Saskatchewan is a great place to see migratory birds. We spoke with Emily Putz from Nature Saskatchewan about some of the amazing migratory bird species in Saskatchewan.

Saskatchewan is a central location on the North American Migration Flyways - or the routes followed by migratory birds as they travel north in the spring to breed and south in the winter to find food. Three of these pathways converge in Saskatchewan, meaning we get to experience a truly unique variety of birds in our province.

The Central Flyway is sometimes called the “flyway of the Great Plains” because it encompasses everything between the valley of the Mississippi River and the Rocky Mountains. On the east, it merges with the Mississippi Flyway. As they pass over Saskatchewan, these two migratory birds routes converge.

The Atlantic Flyway runs primarily along the east coast, but some birds that make use of it begin their journey in Alaska and the Yukon and traverse the entire continent on their journey south.

The Pacific Flyway passes mostly through western Alberta. However, birds like the sanderling and northern pintail do travel into Saskatchewan from this flyway: a popular stop is Chaplin Lake.

Want to experience some of these birds for yourself? Spend some time outside to observe the birds in your neighborhood.