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Ontario

Evening Grosbeak Coccothraustes vespertinus ©Dubi Shapiro Website

Ontario, one of the 13 provinces and territories of Canada, is in east-central Canada. It is Canada’s most populous province with nearly 16 million people accounting for nearly 40 percent of the country’s population, and is the second-largest province in total area covering well over a million square kilometres (over 415,000 square miles) over 150,000 km²(61,000 square miles) of which is water. Ontario is fourth-largest in total area when the territories of the Northwest Territories and Nunavut are included. It is home to the nation’s capital city, Ottawa with one and a half million inhabitants, and the nation’s most populous city, Toronto with around six and a half million people.

It is bordered by the province of Manitoba to the west, Hudson Bay and James Bay to the north, and Quebec to the east and northeast, and to the south by the US states of (from west to east) Minnesota, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania and New York. Almost all of Ontario’s 1,678-mile border with the United States follows inland waterways: from the west at Lake of the Woods, eastward along the major rivers and lakes of the Great Lakes/Saint Lawrence River drainage system. These are the Rainy River, the Pigeon River, Lake Superior, the St. Marys River, Lake Huron, the St. Clair River, Lake St. Clair, the Detroit River, Lake Erie, the Niagara River, Lake Ontario and along the St. Lawrence River from Kingston, Ontario, to the Quebec boundary just east of Cornwall, Ontario.

Taken in Jack Darling park on the shore of Lake Ontario. I used a Nikon CP 15 circular polarizer.

Lake Ontario Shore – ©Joe deSousa, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

Ontario is sometimes conceptually divided into two regions, Northern Ontario and Southern Ontario. The great majority of Ontario’s population and arable land is in the south. In contrast, the larger, northern part of Ontario is sparsely populated with cold winters and heavy forestation. The thinly populated Canadian Shield in the northwestern and central portions, comprises over half the land area of Ontario. Although this area mostly does not support agriculture, it is rich in minerals and in part covered by the Central and Midwestern Canadian Shield forests and is studded with lakes and rivers. The virtually unpopulated Hudson Bay Lowlands in the extreme north and northeast are mainly swampy and sparsely forested.

The Carolinian forest zone covers most of the southwestern region of the province. The temperate and fertile Great Lakes-Saint Lawrence Valley in the south is part of the Eastern Great Lakes lowland forests ecoregion where the forest has now been largely replaced by agriculture, industrial and urban development. A well-known geographic feature is Niagara Falls, part of the Niagara Escarpment. The Saint Lawrence Seaway allows navigation to and from the Atlantic Ocean as far inland as Thunder Bay in Northwestern Ontario. Northern Ontario occupies roughly 87 percent of the surface area of the province; conversely Southern Ontario contains 94 percent of the population.

Birding Ontario

The province of Ontario is a vast resource for nature. A very large percentage of the population of Canada resides in Ontario, and so do the majority of the birders. Over 500 species of birds have been recorded in Ontario; with 291 species known to have bred, according to the Ontario Bird records Committee.

Point Pelee looking back from the tip – ©Alasdair McLellan, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons

One of the more popular birding hot spots within southern Ontario is Point Pelee, which is considered by many to be North America’s birding Mecca during migration. Point Pelee is a peninsula of Lake Erie in southwestern Ontario (near Windsor and Detroit, Michigan) that is the southernmost extent of Canada’s mainland. Pelee Island and Middle Island in Lake Erie extend slightly farther. All are south of 42°N – slightly farther south than the northern border of California. Many migrants, rarities, and resident birds can be found in May during migration, and that is evident by the mass numbers of birders that flock there every spring. Besides Point Pelee National Park, there are many other hot spots that are traps for migrant birds, and others that are just ideal breeding locations throughout all of Ontario.

Northern Ontario is famous for its boreal species, and for its migrants and vagrants that don’t show up often elsewhere in Ontario.

