- 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
2026 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: $170.00 – Full day birding: $220.00 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.
March & April Birdwatching Excursions
1. Sunday, Mar. 15: Early Spring Arrivals - Ottawa West
2. Saturday, Mar. 21: Raptor Search – Ottawa West
3. Sunday, Mar. 29: The First Spring Arrivals - Ottawa West
4. Saturday, Apr. 4: The Urgency of Spring - Britannia Conservation Area
5. Sunday, Apr. 12: Open Country & Wetlands Northwest of Ottawa
Sunday, Mar. 15: Early Spring Arrivals – Ottawa West
Time: 8:00 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.
By early March, the first birds of spring should be present somewhere in the Ottawa area. A few male Red-winged Blackbirds will almost certainly be on territory typically singing near frozen cattails. Small numbers of Ring-billed Gulls should be here, a few of them highly vocal and paired off with mates. Along the Ottawa River, we hope to see the ice breaking up. Gulls and waterfowl frequently congregate along the ice edge as they wait for spring to arrive. We often see Iceland Gull, Glaucous Gull, Hooded Merganser, Wood Duck, Northern Pintail, Lesser Scaup, Bufflehead, Ring-necked Duck, Greater Scaup, American Wigeon or Long-tailed Duck. Although we’ve had some over-wintering American Robins, there might be some arriving and staking claim to territories with their familiar melodic phrases. The same is true for Song Sparrow. Even if migration is slow, we might encounter lingering winter birds like Bohemian Waxwings or Pine Grosbeak. Registration is to TonysAlwaysAnAdventure@Gmail.com
Saturday, Mar. 21: Raptor Search – Ottawa West
Time: 8:00 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 focus our attention on observing birds of prey west of the city. As winter progresses, some raptors form predictable routines while others wander around in search of productive feeding grounds. We’ll drive down backroads through the vast open farm fields west of the city – one of the most consistent places to see over-wintering raptors. We’ll also pay attention to reports from local birding networks. If convenient, we’ll follow up on any reports of unusual sightings. Some of our targets today include Snowy Owl, Rough-legged Hawk, Peregrine Falcon, Merlin, American Kestrel, Northern Shrike, and Barred Owl. With luck, we might encounter birds like American Goshawk, Gray Partridge, Lapland Longspur, northern finches or something off course. Registration is to TonysAlwaysAnAdventure@Gmail.com
Sunday, Mar. 29: The First Spring Arrivals – Ottawa West
Time: 8:00 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.
With hints of Spring in the air, many birds rush to the breeding grounds eager to establish territories and find mates. The first Ring-billed Gulls, Red-winged Blackbirds, and American Robins have already arrived. Various waterfowl will be migrating overhead or present where there’s open water. Song Sparrow, Common Grackle, Brown-headed Cowbird, and possibly other early migrant birds may also be present. With Spring’s rejuvenation all around us, we should still search for the remaining over-wintering birds like Common Goldeneye, Pine Grosbeak and Bohemian Waxwing. On the river, we should see newly arrived ducks and gulls, many sporting their brilliant breeding plumage. If time permits, we will explore agricultural areas for raptors and other open-country birds like Horned Lark, Snow Bunting, or Lapland Longspur. Registration is to TonysAlwaysAnAdventure@Gmail.com
Saturday, Apr. 4: The Urgency of Spring – Britannia Conservation Area
Time: 8:00 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.
Regardless of the day’s weather, the signs of Spring will surround us. The first new arrivals will be on territory, singing throughout the conservation area. The persistent “conkaree” of male Red-winged Blackbirds resonate from the riparian scrub. Ring-billed Gulls, typically bonded pairs in courtship, while showing their immaculate breeding plumage. Common Raven pairs, probably already on a nest, will perform aerial courtship displays. Woodpeckers should be actively drumming to claim their territory. Newly arrived waterfowl like Northern Pintail, American Wigeon, Wood Duck, and Hooded Merganser will likely be patrolling the nearby open waters. All around us, the frantic urgency of the breeding season should be in evidence. This is an exciting time, and we’ll look for any clues revealing the changing season. If time permits, we’ll check nearby areas for raptors. Registration is to TonysAlwaysAnAdventure@Gmail.com
Sunday, Apr. 12: Open Country & Wetlands Northwest of Ottawa
Time: 8:00 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.
Spring is 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 perhaps even Eastern Bluebirds, will be singing as they establish nesting territories. Meanwhile, other birds will be on the move. Wetlands should produce the first long-legged waders like Great Blue Heron, and various waterfowl. Trumpeter Swans might be present. 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 Greater White-fronted Goose, Red-shouldered Hawk Golden Eagle, American Goshawk, or a vagrant from far away. Registration is to TonysAlwaysAnAdventure@Gmail.com
Private birding & photography outings available upon request
Contact us at TonysAlwaysAnAdventure@gmail.com
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