Landowners and rural residents across the region are encouraged to be mindful of a threatened species that's young are beginning to head out and explore at this time of the year.
The ferruginous hawk is the largest hawk species in Saskatchewan, resembling an eagle with white and rust-coloured plumage, and can commonly be found in pasture land and native prairies.
Emily Putz, habitat stewardship coordinator for Plovers on Shore, Shrubs for Shrikes, and the Stewards of Saskatchewan Banner Program at Nature Saskatchewan, noted that ferruginous hawks are charismatic and have feathers all the way to their toes.
"We like to say all the hawks are wearing something," said Putz. "Red-tails are wearing a belt, Swainsons are wearing a bib, and ferruginous hawks are wearing pants, those feathered legs to their toes that are that reddish-brown colour."
Putz noted that these birds are known as Richardson ground squirrel specialists, eating large numbers of gophers and acting as excellent pest control.
"If you do have ferruginous hawks nesting on your property, we do have some funding available to protect the base of either the platform or the tree that they're nesting on to prevent cattle from rubbing and knocking it over," Putz shared.
Those who spot a ferruginous hawk and land managers with these hawks on their land can report it to Nature Saskatchewan's HOOTline at 1 (800) 667 - 4668 or email outreach@naturesask.
"I just hope people enjoy seeing them and would let us know if they do," she added.