Toronto Ornithological Club upcoming events

Exploring Biidaasige Park - Members' Outing (13 Sep 2026)

Sun, 13 Sep 2026 13:00:00 GMT

Exploring Biidaasige Park - Members' Outing

Date and time: September 13, 9 am to 12 pm

Leaders: Peter Sproule, Julia Zarankin

Description: Join us as we visit this beautiful new park now open in the Port Lands district. The varied habitats offer opportunities to see early fall migrants, water birds, lingering summer birds and some of the year-round residents.

The walking route will be roughly circular, with options for changing the route if there are interesting sightings. The path is crushed limestone, primarily flat and accessible.

Where to meet: Meet at 2 storey "washroom building" across from main parking lot (north side of Commissioner's)

What to bring: Dress and prepare for the weather, which could be quite warm in early September. Bring water, hats, sunscreen, snacks. Binoculars are recommended.

Registration is required. Space is limited. If you find you can't attend, please cancel your registration online.

How to get there: Due to its size, Biidaasige Park has multiple access points, with each entrance providing direct access to different features and landmarks.

By car: The closest major intersection is Cherry Street and Commissioners Street, located on Ookwemin Minising in the Port Lands.

Visitors can access:

Old Fire Hall 30: 39 Commissioners Street

Western portion of the park: 238 Cherry Street

Parking in the area is limited. There is a small, temporary lot at 11 Munition St. with 120 spaces. There is some on-street parking at certain hours on Old Cherry Street, Villiers Street and Munition Street. Read the signs to avoid ticketing

By transit: Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) bus route 114 Queen’s Quay East stops along Cherry Street and Commissioners Street by the park.

Bus route 72D Pape stops close to Biidaasige Park at Saulter Street and Commissioners Street.

Land Acknowledgement for Toronto: The land in Toronto (Tkaronto) includes the traditional territories of many nations including the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Anishnabeg, the Chippewa, the Haudenosaunee and the Wendat peoples and is now home to many diverse First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples. We also acknowledge that this area of Toronto has been included under the Williams Treaty, the Toronto Purchase - Treaty 13 with the Mississaugas of the Credit and the "Dish With One Spoon" wampum inter-nation peace agreement.

We are stating a land acknowledgement to recognize the communities of peoples that were present and inhabited the lands before us, and the traditional territories of the peoples whose lands we are fortunate to share and live on today. Also, in effort to continue to improve our ongoing inter-relations with members of First Nations and Indigenous communities, we are mindful of broken covenants and the need to reconcile with all our relations. Together, may we care for this land and each other, drawing on the strengths of our mutual nation building through peace and friendship being mindful of generations to come.

Early Fall Migrants - Humber Bay Park East (20 Sep 2026)

Sun, 20 Sep 2026 13:00:00 GMT

Early Fall Migrants - Humber Bay Park East

Date and time: Sunday, Sept. 20, 9 am - 12 pm

Leaders: Peter Sproule, Julia Zarankin

Description: An outing to the newly restored Humber Bay Park East, to look for early fall migrants, waterfowl and late summer visitors. We will walk a circular route on level paved paths.

This is a public outing, registration is required. Space is limited, please cancel your registration if you can't attend.

What to bring: Dress for the weather, bring sunscreen, hat, water, snacks. Binoculars are recommended.

How to get there:

Driving: Humber Bay East is near the intersection of Park Lawn Road and Lake Shore Blvd West. Head south on Marine Park Drive (Park Lawn Road changes to Marine Park Drive south of Lake Shore), then turn onto Humber Bay Park Rd E. Proceed along road to parking area.

Where to meet: Meet at the area near the circular part of the exit road. GreenP parking may be in effect up to Thanksgiving weekend (updates will be provided to TOC)

TTC: Four routes serve this area

Long Branch 507 streetcar - Park Lawn Rd/Lake Shore Blvd W.
Queen 301 streetcar - Park Lawn Road at Lake Shore Blvd West.
Route 66 from Old Mill Station. Marine Parade Drive loop at Lake Shore Blvd West
Route 80 Westbound - Marine Parade Drive loop at Lake Shore Blvd West

Accessible Birding at Downsview Park (26 Sep 2026)

Sat, 26 Sep 2026 17:30:00 GMT

Accessible Birding at Downsview Park

When: Saturday, September 26

1:30 pm to 3:30 pm

Location: Downsview Park

Leaders: Jack Alvo, John Nishikawa, Downsview Park staff

We are pleased to be presenting another Accessible Birding event in partnership with the OFO and Downsview Park.

Discover the joy of fall birding at a relaxed pace. This free, accessible outing welcomes people of all abilities and is designed to specifically support a range of mobility needs.

Enjoy mobility-friendly trails, opportunities to spot migrating raptors and songbirds, frequent rest stops, and a friendly atmosphere for participants and their companions, family members, or support persons.

Presented in partnership with the Ontario Field Ornithologists, Toronto Ornithological Club, and Downsview Park.

Please go to the Downsview Park link for more information and to register.

https://downsviewpark.ca/events/accessible-birding-0

Colonel Samuel Smith Park early fall outing - Public walk (27 Sep 2026)

Sun, 27 Sep 2026 13:00:00 GMT

Colonel Samuel Smith Park early fall outing - Public Walk

Date: Sunday, September 27

Time: 9 am to 12 pm

Leader: Peter Sproule

Description: Please join us for a leisurely walk around Colonel Sam Smith Park. We'll be looking at fall migrants, waterfowl and resident birds.

Who should come: This outing will be geared to newer and intermediate birders, but birders of all experience levels are welcome. The more eyes the better! Newer birders will learn identification tips.

Registration is required - spaces are limited. Please cancel your registration if you can't make it, to allow for waitlist registrations.

Facilities: Public washrooms are available at the Powerhouse parking lot (as of this writing).

Accessibility: The route will be mostly on established gravel and paved paths, but wet weather leading up to the day could cause some of the trails/areas to be a little muddy. The route can be adjusted to avoid the muddy areas. Depending on the size of the group, we may cover 3 to 5km

What to bring: Binoculars and/or camera, water, snack if desired, hiking shoes in case of recent wet weather.

Where and when to meet: Meet at 9 a.m. at the south parking lot at the end of the road. No parking fees on the weekend.

How to get there:

TTC: From Kipling subway station, take the 44 Kipling South into the park – the Powerhouse lot is a short walk to the south from the bus loop.

Driving and parking: The park is on Col Sam Smith Drive (basically Kipling Ave south of Lake Shore Blvd – There are two parking lots, one at the Powerhouse (look for the tall chimney.) The other, is at the south end of the road. No parking fee on weekends.

What to bring: Please bring binoculars and/or camera if you have them. Remember to dress appropriately for the conditions. Water and snack suggested.

Contact: Peter Sproule - pbsproule (at) rogers.com