BIRDING PROGRAM

SPRING & SUMMER FIELD TRIPS

Relaxed, Fun, Exciting & Educational Excursions in the Greater Ottawa Area ~ From Beginner to Expert – Great For All Levels

Single excursions:

$40.00 per person, per half day excursion (HST Included)
$75.00 per person, per FULL day excursion (HST Included)
$170.00 per person, per OVERNIGHT excursion (HST Included)

Tuesday Apr 16 – The First Spring Arrivals – Ottawa West
Friday Apr 19 – The First Spring Arrivals – Ottawa East
Friday Apr 26 – Mer Bleue and Open Country – Ottawa East
Sunday Apr 28 – Scrubland and Wetland Birds – Ottawa West
Tuesday Apr 30 – Petrie Island and Migratory Staging Areas – Ottawa East
Thursday May 2 – Waterfowl, Raptors and Spring Migration – Ottawa West
Saturday May 4 – The Second Wave of Spring Migration – Ottawa West
Thursday May 9 – The Gatineau Escarpment – Warblers and Others
Thursday May 23 – FULL DAY – Chaffey’s Locks – BIRDATHON!
Saturday May 25 – Sparrows & Open Country
Tuesday May 28 – Britannia Conservation Area – Late Spring Migrants
Saturday/Sunday June 1 & 2: OVERNIGHT to Algonquin Park
Tuesday Jun 4 – Scrubland & Wetland Birds – Ottawa West
Saturday Jun 8 – Alfred Bog & Eastern Lagoons
Thursday Jun 13 – Gatineau Park – The Champlain Lookout
Thursday Jun 20 – Morris Island, Forest & Wetlands
Saturday Jun 22 – Larose Forest and Eastern Lagoons
Thursday Jul 11 – Bill Mason Centre and Open Fields
Saturday Jul 13 – Alvars, Wetlands and Lagoons – Ottawa West
Sunday Jul 14 – Petrie Island and The First Signs of Fall Migration

Tuesday Apr 16 – The First Spring Arrivals – Ottawa West

Time: 7:30am, Meet at the Coliseum Theater Parking Lot, east side, 3090 Carling Ave., east of Bayshore – $40.00 per pers.

The first signs of spring are in the air. And, there is no better place than along Ottawa’s river courses to witness the rejuvenating transition. Male Red-winged Blackbirds will be belting out the familiar “Konka-ree” as they establish their territories in local marshes. American Robins might be inspired to sing a few phrases of their sweet spring melodies. For certain, we’ll see adult Ring-billed Gulls in their immaculate breeding plumage, paired off with their mates. Although birds will be on the move, there will still be plenty of winter birds around. We’ll attempt to get close views of finches, waxwings, woodpeckers, raptors, white-winged gulls and waterfowl.

Friday Apr 19 – The First Spring Arrivals – Ottawa East

Time 7:30am, Meet at The Park & Ride Lot, northeast corner, on Trim Road (Orleans), south of intersection with Hwy. 17 – $40.00 per pers

By mid April we can expect longer days and the beginnings of a spring thaw. These conditions typically cause flooding in low-lying fields east of Ottawa. It also triggers many waterfowl, gulls and other species to push northward. If conditions are ideal, we usually get a flurry of ducks, geese, blackbirds, and others arriving, sometimes in big numbers. Robins and Red-winged Blackbirds will already be establishing territories. And, the backroads through the open fields will have a sprinkling of Horned Larks picking at gravel to aid their digestion. We’ll explore agricultural areas for raptors, Snow Buntings, Lapland Longspur, or anything unusual. If conditions are warm, we might see a few early arrivals like Tree Swallow, Eastern Bluebird, Eastern Meadowlark, Eastern Phoebe or Sandhill Crane.

Friday Apr 26 – Mer Bleue & Open Country – Ottawa East

Time 7:30am, Meet at parking lot of the Dewberry Trail, along the Dolman Ridge Road – $40.00 per pers.

