Jim and Bev Levandosky build birdhouses with a unique and artistic twist.

Couple’s retirement hobby is for the birds

Jim and Bev Levandosky of Strathclair create one-of-a-kind bird dwellings

A retired Strathclair couple has provided safe harbour for birds in locales as far-flung as British Columbia, Ontario and even the U.S. states of Colorado and Florida. Jim and Bev Levandosky have been building one-of-a-kind homes for their feathered friends for the past 10 years, full of character and colour. Their vast selection includes cabins,

Peter Galawan (far left), poses with family members and MHHC staff pose with a cairn honouring Galawan for his donation. Left to right: Peter Galawan, Debbie McDowell (niece of Peter), Carol Graham (MHHC habitat conservation specialist), Ernest DeLaRonde (nephew of Peter), Gary Galawan (nephew of Peter) and Curtis Hullick (MHHC field manager).

Oak Lake local honoured for land donation for wildlife

Grassland property will serve as permanent wildlife habitat

Oak Lake local Peter Galawan was honoured for his donation of property to the Manitoba Habitat Heritage Corporation on September 20. In 2017, Galawan donated a quarter section of land in the grassland flats of the Arrow Hills, according to a news release from MHHC. It contains Bailey’s Creek, a tributary of the Assiniboine River.


Elk producers call for review of mule deer hunting policy

Elk producers call for review of mule deer hunting policy

The Manitoba Elk Growers Association is pleased to hear the province is building a new big game health lab in Dauphin but is calling for more action to stop the spread of chronic wasting disease. A spokesperson from the province confirmed that a request for proposals was issued in mid-August for the building of the

A young animal may appear to be alone but likely the mother is watching nearby.

Reminder to leave young wild animals alone

They may appear to be lost or abandoned but the mother is usually nearby

It’s an exciting time for nature enthusiasts when young animals such as fawns, ducklings, rabbits or songbirds are around. However, it can also be a time when people forget to leave these animals alone, even if they appear helpless or lost. In the majority of cases, the animals are not abandoned or deserted, and the


Brad Mummery (l to r), Athia Rose, Trent Tomoniko, Jonah Rose and Herb Golden (in back) at  the Friends of the Bluebirds meeting in April.

New groups take up birdhouse project

A 4-H group and a training centre are building to aid Friends of the Bluebirds

Two new groups are helping to improve the survival rate of bluebirds and swallows in Manitoba. They are doing so by providing nest boxes through the Brandon-based organization, Friends of the Bluebirds. One group, the Belles, Beaux & Builders 4-H Club from Neepawa, made a presentation at the Brandon Discovery Centre at the April meeting

A wild boar wallows in the mud.

PHOTOS: Wild pigs on the loose

How many wild pigs are roaming agro-Manitoba? Nobody knows the answer to that question, and that’s going to be a problem for the province. Ryan Brook, a professor at the University of Saskatchewan who was educated at the University of Manitoba has the best handle, and even he admits his numbers are far from certain.


View from Fort Ellice site.

Visit the site of old Fort Ellice

A good destination for birdwatchers and those interested in history

For history buffs and keen birders, an interesting spot to visit is the site of old Fort Ellice, southwest of St. Lazare, Manitoba. This area is also part of the Ellice-Archie and Spy Hill Community Pasture, formerly PFRA (Prairie Farm Rehabilitation Administration), that straddles the Manitoba-Saskatchewan border. It was recently included as part of Manitoba’s

Mound Wildlife Association recognized for efforts

The revitalized group received the PVCD 2019 conservation award

A revitalized wildlife group is the recipient of the 2019 Pembina Valley Conservation District conservation award. The Mound Wildlife Association (MWA) ceased operation in 2000 after a 15-year run but was revived in 2015, with an emphasis on youth involvement. An inaugural free Kids Fishing Derby in 2015 attracted 24 participants to Goudney Reservoir for


Blackpoll warblers (male top, female bottom) fly up to 10,700 km between their winter and summer homes.

Back from South America for the summer

Warblers fly from Churchill to the Carolinas, then non-stop over the ocean for 2-1/2 days

University of Guelph biologists have tracked an annual migration of up to 20,000 kilometres made by the 12-gram blackpoll warbler, one of the fastest declining songbirds in North America. The bird’s trek between its breeding grounds in the central and western boreal forest of North America and its winter home in the Amazon Basin is

Birdhouses ready to be
put up.

Building birdhouses — a good indoor winter activity

Looking for a project while waiting for warmer weather? Why not try this?

If you’re interested in birds or the outdoors, but not keen on cold-weather activities, why not spend some time inside planning and building birdhouses? Most are not too difficult to make, but they do require some preparation. First, decide what type of bird you plan to build for, as different species have different requirements and/or