mexico, but for actual birds returning north for the nesting season. April and May are prime months for migrating birds to reach Manitoba, although a few early species may appear in March, and late ones in June. Horned

chickens in a barn

Poultry biosecurity crucial in fall

Minor illnesses in wild populations can quickly become pandemics

It turns out birds have a flu season too. After years of studying the role of wild birds in outbreaks of avian influenza in domestic poultry flocks, one of Canada’s top public sector veterinarians says the bottom line is farmers need to take precaution in the fall. John Pasick is the national veterinary science authority


Biology professor, Christy Morrissey says a new facility to research bird health could pay human dividends.

Bird’s eye view of human health

A University of Saskatchewan facility will let researchers study bird health and the environment with possible human benefits

Just like the canary in the coal mine, wild birds can tell us a lot about our environment and how it could affect human health. University of Saskatchewan biology professor, Christy Morrissey says watching birds for problems could help locate issues that may affect human health, one of the driving forces behind a new research

A ruby-throated hummingbird is handled by a researcher prior to being released.

Older hummingbirds better prepared

Lengthy annual migration reveals profound differences between young birds and the more experienced ones

The small, but mighty ruby-throated hummingbird flies 2,000 km on its migratory journeys without a break, researchers report in the journal The Auk: Ornithological Advances. New research provides some of the first details of the hummingbird’s annual fall journey from the eastern United States to Central America. It shows that their fall migration peaks in


A Swainson’s hawk rests on it’s handlers arm at the raptor festival.

Raptor festival soars to new heights

People flock to the Pembina Valley to watch raptors float on thermal air

The term “raptor” might conjure up “Jurassic Park-like” visions of huge flying dinosaurs, but alas, that is not the case. Raptor is simply the term used to describe birds of prey. Each year a massive raptor migration takes place as these magnificent birds return to Manitoba from their wintering grounds. Usually the best place to

Canada Geese standing on ice-covered river.

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