Canada 2025

Edmonton, Yellowknife and Cambridge Bay
Mark Finn
June 27-July 6

This tour was the first after several years’ absence to Alberta, Northwest Territories and the remote area of Nunavut. In and around Edmonton the group recorded many species including several localised species notably Bobolink, Yellow-headed Blackbird and several species of sparrows. The wetlands allowed us to observe Wilson’s Phalarope among other returning waders. Further north in Yellowknife a good selection of species including tree nesting Bonaparte’s Gulls, Surf Scoter, Caspian Tern and Canada Jays. Our final birding was the tundra around Cambridge Bay where Lapland Longspur and Snow Buntings were the common town birds. In the surrounding areas careful searches gave us good numbers of Pacific and Yellow-billed Loons, Tundra Swan, Red-necked Phalarope, Stilt, Semipalmated and Pectoral Sandpipers, Long-tailed, Pomarine and Arctic Skuas, Rough-legged Buzzard and many others. The next tour to this remote and beautiful area of Canada is in late June 2026

June 27th: Leduc, Tofield, Road 626, Elk Island including Astotin Boardwalk and Beaver Trail
Daily 59 New 59 Running 59
Weather: Sunny with late afternoon thunderstorms on a W wind 24c

The first full day in Alberta started with a visit to Tofield an important area for birds. On the way we located the commoner birds of Alberta including American Crow, Black-billed Magpie, Tree Swallow and Common Starling. Tofield is a small town situated in an agricultural area dotted with ponds and stands of trees. Our main interest was the lagoon which had muddy edges, reeds and bushes. A scan of the lagoon produced many birds including Mallard, Gadwall, Blue-winged, Green-winged and Cinnamon Teals, Gadwall, Redhead, Franklin’s Gulls, American Coot and Ruddy Ducks. Waders were represented by Wilson’s Phalarope, Willet, Greater and Lesser Yellowlegs, Spotted Sandpiper, Black-necked Stilt and American Avocet. In the reeds we found Red-winged and Yellow-headed Blackbirds. It was time to explore road 626 which runs through a varied habitat. The first stop produced the localised American Kestrel, Baltimore Oriole, a flushed Ruffed Grouse, Double-crested Cormorant, Brewers Blackbird, Clay-coloured Sparrow and our first Yellow Warblers. Further on Amisk Creek held American Cliff and Barn Swallows, American White Pelican, Pied-billed Grebe, Great Blue Heron, White-faced Ibis and singing Common Yellowthroats. A diversion towards the bird observatory was good for sparrows which included Savannah and Song, Northern House Wren and displaying Bobolinks. Elk Island NP was next on the agenda where we had lunch. On the lake sightings of Red-necked Grebe, Lesser Scaup, Canada Geese with young and Ring-billed Gulls lingering around the picnic tables looking for scraps. After lunch a walk along the boardwalk and associated habitats proved to be good for Eastern Phobe, White-throated Sparrow and Downy Woodpecker. I ended the day by walking along the beaver trail where we heard Black-capped Chickadee and Red-eyed Vireo.
Mammals: American Beaver (5), Richardson’s Ground Squirrel (20), Red Squirrel (2), Plains Bison (20)

June 28th: Edmonton, Yellowknife, Fred Henne NP, Niven Lake, Willow Flats
Daily 39 New 24 Running 83
Weather: Sunny with NW winds 23c

Today the group started the journey north to Yellowknife the main town of the remote North West Territories. The flight went smoothly and the rental vehicle was waiting for us on arrival. Our first birding spot was Fred Henne NP which is close to the airport and a popular place with locals using the lake. On the beach we located Ring-billed and American Herring Gulls, Black-billed Magpie, whilst the bushes held Myrtle and Yellow Warblers, White-crowned and Chipping Sparrows. Niven Lake was next on the agenda which is close to our accommodation in Yellowknife. On the lake we found Horned Grebe, Greater and Lesser Scaup, Bufflehead and Canvasback. A walk around the shore added Northern Waterthrush, Purple Finch and Red-necked Grebes with chicks. The final birding stop was at Willow Flats which overlooks Yellowknife Bay. At the ice road entrance the gull flock included a few California Gulls, Common and Arctic Terns, American Wigeon, Northern Shoveler, Common and Red-breasted Mergansers. A scan into Yellowknife Bay revealed Common and Pacific Loons, Surf Scoter and a surprise find of a Caspian Tern. In the distance at least three Bald Eagles perched in trees. A walk along the boardwalk added American Cliff Swallows collecting mud for nest building and above our heads feeding Tree Swallows.
Mammals: Red Squirrel (2)

