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Mitch Doll is hoping to prove that Saskatchewan is for the birds.
Doll, a content creation consultant with Tourism Saskatchewan, has embarked on a quest to view as many bird species as possible within the province over a single year, and he’s documenting the quest in a video series titled Big Skies, Big Year, which can be found on the organization’s YouTube channel.
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“This project is about more than chasing checklists,” Doll said in a statement.
“It’s about showing off Saskatchewan and the birds that thrive here. It also gives me a reason to push myself and explore new places.”
It’s no small task for Doll, as more than 400 species of birds have been spotted in the province, giving him a long list of potential sightings.
“Saskatchewan is rich in bird species, offering both variety and abundance thanks to the diversity of its landscapes and habitats,” Jenn Smith Nelson, founder and operator of The Wild View Tours, said in a statement.
“It makes seeing a lot of different species easy – from waterfowl and shorebirds to songbirds, raptors and more. From your backyard to conservation areas and parks, birds are everywhere, including urban environments, making birdwatching easily accessible to everyone willing to slow down and look.”
According to Tourism Saskatchewan, some of the birdwatchers around the province who chronicle their sightings on eBird have spotted nearly 300 species so far this year, which is why every episode of the video series includes an experienced birder helping Doll on his journey.
“Like the name implies, attempting a big year is no small feat,” Katelyn Luff, an avian ecologist and Saskwatch Birding Tours guide, said in a statement.
“Similar to the migrations of the birds we aim to see, a big year is a marathon of effort. Participating in Big Skies, Big Year has allowed me to share a small piece of that appreciation with Mitch and all who tune in to follow his journey. We are lucky to experience birds at their best here in Saskatchewan.”
Tourism Saskatchewan said the video series features a number of locations around the province that are hot spots for birdwatching, with the latest episode showing Doll’s efforts to spot shorebirds during their spring migration.
