- Poor weather conditions often produce the most interesting birds & wildlife. Therefore, trips will proceed rain or shine. Listen to weather forecasts and dress accordingly. Only the most severe weather conditions will postpone trips.
- Note that customers of Always an Adventure Inc. are responsible for making their own arrangements for accommodation, transportation and payments for such arrangements is at their own expense.
- Transportation will be by personal vehicle (make sure the gas tank is full). Some carpooling might be possible. Contact us if you need a ride
- Some hiking should be expected in areas with active trail networks. Comfortable footwear is recommended.
- Participants should bring their own binoculars and refreshments. Please let us know if you need binoculars. High-quality VORTEX optics can be loaned.
- All transportation cost, ferry cost, park fees, food, accommodation and refreshments are not included in the price.
- During times of hot weather, insect repellent and water comes in handy.
- The trip itinerary is subject to change depending on weather patterns, current local bird activity, scouting results or any unforeseen factors.
- Please register by email
- Payment is by e-Transfer and should be paid within 48hrs of the outing/session. Also accepted are PayPal, cheques & cash. Contact us for more info.
- Always An Adventure Inc. expects all participants to follow local Covid guidelines to all times
- Always An Adventure Inc. is not to be held liable for any unforeseen circumstances that might arise during outings.
- All participants of Always An Adventure Inc. must sign a Release of Liability Form.
- Always An Adventure Inc. is using eBird and participants will receive the day-list per e:mail at the end of the excursion.
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Birding Program
2024 BIRDWATCHING EXCURSIONS
Relaxed, Fun, Exciting & Educational Excursions in the Greater Ottawa Area ~ From Beginner to Expert – Great For All Levels
We offer anything from an hour to full days and overnights. Normal half-day birding: $75.00 – Extended morning: $95.00 – Full day birding: $135.00 HST included.
A morning outing normally lasts between 4-6 hours, extended morning 7-9 hrs and a full day birding is 9-12+ hrs depending on bird activity.
Want a private outing? Contact us with your wishes and targets and we will create a customised outing for you.
April Birding Program
1. Thursday, April 4: Open Country & Wetlands Northwest of Ottawa
2. Saturday, April 6: Early Spring Arrivals – Ottawa West
3. Sunday, April 7: Early Spring Arrivals - Ottawa East
4. Thursday, April 11: Petrie Island & Migratory Staging Areas - Ottawa East
5. Saturday, April 13: Scrubland & Wetland Birds - Ottawa West
6. Tuesday, April 16: The Greenbelt Trails - Ottawa West
7. American Woodcock, Owls and Nocturnal Birding (Late Evening Excursion)
8. Thursday, April 18: Forest Edge, Wetland Birds & Early Spring Migrants - Ottawa East
9. Saturday, April 20: Open Country & Lagoons - Ottawa East - EXTENDED DAY
10. Sunday, April 21: Plaisance Wildlife Reserve – Gatineau East
11. Wednesday, April 24: Sparrows, Kinglets & Early Warblers – Ottawa West
12. Saturday, April 27: Wetlands, Fields & Forest Edges – Ottawa Southwest
13. Sunday, April 28: Petrie Island Wetland, Larose Forest, & Nearby Open Country - Ottawa East
14. Friday-Monday, May 10-13: SPRING Birding Weekend to Prince Edward Point & Presqu’ile Provincial Park.
17. Stay tuned for more outings to be added...
16. TBA
17. TBA
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Thursday April 4: Open Country & Wetlands Northwest of Ottawa
NOTE Time: 7:30 am to noon – Meet at Coliseum Theatre (Cineplex Cinema) – 3090 Carling Ave: https://maps.app.goo.gl/mGrETi6d4YYk2P2W9 – $75.00 per person HST incl.
The first signs of spring are in the air. Warmer temperatures should inspire many birds to fly north to their breeding grounds. We’ll visit habitats around Dunrobin, Fitzroy and Antrim looking mainly for waterfowl, raptors and songbirds. Blackbirds, robins, sparrows and Eastern Bluebirds will be singing as they establish territories. Meanwhile, other birds will be on the move. Wetlands should produce Great Blue Heron and various ducks. There might even be a few winter birds lingering around like Bohemian Waxwing. Other birds we’ll likely see include various woodpeckers and raptors. If we’re really lucky, we’ll locate a few unusual species like Trumpeter Swan or Red-shouldered Hawk. Registration is to [email protected]
Saturday April 6: Early Spring Arrivals – Ottawa West
NOTE Time: 7:30 am to noon – Meet at Coliseum Theatre (Cineplex Cinema) – 3090 Carling Ave: https://maps.app.goo.gl/mGrETi6d4YYk2P2W9 – $75.00 per person HST incl.
