Toronto Ornithological Club upcoming events

Early Spring Migrants at Evergreen Brickworks - Public Outing (12 Apr 2026)

Sun, 12 Apr 2026 12:00:00 GMT

Early Spring Migrants at Evergreen Brickworks Public Outing

Sunday, April 12, 8 am to 10 am

Leader: Ben Webber

Trip Description: Join us on a morning outing to observe early spring migrants at Don Valley Brick Works Park, also known as Evergreen Brickworks. Don Valley Brick Works Park is a rehabilitated wetland in the heart of the city.

Duration: This walk will take approximately two (2) hours.

Facilities: Washrooms, drinking fountain, and bottle filling station on-site.

Accessibility: We will walk on well-maintained gravel surface trails and a marsh boardwalk. The main trails have little to no change in elevation. There is a steep trail to an lookout overlooking the park, but this will be an optional section of the walk.

What to bring: Bring binoculars and prepare for the weather.

Where and when to meet: Meet in the parking lot outside the entrance to Evergreen Brick Works main building between 07:45 and 08:00.

How to get there: Check the Evergreen Brick Works guide to getting to the park:

https://www.evergreen.ca/evergreen-brick-works/visitor-info/plan-your-visit/getting-here/

TTC: 28 Bayview South bus from Davisville station

Shuttle Bus: There is a free shuttle bus running between Broadview subway station to the Brickworks, approximately every 15 minutes. Check the website for details.

Driving and parking: Paid parking on-site, including accessible parking.

Registration is required. Please cancel your reservation if you find you can't attend, to open a spot for the waitlist.

TOC Field Trips

TOC aims to provide birding outings which are welcoming and enjoyable for all. If you have any questions about the event, or require accommodations, please contact the trip leader in advance, by emailing outings@torontobirding.ca. Please allow a few days for a response.

Early Spring Migrants: Tommy Thompson Park (18 Apr 2026)

Sat, 18 Apr 2026 11:30:00 GMT

Early Spring Migrants: Tommy Thompson Park
Saturday April 18, 2026, 7:30 am to 12:00pm

Leaders: John Carley, Garth Riley and Nancy McPherson

Registration: This is a members only event. Registration is required. We have limited spaces, please cancel your registration if you can't make it to open a space for the waiting list.

Description: During this field trip, we’ll watch for spring migrants, including warblers and other songbirds and more. This is a 4.5 hour walk for approximately 6km with rest stops as needed. We will be on flat terrain (no hills) but frequently with uneven footing, and high likelihood of flooding on the paths in the Wet Woods. Other trails are paved, or are gravel. The field trip will loop back and end at the meeting place.

Who should come: We encourage newer birders and first-timers to come along, all skill levels are welcome!

Target species: spring migrants, including warblers, other songbirds and more.

eBird: Tommy Thompson Park

Park address: 1 Leslie Street, Toronto, ON M4M 3M2.

Meeting place: Tommy Thompson Park Pavilion at the main parking lot at the intersection of Leslie Street and Unwin Avenue.

Public transit directions: Tommy Thompson Park is a 10 minute walk from the Commissioner’s Street bus stop at Commissioner’s and Leslie. This stop is serviced by the 83 Jones Southbound bus. Route 83 runs between Donlands Station on Subway Line 2 and Commissioner’s Street. Connections with Streetcar routes 501, 503 and 506, and bus routes 56 and 31B along the scheduled route.

Driving directions: The park entrance is located at Leslie Street and Unwin Avenue.

Parking: There is a free parking lot at the Tommy Thompson Park entrance. Street parking is also available on Leslie Street and Unwin Avenue. There are no accessible parking spaces.

Approximate distance covered on foot: 6 km.

Accessibility and Amenities: Wheelchair accessible indoor bathrooms and a water fountain is located at the Pavilion at the main parking lot. Porta potties are located along the route. Bring water and snacks/light lunch if desired, and we will have rest stops as needed.

