Prairie Provinces: Summer 2025

Swans through Gulls

A tally of about 100 Trumpeter Swans near The Pas, MB on 15 Jun attests to the continued increase of the species in Manitoba (David Raitt). A Garganey was a great find at Pollockville, AB on 9 Jun (Richard Klauke, ph.), as was a pair of King Eiders at Shamattawa, MB on 15 Jun, well south of their usual Hudson Bay haunts (Ryan McDonald, ph.) and a male Harlequin Duck at Regina on 22 Jun (Alyson Melenchuk, m.ob., ph.). A Sharp-tailed Grouse was seen by many near Churchill, MB from 2 to 9 Jun (Bruce Di Labio, m.ob., ph) and on 27 Jul a brood of five young was found there, providing a first breeding record for the area (Greg Stroud, John Zakelj, ph.). A Band-tailed Pigeon attracted many birders from 25 Jun into Jul at Diamond Valley, AB (m.ob., ph.). Two Vaux’s Swifts were reported at Beaver Mines Lake, AB on 14 Jun (Mark Storey, ph.). A Ruby-throated x Rufous Hummingbird hybrid continued from spring at Calgary, AB (m.ob., ph.). Other unusual hummers included a Black-chinned Hummingbird at Pearce, AB on 11 Jun (Liz Saunders, ph.) and Anna’s Hummingbirds at Hillcrest Mines, AB on 27 Jul (Pat Lucas, ph.) and at Calgary the following day (m.ob., oh.). The latter species has become a regular fall migrant in small numbers in the province. As mentioned in the introduction, shorebird habitat is at a premium after a few dry years, and there were no reports of concentrations or rarities, with the exception of a Red Phalarope at the Brant Colony Slough, AB, present for several from 27 Jul on (m.ob., ph.). Two Parasitic Jaegers were at Stony Rapids, SK on 15 Jun, with another on 25 Jul (Shayna Cossette, ph.), while an out-of-season individual was noted at Delta, MB on 6 Jul (fide Bob Shettler). The only larid of note was a Laughing Gull near Ste Anne, MB on 1 Jun (Vic Reimer).     

Pelicans to Wrens

American White Pelicans wandered north to Churchill, with three reports between 1 Jun and 14 Jul (m.ob.). There were few reports of rare herons, the best being of a Great Blue Heron paired with a Great Egret at Edmonton, AB (m.ob., ph.) and a Snowy Egret on 22 Jun in Manitoba’s Interlake region (Helen Slavuta, ph.). There were several reports of Green Heron in southern Manitoba, including of a pair that fledged five young at Winnipeg (m.ob., ph.). A Glossy Ibis was enjoyed by many at Francis Lake, SK from late May to 14 Jun (m.ob., ph.) and another one was at Belleview, MB on 26–27 Jun (Amanda Guercio, m.ob.). A Red-shouldered Hawk made a flyover near Ste Anne on 21 Jun (Vic Reimer, ph.). An American Barn Owl was audio-recorded at Sherwood Park, AB on 9 Jun (James Fox, audio). There were no other noteworthy reports of diurnal or nocturnal raptors. A pair of Lewis’s Woodpeckers continued at Waterton Lakes NP, AB (m.ob., ph.). Crested Caracaras have been seen in the region several times in recent years; this summer there were reports from Drayton Valley, AB on 3–4 Jun (m.ob., ph.) and at Wandering River, AB on 22 Jun (Mary-Ann Benko, ph.). Single Eastern Wood-Pewees at Cold Lake, AB on 4 Jun (James & Shelley Fox, audio) and near Elk Island NP, AB on 4 Jul (Audrey Boucher) were far west of their breeding range, while a Western Flycatcher at Entwistle, AB on 30 Jun provided the third record for Edmonton County (m.ob., ph.). Similarly out-of-range, but now in an easterly direction, was a Plumbeous Vireo at Cypress Hills PP, SK on 23 Jun, where it was later seen by many (Amanda Guercio, m.ob, ph.). A Cliff Swallow on 3 Jun was one of several out-of-range species at Churchill (Bruce Di Labio), which also included a Black-capped Chickadee on 7 Jun (Doug McRae) and Northern House Wren on 19 and 25 Jul (Jacob Gerard, Mark Duchene; Greg Stroud).

Northern Mockingbird through Dickcissel

A Northern Mockingbird was found at Fort McLeod, AB on 10 Jun (Carey Bergman) and another was at White Bear, SK on 12 Jul (Dan Zazelenchuk, ph.). Six Eastern Bluebirds continued through summer at Wetaskiwin, AB (m.ob., ph.), while a single bird was at Pincher Creek, AB from 10 Jun into Aug (Cornell Van Ryk). A Western Bluebird was a nice find at Winchell Lake, AB on 26 Jul (Ashley Roach). There were a few reports of Wood Thrushes on territory in Manitoba, where the species is now reported annually, but one at Tofield, AB on 5 Jun was unexpectedly far west (m.ob.). A Eurasian Tree Sparrow was at Regina on 17 Jun (Richard Dutchyshen) and a hybrid House Sparrow x Eurasian Tree Sparrow was noted at Broadview, SK on 10 Jun (Don Weidl, ph.). A Lesser Goldfinch at Waterton Lakes NP on 11 Jun was the 12th for Alberta (Asher Warkentin, ph.). A Spotted Towhee at Coal Lake, AB on 1 Jul provided the first eBird record for the area (m.ob., ph.). Up to two Eastern Meadowlarks at St. Georges, MB attracted numerous birders from 15 to 26 Jun (Garry Budyk, m.ob., audio). Orchard Orioles have appeared four times In Alberta since 2021. A breeding pair present for much of June near Manyberries provided the fifth occurrence and was enjoyed by many (m.ob., ph.). Northern Parula reports came from Lac La Biche, AB, where a bird continued from spring to 3 Jun (m.ob., ph.), and from Loch Leven, SK on 16 Jul (Karen Machin, Robert Brua). Rare warblers at Churchill included a Bay-breasted Warbler on 9 Jun (Mike Resch, Anita & Bill Hooker, ph.) and a Chestnut-sided Warbler on 7 Jun (Trevor MacLaurin). A Summer Tanager was at Milestone, SK on 14 Jun (Tammy Thomas, ph.) and a Western Tanager was at Golden Prairie, MB on 26 Jul (Rob Nikkel, ph.). Early June was productive for rarities in Churchill—besides warblers noted above there was also a Rose-breasted Grosbeak, on 4 Jun (m.ob., ph.) and a hybrid Lazuli x Indigo Bunting, from 3 to at least 4 Jun (m.ob., ph.). Only one Dickcissel was reported—a bird at Neubergthal, MB on 27 Jun (John Weier).

Report edited by Andrew Keaveney, 03 Mar 2026.