Issue link: http://digital.canadawide.com/i/561260
3 • WATERBIRDS GALORE HECLA ISLAND (NORTH OF RIVER- TON) Start at Grassy Narrows Marsh, part of Manitoba's Pine to Prai- rie International Birding Trail, to catch a glimpse of boreal species, including the great grey owl, American three-toed wood- pecker and the striking Black- burnian warbler with its yellow-and-black-striped head and nearly glowing orange throat. From there, head to the water's edge for sightings of dou- ble-crested cormorant, osprey, bald eagle and rough-legged hawk. Just off the northern tip of the island are the Pipestone Rocks, a group of treeless islands that American white pelicans have taken a shine to. At least 500 pairs of these comically large birds with swinging gullets make their nests on the guano- covered islands in the middle of vast Lake Winnipeg. www.gov.mb.ca/conservation/ parks/popular_parks/central/ hecla.html 4 • SWANS AND HERONS WHITEWATER LAKE (SOUTH OF BRANDON) Nestled close to the United States border, Whitewater Lake is a hot spot for birders who love tundra swans and black- crowned night herons. But the checklist doesn't stop there. Geese, coots, gulls and dozens of duck species also pass through on migration. Expect to see grebes and their trademark dance across the water's surface. is display, called rushing, results in spring breeding. And then there are the shorebirds – an estimated 24,000 of them at last count. ere have been years when this alkaline lake is completely dry. And years when plenty of water covers more than 10,000 hectares. In wet years, more than 250,000 migrating ducks and geese stop by. www.boissevain.ca/visitors/ whitewater.htm 5 • PRETTY BIRDS WHITESHELL PROVINCIAL PARK (EAST OF WINNIPEG) Dozens of hiking trails cut through this vast (272,900-hectare) boreal park, making it easy to spot some of the province's most beautiful birds. Along McGillivray Falls Trail, get ready for warbler wonderland, including the Nashville, magnolia, mourning, chestnut-sided, Canada and Blackburnian. Sparrows also seem to like this trail. Look for the chipping and song varieties and listen for the white-throated's unmistakable voice – a thin whistle that sounds like "oh-sweet- Canada-Canada." Stop at the picturesque Long Pond to see sedge wren, Wilson's snipe and the elusive sora, a long- legged, chicken-like rail that is more often seen than heard. At Caddy Lake, peek into the spruces for a glimpse of the show-stop- ping scarlet tanager with its elec- tric-red-hot plumage. www.gov. mb.ca/conservation/parks/popular_ parks/eastern/whiteshell.html GP heather hinam (cranes), istock F A L L 2 0 1 5 | G O I N G P L A C E S 21 On the lookout for savings? Get 50% off second admission with purchase of a regular admission at CAA Rewards partner Oak Hammock Marsh. Sandhill cranes (here) and a Blackburnian warbler (inset) on Hecla Island. Black-crowned night heron. Spot scarlet tanagers in Whiteshell Provincial Park. Geese fill the autumn sky at Oak Hammock Marsh.