Manitoba
Manitoba is a province at the longitudinal centre of Canada. It is one of the three prairie provinces (with Alberta and Saskatchewan) and Canada’s fifth-most populous province with its almost 1.5 million people, around 850,000 of whom live in the capital and largest city, Winnipeg. Manitoba covers almost 650,000 km2 or c. 250,000 square miles with a widely varied landscape. The province is bordered by the provinces of Ontario to the east and Saskatchewan to the west, the territories of Nunavut to the north, and Northwest Territories to the northwest, and the US states of North Dakota and Minnesota to the south. Manitoba has a widely varied landscape, from arctic tundra and the Hudson Bay coastline in the north to dense boreal forest, large freshwater lakes, and prairie grassland in the central and southern regions. It is at the centre of the Hudson Bay drainage basin, with a high volume of the water draining into Lake Winnipeg and then north down the Nelson River into Hudson Bay. This basin’s rivers reach far west to the mountains, far south into the United States, and east into Ontario. Major watercourses include the Red, Assiniboine, Nelson, Winnipeg, Hayes, Whiteshell and Churchill rivers.
Most of Manitoba’s inhabited south has developed in the prehistoric bed of Glacial Lake Agassiz. This region, particularly the Red River Valley, is flat and fertile; receding glaciers left hilly and rocky areas throughout the province. The province has a saltwater coastline bordering Hudson Bay and more than 110,000 lakes, covering approximately 15% or over 100,000 km2 (just under 40,000 square miles) of its surface area. Manitoba’s major lakes are Lake Manitoba, Lake Winnipegosis, and Lake Winnipeg, the tenth-largest freshwater lake in the world.
Baldy Mountain is the province’s highest point at 832 metres (2,730 ft) above sea level, and the Hudson Bay coast is the lowest at sea level. Riding Mountain, the Pembina Hills, Sandilands Provincial Forest, and the Canadian Shield are also upland regions. Much of the province’s sparsely inhabited north and east lie on the irregular granite Canadian Shield, including Whiteshell, Atikaki, and Nopiming Provincial Parks. Extensive agriculture is found only in the province’s southern areas, although there is grain farming in the Carrot Valley Region. Around 11% of Canada’s farmland is in Manitoba.
Nopiming Provincial Park – ©HermitHippie CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Manitoba has an extreme continental climate. Temperatures and precipitation generally decrease from south to north and increase from east to west. Manitoba is far from the moderating influences of mountain ranges or large bodies of water. Because of the generally flat landscape, it is exposed to cold Arctic high-pressure air masses from the northwest during January and February. In the summer, air masses sometimes come out of the Southern United States, as warm humid air is drawn northward from the Gulf of Mexico. Temperatures exceed 30 °C numerous times each summer. According to Environment Canada, Manitoba ranked first for clearest skies year round and ranked second for clearest skies in the summer and for the sunniest province in the winter and spring.
Southern Manitoba (including the city of Winnipeg), falls into the humid continental climate zone. This area is cold and windy in the winter and often has blizzards because of the open landscape. Summers are warm with a moderate length. This region is the most humid area in the prairie provinces, with moderate precipitation. Southwestern Manitoba, though under the same climate classification as the rest of Southern Manitoba, is drier and more prone to droughts than other parts of southern Manitoba. This area is cold and windy in the winter and has frequent blizzards due to the openness of the Canadian Prairie landscape. Summers are generally warm to hot, with low to moderate humidity[ Southern parts of the province, just north of Tornado Alley, experience tornadoes. The province’s northern sections (including the city of Thompson) fall in the subarctic climate zone. This region features long and extremely cold winters and brief, warm summers with little precipitation. Overnight temperatures as low as −40 °C occur on several days each winter.
Manitoba natural communities may be grouped within five ecozones: boreal plains, prairie, taiga shield, boreal shield and Hudson plains. Three of these, taiga shield, boreal shield and Hudson plain, contain part of the Boreal forest of Canada which covers the province’s eastern, southeastern, and northern reaches. Forests make up about 263,000 square kilometres (102,000 square miles), or 48 percent, of the province’s land area. The forests consist of pines (Jack Pine, Red Pine, Eastern White Pine), spruces (White Spruce, Black Spruce), Balsam Fir, Tamarack (larch), poplars (Trembling Aspen, Balsam Poplar), birches (White Birch, Swamp Birch) and small pockets of Eastern White Cedar.
Two sections of the province are not dominated by forest. The province’s northeast corner bordering Hudson Bay is above the tree line and considered tundra. The tall-grass prairie once dominated the south-central and southeastern regions, including the Red River Valley. Mixed grass prairie is found in the southwestern region. Agriculture has replaced much of the natural vegetation but prairie can still be found in parks and protected areas.
