Birdwatching in Ontario
Ontario is the second largest province after Quebec (Nunavut and Northwest Territories are larger but are not provinces).
Thinly populated the northern part is made up of boreal forest and bogs making it nesting grounds for many migrant birds as well as boreal species.
Carolinian forest cover most of the southwestern part and this creates excellent birding in the spring and winter, when the northern migrants are passing by on the way to their northern breeding grounds or southern winter destinations.
466 species has been recorded in Ontario and places such as Point Pelee NP on the shore of Lake Erie is famous for migrating warblers and one of the many popular places for spring and fall birding.
Spring and fall also offer some exellent locations to view migrating raptors.
In winter the great lakes become wintering grounds for many northern waterfowl and raptors like Owls and other northern species.
The famous Niagara Falls has some of the best gull watching in North America during early winter.
Visitors to Ontario will find many local Birdingpals willing to help you get the most out of a visit.
Check our personalized year round birdwatching tours in Ontario for small groups
Local Birdingpal Contacts
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Local Birdwatchers Please note that most Birdingpals are serious birdwatchers. It is a privilege to contact them, and your message should reflect it. A local Pal does not get paid, but should he/she offer to take you out birding, using their own vehicle, it would be courteous to pay for the fuel. A lunch and/or a small gift would also be appropriate, something as simple as a souvenir of your country, or a pin from your local birding club. Initial |
Last Name |
Area |
Available |
Language |
D
| Milsom
| Bolton
| Anytime
| English | some French some Spanish
|
| Birding around Bolton: I bird all the Toronto & Hamilton areas, all within an hour
from here. The Bolton area has Palgrave, the Bolton Tract, Cold Creek, Humber Trails, Schomberg Lagoons, Holland Landing
Lagoons, Albion Hills and Tullamore fields all within a 30-minute drive. Wasaga Beach and Georgian Bay are 1 hour away, while
the Carden Alvar is 90 mins. away. Algonquin Park is 2.5 hrs. driving from Bolton. | I usually charge $ 50 per day for a "tour" but allow people to stay at my home for "free" (incl.meals). I often also take short, local trips with them for "free" as well. Sometimes, if a long journey is involved, I also ask for gas assistance.
R
| Dorio
| Brampton
| Anytime
|
D
| Witzell
| Brampton
| Weekend
| English
|
R
| Curry
| Burlington
| Anytime
| English
|
A
| Millman
| Burlington
| Anytime
| English
|
|
| I'm a retired software developer. My birding ID skills are poor but I'm interested in
bird photography. I have a Canon f4.0 500mm lens and try to get out most days all year round. Burlington is situated at the western end of Lake Ontario about 30 miles from Toronto. It is situated right in the centre of some major migration routes and has an interesting mix of habitats close at hand.
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R
| Elliott
| Delta
| Anytime
| English/Italian | Spanish
|
| I have 250 acre farm in Chantry just north of Delta, in Rideau Lakes Township a rich and diverse habitat. We are on the edge of the Frontenac axis Biosphere Reserve which means we in an area were Carolinian Forest and Boreal forest meet and inter mingle. The Queens University Biology station located on Opinicon Lake (Rideau Canal) is about 1/2 SW of our farm. As for our farm our forest as been certified Eastern Model Forest under their FSC program. Its a
hardwood forest with a maple (black and sugar) dominant canopy. It's home to many Warblers, Tanagers, Rose-breasted Grossbeaks,
Warbling, Yellow and Red-eyed Vireos, Veeries and Wod Thrushs...to name a few. Access to our forest is along an old used concession road which also holds an abundance of edge species. You are welcome anytime.
|
A
| Massey
| Dryden
| Anytime
| English
|
|
| I have been birding in Northwestern Ontario for 5 years and I would love to share with anyone what I have learned about this beautiful area of Ontario. We have found several Black Tern colonies and nesting Trumpeter Swans to name just a few of the wonderful outings in Dryden.
|
B
| Kinch
| Elk Lake (Summer only)
| Anytime
| English
|
|
| I have birded the Timiskaming area for the last 35 years. We are located on the Montreal River at a small fishing resort and run a bird banding station in our back yard. We are a short distance from Hilliardton Marsh and Casey Marsh, both Ducks Unlimited projects. Always happy to show birders around.
|
A
| Rider
| Forest
| Anytime
|
A
| Salvadori
| Guelph
| Anytime
| English/Italian | Spanish
|
| I travel a great deal but when at home would be very willing to take visitors out. Our 'team' also band birds throughout the year.
