Nature Regina

Box 291, Regina, SK S4P 3A1

Upcoming Field Trips:

Saturday, April 27:

Saturday, May 4: Wascana Marsh Walk

We will explore the area around the Science Centre from Goosehill Park to Faraway Place looking for spring migrants. We should see waterfowl, gulls, shorebirds, and some songbirds.

Time: 9:00 a.m. - 11:30 p.m.

Meet at the Science Centre parking lot

Sunday, April 14 >Sunday, April 28

Sunday, May 5, Wascana Floodplains and Bratt's Lake

This trip should be good this year considering all the snow we've had. There should be lots of Snow Geese as well as hawks, ducks, and some early songbirds. We`ll check the sloughs and sheetwater in the Kronau - Estlin area and probably Buck Lake. We will be birding from or near the cars. Share of gas average $2.50.

Time: 1:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Meet at the RSM parking lot

Saturday, May 4:

Saturday, May 11: Rowan's Ravine Provincial Park

Join us for a walk along the Prairie Whispers Hiking Trail, a 2.7 km loop beginning and ending near the marina parking lot. The trail goes beside a pond, then winds across the grassland and along the north side of the ravine, and returns on the south side through a patch of native prairie and a wooded area to the lakeshore. There are many bluebird boxes along Highway 322, and we will probably make other stops en route, such as at Valeport Marsh. Bring lunch, water, and insect repellent. Be prepared for wood ticks. Share of gas average $5.

Time: 8:00 a.m. - early afternoon

Meet at the RSM parking lot

Week of May 12: Snakes Alive!

A number of people have gone to see the snake hibernaculum north of Pelly in recent years. We are repeating that trip again for those who have been unable to go in the past and for those who want to go again. At the Fort Livingstone den overlooking the Swan River Valley one can see the red-sided garter snakes as they emerge from their winter hibernation. The males wait at the den mouth and swarm the emerging females forming "mating balls." The snakes are at their peak activity around Mother's Day. If you would like to go, call Lauren at 584-1171. This is to arrange carpooling, given the considerable distance. The date chosen depends on the weather. The share of gas would average about $15-20, assuming four people per vehicle.

Wednesday, May 15: A. E. Wilson Park

We will walk around A. E. Wilson Park to see the spring migration.

Time: 6:30 p.m. - dusk

Meet at the parking lot just off Ritter Avenue and Dorothy Street on the north side of Wascana Creek

Monday, May 20: Wascana Centre (Baillie Birdathon)

Let's join Margaret Skeel for a Baillie Birdathon in Wascana Centre on what should be one of the best weekends of the year in terms of species and numbers of birds seen. This birdathon is to raise funds for Last Mountain Bird Observatory (Nature Saskatchewan). We'll start in the Legislative grounds and do Warbler Alley and the areas around the tennis courts, totem pole, etc. We will then move over to the Science Centre and do the marsh, Goose Hill Park, and perhaps Faraway Place and the Habitat Conservation Area. Margaret will keep a checklist of all species seen. You can sponsor Margaret either at a flat rate or an amount per species. Let's help her raise lots of money for LMBO. Bring lunch if you wish to go for the afternoon. You can call it a day any time you wish.

Time: 8:00 a.m. to noon or mid-afternoon

Meet at the parking area in front of the Legislative Building.

Wednesday, May 22: Goose Hill Park

An evening walk around Goose Hill Park and Quinn Drive back alley to see the spring migration.

Time: 6:30 p.m. - dusk

Meet at the Science Centre parking lot

Saturday, May 25: Sloughs and Hidden Valley

A trip to see resident breeding waterfowl and perhaps some scarcer migrant shorebirds. We'll visit Cement Plant Slough, Condie, and Brown's Slough, and then go to Hidden Valley if people wish. Bring a scope if you have one. Share of gas average $2.50.

Time: 8:00 - noon

Meet at the RSM parking lot

Saturday, June 1: Qu'Appelle Valley by Fort Qu'Appelle

There hasn't been a spring field trip to the valley around Fort Qu'Appelle for many years. It offers a wide variety of interesting habitats and opportunities to see both breeding birds and wildflowers. We could walk the Qu'Appelle Interpretive Trail by Pasqua Lake and/or the Cutout Coulee Trail or Hillside Nature Trail by Katepwa Point. In addition, we could make other stops along the way; we'll play it by ear. Bring lunch, water, and insect repellent. Share of gas average $5.