June 29th: Yellowknife, Willow Flats, Ingraham Trail including Yellowknife River, Prosperous Lake, Madeline Lake, Prelude Lake, Hidden Lake, Cameron River, Tibbit Lake
Daily 38 New 8 Running 91
Weather: Light rain and cloud until late morning followed by sunny spells on a NW wind 23c

Most of today was spent along the Ingraham Trail for around 70km. After breakfast I headed into town to pick up supplies but being a Sunday nothing was open until 9am. A short visit to Willow Flats had similar birds to yesterday afternoon. The first stop was at Yellowknife River campground where the forest had Tennessee and Myrtle Warblers, Chipping Sparrow, Bonaparte’s Gull and Common Terns. Prosperous Lake was next and a stop at the car park was productive for Short-billed Gulls, Arctic Tern, a single male Surf Scoter, Red-necked Grebe and Ring-necked Duck. At Madeline Lake the car park attracted a pair of the uncommon Canada Jay with well grown young. On the lake the group located a pair of Common Loon, Common Merganser and at least twenty Surf Scoters. At Prelude Lake a walk through the woodland added another Canada Jay and the viewpoint a pair of Bald Eagles in the distance with one on a large nest situated on a bending pine. Hidden Lake held nothing of note so it was onto to the Cameron River where a pair of Northern Flickers was busy feeding young. A walk towards the bridge was productive for Bank and American Cliff Swallows, Spotted Sandpiper and close views of a skulking Lincoln’s Sparrow. Our last stop was at Tebbit Lake which held another pair of Common Loons and in roadside trees several Myrtle and Orange-crowned Warblers.
Mammals: American Beaver (1), Red Fox (1), Snowshoe Hare (1)

June 30th: Yellowknife Highway km 324, Kam Lake, Rat Lake, Willow Flats, Niven Lake
Daily 45 New 4 Running 95 
Weather: Sunny with NW winds 22c

Today was devoted to birding areas within the city limits of Yellowknife. The first birding stop was km 324 which has lakes, woodland and marshes close to the road. It was very good for sparrows with sightings of Song, Swamp, Chipping, Lincoln’s and the scarce and skulking Le Conte’s. Also present were Tennessee, Yellow and Orange-crowned Warblers. A visit to Kam Lake followed where we located Myrtle Warbler and White-crowned Sparrows nd on the lake Red-necked Grebe, Arctic and Common Terns and a Spotted Sandpiper. Next on the agenda was Rat Lake with a walk along the perimeter. This lake is situated in an area of housing but still attracts Red-necked Grebe, Canvasback, Bufflehead, Ring-necked Duck and close views of a Sora Rail. In the adjacent bushes the distinctive calls of Alder Flycatcher and a singing American Robin. Lunch was picked up in the city and consumed in the old town by the harbour. I lost my hat here to a gust of wind which sent it into the water thankfully it was retrieved later by a guy in a canoe for me. Willow Flats had similar birds to our last visit plus two female Northern Pintails and a pair of Common Loons nesting close to a houseboat. Last stop was Niven Lake which had similar birds to our last visit plus Northern Flicker and Savannah Sparrows.

King Eider

July 1st: Yellowknife, Cambridge Bay including town and dump
Daily 23 New 18 Running 113
Weather: Rather mixed with cloud and a brisk W wind 10c

The group checked out of the hotel in Yellowknife and made the short journey to the airport and the flight to Cambridge Bay on Victoria Island. The flight was slightly delayed as we touched down on the island. Karen was on hand to pick us up and transfer us to the hotel. Along the way we had sightings of Snow Bunting, Lapland Longspur and Northern Raven. Checked in and then into town to pick up supplies. At 1630 a short drive towards a pumping station produced sightings of Long-tailed Duck, Common and King Eiders, Stilt Sandpiper, Iceland, Glaucous and Sabine’s Gulls, Canada, Cackling and Greater White-fronted Geese and Semipalmated Sandpipers. Back to the hotel via a short visit towards the dump where the pools held substantial numbers of Red-necked Phalaropes, Semipalmated Plover, Sandhill Crane and singing Horned Larks.
Mammals: Arctic Hare (1), Arctic Fox (1), Lemming (1)

