Last Mountain Lake National Wildlife Area

Saskatchewan · Canada

Easy

Habitat

WetlandGrassland

Best Seasons

SpringFall

Difficulty

Easy

Best Months

May-June, September-October

Entrance Fee

Free

Hours

Dawn to dusk daily

About This Location

Last Mountain Lake NWA holds the distinction of being the first bird sanctuary established in North America, designated in 1887. This historic site in south-central Saskatchewan remains one of the continent's most important staging areas for migrating waterfowl, shorebirds, and cranes.

Up to 50,000 Sandhill Cranes and 450,000 geese use the area during fall migration. The surrounding mixed-grass prairie supports breeding Piping Plovers, Burrowing Owls, Ferruginous Hawks, and other grassland species that have become increasingly rare across the Great Plains.

Location

Loading map...

Notable Species

Piping Plover Whooping Crane Burrowing Owl Ferruginous Hawk Baird's Sparrow

Live Bird Data

Notable Sightings

Green-winged Teal

Anas crecca

3/4/2026Wascana Creek--Sewage Plant Outflow (Armour to Dewdney)3 observed

Dark-eyed Junco (Oregon)

Junco hyemalis

3/3/2026Broadview (town)1 observed

Ring-necked Pheasant

Phasianus colchicus

3/3/2026Broadview South/Brown farm1 observed

Common Merganser

Mergus merganser

3/2/2026Mainprize Bridge, Rafferty Reservoir, Hwy 6063 observed

Tundra Swan (Whistling)

Cygnus columbianus

3/2/2026Crooked Lake--north shore2 observed

Gadwall

Mareca strepera

3/1/2026Gardiner Dam--Below the dam, including power station, east overlook and South Sask River2 observed

Dark-eyed Junco (Oregon)

Junco hyemalis

2/28/2026Broadview (town)1 observed

Dark-eyed Junco (Oregon)

Junco hyemalis

2/25/2026Backyard, McConnell Ave2 observed

Dark-eyed Junco (Oregon)

Junco hyemalis

2/25/2026Broadview (town)1 observed

Dark-eyed Junco (Oregon)

Junco hyemalis

2/24/2026Broadview (town)1 observed

Canada Goose

Branta canadensis

2/23/2026Newton Lake23 observed

Mallard

Anas platyrhynchos

2/23/2026Newton Lake30 observed

Mallard

Anas platyrhynchos

2/22/2026Newton Lake24 observed

Cooper's Hawk

Astur cooperii

2/21/2026Wrenwood Cottage1 observed

Cooper's Hawk

Astur cooperii

2/21/2026Wrenwood Cottage1 observed

Canada Goose

Branta canadensis

2/21/2026Newton Lake24 observed

Purple Finch

Haemorhous purpureus

2/20/2026Moose Jaw--Wakamow Valley Maryland Trail (including Churchill Park)2 observed

Lapland Longspur

Calcarius lapponicus

2/20/2026Broadview West1 observed

Northern Saw-whet Owl

Aegolius acadicus

2/20/2026Moose Jaw--Wakamow Valley Maryland Trail (including Churchill Park)1 observed

Cooper's Hawk

Astur cooperii

2/19/2026Haultain-Nutana-Varsity View1 observed

Recent Observations

Black-capped Chickadee

Old Woodlawn Regional Park

3/4/2026

4 birds

Canada Goose

Old Woodlawn Regional Park

3/4/2026

30 birds

Horned Lark

Regina--Airport area

3/4/2026

3 birds

Gray Partridge

Hill Avenue E of Pinkie Rd

3/4/2026

12 birds

Rock Pigeon

Pinkie Rd and 13th Ave

3/4/2026

50 birds

Red-breasted Nuthatch

My 14 st. Yard

3/4/2026

2 birds

House Sparrow

My 14 st. Yard

3/4/2026

8 birds

Black-billed Magpie

(Home) Swift Current--Lister-Kaye Cr

3/4/2026

3 birds

House Finch

(Home) Swift Current--Lister-Kaye Cr

3/4/2026

3 birds

Merlin

Broadview (town)

3/4/2026

1 birds

Bald Eagle

Condie Nature Refuge, RM of Sherwood

3/4/2026

1 birds

Common Raven

Condie Nature Refuge, RM of Sherwood

3/4/2026

2 birds

Bohemian Waxwing

Condie Nature Refuge, RM of Sherwood

3/4/2026

5 birds

Northern Shrike

Chief Whitecap Park

3/4/2026

1 birds

Redpoll

Chief Whitecap Park

3/4/2026

5 birds

Downy Woodpecker

(Home) Swift Current--Lister-Kaye Cr

3/4/2026

1 birds

Dark-eyed Junco

(Home) Swift Current--Lister-Kaye Cr

3/4/2026

4 birds

Great Horned Owl

605 grid, SW Ekapo Lake

3/4/2026

1 birds

Blue Jay

Birding Hotspot

3/4/2026

7 birds

American Goldfinch

Broadview (town)

3/4/2026

3 birds

Birding Tips

1
The fall Sandhill Crane staging in September and October is one of Saskatchewan's great wildlife spectacles
2
Look for Burrowing Owls in the pastures near their marked nesting areas

Amenities

Parking

Trails

Nearby Attractions

Rowan's Ravine Provincial Park
Lumsden

Birding Guides

Fall Migration Guide: Hawks, Sparrows, and More

10 min read

Bird Identification Tips: How to ID Birds Like a Pro

11 min read

The Beginner's Guide to Birding

8 min read

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best time to visit Last Mountain Lake National Wildlife Area for birding?▼

The best months to visit Last Mountain Lake National Wildlife Area for birding are May-June, September-October. The best seasons are Spring and Fall.

What birds can I see at Last Mountain Lake National Wildlife Area?▼

Notable species at Last Mountain Lake National Wildlife Area include Piping Plover, Whooping Crane, Burrowing Owl, Ferruginous Hawk, Baird's Sparrow. The area supports wetland, grassland habitats.

How difficult is birding at Last Mountain Lake National Wildlife Area?▼

Birding at Last Mountain Lake National Wildlife Area is rated as Easy. The trails and viewing areas are accessible for birders of all experience levels.

Is there an entrance fee at Last Mountain Lake National Wildlife Area?▼

There is no entrance fee at Last Mountain Lake National Wildlife Area. Hours: Dawn to dusk daily.

What amenities are available at Last Mountain Lake National Wildlife Area?▼

Last Mountain Lake National Wildlife Area offers the following amenities: Parking, Trails.