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Central Canada

Manitoba

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Ontario

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Quebec

Manitoba

Manitoba Species

  • Manitoba is a fantastic place for birding, with a varied landscape including prairies, wetlands, and boreal forests. Manitoba might be most well known for the bucket-list opportunity to catch unique Arctic bird species in Churchill (along with Polar Bears!)

  • More than 400 species of birds can be found in Manitoba.
    o    eBird list here 
    o    printable list here
    o    Checklist of the Birds of Manitoba (pdf from Nature Manitoba)

  • The Great Gray Owl is the provincial bird.

 

Clubs and Organizations 

  • Nature Manitoba maintains a basic list of nature clubs in Manitoba, where you can find (and join) an organization where you live or are visiting.

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​Hotspots

  • Provincial eBird hotspot list

  • Unfortunately, I couldn’t find a lot of good resources that summarize hotspots in Manitoba, but the Manitoba Important Bird Areas Programs is a good starting point.

  • I would be remiss to not include Churchill here, as it would be considered one of the top tourist destinations in Manitoba, not just for the Polar Bears, but for the huge number of migratory birds that pass through.

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​Events & Festivals 

  • While I think there have been festivals in the past (Raptor Fest, Delta Marsh), I don’t see any festivals scheduled for 2025- please do shoot me an email if you have any intel!!

  • Various dates: Nature Manitoba offers guided walks, their website is updated regularly.

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Guided Tours

Manitoba

Ontario

Ontario Species

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Clubs and Organizations 

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​Hotspots

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Events & Festivals 

  • February 14-17, 2025: Birds on the Niagara International Bird Festival celebrates winter birding with both indoor and outdoor programming on both sides of the border. The focus is on birds and the conservation needs and progress in the International Niagara River Corridor. Based out of Niagara Falls State Park but has events on the Canadian side as well.

  • May 1-20, 2025: Point Pelee Festival of Birds is one of the biggest birding events in Canada (more details to come), base out of Point Pelee National Park.

  • May 9-11, 2025: Prince Edward Point Bird Observatory 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!

  • May 23-26 & May 29-June 1, 2025: Huron Fringe Birding Festival spans over 2 4-day weekends and offers over 90 events led by top local, provincial, and global tour leaders. Based out of MacGregor Point Provincial Park. 

  • May 24, 2025: Colonel Samuel Smith Bird Festival is an opportunity to learn more about Toronto’s diverse population of birds during their peak spring migration. The fun, family-oriented day offers many guided bird tours, live bird and reptile exhibits, fun workshops and crafts, and a variety of educational displays. Based out of Colonel Samuel Smith Park in Toronto.

  • Various Dates: The Ontario Field Ornithologists offers regular birding walks and webinars.

  • Various Dates: The Toronto Ornithological Club offers regular birding walks to members, with occasional events open to the public.

  • Various Dates: The Ontario Field Ornithologists offer regular field trips and birding walks, including multi-day trips during the Pelee spring migration. 

 

Guided Tours

  • Meadowlark Tours: offers a 5-day guided tour to Point Pelee. This tour is unique (and could be more budget conscious) as you are responsible for your own accommodations. Tour starts and ends in Leamington.

  • Eagle-Eye Tours: offers a handful of tours in Ontario, including some in conjunction with Birds Canada. 

  • Eastern Ontario Birding: a freelance birding company specializing in day tours of Eastern and Southwestern Ontario. Is available for private touring.

  • Pelee Birding: a freelance birding company offering both private and group tours in the Point Pelee area.

  • Field guides: offers 2026 & 2027 Point Pelee migration tours.

  • Avocet Tours: offers a 6-day tour to Point Pelee, return from Toronto International Airport.

  • GyrKite Tours: offers both day and multi-day tours. They are also available for private touring.

  • Worldwide Quest: offers small group tours to the “other” Pelee, Pelee Island, a well as to Prince Edward County.

  • Christopher Dodds Photography: offers a small group photography workshops during the Pelee spring migration

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Ontario

Quebec

Quebec Species

  • Quebec is the largest province and one of the most geographically diverse in Canada. Bordered by Artic tundra in the north, and surrounded by water, there are numerous habitats to support a varied bird population. 

  • More than 480 species of birds can be found in Quebec.

  • The Snowy Owl is the provincial bird.

 

Clubs and Organizations 

  • Quebec Oiseaux and Les Oiseaux du Quebec both maintain lists of birding clubs in Quebec (in French), where you can find (and join) an organization where you live or are visiting.

 

​Hotspots

 

Events & Festivals 

  • May 11-12, 2025? (date not confirmed yet): Festival de la Bernache celebrates the spring arrival of some 10,000 geese, white geese, ducks and herons in the fertile wetlands of Saint-Fulgence.

  • September 15- 21, 2025: The Côte-Nord Migratory Bird Festival includes guided field trips, lectures, international keynote speakers, birdwatching activities, arts and crafts, documentaries, as well as pelagic trips in one incredibly scenic location. Based out of the Tadoussac Bird Observatory.

  • October 2025? (date not released yet): Festival de l'oie Blanche de Montmagny invites you to hop on the welcome wagon when these feathered friends come to call. Social, cultural, family and sports activities, including bird watching and goose-sampling sessions.

  • October 2025? (date not released yet): Migratory Bird Festival at Étang Burbank has conferences, exhibitors under a huge tent, documentaries, competitions, guided tours and many other activities.

  • Various Dates: McGill Students Birding Club hosts many birding walks in Montreal, as well as lectures and other educational offerings.

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Guided Tours

Quebec

Contact me

Please share any birding resources with me!

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