|
P
| Mackenzie
| Kingston
| Anytime
| English
|
|
| I am a retired Obstetrician with a life long birding hobby. Have over 700 for ABA area and over 5000 for world. I am willing to assist other birders with info re Kingston area which is rich in migrating and breeding birds. Kingston is at the origin of the St. Lawrence river as it flows from Lake Onatario. The Canadian shield area north of the city has breeding Cerulean, Golden-wing Warbler, Louisiana Waterthrush and Yellow-throated Vireo. Amherst island has breeding Wilsons Phalarope and Upland Sandpiper.. Amherst can be good for Saw-whet, Long-eared and other Owls some winters. Kingston lies on migration routes for Brant in May and Greater Scaup in March. Prince Edward Point bird observatory is about 90 minutes drive from Kingston.
|
H
| Baal
| Lakefield
| Anytime
| English/French | German/Spanish
|
| I am a retired high school science teacher who travels a lot, but I am delighted to show people our local birds when we are around. We do travel for months at a time, especially in the winter, so you may
miss me. Lakefield is a small village of 1500 near Peterborough and the Kawartha lakes, and on the edge of the Canadian shield. We have a lot of spring migrants coming through (including sandhill cranes) and for the rest of the year our lakes and marshes are fairly productive. We currently have a family of bald eagles on an island in the lake beside our village and a couple of
mute swans.
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E
| Smout
| London
| Weekend
|
O
| Weir
| Napanee
| Anytime
| English
|
|
| Birding around the Napanee area at times is very good. We usually have a good showings for ‘shore birds’ (waders) and other waterfowl during September, Oct, Nov, and Dec. Warblers in the area are terrific during the month of May. Owls are usually good to excellent in Dec, Jan, Feb. March?(sometimes).
|
B
| Muphy
| New Liskeard
| Anytime
| English/French
|
|
| In the winter we often have Pine Grosbeaks and we operate a bird banding site at the Hilliardton marsh every spring and as coverage allows in the fall. Our fall banding focus is on banding Northern Saw-whet Owls. My 10 year old son is bilingual French and English.
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K
| Lavigne
| New Liskeard
| Anytime
|
K
| Cohen
| Niagara Falls
| Weekend
| English
|
A
| Don
| Oakville/Burlington
| Anytime
|
D
| Perrier
| Ottawa
| Anytime
| French/English | Spanish
|
| I own a cottage on a lake with good birding near Ottawa.
|
T
| Hanrahan
| Ottawa
| Weekend
| English
|
H
| Tremblay
| Ottawa
| Anytime
| French/English | Italian/Spanish German
D
| Sangster
| Ottawa
| Anytime
| English/French
|
|
| The birding in Ottawa is very good as it is situated on the Ottawa River, which is a major flyway for many species. For the same reason it often receives many unusual species. The Ottawa bird info number is 613-860-9000.
|
J
| Castle
| Ottawa
| Anytime
| English
|
I
| Wilkes
| Ottawa
| Anytime
| English
|
|
| Ottawa is an excellent area for birding as it has several park and wetland areas
within or close to the city. Birding along the Ottawa river can be excellent for waterfowl with occasional rarities showing up during migration. Parks such as Mud Lake and Bill Mason CA offer woodland and marsh/pond areas in one compact area. Within easy
driving distance is Presquile P.P. which is excellent during spring and fall migration. Close still is Amhesrt Island which offers the chance to see as many as 6 or more owl species during the winter months. I have been birding now for close to 50
years and I regularly sites in the area and would be happy to provide direction to visitor and when possible spend a day birding.
|
J
| Pratt
| Ottawa
| Weekend
| English
|
K
| Allison
| Ottawa
| Weekend
| English/French
|
|
| I live in Kanata, just outside Ottawa. I have been birding for about 40 years and have lived in the Ottawa area for over 25 years. Ottawa is a great area for birds because it is situated so that some southern birds and more northern species breed relatively close by. This is a particularly good location in migration because the Ottawa valley provides a water corridor most of the way from James Bay to the St. Lawrence River which gives access to the Atlantic Ocean.
|
J
| Skevington
| Ottawa
| Anytime
| English
|
|
| Although I live in Ottawa, I have birded extensively in Ontario and can give advice on several locations (for example I wrote a bird finding guide to Long Point and area). I am also an entomologist and general naturalist so if your interests extend beyond birding, I may be able to help out.
