Join us at the Spring Bird Festival to learn about the amazing phenomenon of songbird migration and the importance of habitat conservation.  A variety of activities will be offered for people of all ages!

Early Bird Hikes for Beginner Birders

Learn birding basics on the Early Bird Hikes for Beginners.  Led by expert birders, these hikes will focus on proper binocular use, species identification, birding ethics and the best places to search for birds.  Hikes will depart from the front entrance of Tommy Thompson Park, follow the nature trail though the Baselands and along the Neck to the Multi-Use Trail at Cell One.  The hike will culminate at the Tommy Thompson Park Bird Research Station on Peninsula D. 

Start Times: 7:15 a.m., 7:30 a.m., 7:45 a.m., 8:15 a.m., 8:30 a.m., 8:45 a.m.
Duration: 2.5 hours
Distance: 2.5 km 
Difficulty: moderate – terrain is relatively flat but most of the hike will be along the un-graded nature trail.
Meeting Location: Front Entrance
*There are opportunities to leave the hike early if necessary. 
*This hike is not recommended for young children or strollers.

Early Bird Hikes for Advanced Birders

Are you an experienced birder who wants to go birding with a group on a beautiful Saturday morning in May?  If so, this hike is for you!  Join other experienced birders for a birding hike through Tommy Thompson Park.  Hike leaders will guide groups from the entrance of Tommy Thompson Park, through the Baselands (a.k.a. ‘Warbler Woods’), along the nature trail to Cell One.  The hike will culminate at the Tommy Thompson Park Bird Research Station on Peninsula D. 

Start Times: 7:00 a.m., 8:00 a.m.
Duration: 2.5 hours
Distance: 2.5 km 
Difficulty: moderate – terrain is relatively flat but most of the hike will be along the un-graded nature trail.
Meeting Location: Front Entrance
*There are opportunities to leave the hike early if necessary. 
*This hike is not recommended for young children or strollers.

Family Nature Hike

A fun filled nature hike for the whole family.  Learn about the variety of habitats at Tommy Thompson Park and the species that use them.  This hike will depart from the front entrance and follow the Primary Pedestrian Trail to Cell One. 

Start Time: 10:00 a.m., 1:00 p.m.
Duration: 2 hours
Distance: 2.25 km
Difficulty: easy – the Primary Pedestrian Trail is a graded gravel path
Meeting Location: Front Entrance
*This hike is suitable for strollers.
*There are opportunities to leave the hike early if necessary.

Birding by Bike

A bike tour of Tommy Thompson Park led by the park manager, highlighting the various habitats and the birds they support.  The tour will depart from the front entrance and follow the Multi-Use Trail through the park.  Stops will include Cell One and Embayment D, the Pedestrian Bridge to view Peninsula C (waterbird colonies), the Shorebird Wetland and Embayment A.  Bring your bike, binoculars and plenty of water!

Start Time: 12:00 p.m.
Duration: 1.5 hours
Distance: 10 km
Difficulty: easy – the Multi-Use Trail is a flat, paved surface
Meeting Location: Front Entrance
*This tour may not be suitable for young children or beginner bikers.  Please consider the distance and fast pace before registering children under the age of 12. 

LEAF (Local Enhancement & Appreciation of Forests) Tree Tour

Tommy Thompson Park is home to a variety of native trees and shrubs that provide important habitat for birds and other wildlife.  Take a guided tour of the park with LEAF's Manager of Volunteers and Community Engagement to learn about the different species and the roles they play in the local ecosystem.

Start Time: 12:30 p.m.
Duration: 1.5 hours
Distance: 2 km
Difficulty: easy
Meeting Location: Front Entrance
*There are opportunities to leave the hike early if necessary. 
*This hike is not recommended for young children or strollers.

Colonial Waterbird Hike

Tommy Thompson Park is home to six species of nesting colonial waterbirds including Double-crested Cormorants, Common Terns, Black-crowned Night Herons, Ring-billed Gulls, Herring Gulls and Great Egrets.  Join TRCA staff on the Colonial Waterbird Hike to learn about these magnificent species, see their nesting grounds and learn about colonial waterbird management.  This hike will depart from the Embayment D lookout and follow the Secondary Pedestrian Trail to the tip of Peninsula D where participants will have the opportunity to view the colony through a spotting scope. 

Start Time: 2:00 p.m.
Duration: 45 minutes
Distance: 1 km
Difficulty: moderate – the Secondary Pedestrian Trail is a graded gravel surface, but narrower than the Primary Pedestrian Trail. 
Meeting Location: Embayment D Lookout
*This tour is suitable for children

Nature Photography Workshop

A fun hike through the park with tips and pointers on the various aspects of nature photography including wildlife, landscape, and macro photography.  Participants will receive guidance of basic camera operation such as settings and shutter speed to create the highest quality of photos possible.

All participants are required to bring their own digital camera.  A good pair of walking shoes is alos recommended.  Participants are encouraged to bring any additional photograhy equipment they may have such as a tripod or additional lenses, but these are not required for the workshop. 

Start Times: 9:00 a.m., 2:30 p.m.
Duration: 1.5 hours
Distance: approximately 2 km
Meeting Location: Front Entrance

Nature Sketching Workshop

Participants will be given the opportunity to experience the enjoyment of sketching out in nature and will receive guidance and assisance on how to artistically capture the world around them.

Participants are required to bring their own materials including pencils, an eraser, a pencil sharpener and a sketch pad.  It is also highly recommended that participants bring a small chair or stool to sit on while they are sketching.  If participants wish, they may bring additional art materials such as pencil crayons, pens or markers. 

Start Time: 12:00 p.m.
Duration: 1 hour
Meeting Location: Cell One Educational Displays