Area: 44.37 km2
Latitude: 50.548 N
Longitude: 100.000 W
Just south of Riding Mountain National Park in southern Manitoba, the Proven Lake IBA is a relatively small area comprised mainly of a shallow lake with a few wooded islands, adjacent agricultural land, and nearby aspen woods. Proven Lake is designated a Wildlife Management Area and is thus afforded some protections under the Manitoba Wildlife Act. Additionally, Ducks Unlimited Canada has monitored water levels at Proven Lake since 1981.
This IBA is nationally significant for its congregatory species including Black-crowned Night Herons (200 nests and 4% of the Canadian population recorded here in 1995), although it is unclear whether their abundance has changed in recent years. Other species nesting at Proven Lake include Eared Grebes, Franklin’s Gulls, Great Blue Herons, and American Bitterns. Recent eBird lists in this IBA include species such as the Double-crested Cormorant, Belted Kingfisher, Purple Martin, Common Loon, Pied-billed Grebe, Bobolink, and Common Nighthawk. A variety of duck species can also be observed here and even the elusive Yellow Rail can be found tucked away in the sedge meadows.
Otters and beavers can also be seen at Proven Lake and, as Black Bears are prevalent in the surrounding area, birders are encouraged to exercise caution and preparedness when traveling the area on foot.
See below for maps on where to find birds, stories relating to Proven Lake IBA, and priorities for monitoring.
Where to bird:
- Proven Lake Walking Trail (start at the parking lot on the southern end of the lake off HWY 45) to survey various habitat types including…
- Hay meadows to see Bobolinks and Brown Thrashers
- Sedge meadows to see Yellow Rails and Le Conte’s Sparrows
- Open water to see large Franklin’s Gull colonies
- Aspen parkland to see migrating warblers and breeding Black-billed Cuckoos and Least Flycatchers
- Cattail marshes to see American Bitterns and dabbling ducks
Roads around the lake can be driven if you wish to bird by car. Much of Proven Lake IBA is publicly accessible due to its designation as a provincial Wildlife Management Area.
When to bird:
- Summer: visit this IBA to see Franklin’s Gulls and various duck species breeding
- Fall: make an early morning trip to count waterfowl leaving the lake and marshes to feed
