- 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: $85.00 – Extended morning: $130.00-140.00 – Full day birding: $200.00 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.
November & December Birding Program
1. Saturday, Nov 16: Extended Day ~ Amherst Island & the Kingston Area
2. Wednesday, Nov 20: General Late Fall Migration in Ottawa’s West End
3. Sunday, Nov 24: Coniferous Woodland Trails – Ottawa West
4. Saturday Nov 30: Britannia Conservation Area – Late Fall Migration – Ottawa West
5. Thursday, Dec 19: Raptor Search - Ottawa West
.. Stay tuned for more December outings!
Saturday, November 16: Extended Day ~ Amherst Island & the Kingston Area
Time: 8:15 am to dusk – Meet at Millhaven Wharf in Bath, west of Kingston:https://maps.app.goo.gl/RFV4g3Kk79dXYWkw8 – https://maps.app.goo.gl/RFV4g3Kk79dXYWkw8 – $140.00 per person HST incl.
Most years Amherst Island is a haven for overwintering raptors. Northern Harriers, American Kestrels, Red-tailed and Rough-legged Hawks can be common, while Bald Eagle, Northern Shrike, Long-eared Owl, Short-eared Owl and Saw-whet Owl are usually present. It might be a little early. Regardless, in November, there’s still a chance to see the first Snowy Owls of the season. Various birds of prey are attracted to the abundant rodent and bird populations flourishing across vast open hunting grounds. The surrounding waters also attract good numbers of waterfowl like Long-tailed Duck, Redhead, and three species of swans. There are often other birds of interest including Ring-necked Pheasant, Lapland Longspur and Red-bellied Woodpecker. If time permits, we’ll stop in places near Kingston for interesting species. Past trips have included Eurasian Wigeon, Tufted Duck and Gyrfalcon. In case of bad weather, we will reschedule this excursion for Sunday, Nov 17. Registration is to [email protected]
Wednesday, Nov 20: General Late Fall Migration in Ottawa’s West End
Time: 8 am to noon – Meet at the Coliseum Theater Parking Lot, east side, 3090 Carling Ave., east of Bayshore – https://goo.gl/maps/xpSTaC22YFD1zdz4A – $85.00 per person HST incl.
As November unfolds, many birds will already have left our area for warmer temperatures. Local ponds, sheltered bays and narrow waterways begin to freeze. However, as long as there is some open water and exposed farm fields, birds will make use of them. Common Goldeneye, Canada Geese, mergansers and other hardy fowl all seem to prefer their water cold. Many northern gulls, like Glaucous or Iceland, also use the frigid shoreline to feed and rest. Occasionally, Snowy Owls, Peregrine Falcons, or even Gyrfalcons, patrol these areas hoping to find an easy meal. As always, we will study the birds closely looking for any cooperative wildlife like scoters, scaup, goldeneye, grebes, Red-throated Loon or even Purple Sandpiper. If woodlands are productive, we might make a short visit to a nearby trail. November often produces some surprises. Registration is to [email protected]
Sunday, Nov 24: Coniferous Woodland Trails – Ottawa West
Time: 8 am to noon – Meet at the Coliseum Theater Parking Lot, east side, 3090 Carling Ave., east of Bayshore – https://goo.gl/maps/xpSTaC22YFD1zdz4A – $85.00 per person HST incl.
Today we’ll start by checking the Ottawa River for passing migrants. Then, we’ll visit a coniferous woodland trail in Ottawa’s west end. Besides the ever-present Black-capped Chickadees and nuthatches, we may see a Ruffed Grouse cross the trail. This is also a good time to start searching for the first over-wintering migrants seeking shelter and food in our local forests. White-winged Crossbills, Pine Siskins, Evening Grosbeaks, or even something more unusual could be present. Some years we get Boreal Owl, Black-backed Woodpecker or Three-toed Woodpecker. Whatever is present, we’ll use various visual and auditory clues to find these elusive creatures. Registration is to [email protected]
Saturday Nov 30: Britannia Conservation Area – Late Fall Migration – Ottawa West
Time: 8 am to noon – Meet along Cassels Street, beside Mud Lake, outside the gate of the filtration plant: https://goo.gl/maps/5EE2AWi3nAwafFpS8 – $85.00 per person HST incl.
Part of the Lac Deschênes Important Bird Area (IBA), Britannia is noted for its diversity of habitats and attractiveness to migrating birds. This is especially remarkable because of its proximity to the city – like an oasis in an urban desert. November tends to reveal various songbirds migrating through this productive staging area, sometimes including a few very late warblers. Hiking along the trails will likely produce some migrating sparrows and kinglets. Mud Lake often attracts a variety of tame waterfowl, including some drakes dressed in brilliant breeding plumage. The river, with its rapids and deeper areas, might produce some uncommon species among the more common waterfowl and gulls. Registration is to [email protected]
Thursday, Dec 19: Raptor Search – Ottawa West
Time: 8 am to noon – Meet at the Coliseum Theater Parking Lot, east side, 3090 Carling Ave., east of Bayshore – https://goo.gl/maps/xpSTaC22YFD1zdz4A – $85.00 per person HST incl.
In winter, habitats west of Ottawa provide good hunting grounds for various raptors. While a few birds might just have arrived for the season, others have established predictable winter routines. We’ll check several local habitats including open country, forest edges and the trail road landfill site. Red-tailed Hawks and Bald Eagles should be present. However, anything could appear including Rough-legged Hawk, Golden Eagle, Short-eared Owl or even Gyrfalcon. We’ll also pay attention to reports from local birding networks. While our main targets today will be raptors, we’ll get excited with any of our northern specialties. Registration is to [email protected]
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