Spring - Local Excursions and Programs
SPRING BIRDING FIELD TRIPS
Relaxed, Fun, Exciting and Educational Excursions in the Greater Ottawa Area
From Beginner to Expert - Great For All Levels
“Always An Adventure”
NEW - 3 PHOTOGRAPHY DAYS
included as part of the regular Birding Program
Spring Birding Packages
NEW - 3 SPECIAL LIMITED-TIME OFFERS
SPECIALLY DESIGNED TO FIT YOUR BUSY SCHEDULE
- 1) Get the entire Spring Package for only $250 This includes ALL half-day & full-day excursions, & overnight trips.
- 2) Only have time on Weekends? For only $170 get ALL half-day excursions that occur on weekends (Saturdays and Sundays)
- 3) Only have time during Weekdays? For only $170 get ALL half-day & full-day excursions that happen during the week (Mondays through Fridays)
- Offers Expire Apr 30
- Registered Members Can Expect More!
- HURRY, Space Is Limited!!!
To register or for more information contact Tony Beck:
- Tel.: (613) 828-5936
- Email: tonysalwaysanadventure@gmail.com
Half-Day Excursions in The Ottawa Area
All Half-Day trips start at 7:30am, and end around noon.
Regular Price: $35 per person, per excursion
- Tuesday Apr 12 - Early Spring Arrivals - Ottawa East
- Thursday Apr 14 - Wildlife Photography - Britannia Conservation Area
- Saturday Apr 16 - The Urgency of Spring - Britannia Conservation Area
- Sunday Apr 17 - Mer Bleue & Open Country - Ottawa East
- Tuesday Apr 19 - Waterfowl, Gulls and Assorted Songbirds - Ottawa West
- Thursday Apr 21 - Petrie Island & Migratory Staging Areas - Ottawa East
- Saturday, Apr 23 - Wildlife Photography - Petrie Island
- Sunday Apr 24 - Scrubland & Wetland Birds - Ottawa West
- Tuesday Apr 26 - Petrie Island & Migratory Staging Areas - Ottawa East
- Thursday Apr 28 - Larose Forest & Open Fields - Ottawa East
- Saturday, Apr 30 - The Second Wave of Spring Migration - Ottawa East
- Sunday May 1 - The Second Wave of Spring Migration - Ottawa West
- Tuesday May 3 - Sparrows, Kinglets & Early Warblers - Ottawa West
- Thursday, May 5 - Scrubland & Wetland Birds - Ottawa West
- Saturday, May 7 - The Intensity of Spring Migration - Ottawa East
- Sunday May 8 - The Intensity of Spring Migration - Ottawa West
- Monday, May 9 - Migrants & Nesting Birds - Ottawa West
- Wednesday May 11 - Peak Spring Migration - Ottawa East
- Tuesday, May 24 - Shirleys Bay & Late Spring Birds - Ottawa West
- Saturday Jun 4 - Britannia Conservation Area - Late Spring Migrants
- Sunday Jun 5 - Sparrows & Open Country - Ottawa South/East
- Tuesday Jun 7 - Mer Bleue - Rare Nesters of Eastern Ontario
- Thursday Jun 9 - Wildlife Photography - Jack Pine Trail
Full Day Excursion in The Ottawa Area
6:00 am to around 6:00 pm
Regular Price: $60 per person
Overnight Excursion outside The Ottawa Area
Two Days/One Night - Regular Price: $160.00 per person - food, transportation and accommodations not included
Half-Day Excursions in The Ottawa Area
1 - Tuesday Apr 12, 7:30am: Early Spring Arrivals - Ottawa East
Meet at Petrie Island Causeway, north of intersection Hwy. 17 and Trim Rd (Orleans)
Spring is in full swing with many birds already on the breeding grounds, establishing territories and looking for mates. Red-winged Blackbirds and American Robins may already be on their nests. Common Grackle, Brown-headed Cowbird, and possibly other early migrants will be present. And, a few wintering birds might still be around like Common Goldeneye, Iceland Gull or Common Redpoll. On the river, we should see newly arrived waterfowl and gulls, many sporting bright breeding plumages. If time permits, we’ll explore agricultural areas for raptors and early open-country birds like Eastern Meadowlark, Eastern Bluebird or American Pipit.
