Montana physician Kishore Karamchandani opts for the frozen Canadian Prairies over tropical resorts during peak winter. He joins a five-day tour of Manitoba’s prime owl habitats, capturing stunning images of a hawk owl in flight.
‘I love to photograph animals and birds in action,’ Karamchandani states. ‘It was a thrilling trip, and I urge others to visit.’
Sold-Out Owl Excursions Draw Global Crowds
About 60 participants fill sold-out winter owl tours in Manitoba during February and March, organized by Eagle-Eye Tours guides. Typically, these tours head to warmer spots like Belize, Puerto Rico, and Costa Rica, costing $5,500 to $7,700 Cdn. Manitoba outings, priced at $1,900, attract birders from Australia, Spain, the U.K., and the U.S.
Guide Josh Dewitt explains the appeal: ‘Owls fascinate, especially the great grey owl, our provincial bird. Their winter survival inspires awe and has captivated people for centuries.’
Birders seek unique experiences, from ticking life-list species to embracing something different. Winter conditions reveal owls without leafy camouflage, showcasing species variety.
Manitoba’s Rich Owl Heritage
Jim Duncan, former head of Manitoba’s Fish and Wildlife Branch, highlights the province’s owl legacy. He co-founded the Manitoba Nocturnal Owl Survey 35 years ago, engaging volunteers in conservation data collection. Winnipeg hosted the first international World Owl Conference in 1987.
Daytime hunters like northern hawk owls and snowy owls draw winter birders. Common nocturnal species include great horned owls, saw-whet owls, and boreal owls.
Population Cycles and Irruptions
Last winter saw near-record boreal owl detections and strong great grey owl numbers near Lac du Bonnet. Duncan banded 60 great greys. Owl populations follow multi-year boom-bust cycles tied to prey like voles and mice.
‘These cycles form part of their natural history,’ Duncan notes. Booms trigger irruptions, creating spectacles. Manitoba reports solid snowy owl sightings this winter, with clusters visible on rural roads south and southwest of Winnipeg.
‘Pockets yield 10 or more in a day,’ Duncan says. ‘These birds offer a backyard nature show for anyone willing to drive.’
Owl Advocacy and Tour Highlights
Retired government biologist Duncan runs Discover Owls and authors owl books. He visits tours with ambassador Oska, a great grey owl. His prediction of five to seven northern hawk owls near Lac du Bonnet proved accurate, with tour groups spotting five.
Karamchandani calls the Duncan-Oska visit a trip highlight, alongside a bald eagle nest sighting. He plans a Churchill polar bear trip this fall.
Dewitt promotes Manitoba: ‘Our wildlife shines in winter—unique and worth the journey.’
