Dear
Journey North,
Last
Friday (April 18) a massive low pressure system moved into Alberta
and Saskatchewan bringing strong winds and snow. It has snowed on
and off each day since Saturday and is trying to snow again today
(Tuesday, April 22). With the unfavourable migrating conditions
the whooping cranes have been stalled in the southern half of Saskatchewan.
With the
birds on the ground it gives us an opportunity to find out where
they are. To date we have had several groups of birds reported from
as far north as Meadow Lake Saskatchewan. Other sightings have come
from Leoville, Delaronde Lake, Debden, Saskatoon, St. Denis, Tessier,
Colonsay, Lockwood, Last Mountain Lake, McLean, Moose Jaw and Dummer.
In total 40 birds have been confirmed in the province. The snow is
supposed to taper off later today and the winds are to be out of
the south, so I expect the birds will be migrating again shortly.
The first birds should be on the breeding grounds by the time you
read this!
A family group during spring migration
in Saskatchewan |
|
Brian
Johns
Wildlife Biologist
Canadian Wildlife Service
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
|