While kids are preparing for their return to school, hundreds of species of birds are getting ready for another annual event - fall migration.
Before their big flight south, many birds stage at Oak Hammock Marsh Interpretive Centre, located about 40 km north of Winnipeg. The centre marked the start of the migration season with special events over the Labour Day long weekend.
"The marsh is such a noisy place this time of year. They're just calling each other and it's just an all-night party," said Theresa Visser, events specialist for Oak Hammock.
As hundreds of species of birds squawked and chirped Monday, dozens of young Manitobans got a head start on science class.
Eryn Coughlan is starting Grade 1 this year. She brought her family to the marsh to spend the last weekend before school starts.
"We came to see all the pretty birds that are around here," she told CTV News cameras while dipping for critters in the murky water.
The centre says hundreds of thousands of birds will fly in and out of the 36 square kilometre protected wetland until the days get too short to stay.
Oak Hammock Marsh Interpretive Centre is open daily from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., but starting September 13 hours will be extended to 8 p.m.
Migration season events are sponsored by Manitoba Liquor and Lotteries.