Churchill Wildlife Management Area – ©Ian Stewart CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Manitoba is especially noted for its northern polar bear population; Churchill is commonly referred to as the ‘Polar Bear Capital’. In the waters off the northern coast of the province are numerous marine species, including beluga whale. Other populations of animals, including moose, white-tailed deer, mule deer, black and brown bears, coyote, cougar, red fox, Canada lynx, and grey wolf, are distributed throughout the province, especially in the provincial and national parks. There is a large population of red-sided garter snakes near Narcisse; the overwintering dens there are seasonally home to the world’s largest concentration of snakes. Manitoba’s lakes host 18 species of game fish, particularly species of trout, pike, and goldeye, as well as many smaller fish.
Birding Manitoba
Manitoba is comprised of a diversity of habitats. Prairie grasslands, boreal forest, parkland, large expanses of marshland, the Canadian Shield and Hudson Bay coastline make this region attractive to many bird species. This province’s central geographic location in the North American Continent means that it can offer the birder varied species from the North, South, East and West.
Manitoba’s bird diversity is enhanced by its position on two major migration routes, with 392 confirmed identified species; 287 of these nesting within the province. These include the great grey owl, the province’s official bird, and endangered peregrine falcons.
Manitoba is truly one of North America’s bird watching hotspots.
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Assiniboine Park & Riparian Forest
WebsiteSatellite ViewAssiniboine Park began an ongoing riverbank restoration project beginning in 2006 and continuing each summer. The Assiniboine Park Riparian Forest (the strip of forest along the Assiniboine River within Assiniboine Park, just east of the footbridge on the south side of Portage Avenue) is a well known and loved recreational area. Over many years, the forest has lost a lot of vegetation due to flooding, invasive plant species that replace native species, and trampling from recreational activities such as hiking and biking. Generations of heavy trail use has caused extensive trail networks, soil compaction, and large areas of bare ground. The Assiniboine Park Riparian Forest Project is striving to help the riparian forest bounce back from heavy use and enhance the recreational trail experience. -
Oak Hammock Marsh
WebsiteSatellite ViewOak Hammock Marsh 36 km2 Wildlife Management Area features a restored prairie marsh, aspen-oak bluff, waterfowl lure crops, artesian springs, some of Manitoba's last remaining patches of tall-grass prairie and 30 kilometers of trails. It is home to 300 species of birds. During migration season, the number of waterfowl using the marsh during migration can exceed 400,000 daily… -
PP Hecla/Grindstone
InformationSatellite ViewHere on the prairie, there's a place where stories of sunken ships and magical islands are told, where the water and fishing is a way of life. It's a place where endless days of outdoor adventure await…. -
PP Pembina Valley
WebpageSatellite ViewSweeping vistas of vividly coloured fields unfurl to the horizon from vantage points along hiking trails. A haven for songbirds, Pembina Valley swells with a symphony created by warblers, vireos and chickadees. Soar over to Hawk Alley in the nearby Windygates area – a popular route for red-tailed hawks, Swainson’s hawks and golden eagles…. -
PP Whiteshell
WebsiteSatellite ViewThis is Canada as you knew it could be. From the Precambrian Shield to the multitude of lakes and rivers, the Whiteshell Park is Canada at its best! Almost 2800 square kilometres of protected wilderness parkland characterizes this Provincial Park located in eastern Manitoba… -
WMA Delta Marsh
InformationSatellite ViewDelta Marsh consists of an extensive open marsh located near the south shore of Lake Manitoba, approximately 24 km north of the town of Portage la Prairie, Manitoba.
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Number of bird species: 404
(As at May 2024)Provincial Bird - Great Gray Owl Strix nebulosa
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Avibase
PDF ChecklistThis checklist includes all bird species found in Manitoba , based on the best information available at this time. It is based on a wide variety of sources that I collated over many years. I am pleased to offer these checklists as a service to birdwatchers. If you find any error, please do not hesitate to report them. -
Birds of Oak Hammock Marsh Wildlife Management Area
PDF ChecklistThis 36 km2 Wildlife Management Area features a restored prairie marsh, aspen-oak bluff, waterfowl lure crops, artesian springs, some of Manitoba's last remaining patches of tall-grass prairie and 30 kilometres of trails for you to explore. It is home to 300 species of birds. -
Manitoba Avian Research Committee
PDF ChecklistManitoba’s wide range of habitats support a great diversity of bird species. Of the 391 confirmed species included in this checklist, at least 306 occur regularly and 287 have bred in the province. Manitoba is an excellent place to find some of the “most wanted” species in North America, such as Spruce and Sharp-tailed Grouse, Yellow Rail, Ross’s Gull (at Churchill), Northern Hawk Owl, Great Gray Owl, Three-toed Woodpecker, Sprague’s Pipit, Connecticut Warbler and Baird’s and Le Conte’s Sparrows. Because of Manitoba’s central location on the North American continent, vagrants can and do arrive from all points of the compass. -
Wikipedia
Annotated ListThis list of birds of Manitoba includes all the bird species confirmed in the Canadian province of Manitoba as determined by the Manitoba Avian Research Committee (MARC). As of 2021 there were 404 species on this list.