Today’s activities depend on the extent of spring thaw, and the amount of snow cover. We will explore some of the trails and roads around Mer Bleue looking for woodland, wetland, and open country birds. We can expect the marshes to ring with the tunes of Red-winged Blackbirds, Song Sparrows, and possibly some early wetland creatures. We then drive out to the fields between Carlsbad Springs and Navan, east of the Mer Bleue. If conditions are favourable, we’ll see many birds arriving from the south. Hopefully we’ll catch the first birds on territory, like Eastern Meadowlark, Killdeer and possibly Eastern Bluebird. We’ll observe several spring migrants as well, including possibly Snow Geese, Northern Pintail, Sandhill Crane, and with luck, Lapland Longspur or Short-eared Owl. This is a dynamic time of year, and any number of surprises can occur.

Sunday Apr 28 – Scrubland & Wetland Birds – Ottawa West

Time 7:30am, Meet at the Coliseum Theater Parking Lot (east side) – $40.00 per pers.

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, Marsh Wren, American Bittern, Wilson’s Snipe, Northern Harrier, Sora and Virginia Rail. With luck, we might find some early warblers like Common Yellowthroat. If conditions warrant, we’ll use a variety of techniques to entice them into view.

Tuesday Apr 30 – Petrie Island & Migratory Staging Areas

Time 7:30am, Meet at The Park & Ride Lot, northeast corner, on Trim Road (Orleans), south of intersection with Hwy. 17 – $40.00 per pers.

All around us, the sights and sounds of spring form a distinct contrast to winter’s silence. Petrie Island is flooded, so we can’t explore this area. Instead we’re going to check open country, forest edges and wetlands for a variety of migrants and the first spring breeders. We’ll watch for species like Snow Geese, Sandshill Cranes, various raptors, Rusty Blackbird, Blue-winged Teal, Vesper Sparrow, Upland Sandpiper and others. We expect a lot of birds today.

Thursday May 2 – Waterfowl, Raptors & Spring Migration – Ottawa West

Time 7:30am, Meet at Andrew Haydon East Parking Lot, off Carling Ave., West of Bayshore, East of Acres Road (Water Playground & Picnic Grounds) – $40.00 per pers.

As spring progresses, Ottawa’s west end becomes a haven for migratory birds, especially waterfowl, raptors and various songbirds. We’ll search for wildlife in open fields, wetlands and forest edges from our meeting spot and areas southwest of the city. We expect to find large flocks of ducks, geese and gulls. We expect a few raptors within proximity of these flocks, especially eagles. There’s a chance we’ll find Greater White-fronted Goose, Cackling Goose, Tundra Swan and various ducks. We also hope to observe grassland species like Eastern Meadowlark, Upland Sandpiper and Vesper Sparrow. We might even find a few shorebirds en-route to the high Arctic.

Saturday May 4 – The Second Wave of Spring Migration – Ottawa West

Time 7:30am, Meet at Andrew Haydon East Parking Lot, off Carling Ave., West of Bayshore, East of Acres Road (Water Playground & Picnic Grounds) – $40.00 per pers.

The beginning of May brings a new wave of migrants. We should start noticing the first warblers and flycatchers in with other songbirds. Some have travelled from the neotropics where they’ve spent the winter feeding on an abundance of insects, their preferred food. The forest, scrublands and fields will hide some of these shy creatures. However, male warblers, some adorned in brilliant colours, will betray their presence by emphatically chanting their courtship song. We’ll look and listen for these new arrivals, sifting through the common species hoping to find something unusual. Much excitement awaits us in the leafy habitats of Spring.

Thursday May 9 – The Gatineau Escarpment – Warblers & Others

Time 7:30am, Meet in the parking lot of the Information Kiosk, corner of Rue Gamelin and Promenade de la Gatineau – $40.00 per pers.

