The Best Birdwatching Destinations in Ontario
“Is that a chickadee-dee-dee-dee?” my son chirped, pointing at a small bird on our recent hike. Although we don’t typically think of birdwatching as an adventure for a four-year-old child, I’m always impressed by how incredibly eager children are to learn and explore in nature when given a chance. It’s heartwarming to see my little one identify most of the common birds here in Ontario.
I take my two boys birdwatching at every chance I get, although finishing a trail takes twice as long with them. We embrace the slowness of the process, looking at every twig, feather and seed along the way. We use apps like iNaturalist and Merlin that are handy for identifying and learning more about birds.
Here are our favourite destinations for seeing the tremendous variety of birds in Ontario with your family.
Tommy Thompson Park
Minutes away from downtown Toronto, this man-made park is an oasis for birdwatching within the city. However, note that vehicles are not allowed inside the park, and you will need to be prepared to walk or bike to find the birds. There is a greater chance for you to spot the birds if you walk along the trails, as you won’t be able to access the marsh areas with your bike.
Home to 55 breeding species with 334 recorded species, it’s not hard to find birds throughout the seasons at Tommy Thompson Park. In spring, you will be delighted to see all the songbirds from Red-winged Blackbirds to many types of warblers as they migrate. Not to mention the abundant waterfowl in winter. Trumpeter Swans, Red-breasted Mergansers and Double-Crested Cormorants are some of the common species found in the water. Inside woods, you can spot Barn Swallows, Black-capped Chickadees and Eastern Kingbirds.
Point Pelee National Park
Sitting at the southernmost point of mainland Canada, Point Pelee National Park is along a crucial migratory highway for the birds. So, the spring and fall seasons are usually abuzz with birders, photographers, hikers and families. Be sure to book your accommodation in advance and start early in the morning to avoid crowds.
With more than 390 species recorded, the park is jam-packed with birds. During spring, you’ll see so many warblers that you’ll dream about them at night, like me. Common Grackles, Baltimore Orioles and Cedar Waxwings are some of the gorgeous birds you will see everywhere. The Marsh Boardwalk is a short one-kilometre loop where you can spot swallows, swans and geese. We found a Common Yellowthroat singing soulfully for us when we went on the trail. Come summer, there are flycatchers and shorebirds, and winter is an ideal time to observe waterfowl and birds of prey in the park.
Presqu’ile Provincial Park
If you want to view shorebirds, like plovers and sandpipers, Presqu’ile is your best bet in southeastern Ontario. The 1.6-kilometre loop Owen Point Trail takes you along the shores of Lake Ontario, where you can catch sight of shorebirds like Semipalmated plover and Black-bellied plover. Take the Marsh Boardwalk Trail to see gulls and terns, and Jobe’s Woods Trail for wrens and flycatchers. The small, wooded area near the lighthouse, a part of the Newcastle Trail, is an excellent place to see many uncommon warblers, American Redstarts and Gray Catbirds.
Over 338 species of birds have been spotted in the park, and 130 of them breed in Presqu’ile. While spring and fall are preferable to watch the migrating birds, you can spot the overwintering ducks as the weather cools. In addition, you can find birds of prey like Bald Eagles and Snowy Owls during winter. If you’re an experienced paddler, paddle-birding is an option in Presqu’ile.
Prince Edward Point Bird Observatory
The road to the Prince Edward Point Bird Observatory (PEPtBO) is rugged, but don’t let that deter you. The sheer number of birds and spectacular views make up for the journey. Featuring a bird banding station, the observatory is sure to be a hit with your kids. During spring and fall, you can observe the banding demonstration led by staff and volunteers if you visit early in the day. Summer is a slow time for birdwatching, but you can still spot some birds like the Eastern Towhees.
The two short trails at PEPtBO are open year-round: Lighthouse and Point Traverse Woods. We saw birds, such as the American Goldfinch and Common Merganser, at the Lighthouse Trail. I rate the Point Traverse Woods Trail as one of my favourite trails for bird watching. In spring, the trail bursts with colourful wildflowers and vibrant birds. We saw many types of warblers, like the Palm Warbler, Chestnut-sided Warbler and Black-and-White Warbler. The Baltimore Oriole, Eastern Bluebird, Great Crested Flycatcher and Rose-breasted Grosbeak are the other birds that delighted us.
MacGregor Point Provincial Park
You may know MacGregor Point as a family-friendly camping destination, but it’s also an excellent park for birdwatching. It was the very first park we ever went glamping in a wooden cabin, where we got used to the bugs, vault toilets and the pitch-black sky. Serendipitously, this is also the park where we first became serious birdwatchers, spotting Ospreys, Great Egrets and Belted Kingfishers.
Being on the migratory route, the park will be bustling with birds during fall and spring. With many breeding birds in the park, summer is also a great time to see a variety of birds, from woodpeckers to hawks. The 3.5-kilometre loop Tower Trail passes through a wetland, making it an ideal spot for viewing wildlife. There is a tower to scan the marsh for wildlife. A cozy bird hide is also available to check out and photograph the Black-crowned Night Herons and Great Egrets in the wetland.
If you’ve never taken your kids birdwatching, try one of the easily accessible destinations. In no time, your little one will be identifying the common birds like a pro. As Sir David Attenborough said, “No one will protect what they don’t care about; and no one will care about what they have never experienced.”