The first signs of spring are in the air. Warmer temperatures and melting snow will inspire many birds to move north to their breeding grounds. Various blackbirds will be displaying as they establish territories in local habitats. American Robins and Song Sparrows will be singing their sweet spring melodies. Ring-billed Gulls in their immaculate breeding plumage should be everywhere we go today. Although birds will be on the move, there might still be a few winter birds lingering around like Bohemian Waxwing. Other birds we’ll likely see include various woodpeckers, songbirds and raptors. If we have lots of open water, we’ll look for loons, grebes and waterfowl. If we’re really lucky, we’ll locate a few unusual species. Registration is to [email protected]
Sunday April 7: Early Spring Arrivals – Ottawa East
NOTE Time: 7:30 am to 12:30 pm – Meet at Petrie Island Causeway, beside Ozile’s Marina – Map: https://goo.gl/maps/ewFSCV91WabU6EZ88 – $75.00 per person HST incl.
Spring is in full swing with many birds already on their breeding grounds establishing territories and looking for mates. Song Sparrows, Red-winged Blackbirds and American Robins will be emphatically singing. On the river, we should see migrating waterfowl and gulls, many sporting bright breeding plumages. From here, we will drive along backroads through agricultural areas looking for raptors, waterfowl and open-country birds. We expect both breeders and migrants including birds like Rough-legged Hawk, Northern Harrier, Bald Eagle, Snow Goose, Eastern Meadowlark and Eastern Bluebird. As always, we’ll search through the flocks looking for unusual species like Greater White-fronted Goose, Ross’s Goose, Golden Eagle, Short-eared Owl, and perhaps a Northern Goshawk. Registration is to [email protected]
Thursday April 11: Petrie Island & Migratory Staging Areas – Ottawa East
NOTE Time: 7:30 am to 12:30 pm – Meet at Petrie Island Causeway, beside Ozile’s Marina – Map: https://goo.gl/maps/ewFSCV91WabU6EZ88 – $75.00 per person HST incl.
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, raptors, herons, Belted Kingfisher, woodpeckers, and songbirds. Many migrants will be arriving into local woodlands including Dark-eyed Juncos, Swamp, Song, Chipping and White-throated Sparrows. Some might be moving through in good numbers. We’ll check them all for unusual species like Lincoln’s or Fox Sparrows. Afterwards, we’ll continue south where there’s no shortage of birds to study. We’ll watch for species like Rusty Blackbirds, Blue-winged Teal, Northern Pintail, Ring-necked Duck and a host of geese and Sandhill Cranes. Perhaps we’ll even locate something usual like a Tundra Swan, Barnacle Goose, Greater White-fronted Goose or Ross’s Goose. Registration is to [email protected]
Saturday April 13: Scrubland & Wetland Birds – Ottawa West
NOTE Time: 7:30 am to noon – Meet at Coliseum Theatre (Cineplex Cinema) – 3090 Carling Ave: https://maps.app.goo.gl/mGrETi6d4YYk2P2W9 – $75.00 per person HST incl.
Open habitats and forest edges west of the city can provide excellent opportunities to observe some of Canada’s 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, Pied-billed Grebe, American Bittern, Wilson’s Snipe, Common Gallinule, Sora and Virginia Rail. If we’re lucky, we might find a bonded pair of Trumpeter Swans. Nearby open fields might produce Eastern Meadowlark, House Wren, Brown Thrasher or Gray Catbird. Overhead, we’ll watch for raptors like Osprey, Bald Eagle or Red-shouldered Hawk. Registration is to [email protected]
Tuesday Apr 16: The Greenbelt Trails – Ottawa West
Time: 7:30 am to noon – meet at Jack Pine Trail Parking Lot, Moodie Drive. (South of Hunt Club Road) https://goo.gl/maps/FEt5bbMx3LvFUYvy9 – $75.00 per person HST incl.
