Manitoba Owls

Tax: + 5% GST (mandatory, non-optional Canadian tax).

Tour overview
Southeastern Manitoba is one of the premier destinations in North America for winter owl watching. Great Gray, Snowy, Northern Hawk and Great Horned Owls are among the species we hope to find, while Eastern Screech-Owl, Short-eared Owl and Northern Saw-whet Owl are also possible. Numbers and locations can vary considerably from winter to winter, but late winter can be an excellent time to search for owls as courtship begins and some species become increasingly vocal.

Our Manitoba Owls Tour is led by experienced local naturalists with up-to-date knowledge of recent sightings, allowing us to adjust our daily plans to make the most of current conditions. In good owl years, the birding can be exceptional.

Beyond the owls, we’ll search Manitoba’s boreal forests and open country for other northern specialties, including Sharp-tailed Grouse, Spruce Grouse, Black-backed Woodpecker, Boreal Chickadee, Canada Jay and Evening Grosbeak. Redpolls, crossbills and other winter finches may also be encountered, with numbers varying from year to year.

This short five-day tour offers a wonderful opportunity to experience Manitoba’s winter birdlife and search for some of North America’s most sought-after owls.

Highlights
✓Excellent opportunities to search for Great Gray, Snowy, Northern Hawk and Great Horned Owls
✓Search for northern specialties including Spruce Grouse, Black-backed Woodpecker, Boreal Chickadee and Canada Jay
✓Opportunities for winter finches, including Evening Grosbeak, Redpoll and crossbills

WHAT TO EXPECT:

Food
We generally have an early breakfast at the hotel before we head out for the day. We often take a picnic lunch in the field, but will occasionally stop at a restaurant for lunch. Dinner is usually at the hotel or a nearby restaurant. 

Accommodation
We generally stay in comfortable, standard hotel rooms in locations that provide convenient access to the most productive birding areas. Because the distribution of owls varies from winter to winter, our accommodation locations may change depending on recent sightings. In some years, we may stay in Winnipeg for the duration of the tour.

Walking
Walking on this tour is rated as easy. Most walks are less than 1 km (0.6 miles) and are on relatively level roads and trails. However, conditions can be snowy or icy, so sturdy, waterproof winter footwear with good traction is strongly recommended. Although the walking itself is not strenuous, participants should be prepared to spend time outdoors in cold winter conditions. Warm clothing is essential.

Driving
There is a considerable amount of driving on this tour as we travel between different areas in search of owls and other target birds. Although individual drives are generally not long, we may cover considerable distance over the course of a day as we check multiple locations. Photographers should note that the windows in our vans do not roll down.

Climate
Late February and March in southern Manitoba are still very much winter. Daytime temperatures are often around -10 to 0°C (14–32°F), with colder conditions possible, while overnight and early-morning temperatures can fall below -20°C (-4°F). Wind can be a significant factor on the open prairies and may make conditions feel considerably colder than the actual air temperature. Snow, ice and rapidly changing weather are all possible.

Participants should come prepared for full winter conditions. Warm layers are essential, including insulated outerwear, a warm hat, gloves or mittens, and insulated waterproof footwear.