Yellow-billed Loon

July 2nd: Cambridge Bay including Dewline Road, Dump and Mt Pelly Road
Daily 30 New 8 Running 121
Weather: Sunny on a cool N wind 11c

Our birding started with a visit to the gas filling area near the airport. In the ice free areas of water the group recorded Pacific Loon, Common and King Eiders, Iceland Gull and Red-necked Phalaropes. In the flower covered areas close views of American Pipit, Lapland Longspur and Snow Bunting. The Dewline Road runs along the coast past the airport and runway. It did not take long to locate Long-tailed and Arctic Skuas, American Golden Plover and in offshore waters Yellow-billed Loon. On the return journey we had views of Rough-legged Buzzard being mobbed by Northern Ravens. Lunch taken and out birding at 1445 to the local dump. The birds were similar to yesterday with an upturn in Sabine’s Gulls, Tundra Swans and a surprise find in American Wigeon and White-crowned Sparrow. The town side of the dump also had a Common Redpoll feeding on the roadside. I decided to visit a short section of the Mt Pelly road with a hilly section having Semipalmated Sandpiper with well grown young. Further along on the track a Arctic Tern perching on a abandoned shack. A scan into the nearby pools added Brent Goose, Northern Pintail, the two common eider species, Pacific Loons and by the river Baird’s Sandpiper.

Stilt Sandpiper

July 3rd: Cambridge Bay including Mt Pelly Road, Dump
Daily 30 New 3 Running 124
Weather: Cloudy then sunny spells on a NE wind 8c

A slow journey to the base of Mt Pelly was our objective today with several stops along the way for birds. The usual birds were around the hotel. In the first section of the road on roadside pools the group located Tundra Swan, Pacific Loon, Long-tailed Skua, Sabine’s Gull, Common Redpoll and American Pipit. The road was poor in places and care was needed. On the next pools several Sandhill Cranes on the edges, Red-necked Phalarope, Cackling, Canada and White-fronted Geese and Long-tailed Duck. The best area was near the sign for the park where we located Arctic and Pomarine Skuas the latter hunting gulls and terns for food. Close views of Stilt Sandpipers by the road, Baird’s Sandpiper, Grey Plover and King Eider. On the return journey the dump had similar birds to our last visit with the addition of Snow Geese.

Lapland Longspur

July 4th: Cambridge Bay, Airport Road, North Road, Dump, Waterfront
Daily 29 New 1 Running 125
Weather: Cloudy followed by sunny spells on a NE wind 10c

A different route today took us past the early warning system into an area of tundra dotted with small pools. The most numerous birds were Long-tailed Ducks, Tundra Swan and White-fronted Geese the latter with well grown goslings. The deeper pools attracted Pacific Loon, Common and King Eiders and Northern Pintails. On the tundra itself we observed Long-tailed Skua, Stilt and Semipalmated Sandpipers. Back into Cambridge Bay with a visit to the waterfront which had Snow Bunting, Lapland Longspur and White-crowned Sparrows. The best was to come when a Yellow-billed Loon was watched from 10m. Back to base for lunch which was followed by a drive down Dewline Road where the group located Red-throated Loon, American Golden Plover and offshore a party of four Yellow-billed Loons all in prime breeding plumage. Time was running out with a visit to the dump which had similar birds to previous visits plus the unusual sight of four White-crowned Sparrows chasing around in a dwarf willow bush.

July 5th: Cambridge Bay, Mt Pelly Road, North Road, Dump
Daily 29 New 2 Final 127
Weather: Cloudy with late afternoon sunshine on a cool NW wind

Our last full day was in Cambridge Bay with a visit along the Mt Pelly road. The usual birds were present I the lagoons and adjacent habitats with an upturn in numbers of Pacific Loons and Long-tailed Ducks. Also notable were the first sightings of Tundra Swans and White-fronted Geese with young. The first new bird today was a pair of Pectoral Sandpipers which were feeding among the dwarf willows with Semipalmated and Stilt Sandpipers. On the return journey we were fortunate to find the tundra race of Peregrine Falcon hunting the waders for food. Back to town for lunch and in the afternoon a drive along the north road past the security system area. The only notable sightings were a pair of Rough-legged Buzzards displaying above low cliff and showing well for us all. Nearby we were privileged to watch a Stilt Sandpiper keeping an eye on three young chicks. Time was running out with a final visit to the dump where things were very quiet apart from a few Semipalmated Plovers.