Where to enjoy bird watching in Ontario cities

Greater Toronto Area

Millions of birds dwell or migrate through the Greater Toronto Area each year. Several locations near downtown are popular among local birding enthusiasts. 

Tommy Thompson Park

This urban park is a prime birding spot on a narrow neck of land along the east end of Toronto’s waterfront called Leslie Street Spit. Over 300 bird species have been recorded to date. Explore 10 kilometres of trails and watch for spring warblers, shorebirds, waterfowl, migrating raptors and wintering owls.

The site was initially constructed over 60 years ago with dredged silt, sand and concrete for port-related purposes. In time it was transformed into a wild space and by 2000 was designated a Globally Significant Important Bird Area serving as a bird research station.

Adhere to park hours and rules. Travel by TTC transit via the 83 Jones southbound bus or the 501 Queen streetcar to Leslie Street.

Location: 1 Leslie Street, Toronto

High Park

Toronto’s largest public park stretches from Bloor Street to Lakeshore Boulevard west of downtown. It features numerous trails, gardens, forests, a sizable pond and the city’s famous stand of cherry blossom trees.

Over 150 species of birds have been documented in the park, making it a hotspot for birding, especially during the migratory spring and fall seasons. Witnessing the autumn raptor migration is a highlight for local birders.

Visit the High Park Nature Centre for information on guided events. Some parking is available; however, High Park is also accessible by public transit. Plan your visit with maps and directions.

Location: 1873 Bloor Street West, Toronto

Don River Valley Park

This vast swath of forested ravine landscape extends along the Don Valley River in Toronto’s east end, providing a vital home to herons, hawks, ducks and other bird species.

A network of bike and pedestrian trails will lead you through the park and beyond. Along the way stop in to visit the birds, bees and pollinator garden at Evergreen Brick Works, an eco-oriented complex. Evergreen operates a free shuttle bus from Broadview Station.

Location: Don Valley Parkway, Toronto

Rouge National Urban Park

Managed by Parks Canada, Rouge is one of the largest urban parks in North America. Established in 2015, it’s a relatively recent addition to the portfolio of national parks and the first urban park.

The park lies in the eastern reaches of the Greater Toronto Area and features woodland, wetlands and abundant avian diversity. Almost 250 bird species have been recorded, including resident woodpeckers, owls and blue jays.

Download the interactive app to learn more about the park and navigate around it.

Rouge National Urban Park is open year-round and day visits are free. Find the trail you want to explore and how to get there by car, public transit, bike or even by canoe.

Location: 25 Zoo Road, Toronto

Colonel Samuel Smith Park

This shoreline gem in Toronto’s west-end community of Etobicoke is designated an Environmentally Significant Area.

With nearly 300 bird species on record, including waterfowl, songbirds and even birds of prey, there’s a good chance you’ll find success bird watching in Colonel Samuel Smith Park.

Location: 3145 Lake Shore Boulevard West, Etobicoke

Humber Bay Shores Park

Another great spot in the Etobicoke Lakeshore district, this park is just west of the Humber Bay Arch Bridge and connects to the Martin Goodman Trail.

Although a relatively small green space, it consistently ranks high with birders for the diversity of sightings, especially waterfowl.

Location: 15 Marine Parade Drive, Etobicoke

Rattray Marsh Conservation Area

In Mississauga, approximately 30 kilometres west of downtown Toronto, Rattray Marsh is a unique shoreline wetland maintained by Credit Valley Conservation.

Follow the looped trail and pedestrian boardwalk to the lake, shale beach and marshland. Birders gravitate to this spot for the spring and fall migrations and to view herons, hawks and belted kingfishers in the summer.

The park is connected to the Waterfront Trail. Parking is available nearby at Jack Darling Memorial Park.

Location: 660 Bexhill Road, Mississauga (walk-in only)

Ottawa

Canada’s capital is surrounded by the Ottawa Greenbelt, a horseshoe-shaped band of farms, forests and wetlands managed by the National Capital Commission.

Over 350 species of birds reside or migrate through this region. The Ottawa Field Naturalists Club provides information on birding locations, identification, activities and code of conduct. 

Shirley’s Bay

Shirley’s Bay is an Important Bird Area in the west end of the Greenbelt, with over 270 species of birds documented.

The Shoreline Trail connects to the Greenbelt Pathway West, part of the Trans Canada Trails. It follows the Ottawa River and provides opportunities to observe migrating arctic and boreal land and shorebirds. If you’re lucky, you may even spot a bald eagle.

Access and parking to the seven kilometres of trails is free.

Location: Shirley Boulevard, Ottawa

Fletcher Wildlife Garden

Located near the Dominion Arboretum, Central Experimental Farm and Dows Lake, the Fletcher Wildlife Garden is a peaceful and meditative green space near the city centre.

The site features perennial gardens, a wildflower meadow and a pond. Watch for resident sparrows, finches, woodpeckers and lively cardinals. Recently, an increase in bohemian and cedar waxwing sightings as well as cooper’s hawks have been noted.

The free park is accessible by public transit or by car, with parking available.

Location: 865, Prince of Wales Drive, Ottawa

Kingston

Kingston lies in the Atlantic Flyway, one of four key avian migration routes in North America.

In addition to conservation and research efforts, the Kingston Field Naturalists club is a great resource for information about birding in the city.

Lemoine Point Conservation Authority

A popular west-end park, Lemoine Point is operated by the Cataraqui Region Conservation Authority. The 136-hectare area contains forest, fields, meadows, marshland and an extensive shoreline from Lake Ontario into Collins Bay.

Explore 11 kilometres of trails and keep your camera close for bird sightings. Over 230 species of birds have been recorded, including particularly friendly chickadees.

