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

Local Birdwatchers Using the Birdingpal resources you must agree to the following: If you contact a local Birdingpal and make arrangement to go birding, you should note it is common courtesy to make sure you show up for the appointment. If for any reason you are unable to do this, the least you must do is contacting the local Pal right away. 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
		B	Hazelgrove	Brampton	Anytime	English
		Just starting... would love to join up with someone to do a little watching.
		D	Simpson	Brampton	Weekend	English
		New to birwathcing, and would like to watch with experienced birder.
		B	Landry	Brantford	Anytime	English
		I'm a senior who really needs a birding partner. My experience is fairly limited, but I'm pretty active and willing to learn from others.
		R	Curry	Burlington	Anytime	English
		R	Maciver	Cambridge	Weekend	English
		Tell me what species are on your southern Ontario wish-list and I'll help you find them! Cambridge is within day-trip striking distance of many great birding areas such as Point Pelee, Rondeau Provincial Park, Carden Alvar, Niagara Falls etc.
		T	Jodoin	Cornwall	Anytime	English
		I live near a forest so I see and hear birds a lot.
		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.
		S	Myke	Guelph	Anytime	English
		I am persuing my life long dream of wildlife photography. I am interested to learn about good areas for bird photography. I am also interested in photo tours/trips.
		C	Smith	Hamilton	Weekend	English
		The variety of habits in this area make it an excellent place to sample the avifauna of Ontario. I am a relatively inexperienced but very enthusiastic birder and am familiar with the birding hotspots in Hamilton and surrounding areas.
		A	Stiliadis	Hamilton	Anytime	English
		I have been watching differant species of birds in my backyard for the last 10 years.. We have a great variety of birds here.
		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.
		E	Smout	London	Weekend
		S	Kellestine	London	Anytime	English
		L	Manning	London	Anytime	English/Japanese Polish some French/Spanish
		I am a fairly active birder locally. I don't make too many trips out of town, but I know the local spots really well. My favourite spot is my local patch, Highland Woods. I have documented about 100 species in the woods alone. But I am familiar with all of the major birding areas in the London area,including Westminster Ponds, Kilally Meadows, Meadowlilly Woods, Warbler Woods, Kain\'s Woods, Medway Valley....just to name a few. My ID skills are good and I'd be more than happy to show anyone around. Shoot me a line!
		C	Rummenie	Midland	Anytime	English
		Availablle at selected times. Georgian Bay, Tiny Marsh, Wye Marsh etc.
		C	Crewin	Mississauga	Weekend	English
		I'm new for birding but really enjoy it, would love to join anyone. I'm available some weekdays and some weekends.
		E	Marcum	Moosonee	Anytime	English
		Many breeding warblers in the area.
		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.
		S	Romaniuk	North Bay	Anytime	English
		Sue and I (Steph) are familiar with most local birds by sight and sound and have been leading trips in the area. Members of a birdwatching club and avid outdoor enthusiasts. North Bay and area has over 150 resident species in the summer and over 250 including migration and transients. There are a variety of habitats making viewing of several species quite easy (dense woodlands, wetlands, grasslands, etc.). Great wood warbler viewing, chimney swift colony, being two of the highlights. Rarities such as Least Bittern and Black Tern can be found with often great success.
		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.
		P	Chuba	Ottawa	Weekend	English some French
		Living near the Rideau River with its bike paths has given me the pleasure of listening to bird sounds and the opportunity for sightings seasonally. I'm a novice at bird identification in the field, despite being an avid collector of books on ornithology and bird art. (I'm also surrounded by the latest bird literature in the library where I work.) Having a car, I would be happy to pursue birding excursions with more knowledgeable individuals/small groups. Because of my work schedule, preferred birding excursions are week-ends/holiday periods around Ottawa and environs.
		D	Atherton	Owen Sound	Weekend	English/French functional Spanish
		My partner and I love to bird. Although, we love to do lots of other things - sailing, hiking, biking. We live approx. 2 hours north of Toronto along the Niagara Escarpment. In the spring and fall, we see lots of migratory birds moving along the Lake Huron shore.
		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
		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.
		C	Escott	Toronto	Weekend	English
		I get out birding in Southern Ontario when my work permits (which is not as often as I'd like) so I know my way around the Toronto, Hamilton, Niagara Falls and Long Point areas to the west; and Presqu'Ile and Prince Edward County areas to the east. Any one of these can be seen in a day trip from Toronto as long as you start early enough, which I'm not averse to doing.
		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.
		R	Jones	Windsor	Anytime	English
		I enjoy birding but also have an interest in entomology and herpetolgy. Essex County doesn't have alot of natural space but what we do have is very rich and diverse.
Professional Guides If you contact a professional Birdingpal guide you must be prepared to pay a fee for guiding services.
		Initial	Last Name	Area	Available	Language
		G	Carpentier	Ajax	Anytime	English
		I have been an avid and active naturalist for over 40 years, having studied wildlife in over 60 countries and island nations As a widely published author, I have been able to share my experiences broadly. I have led birding/natural history tours for Peregrine Adventures, Clipper Cruises, Quest Nature Tours, Ontario Field Ornithologists, Federation of Ontario Naturalists and Parks Canada. I am formally trained in zoology and the biological sciences and would be pleased to take you around Ontario to see the bounty of birds. Within one hour of my home near Toronto, we can find upwards of 150 species of birds on a May day! Waterfowl, gamebirds, birds of prey and songbirds abound in the varied habitats near Toronto. Looking for something a bit farther a field? Please let me know, as I am willing to travel anywhere in Ontario, Canada or the world if that’s what you want! Individuals or groups may book me for a day, a weekend, or longer. Let me help you plan your birding adventure! My guiding fee is $125 CDN/day + expenses for up to 3 people. Prices are negotiable for larger groups.
		J	Haselmayer	Bruce Peninsula/Tobermory	Anytime	English/French Spanish
		John Haselmayer is a field biologist and outdoor educator with 20 years of experience studying birds in many parts of Ontario. He also leads nature tours internationally to such destinations as Peru, Brazil, and Jamaica. John is currently employed as an ecologist at Bruce Peninsula National Park and Fathom Five National Marine Park and has a unique insight into the flora and fauna of the Bruce Peninsula.
		T	Sprague	Picton, Prince Edward County	Anytime	English
		Prince Edward County is located at the east end of Lake Ontario, and is a migratory mecca for birds during both spring and fall migrations. Its location has resulted in a cumulative list of 344 species of birds. Prince Edward Point, in particular, located at the extreme southeast corner of the county, has become very popular in recent years, particularly during the spring migration when up to 30 species of warblers may be found as they make their way to more northern breeding grounds, and in the fall as passerines return on their way south. Hawk migration can be spectacular. As a full time naturalist who works out my own home, I offer customized birding tours to fit the needs of the client, whether tours for an hour or so, or for the entire day. I have been actively birding for over 40 years, well versed in identifying by ear, and have been involved professionally in all aspects of natural history since 1984. My charge for an entire day in Prince Edward County is $140, transportation for three provided. Group tours or private tours also available, prices negotiable depending on circumstances. Visit my web site
		R	Preston	Rondeau/Pelee Park and Island	Anytime
		Jeffrey Street Accommodations offers lodgings, guided birding and nature tours in one of North America's hottest birding spots. Point Pelee National Park, Pelee Island and Rondeau Provincial Park are located in Canada's southern most tip and surrounded by the Great Lakes creating a natural migratory funnel. Alan Wormington, Birding and Butterfly expert is our chief guide and will guide our May and Sept 2004 Point Pelee tours. Alan, with 34+ years birding, is one of North America's most experienced guides, leading tours in Canada, the US Mexico. Alan lives just outside the park. Birding and Photography Guide Steve Pike started birding at the age of 13 and is now into his 20th year, gaining his skills over the years at Point Pelee and through out North, Central and South America. His sightings include over 300 species at Point Pelee, 600 for North America and over 1300 worldwide. Steve is a regular guest speaker for the Point Pelee Festival of Birds and has been a past Expert Bird Guide for the Park. A list of guides and their resumes along with tour details can be viewed on our web site. Fees: Tours start at $600 Canadian ($490 US) and can be taken separately or in any combination Visit my web site
		H	Currie	Toronto	Anytime	English/some French
		Have birded very actively in Ontario for a very long time. For the past 30 years, I have always been in the top 5 for my year list in Ontario. Am over 5000 world. Widower, retired, formerly President Toronto Ornithological Club 10 years, always love birding. Request $50 per day and gas. Maybe less if you supply the car.

