Wildlife in our Community

The ability to maintain a large wetland complex, nature trails and wildlife corridors in a large city is a great achievement and is likely one of the reasons you and your family decided to make the Rosewood community your home.
The beauty of nature just steps outside your door is a nice break from the daily grind. The ability to take a walk even for just a few minutes in a natural setting, listening to the sounds of nature, with the possibility of seeing wildlife within the city, is something that everyone can enjoy no matter what your age may be.
Rosewood consists of numerous green space corridors, parks, as well as having the Hyde Park naturalized conservation area on our doorstep. While enjoying these areas in our community you may encounter wildlife. As such, always remember to keep your distance from any wild animals you may come across, as they may be unpredictable. Also, never feed wildlife so they do not become dependant on humans and potentially become nuisance animals.
In consideration of other greenspace users and the City of Saskatoon by-laws, please remember to keep your pets on leash.  This will reduce potential pet/wildlife interactions. If you want your pet to run free then stop by the fenced in off-leash Hyde Dog Park located along Boychuk Drive on the western portion of Hyde Park.

Wildlife you may see in the Hyde Park Naturalized Area, Rosewood Parks and Green Space Corridors.
You may even see them in your back yard!

Mammals

Snowshoe Hare
Observed often in Hyde Park and all over the Rosewood Community
The Snowshoe Hare (Lepus americanus), also called the varying hare, or snowshoe rabbit, and is found in North America. The name "snowshoe" is due to the large size of its hind feet that prevent it from sinking into the snow when it hops and walks. The fur on the soles of its feet protect it from freezing temperatures.
To help protect from predators its fur turns white in winter and rusty brown in the summer.
Ever wonder what they eat? In summer, plants such as grass, ferns and leaves; in winter, it eats twigs, tree bark, and buds from flowers and plants. They can have up to four litters in a year averaging three to eight young.

Snowshoe hare. (2017, January 19). In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved 14:13, March 24, 2017, from https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Snowshoe_hare&oldid=760907585
Coyote
Observed in Hyde Park and the Rosewood Community.

​The Coyote (Canus Latrans Latrans) is comprised of 16 subspecies in North America. Their coats vary in colour from grayish-brown to yellowish-gray on the upper parts, while the throat and belly tend to have a buff or white color. Coyotes begin shedding their winter coat in May ending in July. Coyotes typically grow to 30–34 in (76–86 cm) in length, not counting a tail of 12–16 in (30–41 cm). 

A reminder to never approach wildlife as they are wild animals and as such can be unpredictable. For more information contact the City of Saskatoon.
​Coyote. (2013, March 27). In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved 17:30, March 30, 2013, from http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Coyote&oldid=547199687
Moose
Male Moose
Male Moose
Signs such as hoof prints were observed in Hyde Park in 2011 and earlier. Also observed in the Lakewood Community Fall 2013.
​The Moose (Alces alces) is comprised of six subspecies in North America. They are the second largest land animal in North American with the Bison being the largest. They have a height of 4.5-6.9 feet tall to the shoulder. 

Moose. (2013, February 2). In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved 00:41, February 4, 2013, from http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Moose&oldid=536174611 ​
Muskrat
Observed in Hyde Park

​Keep your eye on the water and you may see one swimming!
The Muskrat (Ondatra zibethicus) are much smaller than beavers and only weigh a maximum of 4.4 lbs. They spend most of the time in the water, so keep your eyes open and you may see them swimming around!

Muskrat. (2012, December 27). In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved 00:43, February 4, 2013, from http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Muskrat&oldid=529935506


​Waterfowl/Shore Birds

American Avocet
American Avocet (Recurvirostra Americana)
American Bittern
American Bittern (Botaurus lentiginosus)
Canada Goose
Canada Goose (Branta Canadensis)
Canvasback
Canvasback (Aythya valisineria)
Common Merganser
Common Merganser (Mergus merganser)
Common Snipe
Common Snipe (Gallinago gallinago)
Great Blue Heron
Great Blue Heron (Ardea Herodias)
Greater Scaup
Greater Scaup (Aythya marila)
Greater Yellowlegs
Greater Yellowlegs (Tringa melanoleuca)
Green-winged Teal
Green-winged Teal (Anas crecca)
Killdeer
Mallard Duck
Mallard Duck (Anas platyrhynchos)
Northern Shoveler
Northern Shoveler (Anas clypeata)
Ruddy Duck
Ruddy Duck (Oxyura jamaicensis)
Snow Goose
Snow Goose (Chen caerulescens)
Sora
Willet

Raptors

Red-Tailed Hawk
Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis)
Swainson's Hawk
Swainson's Hawk (Buteo swainsoni)
Northern Harrier
Northern Harrier (Circus cyaneus)
Great Horned Owl
Observed a pair in Hyde Park.
​
​Listen carefully at night and you may hear them calling in and around the park!
The Great Horned Owl (Bubo virginianus) range has a wingspan between 91–153 cm (36–60 in) with female owls being larger than male owls. Great Horned Owl pairs (mated) are permanent residents of their territories, but unmated and younger birds move freely in search of company and a territory, and leave regions with little food in winter. The Great Horned Owl makes great use of secrecy and stealth. They have spectacular binocular vision, allowing them to pinpoint prey and see in low light and their eyes are a big as humans.

Great horned owl. (2007, December 1). In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved 23:47, May 4, 2013, from http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Great_horned_owl&oldid=175055465


​Song Birds

Black-Billed Magpie
Black-billed Magpie (Pica pica)
American Crow
American Crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos)
Black-capped Chickadee
Black-capped Chickadee (Parus atricapillus)
Purple Marlin
Purple Marlin (Progne subis)
American Robin
American Robin (Turdus migratorius)
Red-winged Black Bird
Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus)
​Horned Lark
Horned Lark (Eremophila alpestris)
Yellow Warbler
Yellow Warbler (Setophaga petechia, formerly Dendroica petechia)
Brown-headed Cowbird
Brown-headed Cowbird (Molothrus ater)
Brewer's Blackbird
Brewer's Blackbird (Euphagus cyanocephalus)
Savannah Sparrow
Savannah Sparrow (Passerculus sandwichensis)
Chipping Sparrow
Chipping Sparrow (Spizella passerina)
This is not a complete list of wildlife you may encounter.

Interested in Contributing?

Have photos of wildlife in our community?
Send photos with the following: A brief description of what the photo is, when & where it was taken and your name.
​If you prefer not to have your name on cited on our website let us know and only the photo and details will be added.
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​We look forward to seeing your photos and sharing them with the Rosewood Community!