Many people think Ontario’s provincial parks are “for the birds” – especially in the spring. If you’re a bird watcher, or just want to get out and enjoy the warmer weather, make plans to visit a park soon.
From March through May many provincial parks offer birding programs, with experts on hand to help you identify the hundreds of migrating species that fly through or nest in the area. The annual show of wildflowers is another popular reason to visit a provincial park this spring.
Presqu’ile Provincial Park (southwest of Trenton on Lake Ontario) is holding several spring bird watching events. The annual Waterfowl Viewing Festival takes place over two weekends, March 27-28 and April 2-4. Telescope stations will be set up, attended by naturalists to help identify the countless types of waterfowl. Beginning in May, guided bird walks will be held every Saturday and Sunday at 10 a.m. The Warblers and Whimbrels Weekend, May 22-23, is traditionally the peak weekend of spring bird migration, and offers the best chance to catch a sight of the elusive whimbrel and colourful warblers.
Rondeau Provincial Park (east of Chatham on Lake Erie) hosts a number of popular events geared to the spring migration of waterfowl and songbirds. The birding events begin May 1 and wrap up on the Victoria Day weekend.
Pinery Provincial Park (between Sarnia and Goderich on Lake Huron) holds a Migration Weekend on May 22-23. Activities include guided hikes and a slide presentation. On April 24, you can join a naturalist at the visitor centre for a talk about the park’s frogs and toads, and find out how to participate in a frog survey. To register for this event call (519) 243-8575.
MacGregor Point (near Port Elgin on Lake Huron) is holding the Huron Fringe Birding Festival, May 28 to June 6, and the Up with the Birds Hike on May 29. A visit to this park in the spring is also an opportunity to see the rare dwarf lake iris.
Flowers are a feature of the Mother’s Day Wildflower and Bird Walks at Sandbanks Provincial Park (southwest of Picton on Lake Ontario) on May 9, which is also the day of a wildflower walk at Murphys Point (south of Perth). The May 8-9 weekend is dedicated to the Mother’s Day Wildflower Festival at Bronte Creek (between Oakville and Burlington). Park staff will help you identify a variety of trilliums and other woodland flowers which are in full bloom from mid-April to mid-May.
Bronte Creek also hosts the Ontario Parks Outdoor Show from April 16 to 25, with more than 100 provincial parks represented. Park staff from across the province will be on hand to provide information about facilities and programs at provincial parks. You can also see the latest camping gear, canoes and kayaks.
Spring activities at Frontenac Provincial Park (north of Kingston) include a frog walk on April 18, a nature walk on May 2, and a bird walk on May 30. The Friends of Frontenac also offer wilderness skills training. Call (613) 376-3489 to register for these programs.
While many provincial parks are open year-round for hiking, others don’t open until the second or third week of May. Sleeping Giant Provincial Park (near Thunder Bay on Lake Superior) opens May 8 this year. A scenic 11-kilometre trail along the Lake Superior shoreline provides hikers with an opportunity to watch the enormous variety of migratory birds flying over the lake.
Many campers appreciate an uncrowded stay at provincial parks that are open year-round – a wonderful way to enjoy spring activities in a relaxed way. Weather too cool for a tent? Try a cozy yurt or habitat. These furnished structures are available at Algonquin, Silent Lake, MacGregor Point and Pinery provincial parks. There are cabins for rent at Algonquin, Bonnechere and Bon Echo, while Fitzroy, Balsam Lake and Sandbanks have cottages for rent.
For more information about visiting a provincial park this spring, or to get a copy of the 1999 Ontario Parks Guide, call 1-800-ONTARIO or visit the Ontario Parks web site at www.OntarioParks.com. Beginning April 1, you can reserve a campsite and other camping facilities in eight provincial parks by dialing 1-888-ONT-PARK (1-888-668-7275) or visiting the web site. This reservation service will apply to another 58 parks as of May 1.
