Bowman Family Saskatchewan Trip - June 19-30, 2026

June 25: Old Man on His Back

Pamela received a reluctant hint about the screech owl location. We had been looking at the eBird Hotspot which was not that close to the real location. So, before heading out, we checked the campground road and found the obvious spot. But the owl was not showing itself. We’ll check later.

Off we went, south to Claydon, then west to Old Man on His Back Prairie Conservation Area. We saw perched Swainson’s Hawks in perfect light and more of the birds we had already seen.

At the visitor centre, which was closed, we saw Vesper Sparrows, Lark Buntings and more Common Nighthawks. But perched nearby, was a single Chestnut-collared Longspur – another LIFER for Bill.

Moving on, we saw a Mule Deer fawn with its mother and several more Pronghorns. We saw a couple of wild Bison. One was rolling in the dust, but we all missed the photo because of a passing huge farm vehicle.

Craig took us to the Nashlyn Reservoir on spec, but it was fairly quiet. We drove on to Consul for ice cream. A resident told us of a hawk’s nest, which we could not locate, and of researchers who have been in the area looking for Prairie Falcons - we wish!!

We retraced our route part of the way, hoping for a Thick-billed Longspur – no luck.
We took a road north to Vidora, and we stopped at an attractive pond that had a mother Canvasback and her babies as well as many Black Terns.

Returning to Eastend, we swung by the tree near the campsite, but the owl was still not showing.
It rained a bit, but after supper, Craig, Pamela and Bill walked across the street to check out the Farmers’ Market. It was popular with lots of locals.