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April 2025

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St. Adolphe and Windygates (Holo Crossing) hawk watches

St. Adolphe and Windygates (Holo Crossing) hawk watches

Outdoor Activities: 

Event Date: 

March 15, 2025 to April 15, 2025

Trip Rating: 

NOVICE

Contact / Registration: 

Watches are not scheduled, so there is no need to register. Come and go as you please.

Raptors and a host of other birds migrate north along the Red River and Pembina River valleys in early spring. Come join the birders who monitor this migration. They will be present from mid-morning at either site on most days from mid-March to mid-April, especially when it is sunny with a south wind. The St. Adolphe site is on the east side of the bridge on PR. 210. The Windygates site is on PR. 201 at the Pembina River Valley.
Watches are not scheduled, so there is no need to register. Come and go as you please.

 

Mar 15 2025 to Apr 15 2025
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Kismet Creek Farm tour

Kismet Creek Farm tour

Outdoor Activities: 

Event Date: 

April 2, 2025

Trip Rating: 

NOVICE

Contact / Registration: 

Keith Sutton -- register at threedogz@shaw.ca

Time / Location: Meet at 11:00 at McDonald's on Fermor to arrange carpools. Leave by 11:15.
Arrive at Kismet Creek Farm at noon.
Kismet Creek Farm is located 10 minutes south of Steinbach -- 70 km / 50 minutes from our meeting location. From highway 12, look for a big black & white sign with red heart. Turn east and go one mile to the corner of Road 29N and Road 35E (stop sign). Turn south. Park outside the fence. #28134 Road 35E. Map.

Description: "A forever place for animals in need -- Manitoba’s Premier Farm Sanctuary"

The soil is sandy there, not muddy, so we will only cancel if it's actually raining, not just drizzling.
Food and vegetable scraps for animal feed greatly appreciated.
There are restrooms on site.
Grandchildren are welcome.

Kismet Creek Farm has been sold, and the final day for visits is April 20. All of the animals will have forever homes to go to.

On our way back to Winnipeg, let's stop for a photo op at Centre of Canada Park. We should be home by 3:30.

Cost: Adults $12.50, Seniors $10.00

Lunch: We will have a lunch break at the farm.

Bring: Your name tag, a lunch, appropriate footwear and clothing.

Apr 2 2025
 
 
Walk in Assiniboine Forest

Walk in Assiniboine Forest

Outdoor Activities: 

Event Date: 

April 2, 2025

Trip Rating: 

NOVICE

Contact / Registration: 

Linda Hilash -- register at lhilash@me.com

Location / Time: Meet in the parking lot at Grant Ave and Chalfont Road at 11:00 AM.

Description: Walk the paths in the Assiniboine Forest for 1½ to 2 hours.

Lunch: Folio Café at Canadian Mennonite University. Healthy lunch, snacks, and beverages may be purchased there, or bring your own. If you will be attending, tell Linda when you register so she can make a group reseravtion.

Bring: Your name tag and appropriate footwear (waterproof boots?).

Activity Type: 

Apr 2 2025
 
 
 
 
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«
St. Adolphe and Windygates (Holo Crossing) hawk watches

St. Adolphe and Windygates (Holo Crossing) hawk watches

Outdoor Activities: 

Event Date: 

March 15, 2025 to April 15, 2025

Trip Rating: 

NOVICE

Contact / Registration: 

Watches are not scheduled, so there is no need to register. Come and go as you please.

Raptors and a host of other birds migrate north along the Red River and Pembina River valleys in early spring. Come join the birders who monitor this migration. They will be present from mid-morning at either site on most days from mid-March to mid-April, especially when it is sunny with a south wind. The St. Adolphe site is on the east side of the bridge on PR. 210. The Windygates site is on PR. 201 at the Pembina River Valley.
Watches are not scheduled, so there is no need to register. Come and go as you please.

 

Mar 15 2025 to Apr 15 2025
»
 
 
Migrants

Migrants

Instructor: 

James Whitelaw

Location: 

Earl Grey Community Club, 360 Cockburn St. North

Date: 

Monday, April 7, 2025

Start Time: 

7:30 pm

Fee: 

$10 for Nature Manitoba members (or students), $15 for non-members

The spectacular movements of Canada geese in the spring and fall are perhaps the most obvious example of migration in Manitoba. Our extreme continental climate means that migration is a vital part of the life cycle of much of our wildlife.  This presentation will explore migration in birds and other animals.

Buy tickets at Eventbrite for the Migrants workshop

Apr 7 2025
 
 
 
Flea Whiskey's Billiards and Café & Bar

Flea Whiskey's Billiards and Café & Bar

Outdoor Activities: 

Event Date: 

April 9, 2025

Trip Rating: 

NOVICE

Contact / Registration: 

Yvette Berube, Marilyn Hurrell, Abe Friesen -- register at yvettel3208@gmail.com no later than Sunday April 6.

Location: Flea Whiskey's Billiards and Café & Bar, 601 Erin St (at Portage Ave)

Time: 1:00 to 3:00 PM.

