🌿 Adventures Await in 2026
We’re busy planning new nature-filled experiences, but while you wait, check out these resources to get outside and explore Christmas Bird Counts, chickadee-friendly trails, and winter birdwatching.
Don’t forget your camera! Your bird photos could win you a gift card with our Monthly Photo Contest.
🐦 Find a Christmas Bird Count Near You
Every winter, birdwatchers across Canada and North America take part in the Christmas Bird Count (CBC), one of the longest-running citizen science projects in the world. From December 14 to January 5, volunteers count birds in their local areas to help track bird populations and support conservation.
How It Works
- Look up a count near you
Use Birds Canada’s CBC map to find the count circle closest to you. Birds Canada - Contact the local coordinator
Each circle has a volunteer compiler who will let you know the date, meeting location, and how you can participate, whether joining a field team or counting birds from home. - Take part on your area’s official count day
Every region has one specific day when volunteers record all birds seen or heard. Your coordinator will guide you on what to expect.
Everyone is welcome, beginners birders included!
❄️ Explore Local Trails & Feed Some Chickadees!
Winter is a wonderful time to head outdoors, stretch your legs, and meet some of Ottawa’s friendliest birds. Black-capped Chickadees, along with Red-breasted and White-breasted Nuthatches, often fly right up to a patient outstretched hand for seeds on many local trails.
Here are some of the most popular trails around Ottawa to feed Chickadees. Download link
West-end trails
- 📍 Jack Pine Trail – Easy, 0.7–2.3 km loop, Moodie Dr
- 📍 Beaver & Chipmunk Trail – Easy–moderate, ~2.6 km, Moodie Dr.
- 📍 Sarsaparilla Trail – Easy, ~0.8 km loop, Old Richmond Rd.
- 📍 Old Quarry Trail – Moderate, 2–3 km, Eagleson Rd
- 📍 Mud Lake Trail – Easy, 3 km loop, Cassels St
Central trails
- 📍 Fletcher Wildlife Garden – Easy, 0.5–2 km, Prince of Wales Dr.
- 📍 Hog’s Back Park – Easy, 1–2 km, Riverside Dr. & Hog’s Back
East-end trails
- 📍 Mer Bleue Bog – Easy, 1 km, end of Ridge Rd. P22
🐦 Winter Bird ID Guide
Before you go, take a look at our Winter Bird Identification Guide. It is a great resource for identifying birds you might meet on the trail, but it is also perfect to keep at home while you watch your feeders. The guide pairs perfectly with Project FeederWatch, so you can enjoy recognising your backyard visitors and contribute valuable observations all winter long.
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