What to wear: Wear sturdy waterproof footwear and dress appropriately for the weather, season, and terrain. Layers are recommended winds off the lake can be colder than expected. Long pants and closed shoes or boots are recommended as protection from the elements, ticks, and other biting insects. In bright light, a hat with a large brim will make it easier to see birds.

What to bring: Please bring enough water for the duration of the trip, snacks or a packed lunch. Please bring your choice of binoculars, scope, and or camera.

TOC Outings

Lower Don Parklands Early Migrants and Waterfowl (26 Apr 2026)

Sun, 26 Apr 2026 12:00:00 GMT

Lower Don Parklands Early Migrants and Waterfowl

Date and time: Sunday, April 26, 8 am - 12 pm

Leader: Kevin Seymour

Description: Join us on an outing through the Lower Don Parklands in East York to look for early migrants including Eastern Phoebe, Kinglets, Hermit Thrush and possibly a few early warblers. The route will include the Cottonwood Flats, the Sun Valley Loop and part of Crother's Woods. If there is time we can visit Crother's Pond which is pretty reliable in that season for Wood Ducks.

Accessibililty: The majority of the paths are wide, flat and easy, and maintained by the city. The Sun Valley loop has gravel and two steep sections, only one of them paved. Access to the location, if walking, includes quite a steep walk down and then up Bechwood Drive to exit.

What to bring: Water, snacks, footwear for possible muddy paths, binoculars

Directions:

By car, park at the bottom of Beechwood Dr., just beyond the Police Dog Services compound.

By TTC, take any 100, 25 or 8 bus northbound from Broadview station, get off at the Beechwood exit (the one before the Pape exit), then walk down Beechwood Ave and meet the group just beyond the Police Dog Services Compound.

Please note: Registration is required for all walks. Space is limited, please cancel your registration if you are unable to attend.

Weekday Bird Hike at Ashbridges Bay - Public (29 Apr 2026)

Wed, 29 Apr 2026 12:00:00 GMT

Weekday Bird Hike at Ashbridges Bay - Public

Wednesday, April 29, 8:00 - 11:00 am

Leaders: Rose Petrich and Connor Smith

Note: Public and TOC members are welcome!

Registration: Registration is required. If you can't attend, please cancel your registration.

Description: Please join us to enjoy a leisurely walk through Ashbridges Bay Park. Meet at 8:00 at the main parking lot directly south of Coxwell Avenue. See map below.

Target birds will be Warblers, Thrushes, Sparrows and other migratory songbirds.

Who should come: Birders of all experience levels are welcome. The more eyes the better!

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

Location and Directions: Ashbridges Bay Park is located directly south of Coxwell Ave. and Lakeshore Blvd. We’ll meet near porta potty immediately south of the main parking lot which is marked as “car park 194” on map:
https://www.google.com/maps/search/Ashbridges+Bay+Park+parking+lot,+Toronto,+O%20%20N/@43.6604512,-79.3151449,17z/data=!3m1!4b1?authuser=0&%3Bentry=ttu

Parking: Parking is free before 5 pm on weekdays

Public Transportation: - 3 options
From Woodbine Station, take the Woodbine South #92 bus, get off at Woodbine Beach Loop at Lakeshore, and walk about 10 minutes to main parking lot south of Coxwell. See map.
Alternatively, take the 505 Dundas Street Car east to Coxwell Ave. and Queen St. East and walk 1.3 kms. south on Coxwell to the main parking lot south of Coxwell. See map.
Or, take 501 Queen Street Car to Coxwell ave. and Queen St. East, and walk 1.3 kms. south on Coxwell to the main parking lot south of Coxwell. See map.

Distance: Approximately four kilometers round trip.

Accessibility: Terrain is mostly level, with some mild slopes. Paved trails, grass.

Facilities: Porta potty next to main parking lot. Washrooms are available after 9 am

Contact: Rose Petrich - 647-285-4303

TOC Field Trips