Cabri Area (SK045)
Cabri, Saskatchewan
Site Description
This area lies south of the South Saskatchewan River in the vicinity of the town of Cabri. Much of the grassland habitat in this area has been cultivated and little native prairie remains. There is a prominent ridged morainal area northwest of Cabri.
Birds
The mixture of prairie, agricultural lands and saline lakes at Cabri attracts a range of grassland and waterbird species. A good concentration of Burrowing Owl (nationally endangered) nests has been recorded here. About 1% of the estimated Canadian population of this species has been recorded at this site. Twelve nests have been observed, but not all are active each year. Two nests of Ferruginous Hawks (nationally vulnerable) have also been recorded at this site. During fall migration in the wetland areas of this site, over 2,000 Ross' Geese and 5,000 Mallards have been recorded. The close proximity of this site to the huge waterfowl staging grounds at Miry and Galloway Bay to the northeast makes the fields in this area very attractive for foraging waterfowl.
Conservation Issues
Similar to other prairie sites, drought is often the limiting factor with respect to the primary productivity of the grasslands. Additionally, the conversion of some prairie to agricultural lands is also threatening bird habitat. Nest platforms for Ferruginous Hawks have been built in the area, but the hawks have not utilized the platforms as much as was hoped.
IBA Criteria Habitats Land Uses Potential or Ongoing Threats Conservation Status
