Issue link: http://publications.winnipegfreepress.com/i/514227
93 the Big Five AMERICAN WHITE PELICAN Tourism Commission's Canadian Signature Experiences. Offered from May through September, A Bird in the Hand lets you participate as naturalists use mist nets to capture birds so they can collect data on behaviour, lifespans, breeding and nesting habits. Once the data is collected, you'll be taught how to hold a bird before it's placed in your hand, which becomes a launching pad as the bird is released. Head north to Hecla/Grindstone Provincial Park on Lake Winnipeg. At the north end of Hecla Island, you'll find interpretive signage about colonial nesting birds. The Lighthouse Trail is the place to see bald eagles, pelicans, hawks and double-breasted cormorants, and Grassy Narrows Marsh is home to more than 60 bird species. On your way back to Selkirk, make a detour to Netley-Libau Marsh on the Red River's sprawling estuary to see pied-billed grebes, American coots and diving ducks. three Drive west of Winnipeg to Delta Marsh, on the southern shore of Lake Manitoba, 30 kilometres north of Portage la Prairie on PR 240. The 19,000-acre marsh is world- famous waterfowl migration site, where you may spot ducks performing amazing aerodynamic feats during mating flights in spring. A popular hunting spot, the marsh has also attracted such luminaries as King George VI, Roy Rogers and Clark Gable. In summer, enjoy the municipal beach as you watch for sandpipers and pelicans, which band together to herd minnows for feeding. four Continue west to the prairie pothole region near Minnedosa, where hundreds of species of waterfowl nest each year, and explore Riding Mountain National Park, where a diverse mix of ecological zones provide a wealth of unique habitats. During migration, birders can spot upwards of 100 species a day, including great gray owls and other raptors. Settle in at a nearby resort and take a scenic drive north to Alonsa's Portia Marsh Interpretive Area on the west side of Lake Manitoba, or head farther north to bike or hike in the Bacon Ridge Birding Trail off Hwy 278. five Head southwest to Whitewater Lake, a key staging area for waterfowl and shorebirds between Deloraine and Boissevain. At the south end of the lake, you'll find interpretive signs, viewing mounds, a trail and boardwalk. Thousands of tundra swans, snow geese, Canada geese and ducks stop by in late fall. Serious birdwatchers will want to head east of Brandon to Douglas Marsh to seek out rare yellow rails, one of the most sought- after species in North America. Then, drive to Brandon for dinner and an evening stroll at the Assiniboine Riverbank Discovery Centre to spot Canada geese, green-winged teals and wood ducks. You might bump into a beaver, muskrat or turtle as well. GREAT GRAY OWL PILEATED WOODPECKER With three major migration corridors within its borders, Manitoba is a birding hotspot. Songbirds and sapsuckers, the iconic loon, raptors and our provincial bird, the great gray owl, thrive in diverse habitats from prairie fields and wetlands to boreal forests and northern tundra. Pack your binoculars and follow the flocks during fall migration season, when you might see almost 400 species. day one Start your day at Winnipeg's Assiniboine Park to spot a multitude of migratory songbirds and waterfowl. The English Garden, a favoured feathered hangout for hummingbirds and other species, makes for delightful birding amid elegant flower beds, while Cooper's hawks and screech owls nest in the Assiniboine Forest. Then head to FortWhyte Alive, a wilderness oasis in south Winnipeg. Follow self-guided trails through replicas of seven Manitoba wetland habitats and stroll on the floating boardwalks for prime viewing on the marshes. Catch sunset goose flights during fall migration season, or join a volunteer birding expert for early-morning birdwatching excursions that begin with breakfast at the Buffalo Stone Café. two Make Harlequin House Bed & Breakfast in Selkirk your birding headquarters in the Interlake. Situated on a 10-acre riverfront property, the well-appointed home's deck is ideal for birdwatching. From here, it's a short drive to Oak Hammock Marsh to watch for hundreds of species of waterfowl, blackbirds and songbirds. Tag along on bird-banding excursions to learn about warblers, sparrows and other birds, or sign up for the marsh's A Bird in the Hand program, one of the Canadian