Today we visit forest edge habitats looking for a variety of wildlife. Our main focus will be colourful wood-warblers. Some will be migrating while others will already be on territory. The Gatineau Escarpment west of our city provides perfect habitat for many neotropical migrants like Blackburnian Warbler, Magnolia Warbler and Black-throated Blue Warbler. We’ll pay close attention for the characteristic songs of some of the more unusual species like Northern Parula, Cape May Warbler, Canada Warbler, Mourning Warbler or Cerulean Warbler. Other birds we’ll look for include Scarlet Tanager, Rose-breasted Grosbeak and Ruffed Grouse. With luck, we might find Yellow-throated Vireo or Black-billed Cuckoo.

Thursday May 23 – FULL DAY – Chaffey’s Locks -
BIRDATHON!

Time: 6am – Meet at the Coliseum Theatre Parking Lot, east side, 3090 Carling Ave., east of Bayshore – $75.00 per pers.

Mandatory registration deadline by May 21 to: Tonysalwaysanadventure@Gmail.com

Today we will contribute to Bird Studies Canada’s Annual
BIRDATHON! $35 per person joining our FULL Day Birding Excursion will be donated to the cause. This year we are supporting Innis Point Bird Observatory in Ottawa, ON.

The Chaffey’s Locks area is the best spot near Ottawa to check for Carolinian species. Cerulean Warbler, Yellow-throated Vireo and Scarlet Tanager are relatively common nesters. Other species we’ll look for include Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Black-billed Cuckoo, Eastern Towhee, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher and Red-shouldered Hawk. With luck, we may find Louisiana Waterthrush. The forests and scrublands are extremely rich with avifauna. The day can be very productive and immensely entertaining. Since morning is the best time to catch these birds, we need to start early, and enjoy the full day out in the wilds.

Saturday May 25 – Sparrows & Open Country – Ottawa West

Time: 7:30am, Meet at Andrew Haydon East Parking Lot, off Carling Ave., West of Bayshore, East of Acres Road (Water Playground & Picnic Grounds) – $40.00 per pers.

Today we visit the Almonte area to explore The Burntlands Provincial Park area, a significant remnant of the first habitats to emerge from the Champlain Sea, around ten thousand years ago. The limestone area supports scrubland avifauna like Grasshopper Sparrow, Clay-coloured Sparrow and Black-billed Cuckoo. The surrounding woodlands may also be interesting for raptors, finches and warblers. If conditions are good, we should see several unique butterflies and plants. If time permits, we’ll check nearby wetlands for waterfowl, waders, rails and wrens.

Tuesday May 28 – Britannia Conservation Area – Late Spring Migrants

Time 7:30am, Meet at Cassels Street, outside the gate to the Britannia Filtration Plant – $40.00 per pers

While many birds actively raise families, late May in Ottawa still reveals a few late spring migrants. At this time, places like Britannia Conservation Area sometimes supply refuge to transients like Arctic Tern, Little Gull, Blackpoll Warbler or Red-throated Loon. Although we focus on migration, the frantic nesting of resident birds will be much in evidence – Britannia being one of the most diverse natural areas in Ottawa’s urban jungle, especially during migratory periods.

Sat/Sun Jun 1 & 2 – OVERNIGHT TRIP to Algonquin Park

Time: 6:00am – Meet at: Coliseum Ottawa Cinemas Parking Lot – $170.00 per pers. LIMITED SPACE!

