Shared Spaces: Creating Bird-Friendly Cities and Communities

Shared Spaces: Creating Bird-Friendly Cities and Communities - An Interpretive Walk

In celebration of World Migratory Bird Day 2025 and the theme "Shared Spaces: Creating Bird-Friendly Cities and Communities" the Friends of Stittsville Wetlands are hosting an Interpretive Walk as part of our effort to learn more about the fragile and ecologically significant Goulbourn Wetland Complex.

YOUR GUIDES:

Owen Clarkin is the President and Chair of the Events Committee, Ottawa Field Naturalists' Club. The Ottawa Field Naturalists' Club was founded in 1863 and incorporated in 1879. The OFNC is Canada's oldest natural history club. Over 800 members have interests in all aspects of the natural world, from birding to botanizing, investigation to publication, conservation to cooperation.

Rob Stavinga, a retired Environmental Technologist, dedicated his career to conservation in Ontario. An avid birder, he currently volunteers with the Ontario Breeding Bird Atlas, Ontario Shorebird Survey, Couchiching Conservancy, and Bird Friendly City of Kawartha Lakes, supporting bird monitoring and conservation efforts. Rob continues to enjoy exploring and learning about natural areas and sharing his knowledge with others.

TIME/LOCATION

Saturday, May 10, 2025 (Rain or Shine)

9:30 AM - 11:30 AM (Please arrive no later than 9:20 AM)

TransCanada Trail Head - Intersection of Westridge Dr. and Abbott St. West

Two walking groups will be formed, along with a guide. One group will be walking from the TransCanada Trail Head to the viewing platform overlooking the headwaters of Poole Creek. The second group will cross the bridge and walk towards Henry Walker Grove and view other areas of the Goulbourn Wetland Complex.

Registration is Limited to 30 Participants.

A liability waiver for participants for review and acceptance is required to complete your registration.

WHAT TO BRING:

Dress for rain or shine, including good walking shoes or hiking boots

Binoculars

Digital camera and/or smart phone

Device to record sounds (e.g., smartphone)

Water Bottle and Snacks

Bug repellant

Note: There is no access to public facilities on the TransCanada Trail

WHAT TO DO BEFORE YOU HEAD OUT?

Learn more about eBird!

eBird is among the world's largest biodiversity-related science projects, with more than 100 million bird sightings contributed annually by eBirders around the world and an average participation growth rate of approximately 20% year over year. A collaborative enterprise with hundreds of partner organizations, thousands of regional experts, and hundreds of thousands of users, eBird is managed by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology.

Learn more about Merlin Bird ID

Answer three simple questions about a bird you are trying to identify, and Merlin will give you a list of possible matches. Merlin offers quick identification help for all levels of bird watchers and outdoor enthusiasts to help you learn about the birds in any country in the world.

Install eBird, Merlin Bird ID, and mobile apps so you can always observe!

WHAT IS A BIRD FRIENDLY CITY?

The Bird Friendly City certification program is a campaign by Nature Canada that aims to empower local groups to make positive change to protect bird populations in their city by reducing human-caused threats to birds, creating and protecting important habitat, educating and engaging the public on birds in their area, and more.

The City of Ottawa is not a certified Bird Friendly City. However, there is a dedicated team at Bird Friendly Ottawa, comprised of bird enthusiasts and nature lovers - just like you! Partnering with local experts and organizations who are already doing great work to protect Ottawa's birds, they are working together as a collective to achieve their mission of creating a Bird Friendly Ottawa.​

TAKE ACTION - PROTECT BIRDS IN OTTAWA WITH ECOLOGY OTTAWA'S PETITION!

Birds play a critical role in Ottawa's ecosystem and life: they distribute seeds, pollinate plants, maintain ecosystem health, and delight residents. Over 180 bird species nest in the Ottawa area, approximately 2 million individual birds nest in our urban area, and millions more migrate through annually. While the City of Ottawa has made several commitments to protecting birds, birds face a variety of threats in Ottawa, including from free-roaming cats, untreated glass, excessive exterior lighting, pesticide application, and habitat loss. Approximately 250,000 birds are killed in Ottawa annually in window collisions alone.