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Living Skies Tour
With more incoming flights than an international airport, you’ll soon discover why the Quill Lakes International Bird Area is the ‘Land of Living Skies’. The dancing aurora borealis and brilliant sunsets are common backdrops to spectacular displays of birds in flight. Consisting of three large lakes (Big Quill Lake, Mud Lake & Little Quill Lake) the lakes are designated a globally- important Ramsar wetland, a Saskatchewan Heritage Marsh, a Western Hemispheric Shorebird Reserve, an accredited Watchable Wildlife Viewing Area, Saskatchewan’s first Important Bird Area and anchor to the Saskatchewan Bird Trail. The Quill Lakes are Canada’s largest saltwater lakes, and one of the most productive waterfowl areas in North America. Over one million shorebirds, waterfowl and songbirds stop here while travelling North America’s Central Flyway, with flocks in the tens of thousands. Here, with the help of these internationally-recognized refuges encompassed by Wadena, Wynyard and Foam Lake, endangered species such as the piping plover, peregrine falcon and the whooping crane are struggling back from the brink of extinction. Begin your tour at the Foam Lake Heritage Marsh located three miles northwest of the Town of Foam Lake. The indigenous waterfowl utilize the 6,500-acre wetland and surrounding upland for nesting, molting and staging. The marsh is a large staging area in the fall for thousands of geese, ducks, cranes and swans on their southward migration. The Heritage Marsh presents excellent viewing for birdwatchers and nature enthusiasts. Follow the marked auto trail, and continue along the marked footpaths with interpretive signs, viewing towers and picnic areas. Be sure to visit the Foam Lake Museum located at the Douglas Vintage House, as well as the Foam Lake Visitor and Nature Centre. Travel north on Hwy # 310 then west on Hwy # 5 to Wadena where road signs will direct you to the Wadena Wildlife Wetlands on the shores of Little Quill Lake, part of the Western Hemispheric Shorebird Reserve and Saskatchewan’s first accredited Watchable Wildlife Viewing Area. This area supports breeding colonies of white pelicans and Canada’s largest population of the endangered piping plover. The Wetlands feature unique trails, boardwalks, a canoe launch, two observation towers and numerous observation platforms to maximize your viewing opportunities. Picnic and washroom facilities, a shelter and informational signage are all located next to the main observation tower at the entrance. While in the Wadena area, tour the museum and enjoy the town murals painted by talented local artists. From the town of Quill Lake, travel south on Grid Road # 640. Follow the Ducks Unlimited (DU) Canada Prairie CARE signs to the 120-acre upland project of native and planted grasses. Further south along Grid Road # 640 is part of the 128-acre Little Quill “B” DU waterfowl feeding station. (During fall operation, access is restricted.) A colony of 400 white pelicans and cormorants can be seen on the islands to the west. Continue south on the trail to the DU water control structure and dedication site. For wildlife viewing, walk east to the shore of Little Quill Lake. Continue south and watch for signs leading you to the 270-acre wetland breeding and staging area for waterfowl. Earthen islands and straw bales provide nesting sites. The feeding station has restricted access during fall operation. For wildlife viewing, there is good access to Little Quill Lake. Continue south and watch for the Ducks Unlimited Canada Prairie CARE sign marking the location of the 90-acre upland project. This habitat provides nesting areas for all prairie waterfowl and grassland birds, as well as sharp-tailed grouse and short-eared owls. There is also a 160-acre DU wetland project. Continue south to join up with the Yellowhead Highway at Wynyard.
Wadena Quill Lakes Wynyard
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Points of Interest
