Trying to make plans for your extra day this February? Here are some fun daytime activities you can do with friends or family, all in Sunrise Corner in southeastern Manitoba.
February is Bird Feeding Month
Explore Manitoba’s Pine to Prairie International Birding Trail to sight birds and spread some kindness this winter.
Spur Woods Wildlife Management Area and the Caliento Bog
Located about six kilometers west of Piney, MB you’ll find old red pines and a rolling landscape. Pack up your snowshoes or your skis and go out looking for grouse, woodpeckers, golden-crowned kinglet, dark-eyed juncos and owls. Trails follow the old railway spur line. They are rough and not maintained. Please use caution.
Tall Grass Prairie Preserve
In the largest remnant of tall grass prairie left in Manitoba there are more than 100 species of birds nesting. Walk, ski or snowshoe the leisurely Prairie Shore Trail just southwest of Gardenton, MB on Provincial Road 209, and the Agassiz Interpretive Trail west of Vita, MB on Provincial Road 201. Look for grouse, Sedge Wrens, sparrows and more.
Rat River Wildlife Management Area
This large wildlife area is active in the summers with waterfowl and birds. The marsh is six kilometers east of Highway 59 on Road 16N, just south of Rosa, MB. The dike is high and good for walking. Look for grouse, woodpeckers, wrens, sparrows, black birds and many other varieties.
For more detailed information on Manitoba’s birding review routes 15, 16 &
17 on pages 22-24 of Manitoba’s Pine to Prairie International Birding Trail guide: https://mnbirdtrail.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/manitoba-brochure.pdf
What to Feed the Birds
Bird feed mixes often come with a lot of unhealthy additives. Here are some safe options for bird feeding:
- Black-oil sunflower seeds
- Shelled peanuts
- Suet
- Safflower
- Cracked corn
- Fruit
Please be aware that some of these bird treats will attract other wildlife as well. For more information on what to feed wild birds in the winter, visit: https://www.birdwatchersdigest.com/bwdsite/learn/top10/winter-bird-feeding.php
Public Skating
Get out your skates and head out to the communities of Sprague, Vita and Woodridge to enjoy their free and maintained ice rinks. After a fun game of hockey, wrap your hands around a hot mug of coffee or hot cocoa at one of our family restaurants or convenience stores: the Vintage Corner Store (Woodridge), the Vita Hotel or Eva’s Hospitality (Vita), or the Sprague Hotel.
Geocaching
Sunrise Corner is home to 17 geocaches spread all over the Rural Municipalities of Piney and Stuartburn. Move from community to community to discover heritage, nature and hidden treasure. And don’t forget to bring your winter clothes – you may have to walk a little ways! Check out www.geocaching.com for instructions and GPS coordinates to all of Sunrise Corner Tourism’s geocaches.
Remember to bring a GPS device and compass with you (GoogleMaps can work if you have cell service), and warm clothes.