Contributors

Gord Gallant

Number of Species

Number of bird species: 508

(As at May 2024)
Provincial Bird - Common Loon Gavia immer

Checklist

Avibase
PDF Checklist
This checklist includes all bird species found in Ontario , based on the best information available at this time. It is based on a wide variety of sources that I collated over many years. I am pleased to offer these checklists as a service to birdwatchers. If you find any error, please do not hesitate to report them.
Ontario Field Ornithologists
PDF Checklist
Checklist of the Birds of Ontario
Wikimedia
Annotated List
As of July 2021 there were 508 species on this list, 291 of which are known to breed in the province.[1] Ontario has a considerable variety of bird species. One of the factors in this diversity is the size and range of environments in Ontario. Another is the Great Lakes; many birds use the shores as a stopping point during migration.
iNaturalist
Annotated List
Official list of the birds of Ontario, as maintained by the Ontario Field Ornithologists

Useful Reading

A Bird-finding Guide to Ontario

| By Clive E Goodwin | University of Toronto Press | 1995 | Paperback | 384 pages, 41 maps | ISBN: 9780802069047 Buy this book from NHBS.com
A Birder's Guide to Point Pelee: (and surrounding region)

| By Tom Hince | Tom Hince | 1999 | Spiralbound | 189 pages, B/w photos, figs, maps | Out of Print] ISBN: 9780968531006 Buy this book from NHBS.com
Annotated Checklist of the Birds of Ontario

| By R D James | Royal Ontario Museum | 1991 | Paperback | 128 pages, maps | Out of Print | ISBN: 9780888543943 Buy this book from NHBS.com
Atlas of the Breeding Birds of Ontario, 2001-2005

| By MD Cadman, D Sutherland, GG Beck, D Lepage & A R Couturier | Ontario Breeding Bird Atlas | 2007 | Hardback | 706 pages, Illus, figs, tabs, maps, colour photos ISBN: 9781896059150 Buy this book from NHBS.com
Best Places to Bird in Ontario

| By Kenneth Burrell & Michael Burrell | Greystone Books | 2019 | Paperback | 278 pages, colour photos, colour maps | ISBN: 9781771643641 Buy this book from NHBS.com
Birds of Ontario

| (Habitat Requirements, Limiting Factors, and Status Nonpasserines: Shorebirds Through Woodpeckers) | by Al Sandilands | University of British Columbia Press | 2010 | Hardback | 400 pages, 88 maps, 84 b&w illustrations | Out of Print | ISBN: 9780774817622 Buy this book from NHBS.com
Birds of Ontario

| By Andy Bezener | Lone Pine Publishing | 2017 | Paperback | 376 pages, colour illustrations, colour distribution maps | Out of Print | ISBN: 9781772130348 Buy this book from NHBS.com
Birds of Ottawa: And Vicinity

| By Gerald McKeating & Ewa Pluciennik (Illustrator) | Lone Pine Publishing | 1990 | Paperback | 144 pages, Colour & b/w illustrations | ISBN: 9780919433649 Buy this book from NHBS.com
Birds of Voyageurs National Park

| A Guide to the Minnesota-Ontario Border Country | by Voyageurs Regional National Park Association | University of Minnesota Press | 2001 | 126 pages, colour photos | ISBN: 9780816638994 Buy this book from NHBS.com
Ontario Birds

| By Chris Fisher | Lone Pine Publishing | 1996 | Paperback | 160 pages, 125 colour illustrations | Out of Print | ISBN: 9781551050690 Buy this book from NHBS.com
Quick Reference to Ontario Birds

| Lone Pine Publishing | 2013 | Unbound | 12 pages, colour illustrations | Out of Print | ISBN: 9781551058931 Buy this book from NHBS.com

Festivals & Bird Fairs

Huron Fringe Birding Festival
Webpage
25th Huron Fringe Birding Festival Come celebrate with us! May 26 - 29 and June 1 - 4, 2023
Point Pelee NP Festival Of Birds
Website
Annual festival dates etc
Point Pelee National Park Festival of Birds
Information
The Friends of Point Pelee and Point Pelee National Park invite you to celebrate spring migration at the 2024 Festival of Birds from May 1 to May 20. We’re happy to welcome you back!
Prince Edward Point Bird Observatory Spring Birding Festival
Website
Join us during peak spring migration for a special weekend celebrating all things birds. Our annual Spring Birding Festival is a fun and educational event, open to novice and experienced birders alike. Enjoy guided bird walks (including accessible ones), bird-banding demonstrations, activities for kids, and a special mother’s day program. Yummy food, bird-related merchandise, and more!
Spring Bird Festival
Information
Enjoy a day of guided bird walks, live birds, reptiles and amphibians, backyard habitat building, art workshops, children’s activities, and educational displays. Bird walks start regularly throughout the festival. If you are planning on coming to the festival with your four-legged friend, remember to keep your dog on a leash. This festival is part of the annual Toronto Bird Celebration (opens in new window) that has activities running throughout May.
TRCA Spring Bird Festival
Webpage
The Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) Spring Bird Festival is a free, public event at Tommy Thompson Park (TTP) to raise awareness of and celebrate the phenomenon of spring bird migration.