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A Birder's Guide to Churchill, Manitoba
| By B Chartier | American Birding Association | 1994 | Spiralbound | 132 pages, 15 maps, colour & b/w photos, tables | Out of print | ISBN: 9781878788078 Buy this book from NHBS.com -
Manitoba Birds
| By Andy Bezener & Ken de Smet | Lone Pine Publishing | 2000 | Paperback | 176 pages, colour illustrations, maps | ISBN: 9781551052557 Buy this book from NHBS.com -
Quick Reference to Manitoba & Saskatchewan Birds
| Lone Pine Press | 2013 | Paperback | 12 pages, colour illustrations | ISBN: 9781551058955 Buy this book from NHBS.com
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Delta Marsh Bird Observatory
Observatory WebsiteSatellite ViewThe Delta Marsh Bird Observatory & Banding Station (DMBO) was established in 1994. It is Manitoba's contribution to providing continued information on migratory songbirds. It is one of five working banding stations in Canada and part of the Canadian Wildlife Services Canadian Landbird Monitoring Strategy. DMBO is destined to become one of a network of 260 monitoring Avian Productivity and Survivorship stations across North America.
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Manitoba Museum
Facebook Page
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Delta Waterfowl Foundation
Facebook PageDelta Waterfowl Foundation is an independent, non-profit waterfowl organization. Deltas mission is to promote sustainable waterfowl populations for the enjoyment of future generations. -
Hudson Bay Project
WebsiteThe 1997 field season was the second year of support for the Hudson Bay Project under our current funding arrangements. Intensive studies were undertaken at our 2 primary research sites, La P -
Manitoba Wildlife
WebsiteExtensive conservation site -
Nature Manitoba
WebsiteBird Outings, Birding Identification & References, Rare Bird Sightings, etc. etc -
UM Indigenous Birding Club
WebsiteWelcome to the UM Indigenous Birding Club at the University of Manitoba! We are a community of UM students, staff, and faculty who are passionate about birds, connecting with nature, and promoting Indigenous knowledge. Our club is dedicated to promoting the benefits of connecting with nature for mental health and wellness.
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Manitoba IBAs
WebsiteSatellite ViewReports have been coming in recently about some of our early arriving migratory birds! The first Canada Goose in an IBA was reported on March 16th at Oak Hammock Marsh. In more urban environments the first Peregrine Falcon was spotted on March 17th at the Radisson Hotel in downtown Winnipeg and identified as Hart the next day. -
Manitoba Parks
WebsiteSatellite ViewAnnotated list of parks with info on each… -
NP Riding Mountain
InformationSatellite ViewRiding Mountain, covering 3000 square kilometres (1158 sq. miles) of rolling hills and valleys, stretches eastward from a dramatic rise of land known as Manitoba Escarpment. This park includes expanses of boreal (northern) forest, a strip of eastern deciduous forest along the foot of the escarpment, huge meadows of rough fescue grasslands in its west end, and significant tracts of marsh and river-bottom wetland. This area of wilderness surrounded by agriculture is home to wolves, moose, elk, black bear, hundreds of bird species, countless insects and a captive bison herd… -
NP Wapusk National Park
WebpageSatellite ViewWapusk National Park south of Churchill, its accessibility is limited due to its remote location and an effort to preserve the park. -
NWA Pope
WebpageSatellite ViewPope NWA serves as a salvage waterfowl production area during drought years. Marsh edge, water depth and poor interspersion of adjacent wetlands limit its waterfowl production potential. The Wildlife Area provides habitat for songbirds, shorebirds and small mammals… -
Oak Hammock Marsh
WebsiteSatellite ViewOak Hammock Marsh 36 km2 Wildlife Management Area features a restored prairie marsh, aspen-oak bluff, waterfowl lure crops, artesian springs, some of Manitoba's last remaining patches of tall-grass prairie and 30 kilometers of trails. It is home to 25 species of mammals, 300 species of birds, numerous amphibians, reptiles, and fish, and countless invertebrates. During migration season, the number of waterfowl using the marsh during migration can exceed 400,000 daily! -
WMA Rockwood
WebpageSatellite ViewRockwood National Wildlife Area serves as an oasis for wildlife because of intensive land use on adjacent lands…
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Manitoba Bird news
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Manitoba Birding
