Field trips

Everyone is welcome to participate in any field trip. Bring your friends. Carpooling for out-of-town trips is usually arranged at the meeting place. Participants are expected to share gasoline costs and should make arrangements with the driver to do so. There is no other charge. Phone the trip leader if you have any questions. Participants are free to depart early if they wish. Members with CB radios or FRS radios should bring them on out of town trips.

Skip to the list of activities with Young Naturalists

See reports from spring and fall bird counts

Check out the Saskatchewan birding blog run by Nick Saunders (external site)

Saturday, 27. February 2010
Northern Owl Trip

We will drive to northern areas looking for Northern Hawk Owls and Great Gray Owls. Participants may leave early. Bring a lunch.

Time: 7:30 a.m. - 10:30 p.m
Place: meet at the south-west corner of the Lawson Heights Mall parking lot
Leader: Marten Stoffel (934–3769)

Possible Owling Evening in March

...depending on whether the owls are calling in the area. Check this page for confirmation and details.

Sunday, 7. March 2010
Forestry Farm and Zoo

We will go on a behind-the-scenes tour of the zoo and look for winter birds.

Time: 2:00 p.m. - 4 p.m.
Place: meet at the Zoo parking lot
Leader: Greg Fenty (343-6943)

Sunday, 14. March 2010
Boreal Forest Winter birding

We will drive to Christopher Lake where we will meet Lesley Tuchek who will lead us on a 3 km hike along a snowmobile trail into the forest in search of winter birds. We will then drive to visit bird feeding stations before heading to Prince Albert for supper.

Time: 8:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m.
Place: meet at the SW corner of Lawson Heights Mall parking lot
Leaders: Stan and Jan Shadick (652-5975)

Saturday, 20. March 2010
Gardiner Dam birding

We will look for horned larks, ducks, geese and eagles. Dress warmly and bring a lunch.

Time: 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Place: meet at the Western Development Museum parking lot
Leader: Frank Roy (374-8571)

3. April 2010
Bluebird hike

Greet our harbinger of spring, the Mountain Bluebird! We will drive the countryside southwest of Saskatoon looking for bluebirds and other early migrants. Bring a picnic lunch.

Time: 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Place: meet at the intersection of Crerar Drive and Caen Street in Montgomery Place. Drive west on 11th St. West and turn left at Crerar Drive for 1 block.
Leaders: Ivor and Orca Thokle (244-6746)

Wednesday, 14. April 2010
Gull Identification

A chance to learn gulls and look for a rare American Dipper that was there last year. There should be at least four species present and maybe a rarity.

Time: 6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Place: meet at the riverbank next to the Queen Elizabeth power station on Spadina Crescent W.
Leader: Robert Johanson (653-2610)

Young Naturalists

Nature activities for 5-11 year olds

For a complete list of Young Naturalists' Programs and updates visit the Zoo Society web site at www.saskatoonzoosociety.ca/natpack.htm. Space is limited on most programs, so if you know you want to attend a specific program, you can register at any time. Register by calling 975-3042 (an answering machine) or by using our new e-mail address: saskatoonnaturekids@gmail.com

Young Naturalists' Great Horned Owl Ecology
Sunday, 14. March 2010

Meet "Spirt" (Spirit) the one-eyed Great Horned Owl and discover how this Saskatchewan bird of prey survives our cold winters. What do owls eat? It is easy to find out, just check out their pellets! What is an owl pellet? Better attend this program and dissect your own owl pellet to find out! Space is limited.

Time: 2:00 p.m.
Place: meet at the Saskatoon Forestry Farm Park and Zoo Affinity Learning Centre (formerly the Education Centre)
Cost: Free (donations accepted). Call 975-3042 to register or for more information.

Young Naturalists' Bird House Workshop
Sunday, 28. March 2010

Spring is just around the corner so it is time to prepare for the bluebirds and Tree swallows return from their winter migration. These cavity-nesting birds will be looking for suitable nesting sites. We can help them out by building a birdhouse. Bring a hammer and make your own birdhouse. Space is limited in this workshop so registration is required.

Time: 2:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Place: meet at the Saskatoon Forestry Farm Park and Zoo Affinity Learning Centre (formerly the Education Centre).
Cost: $20.00 / child. Members: $10.00 / child. Call 975-3042 to register or for more information.

Young Naturalists' Crocus Field Trip
Wednesday, 21. April 2010

Celebrate Earth Day with a walk on the native prairie by Peturrson's Ravine. We will be looking for the Prairie Crocus. The flowers are only here for a short time, so come out and observe these beautiful flowers.

Time: 6:00 p.m.
Place: meet at Peturrson Ravine parking lot (On Central Avenue approximately 100m north of Somers Road).
Cost: Free. Call 975-3042 to register or for more information.

Content of Young Naturalist Programs are geared towards the 5 to 11 year old range. Parental supervision is required on all Young Naturalists' programs.