LEARN IN THE FIELD

Short, small-group experiences built around Ontario’s birds, wildlife and seasons.

WORKSHOPS & OUTINGS

In the Field

Field-based experiences shaped around Ontario’s birds, wildlife and changing seasons.

BIRDING BASICS: Introduction to Field Birding

Year Round · 90 Minutes · Easy

Build confidence finding and identifying birds while developing the essential skills used in the field.

$30 per person

  • Birding becomes much easier once you know what to look and listen for.

    Birding Basics is a field-based introduction focused on building the practical skills used to find, observe and identify birds. Rather than memorizing species, we work through a simple approach using size, shape, behaviour, habitat, sound and field marks.

    Designed for newer birders or anyone looking to build confidence in the field.

  • • Finding birds efficiently
    • Using binoculars and field guides
    • Size, shape and structure
    • Important field marks
    • Behaviour and habitat
    • Introduction to bird vocalizations
    • Recording and documenting observations

  • Season: Year round
    Duration: Approximately 90 minutes
    Difficulty: Easy
    Experience Level: Beginner
    Price: $30 per person
    Minimum Group Size: 4 participants

    Smaller groups may be accommodated privately at a minimum booking rate of $120.

BIRDS BY EAR: Birdsong & Identification

Spring–Summer · 2 Hours · Easy

Learn to recognize birds through songs, calls, habitat and clues that help to identify them.

$40 per person

  • Many birds are heard long before they are seen.

    Birds by Ear introduces a practical approach to identifying birds through songs, calls and the surrounding landscape. We focus on recognizing patterns and characteristics rather than simply trying to memorize dozens of sounds.

    The workshop is designed to help participants become more confident using sound as part of everyday bird identification.

  • • Songs versus calls
    • Rhythm, pitch, tone and repetition
    • Learning vocalizations through patterns
    • Connecting sounds with habitat
    • Locating unseen birds
    • Common Ontario bird songs and calls
    • Using recordings and identification tools effectively

  • Season: Spring to summer
    Duration: Approximately 2 hours
    Difficulty: Easy
    Experience Level: All levels
    Price: $40 per person
    Minimum Group Size: 3 participants

    Smaller groups may be accommodated privately at a minimum booking rate of $120.

SHOREBIRD SEASON: Shorebird Identification

July–September · 2 Hours · Easy

Explore wetlands and shorelines while learning how structure, behaviour, habitat and plumage help separate similar shorebirds.

$40 per person

  • Late summer marks the beginning of one of Ontario’s most interesting migrations as shorebirds begin moving south from northern breeding grounds.

    This outing combines birding with practical identification, using real birds in the field to work through a group that can initially seem challenging. We focus on developing a repeatable approach using structure, proportions, behaviour, habitat and plumage.

  • • Shorebird groups and structure
    • Size and proportions
    • Bill and leg characteristics
    • Plumage and seasonal variation
    • Feeding behaviour
    • Habitat preferences
    • Separating similar species
    • Understanding shorebird migration

  • Season: July to September
    Duration: Approximately 2 hours
    Difficulty: Easy
    Experience Level: All levels
    Price: $40 per person
    Minimum Group Size: 3 participants

    Smaller groups may be accommodated privately at a minimum booking rate of $120.

    Locations vary according to water levels, migration conditions and recent bird activity.

SPARROWS MADE SIMPLE: Sparrow Identification

Spring & Fall · 2 Hours · Easy

Take the frustration out of sparrow identification by learning how structure, pattern, behaviour, habitat and vocalizations can quickly narrow down even the most similar species.

$40 per person

  • Sparrows become considerably easier to identify once you know which features actually matter.

    Sparrows Made Simple focuses on breaking identification into a practical set of clues including structure, head pattern, breast markings, behaviour, habitat and sound. Instead of treating every brown bird as a collection of tiny field marks, we learn how to narrow the possibilities quickly and confidently.

  • • Sparrow structure and proportions
    • Head and facial patterns
    • Breast and flank markings
    • Tail and wing characteristics
    • Behaviour and feeding style
    • Habitat preferences
    • Songs and call notes
    • Separating commonly confused species

  • Season: Spring and fall
    Duration: Approximately 2 hours
    Difficulty: Easy
    Experience Level: All levels
    Price: $40 per person
    Minimum Group Size: 3 participants

    Smaller groups may be accommodated privately at a minimum booking rate of $120.

    Locations are selected according to seasonal movements and where the strongest diversity is occurring.

CONFUSING FALL WARBLERS: Fall Identification

August–October · 2 Hours · Easy

Work through the challenge of fall warbler identification using plumage, structure, behaviour, vocalizations and habitat.

$40 per person

  • Fall warblers have a reputation for being difficult, but identification becomes much more manageable when you stop relying on colour alone.

    This field workshop develops a systematic approach to separating fall warblers using structure, pattern, behaviour, habitat and vocalizations. We also look at how age and seasonal plumage affect what we see during migration.

  • • Structure and overall shape
    • Face and wing patterns
    • Undertail and flank markings
    • Age and seasonal plumage
    • Behaviour and feeding style
    • Habitat associations
    • Call notes and vocalizations
    • Separating commonly confused species

  • Season: August to October
    Duration: Approximately 2 hours
    Difficulty: Easy
    Experience Level: All levels
    Price: $40 per person
    Minimum Group Size: 3 participants

    Smaller groups may be accommodated privately at a minimum booking rate of $120.

    The species encountered will vary with migration timing and weather conditions.

Jewels of the Air: Butterflies & Dragonflies Experience

Summer | 2 Hours | Easy

Discover the remarkable diversity hidden in Ontario’s summer meadows, wetlands and forest edges, from delicate butterflies to the dragonflies patrolling overhead.

$40 per person

  • Ontario’s meadows, wetlands and forest edges support an extraordinary diversity of insects that often goes unnoticed.

    Jewels of the Air introduces butterflies, dragonflies and damselflies through field observation and identification. We explore the characteristics that separate major groups and species while also looking at behaviour, habitat and life history.

    No previous insect identification experience is required.

  • • Butterfly identification and major families
    • Dragonflies versus damselflies
    • Wing patterns and structural features
    • Behaviour and flight style
    • Habitat associations
    • Life cycles and seasonal timing
    • Responsible observation and photography
    • Using field guides and identification resources

  • Season: June to August
    Duration: Approximately 2 hours
    Difficulty: Easy
    Experience Level: All levels
    Price: $40 per person
    Minimum Group Size: 3 participants

    Smaller groups may be accommodated privately at a minimum booking rate of $120.

    Warm, calm and sunny conditions generally provide the best insect activity, so outings may be adjusted when weather is unsuitable.

MAKE IT YOUR OWN

Looking for something specific? Workshops and outings can be arranged privately for individuals, groups, clubs and organizations, with the experience shaped around your interests.

PLAN A PRIVATE OUTING