Saskatoon birder chases a big year across Saskatchewan

Mitch Doll wants to see as many bird species as he can in Saskatchewan before the calendar runs out.Doll, a Saskatoon-based content creator who works as a consultant with Tourism Saskatchewan, is attempting what birders call a big year. The goal is to record as many species as possible in the province within one calendar year. He is documenting the effort in a long-form video series, Big Skies, Big Year, on Tourism Saskatchewan's YouTube channel.

Eyes on the sky: Mitch Doll, a Saskatoon-based content creator with Tourism Saskatchewan, is spending 2026 trying to see as many bird species as possible in the province. He is documenting the attempt in the video series Big Skies, Big Year. PHOTO COURTESY TOURISM SASKATCHEWAN

Hiding in plain sight: A common nighthawk rests on a weathered fence rail, its mottled feathers built for camouflage. More than 400 bird species have been recorded in Saskatchewan. PHOTO COURTESY TOURISM SASKATCHEWAN

"This project is about more than chasing checklists. It's about showing off Saskatchewan and the birds that thrive here," Doll said. "It also gives me a reason to push myself and explore new places."

Saskatchewan sits at the intersection of two major North American flyways. More than 400 species have been observed in the province.

"Saskatchewan is rich in bird species, offering both variety and abundance thanks to the diversity of its landscapes and habitats," said Jenn Smith Nelson, founder and operator of The Wild View Tours. "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."

Doll has ground to cover. According to Tourism Saskatchewan, the province's highest-ranked birders on eBird have logged almost 300 species so far this year. Each episode pairs Doll with an experienced birder who helps him find new species and build his knowledge.

"Like the name implies, attempting a big year is no small feat. Similar to the migrations of the birds we aim to see, a big year is a marathon of effort," said Katelyn Luff, an avian ecologist and guide with Saskwatch Birding Tours. "We're lucky to experience birds at their best here in Saskatchewan."

The series features locations across the province, many of them birding hotspots. The latest episode follows Doll's search for shorebirds during the spring migration.