The Binocular Site
Churchill, Manitoba
In Manitoba, Churchill is a favorite birding spot, as it rests against the shore of Hudson Bay.
It is most famous for polar bears, and also attracts beluga whales, arctic foxes, mountain goats, moose, coyotes, black and grizzly bears as well. Fishing is a popular activity here, with many tours offered on land, sea, and air. Here the Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis) can be seen at the end of August, and once again from December into Late April.
Approximately 500 birdwatchers visit each year, particularly from May through August, to spot some of the over 270 species reported here. Churchill is a favorite stopover during migration, and also is home to more than 100 nesting birds including Harris’ sparrows, Smith’s longspurs, Parasitic jaeger, and stilt sandpipers.
Churchill’s Northern Studies Center is world-renowned for subarctic education and related research, and was first established in 1976. Studies vary, and the center is a hub for rare knowledge of area wildlife. For example, did you know grey jays lay eggs here despite temperatures at 40 degrees below 0, and that wood frogs freeze solid and thaw again when spring returns in Churchill? Several current research projects are underway to study breeding biology, soils, and greenhouse gases in the area.
See the Churchill, Manitoba website for more information.
The provincial bird of Manitoba is the Great Gray Owl and you can find a checklist for birding activities in Manitoba here.
Photo credit to dogrando, used with permission under the creative commons license.
If you've visited Churchill, please take the time to share your experience and any tips or insight you have about this Manitoba birding location below.
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