Meet 3 Expert Birdwatching Guides in Saskatchewan 

The Wild View | Website: thewildview.ca | Region: Mainly southern and south-central Saskatchewan with custom tours province-wide | Based in Moose Jaw

Founded by Jenn Smith Nelson, a Saskatchewan-born, award-winning travel and wildlife writer, photographer and naturalist with more than two decades across tourism, conservation and storytelling, the Wild View offers a holistic approach to guided nature experiences. Wellness and genuine human connection are built into every outing with the goal being not simply to just see birds, but to slow down, pay attention and feel connected to the land.

A longtime and passionate advocate for Saskatchewan, Jenn brings a deep familiarity with the region and the species that define it. She has written dozens of articles on Saskatchewan and co-wrote 110 Nature Hot Spots in Manitoba and Saskatchewan in 2019, encouraging travellers to step off the Trans-Canada Highway and “really see” what is here. That same sensibility shapes her tours, which are grounded in regenerative travel and a commitment to giving back to both community and ecosystem. Proceeds from select tours support Nature Saskatchewan and Friends of Grasslands, reinforcing a model where tourism contributes to conservation.

Premium experiences are enriched through collaboration with local experts from Indigenous-led operators to naturalists, ecologists, wellness and flora specialists, each offering unique perspectives and knowledge. 

The Wild View welcomes a broad audience, from dedicated birders chasing species like whooping cranes and piping plovers to photographers, families and first-time participants. Community Days offer donation-based access for seniors and those facing financial or mobility barriers. Tour formats range from short field sessions to multi-day immersions, all rooted in the belief that birding and connection to nature should remain open to everyone.

Best for: All levels. Anyone from beginners to hardcore birders and those seeking a meaningful, grounded experience in nature. Plan your visit with Jenn here.

Saskatoon Custom Bird Tours / Living Sky Wildlife Rehabilitation | Website: birdtours.ca | Region: Province-wide, based in Saskatoon

One of the most established names in Saskatchewan birding, Saskatoon Custom Bird Tours is led by Stan Shadick, who has been leading birding tours across the province for over 40 years and holds the second-highest eBird record for the most bird species seen in Saskatchewan.

Stan is a co-editor of Birds of the Saskatoon Area and a contributor to Birds of Saskatchewan, and has served as president of both Nature Saskatchewan and the Saskatoon Nature Society. His colleague Alyssa Vibert brings expertise as an avian biologist and wildlife society communicator. Boyd Coburn is a professional wildlife photographer who leads many of their bird photography tours.

This charity-based company offers an impressive range of options: half-day and full-day private tours, multi-day grand tours spanning the entire province, specialized photography workshops, and low-mobility accessible tours.

Seasonal highlights include Dancing Grouse tours in spring, Whooping and Sandhill Crane tours in fall, Snowy Owl photography sessions in winter and shorebird excursions at Chaplin and Quill Lakes in summer. Tour fees support Living Sky Wildlife Rehabilitation charity, and a tax receipt is issued for 50% of the guiding fee.

Best for: All levels, photography enthusiasts, visitors wanting flexibility from half-day to multi-week itineraries. Plan your visit with Stan here.

Shayna Cossette Wildlife | Website: shaynacossettewildlife.com | Region: Northern Saskatchewan and the Flin Flon / Creighton / Denare Beach area

For birders looking to venture into Saskatchewan's boreal north, a region that rewards the curious with species rarely encountered further south, Shayna Cossette is the guide to know. Based near the Saskatchewan-Manitoba border in the Flin Flon area, Shayna offers guided birding tours through some of the province's most richly forested and lake-studded landscapes, including the boreal birding sites around Denare Beach and the dramatic Sturgeon Weir River corridor.

A biologist, wildlife photographer and passionate advocate for ethical birding, Shayna brings sharp identification skills, enthusiasm and genuine warmth to every tour. She works comfortably with all experience levels, from curious beginners just getting started to eager listers adding boreal specialists to their life lists. Photography tips are woven throughout, making her tours particularly appealing to anyone who wants to come home with great images alongside a stronger species list.

Signature experiences include Denare Beach Boreal Birding covering shoreline, open lake, urban habitat, and boreal forest for warblers, woodpeckers, sparrows and more, the Sturgeon Weir Waterfowl tour and — in winter — the Wild Willow Ptarmigan tour, accessing one of the most southerly reliable locations in the country to see the coveted species. Custom and half-day tour formats are available and Shayna is happy to tailor experiences to what you're hoping to find.

Best for: Birders eager to explore the boreal north, photographers, beginners wanting a welcoming and educational experience, and anyone chasing Saskatchewan's northern specialties. Plan your visit with Shayna here.

Saskatchewan’s guides are committed to working collaboratively to provide exceptional birdwatching experiences and showcasing the best the province has to offer.

Jenn Smith Nelson is the founder of nature-based tour company, the Wild View, and a seasoned freelance travel wildlife writer and photographer. She also co-authored 110 Nature Hot Spots in Manitoba and Saskatchewan.

Keen to see what’s flying in? May promises to be the peak of migration season! Check out the many different tours offered by thewildview.ca.