Cost per person: ~$15 (for 2 hours) including GST. The actual cost will be determined after registration closes on Sinday April 6 and teams are created.  In addition, everyone is responsible for their food and drink, and the tip that will be automatically added onto the group bill.

Description:
Billiards.
5 tables have been tentatively booked, estimating that 20 people may attend.
To make up the teams, please indicate your level of experience. Score tallying is optional.

Bring: Your name tag.

 

Apr 9 2025
 
 
Hike at La Barrière Park

Hike at La Barrière Park

Outdoor Activities: 

Event Date: 

April 9, 2025

Trip Rating: 

NOVICE

Contact / Registration: 

Karen DePape -- register at karendepape@hotmail.com

Location: Camp Amisk, 4394 Waverley St (across from La Barrière Park, not in the park).

Time: Meet in the parking lot at 10:45 PM, departing at 11:00 AM. The parking lot is located just south of the La Salle River bridge on the east side of Waverley, half-way up the hill.

Description: We will hike along the Camp Amisk trail beside the La Salle River for approximately 2 hours at a leisurely pace. There are a few hills, but it is generally a gentle hike. The trail may be muddy, slippery, or icy, but we will be intrepid and prepared with appropriate footwear and attire and forge ahead. The challenge will likely be determined by the current weather conditions which, as we are keenly aware, are highly variable!

Toilets: There are toilets in the park across the road to access prior to parking.

Lunch: Location at a restaurant to be determined.

Bring: Water, your name tag, and if desired, hiking poles and a snack.

Activity Type: 

Apr 9 2025
 
 
 
 
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«
St. Adolphe and Windygates (Holo Crossing) hawk watches

St. Adolphe and Windygates (Holo Crossing) hawk watches

Outdoor Activities: 

Event Date: 

March 15, 2025 to April 15, 2025

Trip Rating: 

NOVICE

Contact / Registration: 

Watches are not scheduled, so there is no need to register. Come and go as you please.

Raptors and a host of other birds migrate north along the Red River and Pembina River valleys in early spring. Come join the birders who monitor this migration. They will be present from mid-morning at either site on most days from mid-March to mid-April, especially when it is sunny with a south wind. The St. Adolphe site is on the east side of the bridge on PR. 210. The Windygates site is on PR. 201 at the Pembina River Valley.
Watches are not scheduled, so there is no need to register. Come and go as you please.

 

Mar 15 2025 to Apr 15 2025
 
 
Walk along Harte Trail

Walk along Harte Trail

Outdoor Activities: 

Event Date: 

April 16, 2025

Trip Rating: 

NOVICE

Contact / Registration: 

Linda Hilash -- register at lhilash@me.com

Location / Time: Meet at Marj Edey Park, 4230 Ridgewood Ave, at 10:45 AM. Start walking at 11:00. The Varsity View Sportsplex doesn't open until 4:00, so its washrooms are not available.

Description: Walk for 1½ to 2 hours along Harte Trail.

Lunch: At Bluestone Cottage. If you will be attending, tell Linda when you register so she can make a group reseravtion. 

Bring: Your name tag.

Activity Type: 

Apr 16 2025
 
 
 
 
Oak Hammock Marsh

Oak Hammock Marsh

Outdoor Activities: 

Event Date: 

April 19, 2025

Trip Rating: 

NOVICE

Contact / Registration: 

Please contact Josh Dewitt at josh.dewitt@live.ca or Nelson Chubey at Nelson.chubey@gmail.com to register.

The focus of this early spring outing will be on seeing waterfowl and raptors. Meet at the main parking lot at 8 a.m. Please be aware that the Interpretive Centre is currently closed for renovations, but the outdoor washrooms should still be open.

Apr 19 2025
 
 
 
Sparrows - Sold Out!

Sparrows - Sold Out!

Instructor: 

Ward Christianson & Marlene Waldron

Location: 

Earl Grey Community Club, 360 Cockburn St. North

Date: 

Monday, April 14, 2025

Start Time: 

7:30 pm

Fee: 

$10 for Nature Manitoba members (or students), $15 for non-members

Tricky Sparrow Ids

This workshop will key in on those Manitoba sparrows that cause experienced birders to take a closer look. We will delve into the details of identification which are needed in the field to separate individuals from each other. Join Ward and Marlene in this workshop if you are wanting to take the next step in sparrow identification.

The Sparrows workshop is sold out

Apr 14 2025
 
 
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Bird watching at Swistun Family Heritage Park

Bird watching at Swistun Family Heritage Park

Outdoor Activities: 

Event Date: 

April 23, 2025

Trip Rating: 

NOVICE

Contact / Registration: 

Charles Begley -- register at ccbegley@shaw.ca . There is a limit of 20 participants who will be split into 2 groups.

Location: Swistun Family Heritage Park on Birds Hill Road (previously known as Silver Springs Park). 

Time: 9:00 AM.