Manditory registration deadline by May 20 to: Tonysalwaysanadventure@Gmail.com

Algonquin Park is famous for its extensive northern forest habitats. Its large stands of spruce and pine often attract a variety of finches and raptors. It also harbours several northern residents that are considered rare in the Ottawa area. Here we look for Canada Jays, Boreal Chickadees, Spruce Grouse, Evening Grosbeak and Black-backed Woodpecker. Interesting migratory nesters we’ll search for include Olive-sided Flycatcher, Yellow-bellied Flycatcher and a variety of warblers. By early June, the breeding season is well under way in Algonquin. A mixture of large lakes, boggy wetlands, boreal and hardwood forests, this is Ontario’s most accessible northern wilderness. On the lakes, we should see and hear Common Loons while mergansers, Ring-necked Ducks, Beaver, River Otter, Black Bear and Moose lurk nearby. Meanwhile, warblers, thrushes, vireos, tanager and other furtive songbirds will sing their territorial songs. Many will be on nests, while others will already have young. From our starting point , we head straight for the park, spending a few hours exploring the east side before we have lunch somewhere in the park. We check into our hotel (Whitney, Ont.) just outside the East Gate in late afternoon. We will have an early dinner, then back into the park for dusk. If conditions are good, we will stay and listen for owls, woodcock, and maybe even wolves. The following morning, we go into the park immediately after breakfast. We will spend the entire day there, hiking some of the leisurely trails, leaving around 5:30pm. We can expect to be back home around 8:30 – 9:00pm. Accommodation, food and transportation is not included in the price.

Tuesday Jun 4 – Scrubland & Wetland Birds – Ottawa West

Time: 7:30am – Meet at Andrew Haydon East Parking Lot, off Carling Ave., West of Bayshore, East of Acres Road (Water Playground & Picnic Grounds) – $40.00 per pers.

Open areas west of the city can provide excellent habitats for some of Canada’s shyest birds. We’ll explore back-roads around the towns of Richmond and Munster where we hope to find a variety of birds on territory. Our efforts might produce Black-billed Cuckoo, Willow Flycatcher, Marsh Wren, American Bittern, Sora and Virginia Rails. We’ll need a little luck to find creatures like Sedge Wren or Least Bittern.
However, we’ll improve our chances by checking their preferred habitats. If conditions warrant, we’ll use a variety of techniques to entice them into view.

Saturday Jun 8 – Alfred Bog & Alfred Lagoons

Time: 7:30am – Meet at Petrie Island Causeway, north of intersection Hwy. 17 and Trim Rd (Orleans) – $40.00 per pers.

We will visit the prairie-like conditions of the Alfred Lagoons, and the northern-like habitat of the Alfred Bog. The timing will coincide with the blooms of bog orchids like Rose Pogonia and Swamp Pink. We’ll also see a variety of waterfowl normally associated with Canada’s Western Prairies. We hope to see birds like Vesper Sparrow, Lincoln’s Sparrow, Sandhill Crane, Redhead, American Coot, Virginia Rail, Wilson’s Phalarope and others. This area is also known for a few surprises, even during the breeding season.

Thursday Jun 13 – Gatineau Park – The Champlain Lookout

Time: 7:30am – Meet in the parking lot of the Information Kiosk, corner of Rue Gamelin and Promenade de la Gatineau – $40.00 per pers.

This excursion into Gatineau Park will take us up to the Western Trail of Champlain Lookout, and possibly King Mountain. Besides being one of the best habitats for nesting songbirds, this area offers the most beautiful scenery in the entire region. The spectacular views will compete with the many woodland species we’ll find in this varied hilly terrain. We will hear many birds, and using a variety of techniques, we’ll make ethical efforts to bring them into view. Present will be Indigo Bunting, Swainson’s Thrush, Hermit Thrush, Ovenbird, Black-throated Blue Warbler, Scarlet Tanager and with luck, Philadelphia Vireo and Cerulean Warbler (just to name a few).

Thursday Jun 20 – Morris Island – Forest & Wetlands – Ottawa West

Time: 7:30am – Meet at Andrew Haydon East Parking Lot, off Carling Ave., West of Bayshore, East of Acres Road (Water Playground & Picnic Grounds) – $40.00 per pers.

Morris Island, west of Ottawa, near Fitzroy Harbour, is a diverse landscape of natural beauty. The nesting season will be in full swing as we hike the trail network of this large parcel of woodland, wetland and riparian habitats. We should see a good variety of songbirds, including many warblers and other uncommon songbirds. In previous years we’ve had nesting Cape May Warbler and Sedge Wren. We should also see raptors like Osprey and Northern Harrier. With luck, we might encounter a Bald Eagle or Red-shouldered Hawk. This is also an excellent area for a variety of turtles and frogs.

Saturday Jun 22 – Larose Forest & Eastern Lagoons

Time: 7:30am – Meet at Petrie Island Causeway, north of intersection at Highway 17 and Trim Road (Orleans) – $40.00 per pers.

Starting at Petrie Island, we’ll see a collection of wetland species before venturing east to Larose Forest. We’ll drive through the mix of swamps, conifers and deciduous periodically stopping to see what treasures the forest reveals. Interesting warblers like Mourning, Canada and Cape May should be present. With luck we may observe some unusual finches like Red Crossbill and Evening Grosbeak. We’ll have enough time to visit some lagoons where we can expect a variety of wetland birds and waterfowl. We have a chance for Sandhill Cranes or lingering shorebirds. If time permits, we will visit the prairie-like conditions of the Alfred Lagoon, or the northern-like habitat of the Alfred Bog.

Thursday Jul 11 – Bill Mason Centre and Open Fields

Time: 7:30am – Meet at Andrew Haydon East Parking Lot, off Carling Ave., West of Bayshore, East of Acres Road (Water Playground & Picnic Grounds) – $40.00 per pers.

The Bill Mason Centre, north of Dunrobin is another fine example of our local woodlands bordering wetlands. Along the boardwalk we will encounter several marsh species including Wilson’s Snipe, Sora and Virginia Rail. Using a variety of techniques, we hope to coax these elusive creatures into view. Other birds present are Alder Flycatcher, Northern Waterthrush, and a few species of raptors. In the nearby scrublands of the Carp Ridge we hope to see Eastern Towhee, Black-billed Cuckoo, or a number of thrushes and warblers. Other target species include Eastern Bluebird and Uplands Sandpiper.

Saturday Jul 13 – Alvars, Wetlands and Lagoons – Ottawa West

Time: 7:30am – Meet at Andrew Haydon East Parking Lot, off Carling Ave., West of Bayshore, East of Acres Road (Water Playground & Picnic Grounds) – $40.00 per pers.

Today we visit the Almonte area to explore The Burnt Lands, a significant remnant of the first habitats to emerge from the Champlain Sea, around ten thousand years ago. The limestone area supports scrubland avifauna like Grasshopper Sparrow, Clay-coloured Sparrow and Black-billed Cuckoo. The surrounding woodlands may also be interesting for raptors, finches and migrants. If conditions are good, we should see several unique butterflies and plants. Nearby, we have the Almonte Sewage Lagoons where we should see the first of fall’s migrating shorebirds like Semipalmated Plover, Least Sandpiper, Solitary Sandpiper, Lesser and Greater Yellowlegs, various waterfowl, or some rare transient from far away.

Sunday Jul 14 – Petrie Island and The First Signs of Fall Migration

Time: 7:30am – Meet at Petrie Island Causeway, north of intersection Hwy. 17 and Trim Rd (Orleans) – $40.00 per perss

Petrie Island, along the Ottawa River, east of the city, has a variety of habitats accessible to the naturalist. Recent efforts have created a wonderful public area for recreation and nature viewing. Many birds, amphibians and reptiles use its wetlands and forest. There will likely be much wildlife in evidence in areas of shallow water. We might see Pied-billed Grebe, Common Moorhen, or Black Tern. After exploring this delightful spot, we will continue eastward visiting key areas along the Ottawa River or venture to some of the Eastern Lagoons for shorebirds and waterfowl. Today we have a chance to see the first fall migrants – shorebirds from northern habitats.

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 and car pool. Passengers are encouraged to contribute to fuel costs. Please let us know if you need transportation.
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 NIKON 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 (go to “About us” and then “Contact us”), or through our Facebook Club (https://www.facebook.com/groups/AAAIncClub/)
Payment is by cheque, PayPal or e-Transfer. Make cheque payable to “Always An Adventure Inc” and contact us for payment by PayPal and e-Transfer.
Morning birding excursions normally last for 5.5-6+ hours. Full day birding excursions normally last for 12 hours.
Always An Adventure Inc. is not to be held liable for any unforeseen circumstances that might arise during outings.
Always An Adventure Inc. might ask participants to sign a waiver depending on the day’s activities and sightings
Always An Adventure Inc. is using eBird and participants will receive the day-list per e:mail at the end of the excursion.

Field Trip Guidelines

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 and car pool. Passengers are encouraged to contribute to fuel costs. Please let us know if you need transportation
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. If necessary, high quality optics can be loaned.
For overnight excursions, participants will provide their own meals (in some cases, we may eat at restaurants).
All transportation Cost, Ferry Cost, Park Fees, Food, Refreshment or Accommodation is not included in the price
During times of hot weather, insect repellent comes in handy. Always bring a water bottle.
The trip itinerary is subject to change depending on weather patterns, current local bird activity or any unforeseen factors.
Please register by email. Note that some excursions have registration deadlines.
Payment is by cheque or PayPal. Make the cheque payable to "Always An Adventure Inc" and contact us for payment by PayPal. Please note additional PayPal fee when using PayPal.
Please note that all our birding and wildlife excursions, and registration to such, can be found on our Photo & Birding Club Group on Facebook

Saturday May 4 – The Second Wave of Spring Migration – Ottawa West

Thursday May 9 – The Gatineau Escarpment – Warblers & Others

Thursday May 23 – FULL DAY – Chaffey’s Locks -
BIRDATHON!

Saturday May 25 – Sparrows & Open Country – Ottawa West

Tuesday May 28 – Britannia Conservation Area – Late Spring Migrants

Sat/Sun Jun 1 & 2 – OVERNIGHT TRIP to Algonquin Park

Tuesday Jun 4 – Scrubland & Wetland Birds – Ottawa West

Saturday Jun 8 – Alfred Bog & Alfred Lagoons

Thursday Jun 13 – Gatineau Park – The Champlain Lookout

Thursday Jun 20 – Morris Island – Forest & Wetlands – Ottawa West

Saturday Jun 22 – Larose Forest & Eastern Lagoons

Thursday Jul 11 – Bill Mason Centre and Open Fields

Saturday Jul 13 – Alvars, Wetlands and Lagoons – Ottawa West

Sunday Jul 14 – Petrie Island and The First Signs of Fall Migration

Field Trip Guidelines & Useful Info:

Field Trip Guidelines

Company Profile

About us

Latest Tweets

Recent Posts

Birding Program

Thursday May 23 – FULL DAY – Chaffey’s Locks - BIRDATHON!

Saturday May 25 – Sparrows & Open Country – Ottawa West

Tuesday May 28 – Britannia Conservation Area – Late Spring Migrants

Sat/Sun Jun 1 & 2 – OVERNIGHT TRIP to Algonquin Park

Tuesday Jun 4 – Scrubland & Wetland Birds – Ottawa West

Saturday Jun 8 – Alfred Bog & Alfred Lagoons

Thursday Jun 13 – Gatineau Park – The Champlain Lookout

Thursday Jun 20 – Morris Island – Forest & Wetlands – Ottawa West

Saturday Jun 22 – Larose Forest & Eastern Lagoons

Thursday Jul 11 – Bill Mason Centre and Open Fields

Saturday Jul 13 – Alvars, Wetlands and Lagoons – Ottawa West

Sunday Jul 14 – Petrie Island and The First Signs of Fall Migration

Field Trip Guidelines & Useful Info:

Field Trip Guidelines

Company Profile

About us

Latest Tweets

Recent Posts

Thursday May 23 – FULL DAY – Chaffey’s Locks -
BIRDATHON!