| When we are not
viewing polar bears in close range we’ll explore the unique geological formations of
the coast, visit museums and stores in town, and watch for other wildlife – Arctic
Foxes, Arctic Hares, Caribou, Rock and Willow Ptarmigans, Snowy Owls, Glaucous Gulls, and
white-phase Gyrafalcans among them. With any luck we may observe the Aurora Borealis.
Before we set off for Churchill, we spend a day at splendid Oak Hammond Marsh, the
showcase of Ducks Unlimited in the west, and a couple of days at Riding National Park,
where vast forests and pristine lakes form a backdrop to our walks as we look for Great
Gray, Boreal, Hawk and Sawet owls, other boreal forest birds, and mammals such as moose,
elk, black bear, wolves, otter and others so characteristic of this land. TOUR LEADER
Richard Knapton is an all-round Naturalist, with strengths that
range from birds and butterflies to flowers and fungi. He has been an avid birder and
naturalist since his teen years in England, and this deep interest led him to obtain
graduate degrees from UBC on Song Sparrows and from the University of Manitoba on
Clay-coloured Sparrows. A field researcher for over 25 years, he has carried out studies
on such diverse subjects as meadowlarks and merlins, dragonflies and arctic butterflies,
frogs and salamanders, mussels and clams, and orchids and cacti. He is currently a member
of the Alberta Bird Records Committee and has been involved in several conservation
issues, including the Henslow’s Sparrow Recovery Plan, the Committee on the Status of
the Endangered Wildlife in Canada, and the important Birds Areas program.
DEPARTURES
October 9 - 16, 2003
TOUR COST
From Churchill
$ 3,395.00 CAD/$ 2,380.00 USD Per person based on twin share
Single Supplement $ 525.00 CAD/$ 370.00 USD
7% GST additional
ITINERARY
Oct. 9 ARRIVE WINNIPEG (D)
Morning flight to Winnipeg. On arrival transfer to the hotel. After lunch a visit to the
Fort Whyte Nature Centre. This centre has 600 acres of aspen forest, tall grass prairie
and a floating boardwalk over the marsh. There are plains bison here and a bird feeding
area.
Oct. 10 OAK HAMMOCK MARSH/RIDING MOUNTAIN (B,L)
Early morning departure to Oak Hammock Marsh, a splendid wetland complex voted Canada's
Best Outdoor site in 2000 by Attractions Canada. Ducks Unlimited Canada helped to preserve
the St. Andrews Bog and now the marsh is home to 280 kinds of birds, 26 species of mammals
and several dozen species of reptiles, amphibians and fish. There are 26 sq kilometers of
marsh, meadow, tall prairie grass, and aspen-oak bluffs. Special migration activities take
place here during the month of October. We will look for waterfowl and eagles and any
birds and mammals that might be present. After lunch we drive to Riding Mountain National
Park, stopping at Carberry Sandhills if time permits. Overnight Clear Lake Lodge 2 nights
inside the Park or similar.
Oct. 11 RIDING MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK
Riding mountain NP, covering 3000 square kilometres, is a superb park. Riding Mountain
rises dramatically from the rolling prairies, and acts as an island of vast forests and
pristine lakes in a sea of grassland. This landscape from a backdrop to our walks as we
look out for owls including Great Gray owl, special boreal forest birds including
Black-backed and Three-toed woodpeckers, Spruce grouse along with large mammals elk, bear,
wolf, moose, marten, otter and others.
Oct. 12 RIDING MOUNTAIN NP/WINNIPEG
Today we explore the eastern escarpment of the park, an area that may still be ablaze with
the colours of fall foliage. We then head out through the Interlake region of Central
Manitoba, with its huge lake and extensive marshes, returning to Winnipeg by late
afternoon.
Oct. 13 WINNIPEG-CHURCHILL
Early morning flight Winnipeg/Churchill. On your arrival in Churchill we will be met and
transferred to the Ice Berg Inn. After we’ve settled in, explore the town of
Churchill. We’ll visit the "Eskimo Museum" housing the finest collection of
Inuit carvings and artefacts, and a good selection of local books and souvenirs. Lunch at
Gypsy's restaurant. In the afternoon, we visit Parks Canada Interpretation Centre for a
1:00pm film. The centre has natural history and settlement displays and information
pamphlets. Dinner at the Wong Kee restaurant. Following dinner a slide show presentation
given by naturalist and photographer Mike Macri "SEASONS OF CHURCHILL.
Oct. 14 POLAR BEAR VIEWING (B,L)
Breakfast at the Churchill Motel. Morning departure to the tundra where we board specially
designed six wheel drive tundra vehicles, ideal for regional travel, for the full day.
Often curious polar bears approach the vehicles providing wonderful close range encounters
and excellent photographic opportunities. Polar bear sightings have been excellent on our
past tours to Churchill. We will also look for Arctic foxes, Arctic Hares, Caribou, Snowy
Owls, Ptarmigans and White-phase Gyrfalcons. Lunch is included.
Dinner on own. Evening lecture on "Polar Bears, Whales, Wolves and other Arctic
Wildlife".
Oct. 15 ARCTIC EXPLORATION (B,L)
Breakfast at the Churchill Motel. Tour to the northern edge of the Boreal forest. You will
have the opportunity to see the transition of the Boreal forest to the tundra through the
taiga. We will observe birds and wildlife enroute. Picnic lunch (weather dependent).
Evening to experience the Arctic sky and perhaps witness the Aurora Borealis. Dinner on
own.
Note: This nights accommodation is at a local bed & breakfast. Hotel space is on wait
list but there is only a slim chance of that clearing.
Oct. 16 LOCAL TOURS - EVENING FLIGHT TO WINNIPEG (B,L,D)
Breakfast at the Churchill Motel. Morning to further explore the area around Churchill.
Depending on snow conditions, we will have a special opportunity to experience dog
sledding. Free time in the afternoon is an opportune time to take an OPTIONAL HELICOPTER
TOUR over the tundra to look for polar bear over the Wapusk National Park & Cape
Merry. This is also an excellent opportunity to look for Caribou. Farewell dinner at the
Lazy Bear Cafe followed by an evening flight to Winnipeg where we will spend the night at
the Country Inn. (located 5 minutes from the Winnipeg Airport). *Your chances of viewing
Aurora Borealis on evening flights are very good.
Oct. 17 DEPART WINNIPEG (CB)
Continental breakfast at the hotel and departure to the airport for your flight home.
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