This spring, Morley and Paula Maier, members of the Yellowhead Flyway Birding Trails Association, had an exciting surprise waiting for them outside their kitchen window.
A beautiful Scarlet Tanager graced their deck railing for just enough time for the Maiers to take some excellent pictures.
Although the Maiers are experienced birders, they were very excited about this sighting.
The Maiers have never seen a Scarlet Tanager before, and according to Nature Saskatchewan’s recent publication of Birds of Saskatchewan, this is because this bird is a very rare visitant to this area of Saskatchewan.
Scarlet Tanagers are so rare in Saskatchewan that there were only 78 recorded sightings from 1900 to 2016. Because of this, you can imagine how exciting this sighting was.
The Maier’s luck was not over, however, as another rare visitant decided to come grab a snack at the couple’s bird feeder this spring.
A beautiful Northern Cardinal stayed in the Maier’s property for a day, and this was another special sighting as they are just as rare as the Scarlet Tanager.
From 1890 to 2016, there were only 62 recorded sightings of the Northern Cardinal.
Also, their population in Saskatchewan is not self-sustaining, and there has been no Northern Cardinal nests found in Saskatchewan up to this point.
All in all, Morley and Paula have had two unbelievable and unique sightings that would make any avid birder green with envy.
Talia Fawcett- YFBTA Summer Program Facilitator
