Wild Wonders: Where to See Bird Migration in Ontario

The Sky Comes Alive

Twice a year, Ontario’s skies burst into motion. Millions of birds — from tiny warblers to soaring hawks — travel along ancient routes between their breeding and wintering grounds. For a few short weeks, forests, wetlands, and lakefronts become full of song, movement, and wild possibility.

And you don’t need to be a serious birder to experience it. With just a pair of binoculars and a sense of wonder, your family can catch these unforgettable spectacles right from the trail.

Here are 11 of the best places to watch bird migration in Ontario — complete with when to go, what to look for, and a few insider tips to help you turn birdwatching into memory-making.

Spring Migration: March to May

1. Point Pelee National Park (Leamington)

The southernmost tip of mainland Canada is world-famous for spring migration. In May, thousands of brightly coloured songbirds pass through, often perching just feet from the trail.

• Best Time to Visit: Early to mid-May
• What to Watch For: 30+ species of warblers, orioles, tanagers, flycatchers
• Family Tip: Start with the Woodland Nature Trail or Marsh Boardwalk. Bring a kid-friendly bird checklist and see how many you can find.
• What Else to Do Here: Walk to the Tip of Canada, explore the Visitor Centre’s Discovery Room, or rent bikes to explore the quiet park roads.

2. Rondeau Provincial Park (Chatham-Kent)

This peaceful Carolinian forest sees a beautiful wave of songbird migrants each spring. It’s quieter than Pelee, perfect for families who prefer a slower pace.

• Best Time to Visit: Late April to mid-May
• What to Watch For: Prothonotary warblers, grosbeaks, vireos, orioles
• Family Tip: Book a cabin in the park to immerse yourself in morning birdsong.
• What Else to Do Here: Visit the Marsh Trail lookout platform, rent bikes, or spend time at the long sandy beach.

3. Thickson’s Woods Nature Reserve (Whitby)

An oasis of old-growth trees along the north shore of Lake Ontario, this patch of forest is a magnet for migrating warblers and owls.

• Best Time to Visit: May
• What to Watch For: Warblers, kinglets, woodpeckers, owls
• Family Tip: Combine with Lynde Shores nearby for a full morning of wildlife watching.
• What Else to Do Here: Explore the quiet trails, pack a picnic, and visit the nearby Waterfront Trail for lake views.

4. Long Point Provincial Park & Bird Observatory (Norfolk County)

A globally recognized bird area with accessible trails and a family-friendly bird banding station during peak migration.

• Best Time to Visit: April to early May
• What to Watch For: Warblers, sparrows, thrushes, hawks
• Family Tip: Visit the Old Cut Field Station to see bird banding in action — it’s mesmerizing for kids.
• What Else to Do Here: Walk the beach, explore Big Creek National Wildlife Area, or stop at a local bakery in Port Rowan.

5. Presqu’ile Provincial Park (Brighton)

Early spring brings a wave of waterfowl to this lakefront park. It’s one of the best places in Ontario for close-up duck and shorebird viewing.

• Best Time to Visit: March to early May
• What to Watch For: Mergansers, loons, red-throated grebes, early warblers
• Family Tip: Use the bird blind at Calf Pasture Point — it’s sheltered and great for young kids.
• What Else to Do Here: Walk the Marsh Boardwalk Trail, visit the lighthouse, or look for fossils on the beach.

6. Beamer Memorial Conservation Area (Grimsby)

Ontario’s most iconic raptor migration lookout, located atop the Niagara Escarpment. Volunteers from the Niagara Peninsula Hawkwatch tally daily hawk counts throughout spring.

• Best Time to Visit: March 15 to May 15 (peak in April)
• What to Watch For: Broad-winged hawks, bald eagles, peregrine falcons, vultures
• Family Tip: Visit the Hawk Watch Tower and watch the tally board update in real time.
• What Else to Do Here: Hike to the scenic lookout, enjoy a picnic at the top, or explore nearby Forty Mile Creek trails.

Fall Migration: August to November

7. Tommy Thompson Park (Toronto)

A reclaimed urban wilderness and a prime stopover site for fall migrants, including warblers, shorebirds, and raptors.

• Best Time to Visit: September–October
• What to Watch For: Warblers, sparrows, hawks, waterfowl
• Family Tip: Try the Butterfly Trail and climb the Cell One viewing tower.
• What Else to Do Here: Bike the waterfront trail into the city or join a fall birding walk hosted by Toronto Region Conservation.

8. Hawk Cliff (Port Stanley)

One of the best places in Ontario to watch hawks soar on fall thermals. Bring chairs, snacks, and stay awhile — it’s a true spectacle.

• Best Time to Visit: Mid-September to early October
• What to Watch For: Broad-winged hawks, turkey vultures, bald eagles
• Family Tip: Look for Hawk Cliff Weekend events with raptor demos and kid activities.
• What Else to Do Here: Visit Port Stanley’s beach or bakery after your hawk-spotting session.

9. Amherst Island (Loyalist Township)

Accessible by ferry and offering wide-open fields perfect for raptors, owls, and shorebirds. It’s especially magical in late fall.

• Best Time to Visit: October–early November
• What to Watch For: Short-eared owls, pipits, sandpipers, ducks
• Family Tip: Stay in your car and do the island loop for warm, driveable wildlife viewing.
• What Else to Do Here: Visit Topsy Farms for woolly fun or explore the village of Stella.

10. Cootes Paradise (Hamilton)

A thriving wetland behind the Royal Botanical Gardens, home to thousands of migratory birds during fall.

• Best Time to Visit: Late August–October
• What to Watch For: Herons, kingfishers, wood ducks, late warblers
• Family Tip: Start at the boardwalk near Princess Point — it’s stroller-friendly and packed with birdlife.
• What Else to Do Here: Visit the RBG Nature Centre or grab a snack at the café by the gardens.

11. Leslie Street Spit (Toronto)

Known for late-fall rarities, this park extends into Lake Ontario and offers a front-row seat to waterfowl and migrating gulls.

• Best Time to Visit: October–early November
• What to Watch For: Loons, ducks, rare gulls, late hawks
• Family Tip: It can be windy — dress in layers and bring a thermos.
• What Else to Do Here: Pair your visit with a stop at Evergreen Brick Works or grab lunch on Queen East.

Migration Month-by-Month (Quick Reference)

Month	What to Watch For
March	Swans, ducks, early hawks
April	Warblers begin, raptors, grebes
May	Peak songbird migration
August	Shorebirds, swallows, early hawks
September	Raptors, warblers, sparrows, nighthawks
October	Ducks, loons, gulls, owls
November	Late waterfowl, loons, overwintering owls

Final Thoughts

Bird migration is one of nature’s most astonishing events — and one of the most accessible. It invites kids to look up, ask questions, and feel the thrill of discovery. Whether it’s a chickadee in the hand or a hawk high on the thermals, these moments create wonder that lasts well beyond the season.

You only get one chance to live this life with your kids.

Let’s make it count — outside.
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