6-Day Dancing Grouse and Prince Albert National Park Grand Tour: May 4 - 9, 2026

Limit: 2 vehicles with 1 –  3 persons each.

Tour Itinerary

May 4 – 6. We will get up early for 3 mornings to photograph and view up close the sunrise dance of the Sharp-tailed at a private pasture near Saskatoon.  One person in your group will have the option of using our photography blind on either May 4 or 6.  You will return to your hotel room for a break or a nap for the balance of the morning.
During the afternoons of May 4 and 5,  we will guide you on Signs of Spring Birding tours to view and possibly photograph Mountain Bluebirds plus many species of ducks, geese and grebes.

May 7: Tour participants will pick up leader in Saskatoon after breakfast and drive to Prince Albert National Park. We will hike a park trail in the afternoon looking for boreal forest birds.  At nightfall, we will listen for calling Barred Owls, Boreal Owls and Northern Saw-whet Owls.
Overnight:  Hawood Inn,  Waskesiu

May 8: Spend the day in the park and nearby forests exploring for more birds which might include Bald Eagle, Ruffed Grouse, Spruce Grouse, Black-backed, American Three-toed and Pileated Woodpeckers,  Boreal and Black-capped Chickadees, Great Gray Owl, Northern Hawk Owl.  We might also photograph River Otters, Red Fox and / or Red Squirrels.
Overnight:  Hawood Inn, Waskesiu

May 9: We may search for bird feeders outside the park which might provide photographic opportunities for Redpolls, Nuthatches and Pine Grosbeaks. We will return to Saskatoon by about 5 pm where the tour ends.
Overnight: Saskatoon Hotel

Fee: CAD $4850 per vehicle with 1 – 3 persons plus leader
Maximum of 2 persons recommended.

PHOTOGRAPHY BLIND OPTION . One person in your group  may choose to use our special professional bird photography blind (tent). This TRAGOPAN Hokki V3 blind is ideal for obtaining images of the dancing grouse at birds-eye level for a unique perspective of the early morning dance action.

Daily Limits: On each date, we limit the number of vehicles with people at the site on morning or evening tours to only 2 vehicles plus the leader’s vehicle at the back.

What to Bring

• Participants should bring a digital camera with both long and short focal lengths.

• Participants may wish to bring a laptop computer equipped with their favourite photographic editing software.

• You need to plan to drive your own personal or rented vehicle to and from locations where we will be photographing and viewing grouse. Winter snow tires recommended.

• Bring a good winter coat, long windproof pants, long underwear, winter hat and gloves.

Accommodation information will be sent to registered guests.

Read full details at

https://livingskywildliferehabilitation.org/birding-tours/dancing-grouse/

Transportation

Participants must drive their own personal or rented vehicle on this guided tour. If requested, tour leader may be willing to drive your vehicle during tour.

Accommodation

Following your registration, you will receive an email with the information needed to book your accommodation during this tour.

QUESTIONS

Please email any questions to

birdtours@sasktel.net