|
R
| Waters
| Ottawa
| Anytime
| English | some French
|
| I am a Canadian resident. A semi-retired teacher. I have been birdwatching seriously since 1991. I birdwatch 300+ days a year, I have seen over 220 species in the Ottawa 50K circle in the last 12 months. I have seen over 425 species in the UK. My local patch is Britannia Conservation Area/Mud Lake and the Ottawa river to the west of the city of Ottawa. I also photograph many of the birds I find.
|
J
| Gravelle
| Ottawa
| Anytime
| English/French
|
|
| About me. I'm a 61 year old male. I'm not a super early riser. I don't own a car. I've been birding for 50 years. Yes 50 years. I don't consider myself a master birdwatcher. I'm still teachable. I live in the Sandy Hill area of Ottawa. I'd love to meet some people to go out birding with. I'll gladly share the cost of the gas. My most recent exciting sightings were a pair of Red-eyed Vireo. They were only six feet away in a Japanese lilac outside the building I live in. I live close to the river and have had the pleasure of seeing a Scarlet Tanager and a Mockingbird a few springs back.
Looking forward to hearing from people and making some friends.
|
S
| Rupert
| Pelee/Leamington
| Weekend
|
T
| Pepper
| Pelee/Leamington
| Weekend
| English
|
S
| Mackintosh
| Pelee/Leamington
| Anytime
| English
|
|
| If you are interested in our B&B (only open during the birding season) please contact us.
|
D
| Motz
| Pelee/Leamington
| Anytime
|
G
| Prieksaitis
| Point Pelee/Rondeau
| Weekend
| English
|
J
| McAllister
| Pt Pelee/Rondeau/Windsor
| Anytime
|
J
| Thornhill
| Peterborough/Belleville
| Anytime
|
C
| Cartwright
| Port Elgin
| Anytime
| English/French
|
T
| Roach
| Sarnia
| Anytime
|
K
| Perera
| Scarborough/Mississauga
| Weekend
|
C
| Weseloh
| Toronto
| Anytime
| English | some French
|
| Birding Interests: General but professionally I specialize in colonially
nesting waterbirds (gulls, terns, herons and cormorants). I have several colour-banding projects for these species and have blinds erected on some of their Great Lakes colonies for observations. I am amenable to taking seriously interested people to these blinds for photography or observations.
|
A
| Eadie
| Toronto
| Anytime
| English/French | German
K
| Rasmussen
| Toronto
| Anytime
| English/Danish
|
|
| For a large city like Toronto located on the shore of Lake Ontario, there are some very good birding spots within the city especially in the spring and fall season. Within a few hours drive you will also find excellent parks like Pelee NP and Carden Plain to name a few.
|
D
| Boisvert
| Toronto
| Weekend
|
J
| Jaxon
| Toronto
| Anytime
|
L
| Marsh
| Toronto
| Anytime
|
R
| Miller
| Toronto
| Anytime
| English | American Sign Language
R
| Aldred
| Toronto
| Anytime
|
A
| Fust
| Toronto
| Anytime
|
B
| Blake
| Toronto
| Anytime
|
L
| Todd
| Toronto
| Weekend
|
T
| Campell
| Toronto
| Weekend
| English
|
|
| I live very close to an urban wildlife area (Leslie Street Spit/Tommy Thompson Park).
I also live close to a section of the Don Valley - a forested area.
|
R
| Falconer
| Toronto
| Anytime
| English
|
|
| Most trips would involve 1 - 2 hours drive to get anywhere interesting.
|
K
| Shackleton
| Newmarket/Toronto
| Anytime
| English | some French
|
| Most of my bird watching has been in Ontario, but I have been to the Galapagos and the Southern Ocean. I consider myself a knowledgeable bird watcher. York Region can produce over 100 species in a day in mid-May and has varied habitat.
|
J
| France
| Vankleek Hill
| Anytime
| English/French
|
|
| Within an hour or so drive of Vankleek Hill, there are some of the finest birding
spots in Eastern Ontario and Western Quebec. The Morgan Arboretum and Ile Bizard are two well-known birding hotspots on the West Island of Montreal. Closer to home, Mont Rigaud has an excellent trail system. In Ontario, we can count on Voyager Park,
Coopers Marsh, the nature trails near Alexandria, and the sewage lagoons of several towns, including those of Alfred. Further afield are the many sites around Ottawa/Gatineau and the boreal species found in Park Mont Tremblant.
