The Binocular Site
Point Pelee, Ontario
A beautiful forest oasis, lush with plant and wildlife alike, serves as a stop in the flight of migrating song birds throughout spring.
Here at Point Pelee, a national park found on the southern tip of Canada, Monarch butterflies and cicadas are popular, although over 370 species of birds have been recorded here as well.
Many thousands of birds migrate through Point Pelee in the autumn and fall. While here look for American Avocets, Northern Cardinals, Gadwalls, and a huge array of Gulls, Ducks, Grebes, Grosbeaks, Hawks, Herons, Ibises, Loons, and so much more. Turkey Vultures are found here, along with American Swallow-tailed and Mississippi Kites, and seven species of Owls.
In mid-May a special birding festival attracts thousands of enthusiasts to Point Pelee as they celebrate the return of spring birds. In autumn migration is as impressive, if not as brilliantly colored in terms of plumage.
From June through mid-December many species migrate including Golden Eagles, Red-Necked Phalaropes, Long-billed Dowitchers, and Northern Saw-whet Owls. At Point Pelee you can also enjoy bicycling, fishing, winery touring, ferry rides, and camping.
The provincial bird of Ontario is the Common Loon and you can find a checklist for birding activities in Ontario here.
Photo credit to SleepingBear, used with permission under the creative commons license. You can learn more about the natural wonders to see, and the history and culture of Point Pelee along with visitor information here.If you've visited Point Pelee, please take the time to share your experience and any tips or insight you have about this Ontario bird watching location below.
Check out more birdwatching spots.
Average User Rating
The park is very well maintained, has a very good network of trails, the information centre has extensive and specific services for birders, there are regular guided bird walks and during the peak migration season in May, you can buy breakfast and lunch at the centre, making time consuming trips to supermarkets outside the park unnecessary (you're there to bird, not to eat, right?).
Oh, and then of course, there are the birds: If you give it a bit of a motivated try, 20 to 25 warbler species are not much of an issue, there's always some vagrant somewhere (Summer Tanager, Mississippi Kite, ...) that you can chase and it has an excellent shorebird area nearby.
Add Your Own Review