Observatories

Bruce Peninsula Bird Observatory
Observatory Website Satellite View
The Bruce Peninsula Bird Observatory is a not-for-profit organization created to promote and foster the study, appreciation and conservation of birds and their habitats on the Bruce Peninsula…
Haldimand Bird Observatory
Observatory Website Satellite View
This web page provides you with information on the Haldimand Bird Observatory and its three banding stations in the County of Haldimand-Norfolk, Ontario, Canada.
Holiday Beach Migration Observatory
Observatory Website Satellite View
Holiday Beach Migration Observatory (HBMO) is a Registered Charitable volunteer organization dedicated to the study and monitoring of migratory birds. Activities focus on migration of raptors (diurnal birds of prey), passerines (songbirds) and other species passing through southwestern Ontario in the vicinity of Holiday Beach Conservation Area
Innis Point Bird Observatory
Facebook Page Satellite View
Founded in 1982 as the Ottawa Banding Group, the Innis Point Bird Observatory (IPBO) is located along the Ottawa River, near Shirley's Bay, in Ontario, Canada (just 16 km west of Parliament). IPBO is a non-profit organization dedicated to the study of birds and natural history.
Long Point Bird Observatory
Observatory Website Satellite View
Long Point Bird Observatory was the first organization of its type in North America. As a non-profit, research and monitoring station, LPBO is committed to involving Canadians in research directed at the conservation of wild birds and their habitats. Our programs at Long Point are focused on local breeding and migratory birds. We have a special interest in promoting the participation of amateurs and volunteers in our research…
Prince Edward Point Bird Observatory
Observatory Website Satellite View
The Prince Edward Point Bird Observatory (PEPtBO) is located along the eastern tip of Prince Edward County about 20 minutes southeast of Picton, Ontario in a National Wildlife Area. The observatory was established as a migration monitoring station in 1995 to continue the research started by the Kingston Field Naturalists in the 1970s and 80s…
Ruthven Bird Banding Station
Observatory Website Satellite View
Ruthven Park is a National Historic site owned and operated by the Lower Grand River Land Trust.. The banding facility is one of the out buildings of the estate. Banding is carried out in the dogwood brush along the edge of the woods that surround the open field east of the mansion. Some net locations over look the Grand River. Banding at Ruthven Park started in 1995 and coverage has increased each year since. Banding equipment consists of up to 14 mist nets and 3 ground traps…
Thunder Cape Bird Observatory
Facebook Page Website Satellite View
Thunder Cape Bird Observatory is located at the southern tip of the Sibley Peninsula, at the foot of the Sleeping Giant. The location is visible from the city of Thunder Bay, Ontario, on the Western edge of Lake Superior. The bay separating the Giant from the City of Thunder Bay is also called Thunder Bay. Originally the site at Thunder Cape was occupied by a lighthouse and some outbuildings, but by the time the Bird Observatory came along, only a clearing and some foundations remained of the original structures.

Museums & Universities

Royal Ontario Museum Ornithology
Webpage
Staff in the Centre for Biodiversity & Conservation Biology (CBCB) are actively contributing to international efforts in documenting biodiversity and designing strategies to prevent the biodiversity crisis that threatens our planet. CBCB research programs focus on collecting and recording the genetic make-up of certain species, tracking and projecting patterns of evolution, determining the interrelationship of species, and estimating risks of extinction. From this essential base of information, ROM scientists are able to advise on appropriate strategies for resource management and conservation programs.
University of Waterloo - Environment
Webpage
Our five departments and schools offer environmental education from all angles and their activities are enhanced by our two support units: Environment Technology & Instructional Support and the Ecology Lab.

