Bird Sanctuary from 133 years ago the destination on afternoon drive

The oldest bird sanctuary in Canada is near Moose Jaw on the north end of Last Mountain Lake.

First established as a bird sanctuary in 1887, the 18 square mile area of marshes, grasslands and inlets is a staging area for spring and fall migrations of birds. In the off-migration season the area is still active with birds.

A mid-July afternoon drive found pelicans, grebes, and many ducks, as well as Baltimore orioles and eastern kingbirds.

The kiosk near the headquarters explaining the sanctuary history and purpose is closed now due to the pandemic lockdown, but a dirt road from the headquarters east leads to the re-located observation tower from which birds on the lake can be viewed.

Another dirt road winds its way along an inlet, crosses the water at a weir which always hosts lots of birds. On the other side, the road runs along the lake. A walking trail from the road leads to a number of sights with one being a bison rubbing stone.

Several walking trails run through grasslands and marsh to allow better insight.

The ideal visiting time for this sanctuary would be during the fall and spring migrations when the air and the lake are crowded with various species of ducks, geese, herons, hawks, sandhill cranes and the occasional whooping crane.

June is a good time to walk around and see the wildflowers.

Don’t be afraid to drive into some of the towns along the way. Two —Simpson and Holdfast — have interesting churches. Holdfast still uses the Catholic Church but the United Church at Simpson has become a residence after a time as an antique store.

Along the way to the sanctuary you will often see deer browsing in the grass and bush.

A more adventurous path to the sanctuary takes gravel and dirt roads along the lake from east of Holdfast to the sanctuary.

Driving time to the bird sanctuary headquarters from Moose Jaw is about one hour, 45 minutes, without stopping at the villages.

Once ready to leave you can return the way you came or head east to Highway 20, then south through Strasbourg along the east side of Last Mountain Lake.

Ron Walter can be reached at ronjoy@sasktel.net