Birding

Bring your binoculars to Northumberland County and explore one of Ontario's prime birding locations. Northumberland is the county of rolling scenic countryside including the Oak Ridges Moraine, Peter's Woods, Presqu'ile Provincial Park, and Ferris Provincial Park.  Combine this with over 70 kilometers of Lake Ontario shoreline, cedar bogs and rocky and sandy fields and you have birdwatching glory.





Presqu'ile Provincial Park is considered one of Ontario's best birdwatching locations. Over 329 species have been recorded in the park which is best known for its large numbers and diversity of waterfowl, warblers, and shorebirds that migrate through each spring and fall. Boasting over 15 conservation areas, five conservation reserves and two provincial parks, it's no wonder Northumberland is a haven for birdwatching.



The Brighton Wetlands are another hot spot to watch birds in their habitat. The wetlands are one of the first Ministry of Environment (MOE) approved wetlands in the province of Ontario. From mid April to the late October, close to 100 species of birds call the wetlands home.  For updated bird sightings, dates and times for visitation, go to Ontbirds. Tours are available by contacting Jim Phillips or Keith Lee at (613) 475-1162 ext 102.

With Rice Lake surrounded by fertile waters, forest, and marsh lands you are sure to spot many birds including various grassland birds, migratory song birds, eagles, herons, and osprey to name a few.  Rice Lake is one of the main migratory paths and can bring in some rare bird sightings, the most recent being a white pelican spotted at the Harwood shoreline in July.

We're very fortunate here in Northumberland County to have Clive Goodwin, author of "A Bird Finding Guide to Ontario", maintaining the Birds of Northumberland County web site. He has documented historical records of bird sightings (360 species at last count!) as well as recent information.  You'll want to take note on the Welcome page of the best places in Northumberland to find birds, or ask for a copy of our Outdoor Adventure Map on which we've plotted such locations. The Friends of Presqu'ile Provincial Park also share information, maps, birding reports, check lists of birds, and archived reports.