2 - Thursday Apr 14, 7:30am: Wildlife Photography - Britannia Conservation Area
Meet at Cassels Road, outside the gate to the Britannia Filtration Plant
Today’s focus will be on capturing photos of birds and other wildlife. Celebrating the arrival of Spring, we’ll take advantage of birds being distracted while defending territory and attracting mates. Some will be in bright breeding colours, and energetically singing. There might even be a few mammals posing for us. If conditions are favourable, the Britannia Conservation Area will provide many photographic moments. Throughout the morning, Tony and Nina will point out photo opportunities, discuss their various techniques, and make themselves available to answer all questions.
3 - Saturday Apr 16, 7:30am: The Urgency of Spring - Britannia Conservation Area
Meet at Cassels Road, outside the gate to the Britannia Filtration Plant
Regardless of the day’s weather, the signs of Spring’s will surround us. The first new arrivals will be on territory. And, bird song will ring through the air. The persistent "conkaree" of male Red-winged Blackbirds resonate from the riparian scrub. Ring-billed Gulls, typically bonded pairs in courtship, cackle overhead, dressed in their immaculate plumage. Cooper’s Hawk, already on their nest, might be tending eggs. All around us, the frantic urgency of the breeding season will be in evidence. This is an exciting time, and we’ll look for any clues revealing the changing season.
4 - Sunday Apr 17, 7:30am: Mer Bleue & Open Country - Ottawa East
Meet at parking lot of the Dewberry Trail, along the Dolman Ridge Road
Today’s activities depend on the extent of spring thaw, and (if it’s still around) the amount of snow cover. We’ll explore some of the trails and roads around Mer Bleue looking for woodland, wetland, and open country birds. We can expect the marshes to ring with the tunes of Song Sparrows, Swamp Sparrow, Red-winged Blackbirds and possibly some early wetland creatures. We then drive out to the fields between Carlsbad Springs and Navan, east of the Mer Bleue. If conditions are favourable, we’ll see many birds arriving from the south. We’ll catch the first birds on territory, like Eastern Meadowlark, Killdeer and Eastern Bluebird. We’ll observe several spring migrants as well, including possibly Snow Geese, Northern Pintail, Sandhill Crane, and with luck, Lapland Longspur or Short-eared Owl. This is a dynamic time of year, and any number of surprises can occur.
5 - Tuesday Apr 19, 7:30am: Waterfowl, Gulls and Assorted Songbirds - Ottawa West
Meet at the Coliseum Theatre Parking Lot, northwest corner, 3090 Carling Ave., east of Bayshore
With the first wave of spring migration at its peak, we can expect to see many birds today. Watercourses like the Ottawa River provide corridors for birds en-route to northern nesting grounds. We’ll check the river for waterfowl and gulls, many of which are here only during migration. Suitable habitats along the water’s edge also provide food and shelter for migrating songbirds. Sparrows, kinglets and swallows should be fairly visible along shoreline habitats. But, we may see some surprises like a Chimney Swift, or an early wood-warbler. We’ll also check muddy areas for shorebirds like Pectoral Sandpiper or Greater Yellowlegs. As the morning progresses, some birds will leave the river to feed in local farm fields. If time permits, we’ll follow these flocks to the open fields.
6 - Thursday Apr 21, 7:30am: Petrie Island & Migratory Staging Areas - Ottawa East
Meet at Petrie Island Causeway, north of intersection Hwy. 17 and Trim Rd (Orleans)
All around us, the sights and sounds of spring form a distinct contrast to winter’s silence. We start by checking Petrie Island for waterfowl, herons and songbirds. Many migrants will be arriving into the woodlands, including the first warblers. Juncos, Swamp, Song, Chipping and White-throated Sparrows will be moving through in good numbers. We’ll check them all for unusual species like Lincoln’s and Fox Sparrows. Afterwards, we’ll continue east along the Ottawa River where there are plenty of birds to study. We’ll watch for species like Rusty Blackbird, Blue-winged Teal, Red-breasted Merganser, Vesper Sparrow and Upland Sandpiper.
7 - Saturday Apr 23, 7:30am: Wildlife Photography - Petrie Island
Meet at Petrie Island Causeway, north of intersection Hwy. 17 and Trim Rd (Orleans)
Today’s focus will be on capturing photos of birds and other wildlife. Celebrating the flurry of the breeding season, weíll take advantage of birds being distracted while defending territory and attracting mates. Some will be in bright breeding colours, and energetically singing. There might even be a few mammals, amphibians, reptiles and insects posing for us. If conditions are favourable, Petrie Island (and surrounding trails) will provide many photographic moments. Throughout the morning, Tony and Nina will point out photo opportunities, discuss their various techniques, and make themselves available to answer all questions.
