Spring migration: Prime birding season in Manitoba

Spring is birdwatching in Manitoba truly takes flight. Even in early April, southern Manitoba can still feel like it’s shaking off winter. But for birders, this is when the magic begins. A surge of migratory birds returns to the province, creating spectacular sightings for both seasoned birders and curious beginners.

Look for:

• Passerines flitting through budding branches
• Raptors like sharp-shinned and Cooper’s hawks on the hunt
• Waterfowl returning to thawing wetlands and marshes

Snow-covered prairies, still-frozen marshes and frost-dusted hillsides make for a stunning stage as birds arrive and move through. Early spring conditions also offer a unique backdrop for bird photography.

Best birding spots in southern Manitoba

Southern Manitoba’s prairies, forests and marshes become prime staging grounds for thousands of birds in spring. Some of the best places to catch the action include:

Oak Hammock Marsh: This globally recognized Important Bird Area (IBA) near Winnipeg offers boardwalks, observation towers and interpretive programs to help visitors spot hundreds of species during migration. Note that the centre is currently closed for renovations, but the grounds are open for birding opportunities.

FortWhyte Alive: An urban nature haven with accessible trails, wetlands and bird blinds ideal for watching ducks and hawks.

Pembina Valley Provincial Park: A scenic spot in southern Manitoba where raptors and songbirds are often seen along the forested escarpment.

Keep your eyes peeled for sharp-shinned hawks and Cooper’s hawks, which have both been spotted during spring despite not typically spending the winter in Manitoba. Around Brandon, gray morph gyrfalcons sometimes make an appearance. Northern hawk owls also call Manitoba home, and with a little luck, you might spot a northern saw-whet owl tucked into a tree. Red-bellied woodpeckers are another rare spring sight to keep your eyes out for in the south.

Churchill: A birding bucket-list destination

Come June, the subarctic skies above Churchill come alive. This northern Manitoba town, perched on the edge of Hudson Bay, transforms into one of the world’s most exciting birding destinations.

Thousands of snow geese return to the region, joined by a cast of rare and remarkable species. Guided birdwatching tours help visitors reach the best locations to view:

• Ross's gull
• Red phalarope
• Sabine’s gull
• Little gull
• Pacific loon
• Jaegers
• Willow ptarmigan
• Smith’s longspur

Many visitors combine birding in Churchill with the chance to see beluga whales or polar bears later in the season, making it an unforgettable wildlife experience.