Area: 151.52 km2
Latitude: 49.807 N
Longitude: 99.497 W
Douglas Marsh is a large, shallow fen that lies with Brandon to its west and Spruce Woods Provincial Park to its east, acting as a basin for the surrounding agricultural land. Sedges and grasses (including two rare species of gentians: Felwort and Star Gentian) dominate the marsh and, on the east side of the marsh, willows give way to the Carberry Sandhills.
This IBA encompasses the Douglas Marsh and is both globally significant for its congregatory species and nationally significant for its threatened species. The Yellow Rail, a species listed as of special concern by the Committee on the status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC), is thought to use the marsh as its largest breeding ground south of the Hudson Bay Lowlands, though a precise estimate of breeding birds is lacking. In 2013, one Loggerhead Shrike was recorded in the IBA, a nationally significant observation. Other grassland and marsh species found in the Douglas Marsh IBA include nesting Nelson’s Sparrow, Le Conte’s Sparrow, Sora, Virginia Rail, Sedge Wren, Mallard, Northern Shoveler, Blue-winged Teal, Wilson’s Snipe, American Bittern, and Great Blue Heron. Mammalian species that can be seen in this IBA include Coyotes, Red Foxes, Fishers, River Otters, Badgers, and even Bobcats.
Anthropogenic disturbance including increased agriculture and herbicide use, ecotourism, and infrastructure expansion impact the proper function of the marsh ecosystem in the Delta Marsh IBA. For example, Yellow Rail habitat (including many nests) is often trampled accidentally by visitors of the marsh. Additionally, more frequent periods of drought and flooding may cause further reductions in marsh bird habitat.
See below for maps on where to find birds, stories relating to Douglas Marsh IBA, and priorities for monitoring.
Where to bird:
- Roads and trails in Camp Hughes
- HWY 340 south of Douglas
- Roads near Sewell Lake northeast of Shilo
- Rd 84 W near Carberry Golf Course and highways surrounding the IBA
Much of Douglas Marsh IBA is not easily accessible and those birders hoping to see Yellow Rail should know that the species is notoriously secretive. Birding can be done along provincial roads and highways surrounding the marsh.
When to bird:
- Summer: look and listen for breeding Yellow Rail, Virginia Rail, Sora, Le Conte’s Sparrow, Nelson’s Sparrow, and Sedge Wrens