8 - Sunday Apr 24, 7:30am: Scrubland & Wetland Birds - Ottawa West
Meet at the Coliseum Theatre Parking Lot, northwest corner, 3090 Carling Ave., east of Bayshore
Open habitats and forest edges west of the city can provide excellent opportunities to observe some of Canadaís shyest birds. We will explore areas around the towns of Richmond and Munster where we should find a variety of species, some just arriving on territory. Our efforts might produce Swamp Sparrow, Marsh Wren, American Bittern, Wilsonís Snipe, Northern Harrier, Sora and Virginia Rail. With luck, we might find some early warblers like Common Yellowthroat. If conditions warrant, we’ll use a variety of techniques to entice them into view.
9 - Tuesday Apr 26, 7:30am: Petrie Island & Migratory Staging Areas - Ottawa East
Meet at Petrie Island Causeway, north of intersection Hwy. 17 and Trim Rd (Orleans)
Petrie Island is one of the most productive parklands east of the City. Especially in Spring. Today will likely repeat the route from last Thursday’s trip. We start by checking for waterfowl, herons terns and songbirds. We might even find some gulls or shorebirds on the beach. Juncos, Swamp, Song, Chipping and White-throated Sparrows should be moving through. And, we’ll check them all for unusual species like Lincoln’s and Fox Sparrows, or an early White-crowned Sparrow. Afterwards, we’ll continue east along the Ottawa River where there’s no shortage of birds to study. We’ll watch for species like Bald Eagle, Rusty Blackbirds, Blue-winged Teal, Red-breasted Merganser, Vesper Sparrow and Upland Sandpiper.
10 - Thursday Apr 28, 7:30am: Larose Forest & Open Fields - Ottawa East
Meet at Petrie Island Causeway, north of intersection Hwy. 17 and Trim Rd (Orleans)
The Larose Forest is a mixed tract of natural habitats and coniferous plantation - much of it matured. This vast forest often harbours many interesting species not easily found elsewhere in our region. We’ll start by checking a few local fields for migrating raptors and open-country species before driving through the forest. In the woods we hope to see good numbers of songbirds, woodpeckers, and early spring migrants. With luck we may find Northern Goshawk, Red Crossbill or Ruffed Grouse. Perhaps we’ll see the first warblers of the season, like Pine or Yellow-rumped. If time permits, we’ll check the fields around the village of Casselman where we might find more raptors, late waterfowl, or even Gray Partridge.
11 - Saturday Apr 30, 7:30am: The Second Wave of Spring Migration - Ottawa East
Meet at Petrie Island Causeway, north of intersection Hwy. 17 and Trim Rd (Orleans)
The end of April always brings the first insect-eating birds. New arrivals like Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Baltimore Oriole, Warbling Vireo, various warblers, thrushes, flycatchers or Scarlet Tanager might be present. Some of the riverís riparian habitats should be very productive. Ottawa has much green space, so our options are many. However, some of the best spots lay close to the Ottawa River right at Petrie Island. We’ll check along the river, and possibly nearby open country, expecting a great variety of birds and other wildlife.
12 - Sunday May 1, 7:30am: The Second Wave of Spring Migration - Ottawa West
Meet at Andrew Haydon Park East Parking Lot, off Carling Ave., West of Bayshore, East of Acres Road
The end of April brings a new wave of migrants. We should start noticing the first warblers and flycatchers in with other songbirds. Some have travelled from the neotropics where they’ve spent the winter feeding on an abundance of insects, their preferred food. The forest, scrublands and fields will hide some of these shy creatures. However, male warblers, some adorned in brilliant colours, will betray their presence by emphatically chanting their courtship song. We’ll look and listen for these new arrivals, sifting through the common species hoping to find something unusual. Much excitement awaits us in the leafy habitats of Spring.
13 - Tuesday May 3, 7:30am: Sparrows, Kinglets and Early Warblers - Ottawa West
Meet at Jack Pine Trail parking lot off Moodie Drive, south of Hunt Club Road
By now, the forest has grown a leafy green canopy. The sun’s rays have provided much energy to plants and animals alike. Insects thrive in the surrounding water and vegetation. And, the creatures that eat these insects have a banquet to enjoy. Meanwhile, frogs, toads, turtles and snakes, all have an abundance of food at their disposal. It’s a glorious time for all creatures. We’ll walk slowly along the rich trails and varied habitats of the Jack Pine Trail keeping our eyes and ears out for any sign of life. Many songbirds will be present including the first wood-warblers. Colourful gems like Pine Warbler or Yellow-rumped Warbler might delight us with their presence. White-throated Sparrows, Ruby-crowned Kinglets, and maybe even a rusty Red Fox Sparrow will make appearances.
14 - Thursday May 5, 7:30am: Scrubland & Wetland Birds - Ottawa West
Meet at Andrew Haydon East Parking Lot, off Carling Ave., West of Bayshore, East of Acres Road
Open habitats and forest edges west of the city can provide excellent opportunities to observe some of Canadaís shyest birds. We’ll explore areas around the towns of Dunrobin and Constance Bay where we should find a variety of species, some just arriving on territory. Our efforts might produce Swamp Sparrow, Field Sparrow, Eastern Towhee, Marsh Wren, American Bittern, Wilson’s Snipe, Northern Harrier, Sora and Virginia Rail. With luck, we might find some uncommon species like Sedge Wren or Least Bittern. If conditions warrant, we’ll use a variety of techniques to entice them into view.
15 - Saturday May 7, 7:30am: The Intensity of Spring Migration - Ottawa East
Meet at Petrie Island Causeway, north of intersection Hwy. 17 and Trim Rd (Orleans)
Spring continues to unfold with many birds rushing to the breeding grounds eager to establish territories and find mates. The ongoing sojourn of migrating birds still flows through our parklands while others like Red-winged Blackbirds and American Robins have already begun their nest activities. In terms of diversity, more birds are observed in our area during May than at any other time of year. We hope to capitalize on this phenomenon ending the morning with an extensive list of species. Warblers, waterfowl, shorebirds, hawks... the list is long and varied. With so much around, we have great potential to discover something rare or unusual.
16 - Sunday May 8, 7:30am: The Intensity of Spring Migration - Ottawa West
Meet at Andrew Haydon East Parking Lot, off Carling Ave., West of Bayshore, East of Acres Road
The beginning of May always brings the insect-eating birds. New ones like Scarlet Tanagers, warblers, thrushes and flycatchers will be arriving on a daily basis. Some of the Greenbelt trails and river riparian habitats will be very productive. Ottawa has much green space, so our options are many. However, some of the best spots lay close to the Ottawa River, in Ottawa’s west end. We’ll check them out expecting a great variety of birds and other wildlife. Hang on to your hats - bird will be plenty today.
17 - Monday, May 9, 7:30am: Migrants and Nesting Birds - Ottawa West
Meet at Andrew Haydon East Parking Lot, off Carling Ave., West of Bayshore, East of Acres Road
During spring migration, we can expect great diversity in the woodlands and wetlands surrounding Ottawa. Many warblers, and flycatchers will be arriving while some local birds will already be tending to families or actively involved in courtship. It’s a wonderful time of year with lots of song and colour. Expect to see many wonderful songbirds, the males decked in bright breeding plumage. We hope to see Baltimore Oriole, Scarlet Tanager, Rose-breasted Grosbeak and several species of thrush and warbler.
18 - Wednesday May 11, 7:30am: Peak Spring Migration - Ottawa East
Meet at Petrie Island Causeway, north of intersection Hwy. 17 and Trim Rd (Orleans)
We start by checking Petrie Island for waterbirds, nesting warblers, Baltimore Oriole and others. Resident birds mingle with migrants continuing their journey north. In the wetlands, herons, ducks, grebes and others display for their mates. All around us, the sights and sounds of spring become testimony to the season’s rejuvenation. We’ll see numbers of migrating songbirds like White-throated Sparrows, Dark-eyed Juncos, Blackburnian Warbler, Nashville Warbler and others. If conditions are good,, we may see as many as 20 species of warblers. New arrivals to watch for include Black Tern, American Redstart, Warbling Vireo, Eastern Kingbird and Marsh Wren. If time permits, we’ll check out the nearby farm fields for raptors and other birds.
19 - Tuesday, May 24, 7:30am: Shirleyís Bay & Late Spring Birds - Ottawa West
Meet at Andrew Haydon East Parking Lot, off Carling Ave., West of Bayshore, East of Acres Road
The trails around Shirley’s Bay provide cover for a great variety of scrubland, and woodland species. Many will be claiming territory, while a few will still be in transit to nesting grounds further north. In the waters of the Ottawa River, we may see the last of the seasonís northern migrants, including some arctic nesters such as shorebirds, loons, waterfowl, perhaps Brant or even Arctic Tern. This area has the potential of being Ottawaís best birding hotspots in late Spring, especially when water levels are low, and visibility is good.
20 - Saturday Jun 4, 7:30am: Britannia Conservation Area - Late Spring Migrants
Meet at Cassels Road, outside the gate to the Britannia Filtration Plant
While many birds actively raise families, Early June in Ottawa still has a few late spring migrants passing through. At this time, places like Britannia Conservation Area sometimes supply refuge to transients like Brant, Arctic Tern, Little Gull, Blackpoll Warbler or Red-throated Loon. Although we focus on migration, the frantic nesting of resident birds will be much in evidence - Britannia being one of the most diverse natural areas in Ottawa’s urban jungle, especially during migratory periods.
21 - Sunday Jun 5, 7:30am: Sparrows and Open Country - Ottawa South/East
Meet at Tim Hortons on Hunt Club Road., just east of Riverside Drive. (in front of the Days Inn - across from the Ottawa Hunt & Golf Club)
The grassy fields south of Ottawa are home to a good collection of New World Sparrows. These shy little brown birds are relatively easy to find in the summer since they sing from the tops of short perches. Weíll explore the open habitats around Ottawa International Airport for uncommon birds like Grasshopper Sparrow, Clay-coloured Sparrow, Vesper Sparrow and others. Also present will be Eastern Bluebird, Brown Thrasher and, with luck, Black-billed Cuckoo. If time permits, we will venture to the Mer Bleue boardwalk for wetland sparrows like Lincoln’s and Swamp Sparrows. We may even see Sandhill Cranes fly overhead.
22 - Tuesday Jun 7, 7:30am: Mer Bleue - Rare Nesters of Eastern Ontario
Meet at parking lot of the Dewberry Trail, along the Dolman Ridge Road
We’ll hike the trails around the Mer Bleue looking for wetland species, and open country birds. We can expect the marshes to ring with the tunes of male songbirds and furtive wetland creatures. The unique bog habitat of this special area will have many birds actively on territory, including Lincoln’s Sparrow and possibly Eastern (Yellow) Palm Warbler. We hope to observe a flight of Sandhill Cranes, another rare nester in Ottawa’s east end. The nearby marshes and woodlands will also be worthy of our attention.
23 - Thursday Jun 9, 7:30am: Wildlife Photography - Jack Pine Trail
Meet at Jack Pine Trail parking lot off Moodie Drive, south of Hunt Club Road
Today’s focus will be on capturing photos of birds and other wildlife. Celebrating the intensity of the season, we’ll take advantage of birds being distracted while defending territory, attracting mates or tending to young. Some will be in bright breeding colours, and energetically singing. There might even be a few mammals, amphibians, reptiles and insects posing for us. If conditions are favourable, the Jack Pine Trail will provide many excellent photographic opportunities. Throughout the morning, Tony and Nina will point out photo opportunities, discuss their various techniques, and make themselves available to answer all questions.
Full Day Excursion
1 - Thursday May 26, 6:00am: Chaffeys Locks - Cerulean Warbler And Other Southern Birds
Meet at the Coliseum Theatre Parking Lot, east side, 3090 Carling Ave., east of Bayshore.
The Chaffey’s Locks area is the best spot near Ottawa to check for Carolinian species. Cerulean Warbler, Yellow-throated Vireo and Scarlet Tanager are relatively common nesters. Other species we’ll look for include Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Louisiana Waterthrush, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher and Red-shouldered Hawk. The forests and scrublands are extremely rich with avifauna. The day can be very productive and immensely entertaining. Since morning is the best time to catch these birds, we need to start early, and enjoy the full day out in the wilds.
Overnight Excursion
1 - Saturday/Sunday May 21 & 22: Overnight to Prince Edward County and Presqu'ile Provincial Park - start @ 6:00am, May 21.
Meet at the Coliseum Theatre Parking Lot, east side, 3090 Carling Ave., east of Bayshore.
We head slowly down Hwy. 416 to Hwy. 401, then through Marysville on Hwy. 2 which takes us south into Prince Edward County. We wind our way through the back roads, eventually reaching Prince Edward Point and Sand Banks Provincial Park. We’ll check the area for a variety of migrant land birds and waterbirds. Warblers should be passing through in good numbers while ducks, gulls and terns frequent Lake Ontario waters. Well before the sun sets, we get to Brighton, near Presqu’ile Park, checking into our hotel around dinner time. Early next morning, after breakfast, (about 7:00am), we go into Presqu’ile Park. We’ll explore the shores around the beach and at Owen Point. several waterfowl, gulls and shorebirds should be present. But, we’ll also check the woodlands and marshes for interesting songbirds. Wetland species we’ll look for include Least Bittern and Black Tern. The woodlands should have several spring migrants in the form of warblers and flycatchers. We will spend the entire day in the park, leaving only for lunch. Reluctantly, we head back home around 5:30pm, getting back home around 8:30 - 9:00.