Time: 8:00 a.m. - mid-afternoon

Meet at the RSM parking lot

Saturday, June 8: Yellow Grass Marsh and Area

We'll visit a large marsh near Yellow Grass to see a wide variety of water birds. Last year a White-faced Ibis was seen here. Then south towards Trossachs, an area that has some bush (Lazuli Buntings have been seen here). After that, I don't know where we will go - it depends on what reports there are of other birds. It could be towards Weyburn or west to Channel Lake. This is a play-it-by-ear field trip. Bring lunch and water. Share of gas average $8 or more (depending if we go further afield). Leader: Stephane Canevet

Time: 8:00 a.m. - mid-afternoon

Meet at the RSM parking lot

Friday, June 14 to Sunday, June 16: Nature Saskatchewan Spring Meet

For information see Nature Views or contact Nature SK at Room 206, 1860 Lorne St., Regina SK S4P 2L7; phone (306) 780-9273; toll free in SK 1-800-667-4668.

Saturday, June 15: King's Park For those who aren't going to the spring meet, a walk around the protected area including the wetlands and poplar bluffs looking for birds and plants of interest. There could be a lot of wood ticks.

Time: 8:00 a.m. - noon

Meet at the RSM parking lot

Saturday, June 22: Robinson Property (Nature Conservancy of Canada)

The Robinson Property consists of 160 acres in the moist-mixed grassland ecoregion near Silton. The area is a mix of gently undulating native prairie intermixed with small temporary wetlands and aspen bluffs. Many common prairie songbirds can be found here, as well as wildflowers. Bring lunch, water, and insect repellent. Be prepared for wood ticks. Share of gas average $4.

Time: 8:00 a.m. - early-afternoon

Meet at the RSM parking lot

Wednesday, June 26: Duck Mountain Provincial Park

We will make a trip to Duck Mountain midweek to avoid weekend crowds. The rolling uplands support thick forests of various tree species. Due to the variety of habitats, and its location at the southern extent of the boreal forest, the park is home to many animals, and more than 200 species of birds occur regularly. There are five hiking trails of varying lengths as well as many other places to go hiking further afield. Bring lunch, water, insect repellent, and perhaps a walking stick. We will have supper somewhere on the way home, likely at Yorkton. Share of gas would average about $18-20, plus a $2 park entrance fee. If you are interested in this trip, please call Lauren at 584-1171. Given the considerable distance (three hours one way), we want to arrange carpooling to ensure vehicles are full.

Time: 7:30 a.m. - evening

Meet at the RSM parking lot

Saturday, July 6: Elizabeth Hubbard Property (Nature Conservancy of Canada)

The Hubbard Property is located along the south side of the Qu'Appelle Valley in the Aspen Parkland ecoregion (northeast of Whitewood and south of Esterhazy). It supports a vast number of native plant species, including many that are nationally and provincially rare or endangered, and is one of the few places in SK where Bur Oak is found. The property includes 385 acres of hardwood forest, 15 acres of wetlands, and 15 acres of native grassland, as well as a ravine, tame hayland and riparian areas. The diverse habitats on the property are also home to many species of passerine birds. Bring lunch, water, insect repellent, and perhaps a walking stick. Also bring rubber boots (just in case) because we have to cross a small stream to get to the property. We will have supper somewhere on the way home. Share of gas average $12. If you are interested in this trip, please call Lauren at 584-1171. Given the considerable distance (two hours one way), we want to arrange carpooling to ensure vehicles are full.

Time: 8:00 a.m. - evening

Meet at the RSM parking lot

Saturday, July 13: Edenwold 01 and 02 Properties (Nature Conservancy of Canada)

Join NCC staff as a conservation volunteer at the Edenwold Property in the beautiful East Parklands Natural Area. NCC is looking for moderate-to-good skilled botanists and birders to help identify significant plant and animal species. The properties comprise 640 acres of native grasslands, woodlands, and wetlands. Wear good hiking boots and a hat. Bring binoculars, bird or native plant books, lunch, water, and insect repellent. Also bring rubber boots in case there are wet places out there. Sign up deadline: Please register at http://www.conservationvolunteers.ca/ by Thursday, July 11. If you don`t have a computer, call Joseph Kotlar at 347-0447, ext. 229, or Lauren at 584-1171. Showers in the weather forecast won`t stop this trip, but steady rain will; if in doubt, contact Joseph to confirm. You will be asked to sign a waiver. Share of gas average $4.

Time: 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Meet at the RSM parking lot

If anyone has comments or suggestions regarding field trips, please call Lauren at 584-1171.  Please note there is a shortage of leaders for birding field trips.

More member photographs from field trips, courtesy of Stephane Canevet, Fran Kerbs, and Keith Barr: