BIRDING PROGRAM

2022 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. Normal half-day birding: $65.00 – Extended morning: $85.00 – Full day birding: $125.00 HST included
A morning birding outing normally lasts between 4-6 hours, extended morning 6-8hrs and a full day birding is 8-12+ 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.

May/June 2022:

SOLD OUT! May 13-16: Birds & Wine at Prince Edward County for Quest Nature Tours
May 18: The Intensity of Spring Migration – Ottawa East
SOLD OUT! FULL DAY Friday May 20: BIRDATHON at Chaffey’s Lock
SOLD OUT! FULL DAY Monday May 23: BIRDATHON at Chaffey’s Lock
May 25: Private tour! Registration unavailable
May 26: The Intensity of Spring Migration – Ottawa West
May 28: The Hills of Quebec – Eardley Escarpment
May 31: The Intensity of Spring Migration – Ottawa East
June 5: Sparrows & Open Country – Ottawa West
June 7: Mer Bleue – Rare Nesters of Eastern Ontario

May 18: The Intensity of Spring Migration – Ottawa East

Time: 7:30 am to noon-ish – meet at Petrie Island Causeway, beside Ozile’s Marina https://goo.gl/maps/ewFSCV91WabU6EZ88 – $65.00 per pers HST incl.

Spring continues to unfold with a flurry of different species rushing to the breeding grounds eager to find mates. The ongoing sojourn of migrating birds still flows through our parklands while earlier migrants, like Wood Duck, Tree Swallow, Red-winged Blackbirds and American Robins, have already established territories. In the wetlands, we should find shy birds like Marsh Wren, American Bittern, and possibly a rail or two. Local woodlands should also be very active with breeders and migrants including Warbling Vireo, Baltimore Oriole and Cape May Warbler. 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. Contact us for registration to TonysAlwaysAnAdventure@gmail.com

SOLD OUT! Friday May 20: Chaffeys Locks – Carolinian Species and Late Spring Migration – In conjunction with the Great Canadian Birdathon by Birds Canada

NOTE: LIMITED SPACE! Time: 6:00 am to 6-7 pm – meet at The Carp Park-n-Ride https://goo.gl/maps/JTHMpnqkS2m6GrZ26 – $85.00 + $40.00 ($125.00) per person HST incl.

This year’s BIRDATHON we’re supporting Prince Edward Point Bird Observatory in Ontario. Today, our guiding fee is $85.00 (HST included) to be eTransferred to us at TonysAlwaysAnAdventure@gmail.com. Also, please bring an additional $40 in cash as your donation to the Birdathon or if you prefer to donate online though our donation page – Always An Adventure Inc. Raising funds for BIRDS CANADA please feel free to do so. Please do NOT include the donation in your eTransfer when paying your fee. Please only bring a cash donation if you haven’t made a donation online though the donation page. Note that if you donate online, you will receive this year’s Birdathon T-shirt right away! Contact us for more info and registration at TonysAlwaysAnAdventure@gmail.com

The Chaffey’s Locks area is the best location near Ottawa to find Carolinian species. Birds like Yellow-throated Vireo, Indigo Bunting, Wood Thrush, Veery, and Scarlet Tanager are relatively common nesters. Among our target species, we hope to find Cerulean Warbler, Golden-winged Warbler, Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Barred Owl, Eastern Towhee, Red-bellied Woodpecker and Red-shouldered Hawk. More elusive species include Blue-winged Warbler, Louisiana Waterthrush and Blue-gray Gnatcatcher. If time permits, we’ll check open country for birds like Vesper Sparrow, Eastern Meadowlark and Upland Sandpiper. This full day can be very entertaining and productive for finding a great variety of wildlife. Since morning is the best time to locate many of these birds, it’s best that we start very early.

SOLD OUT! Monday May 23: Chaffeys Locks – Carolinian Species and Late Spring Migration – In conjunction with the Great Canadian Birdathon by Birds Canada

NOTE: LIMITED SPACE! Time: 6:00 am to 6-7 pm – meet at The Carp Park-n-Ride https://goo.gl/maps/JTHMpnqkS2m6GrZ26 – $85.00 + $40.00 ($125.00) per person HST incl.