Organisations

Brereton Field Naturalists Club
Website
The Brereton Field Naturalists Club is a nonprofit organization located in Barrie, Ontario, dedicated to acquiring and disseminating knowledge of the natural history of the Simcoe County area. Our primary goal is the protection of the area's wildlife through stimulating public interest in nature and it's preservation…
Canadian Breeding Bird Survey
Information
There are more than 75 routes in Central and Northern Ontario needing surveyors to maintain coverage across this huge province. These routes became inactive when long-term volunteers retired to take up other pursuits. Some of these routes are close to major cities, while others are more out-of-the-way. We need your help with both, but if you have the opportunity, why not volunteer for a remote route? Data from such areas are indispensable!
Hamilton Naturalists' Club
Website
The Hamilton Naturalists’ Club is a non-profit organization with over 600 members dedicated to the study, appreciation and conservation of our wild plants and animals.
Kingston Field Naturalists
Website
The objective of the Kingston Field Naturalists, a non-profit charitable organization, is to stimulate public interest in nature, the protection and preservation of wildlife, and to acquire and provide knowledge of natural history
Ontario Bird Banding
Website
As Canada's oldest banding organization, the Ontario Bird Banding Association is a non-profit, membership-driven and inclusive organization representing the interests of all amateur and 'professional' banders across Ontario, from organized bird observatories and academic institutions to educational and rehab banders. The objectives of the Association are: the study of ornithology, especially by means of banding and other marking techniques; the promotion of ornithological investigations and the publication of scientific and educational papers pertaining to those subjects, particularly within the Province of Ontario; and cooperation with organizations with similar objectives.
Ontario Birds Records Committee
Webpage
OFO is responsible for overseeing the activities of the Ontario Birds Records Committee. The OBRC maintains the official Ontario bird checklist and publishes a review list of species for which documentation is requested. The committee, composed of a panel of experts, has a rotating membership. Decisions about rare bird reports are published in Ontario Birds in the form of an annual report…
Ontario Field Ornithologists
Website
Welcome! Are you interested in Birds in Ontario? Then OFO is for you. We are the premier organization in Ontario for Birders and Birdwatchers. Feel free to browse around our pages to learn more. You`re sure to find something to interest you
Ontario Nature
Website
Ontario Nature protects wild species and wild spaces through conservation, education and public engagement. It is a charitable organization representing more than 30,000 members and supporters, and more than 150 member groups from across Ontario.
Ottawa Field Naturalists
Website
The Ottawa Field-Naturalists’ Club, founded in 1863 and incorporated in 1879, is the oldest natural history club in Canada. Over 800 members participate in many aspects of the natural world, from birding to botanizing, investigation to publication, conservation to cooperation. We hope you will find something here to suit your interests. Where to go birding, bird sightings, bird identification, bird-related activities, and birding code of conduct.
Pembroke Area Field Naturalists
Website
Situated in the Ottawa Valley in Eastern Ontario, Canada, our organization is 17 years old. Formerly, the Pembroke & Area Bird Club, we have documented 293 species of birds within our birding circle (central Renfrew County, ON and western Pontiac County, QU).
Peterborough Field Naturalists
Website
The Peterborough Field Naturalists (PFN) is a registered charity and active club in Peterborough, Ontario, Canada. We meet at 7:30pm the second Wednesday of the month Sept-Dec and Feb-June at the Camp Kawartha Environment Center at Trent University. We welcome all to join us at these events.
South Peel Naturalists Club
Website
Indoor meetings are held on the third Monday of each month (from September to April except December). Meetings start at 7:30 p.m., with the exception of the pot luck dinner. Details of our 2017-18 schedule will be posted as they become available. Monday, September 18, 2017 Annual Pot Luck Supper Early start time: 7:00 p.m
Toronto Field Naturalists
Website
Founded in 1923, the Toronto Field Naturalists is a charitable, non-profit organization dedicated to encouraging the study of natural history and the preservation of our natural heritage
Toronto Ornithological Club
Website
The Toronto Ornithological Club was formed in 1934, and registered as a non-profit Ontario organization in 1987. It is a club for serious birders.
Waterloo Region Nature
Website
Welcome to Waterloo Region Nature! We are a naturalist club for all parts of the Region of Waterloo and we are a charity engaged in conservation activities.