The park is open year-round and free to enjoy.

Location: 1440 Coverdale Drive, Kingston

Niagara Falls

From Lake Erie to Lake Ontario, the Niagara River corridor is a central flyway for migrating birds. It’s also home to one of the world’s largest and most diverse concentrations of gull species.

As such, it was the first Important Bird Area (IBA) in North America to be jointly recognized in Canada and the US. Conservation efforts continue to protect habitats for waterfowl and other migratory and resident species.

In Ontario, the Niagara Parks Commission maintains and preserves the forests, green spaces and shoreline along the Niagara River.

Dufferin Islands

Under a kilometre above the Horseshoe Falls along the Niagara River is a collection of ten small islands connected by walking paths and footbridges.

Although just a walk south along the Niagara Park from Table Rock Centre, the peaceful trails and gentle sounds of nature make Dufferin Islands feel like a world away from the bustle of the crowds and the roar of the falls. Over 170 species of birds have been recorded in this little island oasis.

Managed by Niagara Parks, Dufferin Islands are free to explore; paid vehicle parking is available nearby at the Rapidsview Parking Lot.

Location: 6345 Dufferin Isle Road, Niagara Falls

Niagara Parks Botanical Gardens

Another Niagara Park site, the Botanical Gardens, is north of the falls along the Niagara Parkway and a highlight for gardeners and birders.

Designed by the Niagara Parks School of Horticulture, the site features formal, manicured flowers, herb and hedge gardens and a trail through meadow and forested areas. During the summer, ruby-throated hummingbirds gravitate to the colourful flowers, and northern mockingbirds have also been spotted.

Niagara’s Butterfly Conservatory shares the grounds. Operational hours vary by season, admission to the gardens is free and paid parking is available. WEGO provides bus service to this attraction.

Location: 2565 Niagara River Parkway, Niagara Falls

Sault Ste. Marie

One of Northern Ontario’s largest cities, Sault Ste. Marie is located on the St. Mary’s River, between Lake Superior’s north shore and the north channel of Lake Huron, facing the US border into Michigan.

It’s a prime location for bird watching.

Sault Ste. Marie Canal National Historic Site

The waterfront and canal district in Sault Ste. Marie features boardwalks and trails, with access to the Sault Ste. Marie Canal National Historic Site, which Parks Canada maintains.

In addition to heritage buildings and the historic lock, South St. Mary’s Island and Whitefish Island provide wooded and wetland habitats for wildlife and birds. Look for warblers, waterfowl, shorebirds and raptors.

You’ll need to cross the Locks Gate Bridge to access the free trails on Whitefish Island.

Location: 1 Canal Drive, Sault Ste. Marie

London

London, Ontario, prides itself on being one of Canada’s most species-diverse and bird-friendly cities. Nature Canada awarded it the bird-friendly city certification for its actions in protecting bird populations through habitat preservation and education. The city is known as the Forest City for its abundant parks, trees and trails.

Fanshawe Conservation Area

One of three multi-use conservation areas managed by the Upper Thames River Conservation Authority, Fanshawe is the largest parkland in London. It lies at the northeast end of the city.

Activities include camping, fishing, paddling and hiking. There are over 20 kilometres of hiking and biking trails around Fanshawe Lake, plus hiking-only options on the Tamarack, Meadow and Pond Trails. The Fanshawe Dam at the south end of the lake is a popular spot for birders.

Each season, a variety of species can be spotted, including winter residents like nuthatches, woodpeckers, juncos and northern cardinals, the official bird of London.

Pedestrian and vehicle day-use fees apply.

Location: 1424 Clarke Road, London

Hamilton

From the shoreline of Lake Ontario to the Niagara Escarpment running through the city, Hamilton has no shortage of great bird watching opportunities. The mighty peregrine falcon was voted the city’s official bird in honour of the raptors nesting on the Sheraton Hotel for decades.

The Hamilton Naturalists’ Club hosts bird watching events and activities.

Cootes Paradise

At over 600 hectares, Cootes Paradise is the largest of several wilderness nature sanctuaries within the Royal Botanical Gardens. It contains forests of oak, hemlock, beech and cedar, creeks, a lakeside shoreline, a significant marsh area and one of the largest creek deltas in Ontario.

Cootes Paradise serves as a stopover for almost 300 species of migratory birds. Bald eagles and merlins have been sighted along the marsh boardwalk.

Parking fees apply at trailheads; find out more about parking and directions.

Location: Hamilton

Bayfront Park

In the 1990s, vacant land along the west end of Hamilton’s harbour intended for industrial use was transformed into a versatile nature park with green space, trees, shrubs and wildflowers.

It’s a scenic spot to watch for songbirds, ducks, geese and swans.

Location: 200 Harbour Front Drive, Hamilton

Windsor

Southwestern Ontario has long been recognized as a top bird watching destination thanks to birding hotspots such as Hilman Marsh, Pelee Point and Pelee Island that provide diverse habitats and safe resting areas for migrating birds. There are also key spots for bird watching within the boundaries of the city of Windsor.

Get the Windsor Essex birding guide for information on bird-friendly businesses, events and tours.

Ojibway Park

Located just minutes west of downtown Windsor, the Ojibway Nature Park comprises several significant natural areas and landscapes, such as forest, savanna, tallgrass prairie, wildflowers, ponds, lagoons and wetlands. There’s also a fantastic nature centre with visitor information, exhibits and facilities.

The park’s diverse ecology and southern location attract an impressive variety of migrating, nesting and resident bird species, including the tufted titmouse, the official bird of Windsor.

Parking and admission to the park are free; just be mindful of the operating hours.

Location: 5200 Matchett Road, Windsor