Come see the raptors! They will be on their way north before we know it. The A Rocha centre in the Pembina Valley provides a comfortable and beautiful place from which to witness the birds’ flight.

Each year volunteers Paul Goossen and Al Schritt work with a dedicated group of volunteers to tally the migration. Last year, due to unusual weather patterns, the count was disappointing and low. We hope that this year the eagles and hawks will again find the Pembina Valley to be their primary migration corridor. The narrowest section of the valley is within view from the Pembina Valley Interpretive Centre. This means that the public have the chance to witness these birds in flight, even in wheelchairs on the deck or from the front windows. Other more avid and adventuresome birders may enjoy snowshoeing or hiking to viewpoints on the A Rocha trails.

Most raptors from the central United States fly north using the thermal updrafts to carry them effortlessly on their journey. While some, including red-tailed hawks, Cooper’s hawks, and broad-winged hawks, will stay in southern Manitoba to breed and raise their young, other birds may migrate as far as the Hudson Bay. Following the cold and snowy winter of 2011, a new record was set when 13,000 birds of prey soared overhead. In 2012, less than 4,500 birds used the Pembina Valley migration corridor. Goossen writes, “The surprise of the season was the Broad-winged Hawks which typically are not seen in the Valley during the count period (possibly because they are late migrants). The 2012 count of 181 Broad-winged Hawks was unprecedented.” (Raptor Review, 2012)

The 2013 count will take place from February to April. The community of La Rivière, in association with A Rocha, will put on the La Rivière Raptor Festival on April 6th, 2013.

Please consider staying at the Pembina Valley Interpretive Centre for bed and breakfast. Contact Bethany Paetkau, 204.246.2059, manitoba@arocha.ca

Directions to the Pembina Valley Interpretive Centre:  Hwy 3 west. Turn left on Hwy 31 (south). Turn left on Hwy 201 (east). Follow the signs to the Pembina Valley Provincial Park, turn left at the pine grove (A Rocha).