Fall in Saskatchewan: this one has been on our schedule since our
first discussion of the “Year”, and we have three target species. Whooping
Crane (of course), American Badger and Ord’s Kangaroo Rat. None is guaranteed;
we could find them all or strike out.
CrossIron Mills mall is a convenient
place to meet for eastern (or northern) outings, and we assemble there early on
October 4. Phil drives us toward the provincial border through intermittent
ground fog and a wintry zero temperature, and we manage to pick out several
“Alberta” Sandhill Cranes along the way. On the Saskatchewan side we continue
through Kindersley and Rosetown to Saskatoon where we meet local birder Ron
Jensen. He tells us the good news: Whooping Cranes are being seen. Ron and his
friend Ray lead us on an hour’s drive and we are treated to a marvelous view of
a large group of these endangered birds. Also in the area we find many
Sandhills, plus thousands of Snow, “Blue”, Greater White-fronted, Cackling and
Canada Geese. The sights and sounds as the flocks take off and land, always with
“greetings” to one another, make for a truly a magnificent waterfowl spectacle.
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View of the cranes (those white specks!) from the car |
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Dancing Whooping Cranes with Sandhill Cranes looking on (with telephoto lens) |
Ron and Ray expertly guide us to a Saskatoon
pub where we toast our good fortune with fine locally-brewed refreshments.
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from left to right: Ron, Mike, Ray, Phil, Brian, Ray |
Next day: it’s a relief to vacate our
too-warm motel rooms. Following breakfast Phil skillfully negotiates a series of detours and we
head south for Gardiner Dam. Once again we’re impressed by the sheer numbers of
geese and many Tundra Swans. Ross’s Goose is new for the trip and we note an
unexpected high count of “Blue” Geese.
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Snow Geese |
Lake Diefenbaker, which is formed by
Gardiner Dam, appears devoid of birdlife. We pass on south to Luck Lake and
find yet another mass of geese, old stuff by now. As we drive the track across
the lake causeway the front-seat guys spot a mammal trotting ahead. I say “porcupine”
but am swiftly corrected. “It’s a badger!”, we whoop as we watch mammal #73,
our most-hunted (and most-missed) four-legged critter.
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American Badger running away from us |
On our way west to Leader a lovely Red
Fox poses for photos, but we’ve another mammal in mind. After supper and checking
into our mercifully cool rooms we head south and enter the Great Sand Hills
Ecological Reserve to search for Ord’s Kangaroo Rat, a small nocturnal rodent.
We had missed this one in June, patrolling prairie tracks at midnight near the
Empress cemetery on the Alberta – Saskatchewan border.
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Red Fox |
It’s about 9pm, dark and moonless. In
the reserve Ray turns the car into a small parking area where several months
ago we spotted a Thirteen-lined Ground Squirrel. A tail-up kangaroo rat darts
across in the headlights – seen by all – and a moment later another scurries
by.
No one expected to hit the trifecta,
but it happened. Any or all – crane, badger, rat – could easily have been
missed. The drive home the following day is cushioned by memories of our
successful prairie visit, and we wonder what lies ahead at Haida Gwaii.
- Mike -
You all must have picked up a lucky penny on your way to Saskatchewan! I would do anything to see a Whooping Crane… sigh. Congratulations and only four species to go!
ReplyDeleteNicely done! 3 for 3! I hope you told those Whooping Cranes to hurry on down here to Aransas
ReplyDeleteThanks for the comments, Charlotte and Matthew. The Whooping Cranes have been in the same place for 10 days or more ... they don't seem to be in a hurry to get to Texas. Perhaps they'll go via Vermillion and Charlotte can pick them up on her big sit (hope you have better weather than Calgary has now). Brian
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