Local Information

	Name	Description
	Ontario Field Ornithologists	Club
	Norfolk Field Naturalists	Club
	Hamilton Naturalists' Club	Club
	Kingston Field Naturalists	Club
	Kitchener-Waterloo Field Naturalists	Club
	Nipissing Naturalists Club	Club
	Pembroke Area Field Naturalists	Club
	Peterborough Field Naturalists	Club
	South Peel Naturalists' Club	Club
	Toronto Field Naturalists	Club
	Ontario Hummingbird Project	Club
	Essex County Field Naturalists' Club	Club
	Kawartha Field Naturalists	Club
	Holiday Beach Migration Observatory	Banding
	Ontario Bird Banding Association	Banding
	Haldimand Bird Observatory	Banding
	Long Point Bird Observatory	Banding
	Bruce Peninsula Bird Observatory	Banding
	Canadian Peregrine Foundation	Sites
	Leslie Street Spit, Toronto	Park
	Algonquin Provincial Park	Park
	Rondeau Provincial Park	Park
	Thickson's Woods, Whitby	Park
	Presquile Provincial Park	Park
	Second Marsh Wetland, Oshawa	Park
	Bruce Peninsula	Sites
	Point Pelee National Park	Park
	Lake Erie Archipelago Islands	Park
	Hilliardton Marsh, New Liskeard	Park
	Carden Plain, Kawartha region	Important Bird Area
	Wye Marsh Wildlife Centre, Midland	Sites
	Hullett Provincial Wildlife Area, Clinton	Sites
	Prince Edward County	Sites
	Ojibway Nature Center, Winsor	Sites
	Minesing Swamp, Barrie	Ramsar site
	Jacques Bouvier's	Birding St-Isidore
	Timiskaming Birds	Birding Timiskaming
	Humber Arboretum	Site
	Natural Heritage Information Centre	Information
	Toronto and Southern Ontario Birding	Message Board
	iONTBIRDS latest sights	iPhone
	Birding Hotspots around the world	Sites
	Prince Edward County	Festival
	Carden Natur Festival	Festival
	Breeding Birds	Atlas
	Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia	Ontario
	Local weather	Yahoo
	Electronic maps	Google
	Find lowest prices for field guides, books, maps etc.
	Field guides recommended by Birdingpals
	Printable bird check list
	Knud Rasmussen's guide to Southern Ontario

Last update 29/07/2010