SASKATOON – Saskatoon residents are eagerly awaiting a special summer visitor. From April through October, American White Pelicans gather by the Meewasin Riverworks Weir to fish. Once on the endangered species list, these majestic birds have been a beautiful sight on the South Saskatchewan River since the late 1970s, serving as Saskatoon’s unofficial harbinger of spring.
To celebrate their arrival, Meewasin, with the support of the Saskatoon Nature Society, is thrilled to bring back the annual Pelican Watch Contest, a feel-good community tradition since 1996. Residents are invited to guess the exact date and time the first pelican will touch down between the CPR Bridge and the Saskatoon Weir for a chance to win great prizes.
“The return of the American White Pelican is always a highlight of spring in Saskatoon,” says Renny Grilz, Director of Conservation at Meewasin. “These incredible birds remind us of the importance of conservation and the success that can come from dedicated efforts to protect wildlife and their habitats. Pelican Watch is a fun way for the community to engage with nature, celebrate the season, and learn more about the role these birds play in our ecosystem.”
While the contest is an exciting sign of warmer days ahead, it is also a fantastic opportunity to learn about these fascinating creatures.
Fast Facts About Saskatoon’s Pelicans:
- Weighing 7 to 10 kg with a wingspan of up to 3 metres, they are one of the largest birds on the continent.
- Breeding birds develop a distinct orange horn on their bill that naturally falls off after the nesting season.
- The breeding birds seen at the Weir likely commute daily from Redberry Lake (the site of the nearest colony), making an incredible 160 km trip every day.
- In late fall, our local pelicans migrate to wintering sites in California, Florida, Mexico, and Guatemala.
How to Enter:
- Entry is free and limited to one guess per person. Members of the public can submit their guess online at meewasin.com/pelicanwatch/ starting March 1.
- Need a hint? Over the past 25 years, the earliest arrival on record was April 2 at 6:25 p.m., and the latest was April 21 at 11:48 a.m.
- The contest closes on March 31, 2026, or earlier, depending on the arrival of the first pelican as observed by the Saskatoon Nature Society. Follow Meewasin on social media throughout March for more fun facts about these incredible birds!
About Meewasin Valley Authority
The Meewasin Valley Authority exists to ensure a healthy and vibrant river valley, with a balance between human use and conservation by:
Providing leadership in the management of its resources;
Promoting understanding, conservation and beneficial use of the Valley; and
Undertaking programs and projects in river valley development and conservation, for the benefit of present and future generations.
There are 67 square kilometers of land and 108km of established trail, which has seen up to 2.365 million trail visits per year, in the Meewasin Valley. The area also features sites that help people to connect to nature through experiences such as Beaver Creek Conservation Area, the Meewasin Northeast Swale, Saskatoon Natural Grasslands, the River Landing Spray Area, and the Cameco Meewasin Skating Rink @Nutrien Plaza. Meewasin is a non-profit organization that relies on donations and volunteers for sustainability.
For Information Contact:
Emily Sweeney
Director,
Marketing and Fund Development
306-477-9149
esweeney@meewasin.com