Birding Retreat. May 27-29, 2022

May 27th - May 29thBirding Retreat. May 27-29, 2022

Header Photo: Palm Warbler, Assiniboine Forest taken by Dieter Schönwetter©2020

Location: Turtle Mountain Bible Camp

Welcome to the 20th Annual Manitoba Birding Retreat offered by Camps with Meaning. It has become an important event for participants to experience God’s creation with others who love bird watching.

Register online.

 

 

Photo: Birding Retreat Camp Moose Lake on the road to Birch Point 2019

 

BIRDING ACTIVITIES

We will be birding around Whitewater Lake, which is one of Manitoba’s most biodiverse wetlands that provides habitat for 100+ bird species. https://importantbirdareasmb.ca/about-2/mb015-whitewater-lake 
https://www.naturemanitoba.ca.

Come a day early (arrive Thursday evening, May 26) if you want to also do some birding in the southwest corner of Manitoba on a Grasslands Tour following a prescribed route including various stops. https://melita.municipalwebsites.ca/ckfinder/connector?command=Proxy&lang=en&type=Files&currentFolder=%2F&hash=c245c263ce0eced480effe66bbede6b4d46c15ae&fileName=grassland_trailguide.pdf

NO EXPERIENCE REQUIRED

We want to extend a special invitation to young birders, students, and novice birders of all ages. We invite knowledgeable individuals to act as resource persons. Where possible, caravan group sizes will be in the order of 4-7 persons teamed up with 1 or more experienced birders.

SPEAKERS

Paul Epp, photographer, naturalist, and teacher.

Dan Epp-Tiessen, Associate Professor of Bible at Canadian Mennonite University and long-time birder.



COFFEE BREAK HOSTS

On Saturday morning Ed and Lorraine Dyck will host a coffee hour on their Buffalo Ranch on the shores of Whitewater Lake.

On Saturday afternoon, Maggie Andres and David Neufeld (www.roomtogrowinfo.ca), will host a coffee hour at their guest house, greenhouse, and garden on the north slope of Turtle Mountain.



COST

Early Bird (register by April 29/22)

$160*

Regular Rate

$175*

Full time Students (12-80 years old)

$80*

Children under 12

FREE*

Grasslands Pre-Tour

$15^


*Includes Friday night accommodation plus meals.


^Includes Thursday night accommodation.

TRANSPORTATION

If transportation is a concern for anyone, we will arrange carpooling upon request.



WHAT TO BRING

  • Binoculars and field guides

  • Sleeping Bag, Pillow

  • Towel, personal items

  • Outdoor clothing, hats, and boots (Whitewater Lake is perhaps best known for its fluctuating water levels)

  • Re-usable water bottles and portable coffee mugs

  • Indoor shoes/slippers

  • Spotting Scopes

  • Bug Repellant



SLEEP OPTIONS - SAFETY AND COMFORT

Due to the continuing COVID-19 pandemic, we will need to follow all current health regulations at the time of the retreat.

Since we have several participants who want or need to have their own rooms, we will attempt to spread guests out across all the room spaces.

You can also bring a camper van or trailer to overnight at one of the seven serviced sites.



MORE INFORMATION

 

Any inquires please feel free to contact members of the planning committee:

 

LOCATION: Turtle Mountain Bible Camp - Link to location on Google Map



20TH ANNUAL MANITOBA BIRDING RETREAT (May 27-29, 2022)

Turtle Mountain Bible Camp

WEEKEND SCHEDULE

GRASSLANDS TOUR (optional)

Arrive Thursday evening May 26 (accommodations provided Thursday night but no food will be provided – on our own for food and beverages).

Friday: Leave at 6:30 a.m. from Bible Camp for the SW Manitoba Grasslands Tour following a prescribed route including various stops. Breakfast, lunch, and supper on our own. There may be other recommended stops where unusual birds have been spotted closer to the retreat date. These will be described in further correspondence from the committee.



FRIDAY May 27

19:00 Arrive at Camp & settle into lodgings

20:00 Orientation & Introductions

20:15 – 21:30 presentation of birds and wildlife by Paul Epp, photographer, naturalist, and teacher.

21:30 Snack and Potential Activities

  • Birding for Novice Birders

  • Birding for Experienced Birders

  • Night Birding / Night Sounds



SATURDAY May 28

6:00 Coffee and birding around camp

7:00 Breakfast

8:00 Group Birding (Caravan around Whitewater Lake)

10:00 Coffee break stop at the Buffalo Ranch of Ed and Lorraine Dyck along the shore of Whitewater Lake

12:30 Lunch back at camp (bag lunch option)

14:00 Group Birding (Caravan birding transition zones between farmland and wooded areas)

15:00 Coffee break stop at the guest house, greenhouse and garden of Maggie Andres and David Neufeld, on the north slope of Turtle Mountain

17:30 Supper and Free time/optional activities

19:00 Presentation by Paul Epp, photographer, naturalist, and teacher

21:00 Snack and Night birding



SUNDAY May 29

6:30 Coffee and muffins – local birding

9:00 Breakfast

9:30 Closing Worship service with Dan Epp-Tiessen, Associate Professor of Bible at Canadian Mennonite University and long-time birder

10:30 Wrap-up

  • Clean rooms

  • Making Bag Lunch

  • Consolidating Observations

  • Retreat Evaluation

11:00 Departure