|
J
| Coey
| Victoria Harbour
| Anytime
| English
|
M
| Burrell
| Waterloo
| Weekend
| English
|
|
| The waterloo area offers great winter birding for open country birds (raptors, horned larks, snow buntings), including some of the highest concentrations of wintering raptors in Ontario, especially Rough-legged Hawk. Snowy Owls are annual in winter and Bald Eagles are common along the Grand River. In summer the region offers a mix of breeding carolinian and mixed-wood plain species, with about 10 species of warblers the maximum one can expect in a day. Spring and fall migration is good along the Grand River for passerines, although not as good as along Lake Erie or Lake Ontario. A few small reservoirs are good for migrant waterbirds. There is very little opportunity for shorebirds in the region.
|
J
| Montgomery
| Waubaushene
| Anytime
|
B
| Patterson
| Wheatley
| Anytime
| English/French | some German
|
| Wheatley is located less than 10 mnutes from one of North America's premier birding desination Pt Pelee National park. We have a bed and breakfast and cater to birders in the spring and fall.
|
D
| Lockrey
| Whitby
| Anytime
|
R
| Reid
| Windsor
| Anytime
| English
|
|
| I have been a local birder for 20 years. Our area is best known for Point Pelee, (a one hour drive away), but there are many other local sites, some much closer, which provide great birding opportunities at any time of year.
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| Professional Guides
Initial
| Last Name
| Area
| Available
| Language
|
G
| Carpentier
| Ajax
| Anytime
| English
|
|
| I have been birding for over 40 years in 60+ countries around the world.
Recently retired I bird professionally for various tour companies in such places as Antarctica, Alaska, the High Arctic, Borneo, Malaysia, Kenya, Tanzania and Cuba. I can lead tours anywhere in Ontario, but specialize in the key areas within 1-2 hours of Toronto.
|
J
| Haselmayer
| Bruce Peninsula/Tobermory
| Anytime
| English/French | Spanish
|
| I am an ecologist at Bruce Peninsula National Park and a professional natural history guide. |
T
| Sprague
| Picton, Prince Edward County
| Anytime
| English
|
R
| Preston
| Rondeau/Pelee Park and Island
| Anytime
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Local Information
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| Name | Description
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| Ontario Field Ornithologists | Club |
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| Norfolk Field Naturalists | Club |
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| Hamilton Naturalists' Club | Club |
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| Kingston Field Naturalists | Club |
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| Kitchener-Waterloo Field Naturalists | Club |
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| Nipissing Naturalists Club | Club |
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| Pembroke Area Field Naturalists | Club |
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| Peterborough Field Naturalists | Club |
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| South Peel Naturalists' Club | Club |
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| Toronto Field Naturalists | Club |
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| Ontario Hummingbird Project | Club |
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| Essex County Field Naturalists' Club | Club |
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| Kawartha Field Naturalists | Club |
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| Holiday Beach Migration Observatory | Banding |
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| Ontario Bird Banding Association | Banding |
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| Haldimand Bird Observatory | Banding |
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| Long Point Bird Observatory | Banding |
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| Bruce Peninsula Bird Observatory | Banding |
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| Canadian Peregrine Foundation | Sites |
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| Leslie Street Spit, Toronto | Park |
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| Algonquin Provincial Park | Park |
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| Rondeau Provincial Park | Park |
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| Thickson's Woods, Whitby | Park |
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| Presquile Provincial Park | Park |
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| Second Marsh Wetland, Oshawa | Park |
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| Bruce Peninsula | Sites |
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| Long Point | Park |
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| Point Pelee National Park | Park |
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| Lake Erie Archipelago Islands | Park |
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| Carden Plain, Kawartha region | Important Bird Area |
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| Wye Marsh Wildlife Centre, Midland | Sites |
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| Hullett Provincial Wildlife Area, Clinton | Sites |
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| Prince Edward County | Sites |
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| Ojibway Nature Center, Winsor | Sites |
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| Minesing Swamp, Barrie | Ramsar site |
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| West Elgin Nature Trust | Sites |
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| Larry Neily's | Birding Ottawa |
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| Jacques Bouvier's | Birding St-Isidore |
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| Timiskaming Birds | Birding Timiskaming |
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| Humber Arboretum | Site |
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| Natural Heritage Information Centre | Information |
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| Toronto and Southern Ontario Birding | Message Board |
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| Birding Hotspots around the world | Sites |
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| Point Pelee | Festival |
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| Prince Edward County | Festival |
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| Carden Natur Festival | Festival |
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| Breeding Birds | Atlas |
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| Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia | Ontario |
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| Local weather | Yahoo |
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| Electronic maps | MapQuest |
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| Find lowest prices for field guides, books, maps etc. | |
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| Field guides recommended by Birdingpals | |
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| Printable bird check list | |
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| Knud Rasmussen's guide to Southern Ontario |
Last update 03/07/2009