Feathered Friends and Local Finds: Nina’s Beginner’s Guide to the Birding Trail
Hey besties! It’s your local tour guide and adventure buddy, Nina. I recently discovered a brand-new hobby – birding! And guess what? It’s a fun experience and a little addictive once you start spotting cool birds like a pro. Whether you’re a total beginner or just looking for new ways to explore the region, this one’s for you. This trail is worth tweeting about.
You might be wondering, why birding? It’s the perfect new hobby – peaceful, easy to start, and super rewarding. Did you know that Essex County is one of North America’s top bird watching destinations? Thanks to our unique geography and diverse habitats, discovering migratory birds will be an easy task! It’s also a great excuse to get outside, slow down, and notice the world around you, especially in your own backyard.
Fun Fact: Windsor is an Official Bird Friendly City
The Tufted Titmouse is Windsor’s official bird – the cutest and most chatty! You can find them hanging out at Ojibway Prairie Complex and Optimist Memorial Park – both incredible spots for birdwatching. But just wait – there’s many more to visit and immerse yourself, ranging from the coastline of Lake Erie, where you’ll find Holiday Beach Conservation Area to Kingsville’s Jack Miner Migratory Bird Sanctuary.
This is Your Sign to Get the W.E. Birding Trail Digital Pass
Let’s talk convenience– this free digital pass is your ultimate birding sidekick. It’s your guide to explore the best spots and gives you an opportunity to be rewarded for exploring!
Here’s How to Register:
1. REGISTER ONLINE
It’s completely free and one click away! Access it here: visitwindsoressex.com/birding
2. QUICK AND EASY ACCESS
Within seconds you’ll receive it via text and email. No apps are required! You can also see all the locations on an interactive map, helping you plan your trip. I highly recommend saving it on your home screen for an easy on-tap access.
3. EXPLORE AND CHECK IN AS YOU GO
Explore birding hotspots throughout Windsor Essex Pelee Island and check in as you go. Feel free to share your photos you’ve captured on your adventure! Voila! 3 easy steps accomplished – now you have a chance to win some epic prizes.
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Birding Bucket List
Here are a few places I believe you’ll enjoy visiting.
Ojibway Prairie Complex (@ojibwaynaturecentre): This complex is home to over 160 rare species and 5 different areas for you to explore: Ojibway Park, Tallgrass Prairie Heritage Park, Black Oak Heritage Park, Spring Garden Natural Area, and Oakwood Natural Area. I highly recommend going to the Ojibway Nature Centre first to learn about recent bird sightings, checklists, and self-guided nature trail maps! This complex attracts numerous species of birds such as the Tufted Titmouses, woodpeckers, and more all year round. In addition, you’ll most likely bump into other wildlife such as deers – who are very friendly. Reminder to not feed the animals!
Hillman Marsh Conservation Area (@essexregionconservation): Perfect if you’re looking for a longer trail to explore as it’s a 5 km loop. Here you’ll find a nature center, viewing towers, and birds dancing along the trail. Just shy of 1-2 km, you’ll find the Bird Viewing Shelter where I highly recommend sitting patiently and quietly, as you enjoy the views because shortly after, birds will fly in and out. This is also the perfect time to listen to birds chirping and singing. There is also a Shorebird Spring Migration Checklist to help keep track of birds you’re seeing!
Point Pelee National Park (@pointpeleenationalparkcanada): This sanctuary is situated at the most southern point of Canada where there’s plenty of opportunities to spot wildlife. I highly recommend going to the Marsh Boardwalk as it has an observation tower and telescopes if you forget to bring your binoculars! It is also a relatively easy trail to explore as it’s approximately a 1 km loop. In addition, if you’re up for kayaking/canoeing, you can rent them from Pelee Wings at the Boardwalk for $25 for a single kayak or $35 for a canoe.
Pelee Island (@peleeisland): There is a birding lookout known as the Florian Diamante Nature Reserve and it is located on the corner of Dyke Road and Henderson Road. This is a beautiful spot to see diverse wildlife such as songbirds, hawks, herons, and even monarch butterflies! As you journey throughout the island, make sure to stop at the Lighthouse Point Provincial Nature Reserve! This is where migratory birds first land before heading into the mainland.
Windsor Public Library (@windsorpublibrary): and Pelee Island Observatory (@peleebirds) launched a program where you can pick up a birding backpack at your local branch with your library card. If you’re new to the library, don’t worry – it’s free to sign up and all they require is identification such as a driver’s license. The birding backpack includes everything to make your birding trip successful such as binoculars, guidebooks, list of the best local birding spots, and more.
Pelee Wings Nature Store (@peleewingsoutfitters): is another site where you can rent binoculars or purchase top-quality ones. They’re the go-to-experts who’ll help you find the perfect pair for your next outdoor adventure. You can field test binoculars at their unique lakefront deck and ask as many questions as a first-time bird enthusiast. You’ll also observe aquatic birds here! I value their expertise and their top-notch customer service as you’ll immediately learn something new. There’s also birding accessories not limited to art, décor, souvenirs, books, and many more to shop for. In addition, they have upcoming events and activities to keep an eye out for – alongside paddleboard and kayak rentals! Make sure to ask about the Ontario Bird Alerts and you can be a part of the group on Discord!
Grab and Go Local Finds and Bird-Friendly Certified Businesses
Green Heart Kitchen (@greenheart_kingsville): This is the perfect spot to stop along your journey to grab a healthy lunch. You can order in advance – I highly recommend ordering the Big Pickle Sandwich, Golden Peach Mango Smoothie, fruits, and apple oats cookies which is a great combination for a picnic! They also offer vegan options (Big Pickle Sandwich) which is a plus! The Dave and Green Heart Club Sandwich is also very popular. I also adore shopping here as the staff are very kind plus it’s eco and vegan friend! Don’t forget to notice the cute green heart on the side right of the store as you visit!
Hawksview Honey (@hawksview_honey): This natural farm raises bees to produce natural, raw honey in Harrow, Ontario. The retail store sells delicious honey products (i.e., hot and lavender honey, soaps and lotions), beginner supplies (i.e., starter hive kits, frames, etc.), and provides educational workshops. It’s a great way to learn more about honeybees, how to set up a new hive, and the process of how to make honey. If you’re lucky – you might bump into Dale, the bee expert who knows the ins and outs of beekeeping!
Cooper’s Hawk Vineyards (@cooperhawksvineyard): This vineyard is home to the Hawk Trail, an easy 1.5 km trail where you’ll find over 50 species of birds. Keep an eye out as hawks are typically flying around the area and there’s a blue birdhouse where the birds are hanging out at. After your walk, discover the art of wine and food – I highly recommend ordering the charcuterie board and a wine flight (big fan of the Pino Grigio, Cabernet Sauvignon, Rose, Riesling) to taste as you read the Field Guides to Birds (from the Windsor Public Library). Fun fact: the name is chosen from the Hawk, which frequently visits the vineyard!
What to Pack
– Water bottle – to stay hydrated while exploring!
– Your mobile device – to use the digital pass and take pictures!
– Binoculars – you can rent from Pelee Wings Nature Store or Windsor Public Library.
– Sunscreen – protect your skin as you’ll be outdoors in the sun.
– An open mind – especially when trying new things.
Final Thoughts from Your Adventure Buddy
If you’ve been thinking about trying something new, this is your sign. Birding is a chance to reconnect with nature and explore Windsor Essex like never before. And let’s be honest – any excuse to snack, stroll, and snap cute photos is a win in my books! Have fun discovering flighted friends along the way. See you on our next adventure!
Original blog post by Nina Ngo @_ninango
