Bird watching in Ottawa

Ottawa Travel Guide

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Tuesday, 19 March 2013 07:22

Bird watchers have ample opportunity to explore Ottawa's wildlife this April, as ducks and raptors will be migrating in the marshes bordering the Ottawa River. If you're an avian enthusiast hoping to spy some feathered friends near Ottawa, here are a few choice locales for bird watching.

Ottawa Field-Naturalists Club
The Ottawa Field-Naturalists' Club is an excellent resource for visitors with an interest in birding. There is a small membership fee and all events are free to members. The club's committee also offers a birder's checklist for the Ottawa-Gatineau District for any time of the year. 

Birding and biking
On April 28 from 7:30 to noon, the Club des Ornithologues de l'Outaouais presents a birding-biking trip along the Ottawa River between Parc Brébeuf and the Deschênes Rapids. Part of the trip is inside the Lac Deschênes IBA, an excellent location to observe the spring migration. The event is free and will also be bilingual. 

Birdingpal
Birdingpal is a directory of serious birdwatchers that can provide a memorable guidance for those bird-lovers who are unsure of how to get started. There are 14 Birdingpals in Ottawa and all specify when they might be available and what languages they speak. Although a Birdingpal performs an unpaid service, a small gift or lunch is generally considered appropriate in exchange for the outing.