Bald Eagle

The distinctive colouring of this bird of prey makes it easy to spot – the white head is a striking contrast to its dark brown body. You’ll often see bald eagles near water, where it will find its favorite food – fish! They build their huge stick nests in forests and they migrate along large river valleys – the like Red or Pembina Rivers. Look for bald eagles in:

• Hecla/Grindstone Provincial Park
• Whiteshell Provincial Park
• Riding Mountain National Park
• Pembina Valley Provincial Park

Moose

Like most sensible creatures, moose are often found in the water during the summer. Even with their huge antlers, you will be surprised at how quietly they can move, popping into a clearing with no notice at all. Your best bet for seeing moose is in:

• Riding Mountain National Park
• Hecla/Grindstone Provincial Park
• Nopiming Provincial Park

Piping Plover

These small sand-coloured birds love the beach — which unfortunately means they share their nesting grounds with humans who also love the beach. Their reduced habitat puts them on the list of Manitoba endangered birds. But enclosures set up on the beach ensure safe viewing of the plovers and their nests. See the piping plovers at:

• Grand Beach Provincial Park

Elk

While the habitats for this member of the deer family have shrunk, today they can still be found in forest or parkland regions. In the fall, you can join Parks Canada on an elk bugling adventure in the woods. Spot elk in:

• Riding Mountain National Park
• Asessippi Provincial Park

Ross’s Gull

This extremely rare bird brings bird-lovers from around the world to its nesting grounds in Churchill to catch a glimpse of its black bill, rosy-coloured body and wedge-shaped tail. The gulls arrive from the high Arctic in June and leave again in September. Be one of the few to see this bird in:

• Churchill

White-tailed Deer

For many Manitobans, seeing a deer across a field (or in your back yard) is not all that uncommon. Manitoba’s large deer population, estimated between 150,000-160,000, means there are plenty of opportunities for viewing and interpretive programs. Some places to look for white-tailed deer are:

• FortWhyte Alive
• Birds Hill Provincial Park
• Whiteshell Provincial Park

Northern Prairie Skink

Manitoba’s only lizard is this small, short-legged, long-tailed lizard. Skinks spend the winters underground in burrows, but in the summer you might be able to spot one scurrying across sandy soil. Be on the lookout for a skink while at:

• Spruce Woods Provincial Park

And of course, there is a lot more wildlife to watch in Manitoba, we’re talking bears, belugas, bison, and snakes! Check out our list of Top 10 Wildlife Encounters for even more animal viewing action.