Reserves

Abbreviations Key

*Ontario Nature Reserves
Website Satellite View
Protecting, restoring and preserving vulnerable habitats. Each of our 26 nature reserves are included in the Canadian Protected and Conserved Areas Database, counting towards the 10.9% of Ontario that is protected.
BR Long Point
Website Satellite View
Welcome to the Long Point World Biosphere Reserve website. The Long Point World Biosphere Reserve Foundation promotes research, monitoring, education and projects that support the goals of conservation and sustainable use in our Biosphere Reserve…
Bluffer's Park
Facebook Page Satellite View
over 110 acres of parkland that make up Bluffers Park and don't be surprised if you see some wildlife along your route too. Swans, beavers, minks, snowy owls, falcons, coyotes and deer all call Bluffers Park home. Open from 7 am - 12 am (Toronto Parks General Enquiries: 416-392-111) - For parking info : 416 393 PARK (7275) - customerservice@greenparking.com
CA Hillman Marsh
Webpage Satellite View
This Conservation Area is located in the heart of one of the region's most significant wetlands. Take a walk along the 4.5 km trail through the marsh, or explore the area by canoe. The area also offers one full kilometre of the best and lesser known beaches in Essex County…
CA Second Marsh
Website Satellite View
The SECOND MARSH is a 137 ha coastal wetland located in the southeast portion of Oshawa, (Regional Municipality of Durham), Ontario, Canada. The combination of Second Marsh with the adjacent areas of McLaughlin Bay Wildlife Reserve and Darlington Provincial Park represents nearly 400 hectares, one of the largest publicly accessible waterfront spaces available in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). It is located on the north shore of Lake Ontario in a major urban center, and is unique in being the largest remaining wetland in the GTA.
Conservation Areas in Ontario
Website Satellite View
Welcome to your guide to Ontario’s more than 270 Conservation Areas! Ontario’s Conservation Areas are just steps away from your front door and offer unique outdoor experiences to millions of visitors each year!
Eastern Lake St. Clair IBA
Information Satellite View
Lake St.Clair, which forms part of the Great Lake system, is located in extreme southwestern Ontario to the north of the cities of Windsor and Detroit. The St. Clair River provides an inflow from Lake Huron to the north, and the Detroit River provides an outflow to Lake Erie to the south…
Essex Region Conservation
Website Satellite View
Conservation Authorities are recognized world wide for their management of natural resources on an ecosystem or watershed basis. Through the Conservation Areas Program, the Essex Region Conservation Authority, (ERCA) owns or manages 12 publicly accessible properties throughout the Essex region. These Conservation Areas, totalling more than 1000 hectares, protect some of the most important woodlands, marshes and shoreline areas in the region.
NP Bruce Peninsula National Park
Webpage Satellite View
Bruce Peninsula National Park of Canada protects the on- and off-shore landscapes produced by the spectacular Niagara Escarpment as it meets and dives below the waters of Georgian Bay. Fathom Five is composed of green islands, lake bottoms and clear cold water; Bruce Peninsula is its mainland counterpart of limestone cliffs, mixed forests, wetlands and tranquil beaches.
NP Point Pelee
Information Satellite View
Just over 50 km (30 miles) south-east of Windsor, Ontario, lies the most southern point on the Canadian mainland – Point Pelee National Park. This tiny green oasis is internationally known for its spring and fall migration of birds and its stunning autumn monarch butterfly migration. Famous vistas such as the Tip and Marsh Boardwalk provide people of all ages with unlimited opportunities to discover nature.
NWA St.Clair Lake
Webpage Satellite View
The St. Clair Lake and marsh complex received international recognition today as a globally significant Important Bird Area (IBA); joining BirdLife International's global network of IBA sites. The site dedication is part of the first annual St. Clair Waterbird Festival celebrations at the St. Clair National Wildlife Area…
