❄️ Cozy Winter Bird Adventures
Winter is the perfect time to slow down, stay cozy, and connect with birds — whether you’re heading out on snowy trails or settling in at home for a birdy night in.
From online events and fun winter challenges to local trails, feeder watching, and photo contests, we’ve gathered a few ways to keep your love of birds thriving all season long.
Don’t forget your camera! Your bird photos could win you a gift card with our Monthly Photo Contest.
Watch: Outwit, Outplay & Outlast Winter
How do birds survive the harsh winter? In this recorded in-store presentation from our Kanata location, Survivor fan Patty shares the real-life strategies backyard birds use to outwit, outplay, and outlast the cold.
- Learn the clever adaptations birds use in winter
- Fun Survivor-style comparisons (alliances, strategists, “hidden immunity idols”)
- Practical feeding tips for the cold, winter months
Prefer watching on YouTube? Open the video.
❄️ 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.
Follow us on Facebook @wbukanata for news & updates on future events!
🐦 Interested in Partnering With Us?
We love collaborating with people who share our passion for birds, nature, and lifelong learning.
If you have an idea for a presentation, workshop, walk, or creative project that would resonate with our birding community, we’d love to hear from you.
Email us at [email protected] with a brief description of your idea and how it might fit our community.