Today we marvel at the wonders of spring’s rejuvenating forces. We start at the Jack Pine Trail off Moodie Drive (recently upgraded by NCC). We will likely observe a flurry of activity as animals and blooms awaken from winter’s extremes. While they welcome the season’s warmth, some birds will be actively establishing breeding territories. Meanwhile, we might get lucky and find some lingering over-wintering species like Pine Siskin, Purple Finch, or American Tree Sparrow. Throughout the trail system, we should see a variety of sparrows, blackbirds, and woodpeckers. Hopefully, we’ll encounter some raptors like Broad-winged Hawk or Barred Owl. The wetlands might have some early rails like Virginia or Sora. Mammals should also be active; some having spent the winter in hibernation. If time permits, we’ll check the nearby fields and creeks around the village of Richmond. In our travels, we might encounter Eastern Bluebird, Eastern Meadowlark, or various waterfowl. Registration is to [email protected]
Date TBA: American Woodcock, Owls & Nocturnal Birding (Late Evening Excursion)
Time: 7 PM to 11 pm – Pre-register to get your name on the roster – Meet at Hwy 416/Bankfield Park-n-Ride – https://goo.gl/maps/cQYmQfFLVWdfyUwm8 – $75.00 per person HST incl.
Early April is the most consistent time to hear nocturnal wildlife. Owls like Saw-whet, Eastern Screech, Barred, Great Horned and Long-eared should be on territory throughout our region. We’ll drive around local backroads west of Ottawa, periodically stopping to listen for them. When we hear them, we might try to coax them into view. Other wildlife we hope to hear/see include American Woodcock, Wilson’s Snipe, Ruffed Grouse, Coyote and various migrating birds. To improve our chances of hearing (and possibly seeing) the owls, we need to go out when conditions are calm. Since we can’t predict when we’ll have ideal conditions, we need to monitor weather forecasts and choose a time 24 hours before the outing. We’ll then contact interested parties to confirm their participation. Please let us know if you’re interested. Registration is to [email protected]
Thursday Apr 18: Forest Edge, Wetland Birds and Early Spring Migrants – Ottawa East
Time: 7:30 am to noon – Meet at Petrie Island Causeway, beside Ozile’s Marina – Map: https://goo.gl/maps/ewFSCV91WabU6EZ88 – $75.00 per person HST incl.
Open habitats and forest edges east of the city should be teeming with wildlife activity. We will start by checking the marshes along the Petrie Island Causeway. Many birds should be arriving on migration while some will already be trying to establish territory. Our efforts might produce Swamp Sparrow, Marsh Wren, American Bittern, Wilson’s Snipe, Northern Harrier, and Virginia Rail. In nearby arid scrubland, we might find species like Brown Thrasher, Eastern Meadowlark or Vesper Sparrow. With luck, we might find some early warblers like Myrtle Warbler, Pine Warbler, or Common Yellowthroat. If conditions warrant, we’ll use a variety of techniques to entice them into view. Registration is to [email protected]
Saturday Apr 20: Open Country & Lagoons – Ottawa East – EXTENDED DAY
Time: 7:30 am to 3-ish pm – Meet at Petrie Island Causeway, beside Ozile’s Marina – Map: https://goo.gl/maps/ewFSCV91WabU6EZ88 – $95.00 per person HST incl.
This spring, many birds are migrating well east of Ottawa. The open habitats here are attracting good numbers of Snow Geese and other waterfowl. Every spring, we find a few unusual species among the abundant Canadas and Snow Geese. We’ll study the flocks for things like Cackling Goose, Ross’s Goose, Greater White-fronted Goose, or Tundra Swan. With extreme luck, we might encounter something more unusual like a Pink-footed Goose or Barnacle Goose. The open fields and lagoons can be extremely productive out here. Many ducks, grebes, and shorebirds appear to be attracted to the prairie-like conditions of these habitats. Besides waterfowl, we should find Sandhill Cranes, various raptors, and several species of songbirds. On this extended day, in order to see as much diversity as possible, we cover a large area ending all the way out by the village of Alfred. Registration is to [email protected]
Sunday Apr 21: Plaisance Wildlife Reserve – Gatineau East
Time: 7:30 am to 12:30 pm – Meet at The Information Kiosk (Gatineau Park Welcome Area), Promenade de la Gatineau (Gatineau Parkway), North of Tache Blvd.https://goo.gl/maps/Mwx238Wx8CS8jz7P6 – $75.00 per person HST incl.