NWA Wye Marsh Wildlife Centre
Website Satellite View
Our Mission Statement: To spark a commitment to conserving wetlands, woodlands and wildlife by creating exciting learning opportunities in a natural setting. Welcome to the Wye Marsh Wildlife Centre website and to our home at Midland, Ontario, in the province's Huronia tourism area. We are located right next door to Sainte Marie Among the Hurons, another major attraction, on Highway 12 and just across the road from the Martyrs' Shrine.
Ojibway Prairie Complex
Information Satellite View
The Ojibway Prairie Complex is a 350-hectare complex of parks and nature reserves on the west side of Windsor, Ontario, Canada. It comprises Ojibway Park, Tallgrass Prairie Heritage Park, Black Oak Heritage Park, Ojibway Prairie Provincial Nature Reserve, and the Spring Garden Natural Area.
PP Algonquin Park
Website Satellite View
Algonquin Provincial Park is located in the Southern Ontario, Canada, a three-and-half hour drive directly north of the City of Toronto. The closest International Airports are in Toronto and Ottawa. The closest major towns to the park are Huntsville (to the southwest); North Bay (to the northwest) and Pembroke (to the east).
PP Long Point Provincial Park
Information Satellite View
This park is part of a 40-kilometre-long sandspit in Lake Erie which is recognized as a biosphere reserve by the United Nations. It is a world-renowned refuge and stopover for migrating birds in fall and spring. Waterfowl viewing is excellent in March. Its delicate dunes and marshes also teem with songbirds, spawning fish, turtles and frogs.
PP MacGregor Point Park
Website Satellite View
The Friends of MacGregor Point Park is a non-profit, charitable organization that was incorporated in 1993. Members are a group of dedicated people who volunteer their time to promote the park and all it has to offer.
PP Mashkinonje
Webpage Satellite View
Mashkinonje Provincial Park consists of a diverse system of wetlands supporting all the major wetland types; marshes, bogs, swamps, fens and ponds; interspersed with undulating granite ridges that cover over 2000 hectares along the West Arm of Lake Nipissing
PP Ojibway Provincial Park
Information Satellite View
Ojibway Provincial Park is about 25 kilometres (16 mi) southwest of Sioux Lookout on Highway 72 in Northwestern Ontario, Canada. On Little Vermilion Lake, the park offers swimming, a sandy beach, and muskellunge fishing. It has trails through pine forests and along the lake's shore.
PP Presqu'ile Provincial Park
Website Satellite View
The Friends of Presqu'ile Park is a non-profit association of volunteers dedicated to enhancing the educational, interpretive, and scientific research programs at Presqu'ile Provincial Park. A unique park in the Ontario Parks system, Presqu'ile is a major staging area for migrating waterfowl and offers an unusual combination of diverse ecosystems.
PP Quetico Park
Webpage Satellite View
The Quetico Park / Atikokan Ontario area offers some excellent opportunities for birdwatching trips during the summer months…
PP Rock Point Provincial Park
Webpage Satellite View
The Park is visited each September by throngs of monarch butterflies, readying themselves for their awesome migratory trek to Mexico where they hibernate on mountaintops during the winter. Migrating birds travel through the park throughout the spring, summer and Fall. Over 260 species have been recorded…
PP Rondeau Provincial Park
Website Satellite View
Nestled deep within the heart of Carolinian Canada lies Ontario's second oldest Provincial Park. Formed in 1894, Rondeau Provincial Park remains one of the crown jewels of the Ontario Parks system. Rondeau's Carolinian forests are home to such southern species as Tulip-tree, Sasafras, Virginia Oppossum, Yellow-breasted Chat and the endangered Prothonotary Warbler. Rondeau is unique in the amount of this rare habitat that it protects - no other provincial park in Ontario holds as much…