Description: This will be a slow walk for about 2 hours. It is not a hike. We will be tabulating all the birds spotted by the 2 groups.
There are washrooms at Sobeys nearby.
Lunch afterwards at Jonesy's Restaurant to compare sightings. The restaurant is 350 metres south of the park on Birds Hill Road.

Bring: Your name tag.

Apr 23 2025
 
 
Tribute to Doris Orchyk Bike Ride at Birds Hill Park

Tribute to Doris Orchyk Bike Ride at Birds Hill Park

Outdoor Activities: 

Event Date: 

April 23, 2025

Trip Rating: 

NOVICE

Contact / Registration: 

Brian Wagg and Ted Harvey -- register at bwaggwpg@gmail.com

Location / Time: Meet in the West Beach parking lot on North Drive at 1:00 PM. A provincial park vehicle permit is not needed in 2025.

Postponement date: If the weather is not good on April 23, this activity will be postponed to April 30.

Description: Doris used to organize this as the first bike ride of the season. The ride will be on the paved ring road in Birds Hill Park.
Distance: 13 km.  Extra distance can be added by going out-and-back to East Gate and/or out-and-back to West Gate.
Non-perishable food items will be collected at the start for donation to Harvest Manitoba in Doris' name.

Bring: A non-perishable food item, your name tag.

Activity Type: 

Apr 23 2025
 
 
 
 
North Falcon Lake Trail hike

North Falcon Lake Trail hike

Outdoor Activities: 

Event Date: 

April 26, 2025

Trip Rating: 

NOVICE

Contact / Registration: 

Gord Austin -- register at gord.austin1@gmail.com

Location / Time: Meet in the McDonald’s on Fermor by the Southdale Mall by 9:15am.  We’ll carpool to Falcon Lake.

Description: This is an easy hike of about 13km out-and-back.  We’ll see lakes and hopefully signs of spring!  Bring water and lunch/snacks, sunscreen.  Wear appropriate clothing and footwear, hat recommended.

 

Activity Type: 

Apr 26 2025
 
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Birding for Beginners Series 2025

Birding for Beginners Series 2025

Outdoor Activities: 

Event Date: 

April 29, 2025 to May 27, 2025

Trip Rating: 

NOVICE

The perfect way to learn about birds and birding!
If you are interested in learning the basics of birding but don’t know where to start or you need help identifying birds, this series of outings is for you. The outings take place every Tuesday evening from April 29th through May 27th. Meet at various local parks and always start at 6:30 p.m. These outings are led by Ward Christianson and Marlene Waldron, supported by other knowledgeable birders each outing.

Due to overwhelming numbers for these events registration is now required on Eventbrite. Members will be free to register and a $5.00 fee will apply to non-members (per event ticket). Note there is a limited number of tickets available.

Registration will open up to members each Wednesday prior to the event each week and the general public on the Saturday prior to the event each week.  See individual activities for additonal information.

Apr 29 2025 to May 27 2025
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Birding for Beginners – Assiniboine Park

Birding for Beginners – Assiniboine Park

Outdoor Activities: 

Event Date: 

April 29, 2025

Trip Rating: 

NOVICE

Contact / Registration: 

Registration required through Eventbrite

Meet at 6:30pm. Details of exact location provided once you have registered on Eventbrite. Tickets for members are free and a $5.00 fee will apply to non-members.

Registration for members (only) will be open on Wednesday, April 23rd and the general public on Saturday, April 26th. Registration closes on Monday, April 28th, 8pm and there is a limited number of tickets available.

Contact Ward Christianson and Marlene Waldron if any questions (wchristianson@mymts.net).

Register for Tickets on Evenbrite

Apr 29 2025
 
 
Guided walk in Birds Hill Park

Guided walk in Birds Hill Park

Outdoor Activities: 

Event Date: 

April 30, 2025

Trip Rating: 

NOVICE

Contact / Registration: 

Yvette Berube -- register at yvettel3208@gmail.com . There is a limit of 30 participants.

Location: Birds Hill Provincial Park. The exact meeting location is not yet known. A Manitoba Parks vehicle permit is not required in 2025.

Time: Meet at 9:45 AM. The guided walk is from 10:00 AM to noon.

Description: A Birds Hill Park staff interpreter will lead a guided walk of either the Cedar Bog Trail (3.5 km loop), the Lime Kiln Trail starting from the Nimowin Interpretive Workshop (4.4 km loop), or the Hazelnut Trail starting from the Nimowin Interpretive Workshop (5 km loop). The trail will be determined in April.

Toilet: There is a toilet at all trailheads in Birds Hill Park.

Bring: Your name tag, lunch.

Activity Type: 

Apr 30 2025
 

Nature Manitoba acknowledges we are on Treaty 1 Territory and that Manitoba is located on the Treaty Territories and ancestral lands of the Anishinaabeg, Anishininewuk, Dakota Oyate, Denesuline and Nehethowuk Nations. We acknowledge Manitoba is located on the Homeland of the Red River Métis. We are committed to working in partnership with First Nations, Inuit and Métis people in the spirit of truth, reconciliation and collaboration.