May 26: The Intensity of Spring Migration – Ottawa West

Time: 7:30 am to noon-ish – Meet at Andrew Haydon Park West Parking Lot, off Carling Ave., and Acres Road – https://goo.gl/maps/vx4XAy6CcQ3Pqa9F9 – $65.00 per pers HST incl.

The month of May always brings the insect-eating birds up from tropical regions to their breeding grounds in the north. Birds like Scarlet Tanagers, Rose-breasted Grosbeaks, Baltimore Oriole, vireos, warblers, thrushes and flycatchers will be arriving on a daily basis. Some of the Greenbelt trails and local 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. Contact us for registration to TonysAlwaysAnAdventure@gmail.com

May 28: The Hills of Quebec – Eardley Escarpment

Time: 7:30 am to noon-ish – Meet at P3 Gatineau Park Information Kiosk, beside the Pioneer Trail – https://goo.gl/maps/d7BvHX2e9agfxWia8 – $65.00 per person HST incl.

Canadian Shield Habitats of Gatineau Park are excellent for a variety of wildlife. Most of the recent spring migrants will be emphatically singing on territory. Some may already be on nests. The dense vegetation will likely be filled with many species. But, locating them might be a challenge. We’ll follow the lower parts of the Gatineau Escarpment looking for any signs of wildlife. We’ll also explore parts of the park, including one or two short trails. The beautiful vistas along the backroads are an added bonus. We hope to see a variety of warblers, thrushes, raptors and perhaps a few mammals. Some of our targets include Wood Thrush, Canada Warbler, Mourning Warbler, Scarlet Tanager and others. With luck, we may encounter Sandhill Cranes, Bald Eagle or something more unusual. Contact us for more info and registration at TonysAlwaysAnAdventure@gmail.com

May 31: The Intensity of Spring Migration – Ottawa East

Time: 7:30 am to noon-ish – meet at Petrie Island Causeway, beside Ozile’s Marina https://goo.gl/maps/ewFSCV91WabU6EZ88 – $65.00 per pers HST incl.

We start by checking Petrie Island for various waterbirds, warblers, Baltimore Oriole and others. Resident birds mingle with migrants continuing their journey north. In the nearby wetlands, herons, ducks, grebes and others display for their mates. We hope to see and hear activity in the cattail marshes like Marsh Wren, Swamp Sparrow and various swallows. In local wooded habitats, we’ll search for migrating songbirds like Blackpoll Warbler, Yellow-bellied Flycatcher and others. If conditions are good, we may see as many as 20 species of warblers. New arrivals to watch for include Black Tern, Least Bittern and possibly something off course. If time permits, we’ll check out the nearby farm fields for raptors and other birds. Contact us for registration to TonysAlwaysAnAdventure@gmail.com

June 5: Sparrows & Open Country – Ottawa West

Time: 7:30 am to noon-ish – meet at the Carp Park-n-Ride – https://goo.gl/maps/JTHMpnqkS2m6GrZ26 – $65.00 per person HST incl.

The alvars, wetlands and grassy fields surrounding 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. We’ll explore these open habitats west of Ottawa for uncommon birds like Grasshopper Sparrow, Clay-coloured Sparrow, Field Sparrow, Swamp 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 nearby grasslands to look for Eastern Meadowlark, Bobolink and Upland Sandpiper. Contact us for more info and registration at TonysAlwaysAnAdventure@gmail.com

June 7: Mer Bleue – Rare Nesters of Eastern Ontario

Time: 7:30 am to noon-ish – Meet at parking lot of the Dewberry Trail, along the Dolman Ridge Road – https://goo.gl/maps/D4FHQZQWyb5sTTkEA – $65.00 per pers HST incl.

Today, we’ll walk 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 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. If conditions are good, we’ll see a variety of bog life including several plants, frogs and insects of this unique habitat. Contact us for registration to TonysAlwaysAnAdventure@gmail.com

Field Trip Guidelines & Useful Info:

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. 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 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. We can accept cash and cheques as well. Make cheque payable to “Always An Adventure Inc” and contact us for payment by PayPal.
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 from 1st Jan 2022 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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