Sightings, News & Forums

Ontario Field Ornithologists
Sightings
eBird Sightings in the Last 7 Days
Ontario Rare Bird Report
Sightings
Species mentioned (all caps indicate species on the OBRC review list):
Ottawa Field Naturalists Club
Sightings
Thanks to everyone who contributes bird observations. We encourage everyone to report their bird sightings on eBird for the benefit of the entire birding community
Toronto Ornithological Club
Sightings & Discussion
These Sightings/Discussion groups are not part of TorontoBirding.ca and may require membership or a separate Login and Password to post.
eBird
Sightings
eBird Canada is a collaborative project managed by Birds Canada.

Guides & Tour Operators

Birding Ecotours
Tour Operator
Birding Ecotours, a leader in small group and custom-made birding adventures worldwide, offers an amazing tour to Point Pelee and Niagara Falls in May for an unforgettable migration extravaganza!
Eagle-Eye Tours
Tour Operator
Join us for an exciting birding tour of Point Pelee and other spring migration hotspots of southern Ontario, finishing with several days in Algonquin Provincial Park.
Eastern Ontario Birding
Tour Operator
My name is Jon Ruddy and I am an Ottawa-based field birder/freelance birding guide. I became interested in birds while studying under the tutelage of Carleton University professor and naturalist, Michael Runtz. From 2012-2014 I was employed as a summer student field biologist, conducting bird surveys in the Okanagan Valley, southern Ontario, James Bay, and throughout Manitoba
Meadowlark Birding Tours
Tour Operator
Point Pelee is one of the best known birding destinations in North America. In this short 5 day tour we can expect to see over 150 species, many in their stunning breeding plumage. More than 25 species of warbler can be encountered on this tour and this total often includes Prothonotary, Hooded, and the spectacular Black-throated Blue.
NatureTrek
Tour Operator
A 12-day birdwatching tour to the Canadian province of Ontario in search of the boreal wildlife of Algonquin National Park and the colourful migrants that pass through Point Pelee each spring.
ONshore Birding
Guide
My name is Josh Vandermeulen and I am a freelance biologist and birding guide based in southern Ontario. I provide fully customizable private birding and bird photography tours.
Pelee Birding -0 Jeremy Bensette
Guide
Explore The Magic of Canada's Premier Birding Region

Trip Reports

2002 [05 May] - Fatbirder - Disabled Birders Trip
Report
dba trip…The body of this report is not set out as a daily diary but rather by the sites visited; refer to the itinerary above for exact dates of visits. We birded from the vehicle, on the side of the road, by walking some trails and sitting around in some reserves.
2015 [05 May] - Jay VanderGaast - Point Pelee
Report
...Also memorable that day were multiple smashing views of male Bay-breasted and Blackburnian warblers in brilliant breeding plumage, our only Northern Waterthrush at a small wetland near the start of the Tilden's Woods trail, alongside a confiding female Prothonotary Warbler, and an early male Blackpoll Warbler (again our only one) a little further along the trail. Elsewhere, we enjoyed a couple of striking male Cape May Warblers and a glowing male Prothonotary Warbler at Rondeau, scope views of a singing male Cerulean Warbler and a close Louisiana Waterthrush after a lot of searching in Baccus Woods, and a bold Canada Warbler at Paletta Park. And finally, we capped our warbler extravaganza with a dapper male Black-throated Blue Warbler (our only one!) along Black River Road, and a gorgeous Golden-winged Warbler on the Carden Plain.
2016 [05 May] - Jay VanderGaast - Point Pelee Migration Spectacle
Report
Point Pelee in spring has to be one of the most exciting places to bird. The feeling of anticipation one gets when entering the park each morning is incomparable; there is nothing like the buzz you get, wondering what might have turned up overnight.
2016 [05 May] - Zoothera Birding
PDF Report
This very relaxed tour began at the wonderful Niagara Falls, before we headed for an overnight stay near the superb watchpoint of Long Point, the first of a series of headlands we visited that protrude into Lake Erie and that act as a magnet to migrant birds.
2017 [05 May] - Jay VanderGaast - Point Pelee Migration Spectacle
Report
Though it wasn't a classic spring migration, by all accounts it was equally slow all over northeastern North America, so I felt we did quite well under the circumstances. We may have had to work a little harder than usual on several days, but the rewards were still there to be found, and we did enjoy one of the better migration pushes of the spring on our third and final day at Pelee. And most of the birds we did find were wonderfully cooperative and showed well for all.
2017 [05 May] - Jay VanderGaast - Point Pelee Migration Spectacle II
Report
...Keeping with the warblers, other nice sightings included the most confiding and cooperative Prothonotary Warblers imaginable, a fine male Cerulean Warbler singing in Tilden's Woods, and scope views of beauties like Cape May, Bay-breasted, and Black-throated Green. Other nice finds during our time at Pelee included a sleepy rufous morph Eastern Screech-Owl, multiple striking Red-headed Woodpeckers, our only Gray-cheeked Thrush in a cedar clump in Tilden's Woods, and multiple brilliant Indigo Buntings, Rose-breasted Grosbeaks, and Scarlet Tanagers...
2019 [08 August] - Bernd de Bruijn
PDF Report
Most trip reports are from dedicated birding trips, and not from family holidays, which do generally not allow for 24/7 birding schedules. Also, most reports are usually from favourable times of the year. So when going on a summer family holiday and planning some birding on the side, how do you prepare with realistic expectations?
2022 [05 May] - Steve Ogle
Report
...We were lucky to encounter specialties like Red-necked Grebe, Common Tern, Orchard Oriole, Nashville Warbler among other more typical species of the area....
2022 [10 October] - Jean Hugé
PDF Report
...While on the ferry for the short crossing to the mainland, I spotted tens of Ring-billed Gulls and hundreds of Double-Crested Cormorants. A few Mallards were resting on the water and a few Herring Gulls were present too. In Little Norway Park, on the harbourfront, I spotted two Northern Cardinals and a few American Robins...
2023 [05 May] - Ed.O'Hara
PDF Report
Like most European birders visiting Canada we timed our visit to coincide with the ‘ Point Pelee Birding Festival...
2023 [06 June] - Chris Mills
PDF Report
A laid back 20-day birding tour with the focus on the migration hot-spots.

