Where to Go Birding in
Swift Current and area...

There are several good spots around and within
the City of Swift Current to go birding,
depending on the season...

Swift Current Filtration Plant Reservoir
A Beaver taking an evening swim...
(photos taken by and used by permission of Mary Ann D.)

During the Spring & Fall Migrations (March through May & August through November), the
 Filtration Plant Reservoir on the edge of the City is a great place to check out migrating water birds -- you will are most likely to see various species of ducks, geese (mostly Canada & Cackling Geese), various Grebe species, American Coots, American White Pelicans, Gulls (mostly Ring-billed Gulls but others pass through as well), and if you are very lucky, and timing is right, you may even see a Common Loon or three...

In the same general area (as you drive along the road that follows the Swift Current Creek to and from the Reservoir, or walk around and about in the Reservoir area), there are also the Western Meadowlarks, Red-winged Blackbirds, Yellow-headed Blackbirds, Killdeer, Tree Swallows, Cliff Swallows, Barn Swallows, Northern Rough-winged Swallows, Northern Flickers, Mourning Doves, Northern Harriers, Swainson's Hawks, American Kestrels, Merlins, Great-horned Owls, Ring-necked Pheasants, various Sparrow species, American Goldfinch, some different Warbler species, Baltimore Orioles, Belted Kingfishers, etc.  There have also been Loggerhead Shrikes during the summer, and occasionally, a Mountain Bluebird flock pass through here in the Spring or Fall.

You may also see the resident Beavers or Muskrats, and may even see the occasional Mule Deer, White-tailed Deer, or a Skunk.  During the Spring and Summer, you will also see the Richardson's Ground Squirrels (aka Gophers).

Some people enjoy just sitting there on a summer's evening, on the grass, a rock, or a lawn chair, as they listen to the sounds and calls of the birds that make this their summer home.

Burnett's Pond
(photos taken by and used by permission of Mary Ann D.)

Then, there is Burnett's Pond, on the far Southwest corner of the City... near west end of South Railway Street West.  This little body of water is always a surprise.... sometimes, there is very little on the water, and at other times, it is a haven of feathered activity in and near the water.  During the migrations, there are almost always a number of ducks and geese on the water, and often different Phalarope species and American Avocets.  Horned and Eared Grebes make their floating nests on the water.  Canada Geese, Mallards, other ducks, Killdeer, Western Meadowlarks, and others also raise their families very near Burnett's Pond.

There is now a designated parking place where you can park and walk into the Burnett's Pond area.  When walking along the shore of the Pond, be aware of the birds in the water and along the shore.
 

Swift Current Creek at Riverside Park
(photos taken by and used by permission of Mary Ann D.)

Another favourite spot within the City is
the Riverside Park and area... 

You can take a walk along the Chinook Parkway that follows the Swift Current Creek, or walk around under the big trees within the Park.  There is always something to see - either on the Creek itself, or in and amongst the reeds and cattails, or in the trees and manicured lawns of the Park.  There are birds -- Gulls (mostly Ring-billed but we do see others from time to time, as well as occasional Terns), Canada Geese, Mallards, Merlins, Tree Swallows, Cliff Swallows, Barn Swallows, Northern Rough-winged Swallows, Red-winged Blackbirds, Brown-head Cowbirds, various Warblers and Sparrows, American Robins, Swainson's Thrushes (during migration), Northern Flickers, Downy Woodpeckers, Red-breasted and White-breasted Nuthatches, Killdeer, Mourning Doves, American Goldfinch, an occasional Wilson's Snipe & Sora, and much more.  There are usually a Beaver or two, as well as a couple Muskrats and Mink that hang around this area of the Swift Current Creek as well.

Bring your lunch!!  There are also picnic tables to sit at as you enjoy the sights and sounds.

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There are also a number of other places where you can go birding not far (within an hour) from Swift Current...

Saskatchewan Landing Provincial Park
 (North of Swift Current)

Lac Pelletier
(South of Swift Current)

Reed Lake (between Herbert & Morse)
(East of Swift Current)

Chaplin Lake
(East of Swift Current)

...and a little bit further from Swift Current...

Cypress Hills Provincial Park

Great Sandhills (near Sceptre)

Eastend & Chimney Coulee

Grasslands National Park (near Val Marie)

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