Today we head northeast into Quebec along Hwy. 50 and Hwy. 148. We’ll explore various open areas along the Ottawa River ending at the Plaisance Wildlife Reserve. This part of the river, at the northeastern fringe of the St. Lawrence Lowlands, provides a significant staging area for migratory birds as they wait for their northern breeding grounds to thaw. With easy access to wetlands and river edges, this area has the potential to be one of the region’s best spring birding location. We hope to see a good diversity of waterfowl, waders, songbirds and others. Bald Eagles and other raptors should also be present. We might even see an American Bittern vocalizing and Wilson’s Snipe in aerial display. Flocks of waterfowl will be checked thoroughly for unusual species like Tundra Swan, White-fronted Goose, Ross’s Goose, Eurasian Widgeon or maybe something even more exotic. Vehicle Fee required for Plaisance Park. Registration is to [email protected]
Wednesday Apr 24: Sparrows, Kinglets & Early Warblers – Ottawa West
Time: 7:30 am to noon – Meet at Coliseum Theatre (Cineplex Cinema) – 3090 Carling Ave: https://maps.app.goo.gl/mGrETi6d4YYk2P2W9 – $75.00 per person HST incl.
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 while the creatures that eat these insects have a banquet to enjoy. Meanwhile, frogs, toads, turtles, snakes and various mammals have an abundance of food at their disposal. It’s a glorious time for all. We will walk slowly along a couple of trails in Ottawa’s Greenbelt keeping our eyes and ears out for any sign of life. Many songbirds will be present including Purple Finch and Brown Creeper. Colourful gems like Pine Warbler or Myrtle Warbler might delight us with their presence. Ruby-crowned Kinglets, White-throated Sparrows, and maybe even a rusty Red Fox Sparrow will make appearances. Registration is to [email protected]
Saturday Apr 27: Wetlands, Fields & Forest Edges – Ottawa Southwest
Time: 7:30 am to noon-ish – Meet at Coliseum Theatre (Cineplex Cinema) – 3090 Carling Ave: https://maps.app.goo.gl/mGrETi6d4YYk2P2W9 – $75.00 per person HST incl.
Today, we’ll check farm fields and natural areas between Ottawa and Kemptville. By the end of April, habitats southwest of Ottawa have undergone several changes. Trees, shrubs and fallow fields begin to reveal summer-like green colours while farm fields still remain muddy and clear. The fields will still have migrating high-arctic nesters like geese and ducks. We’ll carefully check flocks for unusual species like Greater White-fronted Goose or Ross’s Goose. In thicker vegetation and along forest borders we’ll find nesting birds and late spring migrants. We’ll rely on both sight as well as sound to reveal local wildlife diversity. We should see Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Ruby-crowned Kinglet and Eastern Bluebird. In the wetlands, we hope to find Swamp Sparrow or Virginia Rail. If conditions are good, we hope to see Blue-headed Vireo, Rusty Blackbird, Eastern Meadowlark or an early movement of insect-eating birds like Common Yellowthroat or Rough-winged Swallow. At this dynamic time-of-year, there’s always a chance for surprises like a rare bird from far away. Registration is to [email protected]
Sunday Apr 28: Petrie Island Wetland, Larose Forest, & Nearby Open Country – Ottawa East
Time: 7:30 am to 12:30 pm – Meet at Petrie Island Causeway, beside Ozile’s Marina – Map: https://goo.gl/maps/ewFSCV91WabU6EZ88 – $75.00 per person HST incl.
The end of April marks a transition of the first wave of spring migrants to the second wave. While we still have waterfowl, sparrows, and blackbirds coming through, we should be seeing the first insect-eating species including Chimney Swift, Gray Catbird, various swallows and the first neotropical migrants. We’ll start by checking the Marshes at Petrie Island. We might see Blue-winged Teal, American Bittern, Common Gallinule, or Marsh Wren. From there. we’ll pass through some open country looking for the last of the migrating geese. Upon arriving at Larose Forest, we hope to find various sparrows, finches, and raptors, many on territory. Hopefully, we’ll hear and see some early warblers. If we’re lucky we might have Ruffed Grouse, Broad-winged Hawk or something more unusual. Registration is to [email protected]
Fri-Mon, May 10-13: SPRING Birding Weekend to Prince Edward Point & Presqu’ile Provincial Park – SOLD OUT!
This trip has been preannounced to our clients via our Facebook Club and is now SOLD OUT. Only Daytrips are available for $150.00 per day. Contact us for any questions or registration.
All communications regarding this trip will be directly through email with the participants.
Outings for May soon to come! Get ready for BIRDATHON outings!
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