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Duck Lake, Nisbet Forest and Fort Carlton Historic Park
During this 8-hour day trip from Saskatoon, we will drive the roads near Duck Lake in search of Bobolinks, Western Meadowlarks, Le Conte’s, Nelson’s, Song, Savannah and Clay-colored Sparrows and Sedge Wrens. Later we will drive into the Nisbet Forest to look for possible Trumpeter Swans, raptors, Canada Jays and warblers.
At Fort Carlton Historic Park, we can explore the fort and/or look for Spotted Towhees and other woodland and grassland songbirds.
Meeting Point
Flying J Travel Center
- Flying J Travel Center is located on the NE corner of Idylwyld Drive North and Marquis Drive near the north edge of Saskatoon. The address is 3850 Idylwyld Dr N, Saskatoon, SK S7P 0A1. The entrance to this property is located at the traffic lights on Marquis Drive, 1 block east of Idylwyld on Marquis Drive. Please meet me at the south outside entrance to the main building containing the Denny's Restaurant. There are public washrooms in this building open 24 hours per day. You can purchase food for lunch before we depart.
Drive to Duck Lake
You will drive your own personal or rented vehicle to Duck Lake north of Saskatoon. The leader can drive separately or if you wish, he can ride in your non-smoking vehicle.
Explore Duck Lake area
Here we will drive the roads through the fields south of the town in search of Bobolinks, Western Meadowlarks, Le Conte’s, Nelson’s, Song, Savannah and Clay-colored Sparrows and Sedge Wrens.
Along the margins of Duck Lake, we will watch for American Avocet, Spotted Sandpiper, Willet, Wilson’s Phalarope, Red-winged and Yellow-headed Blackbirds, Common Yellowthroats and listen for Soras. We will use a spotting scope to view ducks and grebes out on the lake. We should find Eared and Pied-billed Grebes, Canada Geese, Blue-winged and Green-winged Teal, Northern Shoveler and Northern Pintail.
A stop near Duck Lake’s sewage lagoons may yield several diving ducks including Redhead, Canvasback and Lesser Scaup plus American Coot, Eastern Kingbird and Common Grackle and Franklin’s Gulls. Stops at other nearby ponds may yield Red-necked Grebe, Horned Grebe, Marbled Godwit, Ring-necked Ducks and Bufflehead.
Explore Nisbet Provincial Forest
We will make roadside stops in the Nisbet Forest north of Duck Lake where we will look and listen for Broad-winged Hawk Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Lark Sparrow, Eastern Phoebe, Red-eyed Vireo, Blue-headed Vireo, Veery, Swainson’s and Hermit Thrushes, Ovenbird, American Redstart, Yellow-rumped Warbler and possibly Black-throated Green Warblers. Stops by forest lakes might produce a Common Loon or Trumpeter Swan.
Lunch stop at scenic Fort Walsh
We will visit the picnic area in Fort Walsh Historic Park to eat the lunch that you brought with you.
Visit the Fort
Fort Carlton was an important hub for the Hudson's Bay Company (HBC) during the fur trade from 1810 - 1885. Located on the North Saskatchewan River and with easy access by land, this site was an ideal place to warehouse goods and gather provisions for other posts. An important negotiation site for Treaty Six in 1876, Fort Carlton was accidently burned down during a hasty evacuation that took place during the Northwest Resistance of 1885.
Today, Fort Carlton Provincial Historic Park features a reconstructed palisade, fur and provisions store, trade store, clerks quarters and tipi encampment. Visitors can see, touch and smell artifacts such as bison hides, beaver pelts and more. Interpretive staff are on hand to answer questions.
Walk a park trail
After visiting the fort, we will hike a nearby trail in search of Ruffed Grouse, woodpeckers and woodland songbirds.
Make Birding Stops at sloughs as we we leisurely drive back to Saskatoon
We will make birding stops at a variety of wetlands as we drive back to Saskatoon. We may find Bobolinks, ducks, grebes, blackbirds and other birds.
Ending Point
Flying J Travel Center
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Inclusions & Exclusions
* Guiding Services
* Use of 1 pair of binoculars during tour if requested in advance
* Transportation Costs (Car Rental, Gasoline, etc.)
* Meals
* Accommodation
* Other Costs
Tour Important Information
* You need to drive your own personal or rented vehicle on this tour.
* The leader can drive in a separate vehicle or he can ride in your non-smoking vehicle.
* Dress for the weather. Bring hat, jacket and comfortable shoes for walking on a few short but uneven trails.
* Bring a lunch or plan to purchase your food for lunch at the start of the tour.
Important message from the guide
For driving tours, clients generally need to drive their own personal or rented vehicle. I can ride in your vehicle. If you prefer, I can drive your vehicle if you accept liability in case of accident.
Cancellation Policy
- Free cancellation - 8 days prior to meeting time
- 50% Refund - 3 to 7 days prior to meeting time
- No Refund - Within 2 day(s) prior to meeting time