Places to Stay

Jeffrey Street Accommodations - Leamington
Accommodation
Jeffrey St. Accommodations is located in a quiet neighbourhood and offers 3 bedrooms with central air. Enjoy the entertainment room, dining room, backyard patio. Laundry privileges and weekly rates are available. Go birding in Point Pelee or Rondeau Park
Niagara Falls Hotel
Accommodation
Niagara Falls Hotel overlooking Horseshoe Falls and the American Falls, situated near restaurants and Niagara Falls' best amenities
Quality Inn Leamington
Facebook Page
Leamington's only locally owned and most recently renovated hotel. Come and experience Hospitality at its BEST! Visit our website today!
Radisson Hotel & Suites - Niagara Falls
Website
The Radisson Hotel & Suites Fallsview features breathtaking views of Horseshoe Falls and economical packages for families and groups
Seacliffe Inn - Leamington
Accommodation
Seacliffe Inn, located on Leamington's waterfront, Pelee's Island natural paradise in Ontario Canada, offers you excellent accomodations, fine food, room service and welcomes your wedding, group or corporate event during all seasons

Ontario

Birding Ontario

Gord Gallant

Number of bird species: 508

Avibase

Ontario Field Ornithologists

Wikimedia

iNaturalist

A Bird-finding Guide to Ontario

A Birder's Guide to Point Pelee: (and surrounding region)

Annotated Checklist of the Birds of Ontario

Atlas of the Breeding Birds of Ontario, 2001-2005

Best Places to Bird in Ontario

Birds of Ontario

Birds of Ontario

Birds of Ottawa: And Vicinity

Birds of Voyageurs National Park

Ontario Birds

Quick Reference to Ontario Birds

Huron Fringe Birding Festival

Point Pelee NP Festival Of Birds

Point Pelee National Park Festival of Birds

Prince Edward Point Bird Observatory Spring Birding Festival

Spring Bird Festival

TRCA Spring Bird Festival

Bruce Peninsula Bird Observatory

Haldimand Bird Observatory

Holiday Beach Migration Observatory

Innis Point Bird Observatory

Long Point Bird Observatory

Prince Edward Point Bird Observatory

Ruthven Bird Banding Station

Thunder Cape Bird Observatory

Royal Ontario Museum Ornithology

University of Waterloo - Environment

Brereton Field Naturalists Club

Canadian Breeding Bird Survey

Hamilton Naturalists' Club

Kingston Field Naturalists

Ontario Bird Banding

Ontario Birds Records Committee

Ontario Field Ornithologists

Ontario Nature

Ottawa Field Naturalists

Pembroke Area Field Naturalists

Peterborough Field Naturalists

South Peel Naturalists Club

Toronto Field Naturalists

Toronto Ornithological Club

Waterloo Region Nature

*Ontario Nature Reserves

BR Long Point

Bluffer's Park

CA Hillman Marsh

CA Second Marsh

Conservation Areas in Ontario

Eastern Lake St. Clair IBA

Essex Region Conservation

NP Bruce Peninsula National Park

NP Point Pelee

NWA St.Clair Lake

NWA Wye Marsh Wildlife Centre

Ojibway Prairie Complex

PP Algonquin Park

PP Long Point Provincial Park

PP MacGregor Point Park

PP Mashkinonje

PP Ojibway Provincial Park

PP Presqu'ile Provincial Park

PP Quetico Park

PP Rock Point Provincial Park

PP Rondeau Provincial Park

Ontario Field Ornithologists

Ontario Rare Bird Report

Ottawa Field Naturalists Club

Toronto Ornithological Club

eBird

Birding Ecotours

Eagle-Eye Tours

Eastern Ontario Birding