ForumThe main reason of the Manitoba Birding group is to discuss birds and birdwatching in Manitoba and to share photographs of birds in Manitoba. -
Manitoba Birding - Bird & Wildlife Photography
Forum & PhotosBird & Wildlife Photography -
Manitobabirds Group
SightingsManitobabirds is exclusively about birds and birding in Manitoba, Canada
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Bird Treks
Tour OperatorBird Treks has been providing small group and custom birding tours for over 20 years. Visit their website to see the incredible tours available, including nesting shorebirds and whales in Manitoba! -
Bird Ventures
Tour OperatorVenture to North Dakota and Southern Manitoba -
Churchill Wilderness Encounter
Tour OperatorDiscover the Birds of Churchill - With more than 200 bird species passing through each season, Churchill is one of the great destinations for the birding enthusiast. These tours are offered daily throughout the spring and summer. Areas visited will vary depending upon the current location of species sought by those on tour. Some of the unique species which may be seen include: Ross`s Gull, Smith`s Longspur, Parasitic Jaeger, Hoary Redpoll, Willow Ptarmigan and Pacific Loon… -
Eagle-eye Tours
Tour OperatorUsually several trips a year… -
Rockjumper
Tour OperatorManitoba during winter may not sound much like a birding destination, but it is one of Canada’s best-kept birding secrets. -
meadowlark Birding Tours
Tour OperatorLocated on the southern shore of Hudson Bay, Churchill is a remote community with no road access. To get here we must take a 2-hour flight north from Winnipeg, Manitoba. We make this journey to see classic subarctic species such as; Willow Ptarmigan, Pacific Loon, Parasitic Jaeger and American Golden-Plover.
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2019 [06 June] - Cal Cuthbert
PDF ReportThis, the 10th Birdquest tour to Manitoba, proved to be an exciting one. While the cool, somewhat delayed spring presented challenges for fnding some birds it also offered opportunities to see an assortment of migrants. Besides the total of 234 species of birds recorded, an impressive variety of mammals were also seen. -
2020 [03 March] - Rockjumper
PDF Report...even before arriving at our first location, Chris had spotted a Great Grey Owl at the side of the highway from the van! -
2022 [07 July] - John Carlson - Churchill Birds, Bears and Belugas
PDF Report.... We observed our only reptile for the trip while in the canoe -a couple of Painted Turtles were lounging in the pondweed as we paddled by. American White Pelicans flew above us, and an Eastern Phoebe foraged along the shore along with a few Yellow Warblers. Both Warbling and Red-eyed Vireos were singing in the wooded areas around the center... -
2023 [03 March] - Ken De Smet & Alvin Dyck
ReportCarrying on to some farmyards still inside the perimeter we added several of the more common farmyard birds (Rock Pigeon, Starling & House Sparrow), tried to photograph a few Black-billed Magpies, had 3 Eastern Cottontails, and no fewer than 19 Gray Partridges – the last of which we got to see and photograph pretty close as some males were more preoccupied with chasing each other around than our presence. -
2023 [09 September] - Ken De Smet
ReportOn the way, we stopped at a good spot along PR 227 for Red-headed Woodpeckers and got a head start on a number of nesting birds including the 2 Red-headed Woodpeckers, Northern Harrier, Warbling Vireo, House Wren, Orchard Oriole, and a variety of sparrows (Clay-colored, Lark, Savannah & Song).
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Birds of Manitoba
Webpagehttps://thinktrees.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Birds-of-Manitoba.pdf -
Birdwatching Churchill Manitoba
WebpageChurchill Manitoba is a birders paradise! Over 250 species of birds nest or pass through Churchill and it's surrounding areas during their annual migrations. -
Nature Manitoba Birding
WebsiteBird outings are held on a regular basis throughout the year, primarily in the spring/fall. They are a great way to share knowledge and meet other people interested in Manitoba birds. Information about upcoming outings can be found on the online bird outings page in the outdoor activities section, or in our newsletter, Nature Manitoba News.
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Dr Christian Artuso - Birds & Wildlife
BLOGI am a conservationist, ornithologist, bird guide, wildlife photographer and birder. I currently live in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada with my wonderful wife. I have a Ph.D. in Environmental Science (thesis on the Eastern Screech-Owl) and work for Bird Studies Canada.