Enjoy a day of guided bird walks, live birds, reptiles and amphibians, backyard habitat building, art workshops, children’s activities, and educational displays. Bird walks start regularly throughout the festival. If you are planning on coming to the festival with your four-legged friend, remember to keep your dog on a leash. This festival is part of the annual Toronto Bird Celebration that has activities running throughout May.
Colonel Samuel Smith Park, 3145 Lake Shore Blvd. W., Etobicoke. Festival grounds at the end of Colonel Samuel Smith Park Road.
| Date | Event | Time | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 23 | Urban Innovation for Birds and Biodiversity Webinar | Noon to 1 p.m. | Toronto has been designated as a Bird Friendly City for its efforts and leadership in urban bird conservation. Join Nature Canada staff and a Bird Friendly City Toronto volunteer for a webinar about the certification, efforts to sustain and strengthen local bird-supportive policy, and how you can help promote urban bird welfare. |
| May 25 | Opening Ceremony | 10 to 10:15 a.m. | Celebrate the return of the birds and open the 15th annual Spring Bird Festival with Vivian Recollet. Vivian is an Anishinaabe Grandmother, of the Turtle Clan from Wikwemikong unceded territory located on Manitoulin Island, Ontario. Begin the festival with gratitude and honour for the land, its winged inhabitants, and shared ancestral wisdom. |
| May 25 | Hourly Bird Tours |
10 to 11 a.m. 11 a.m. to noon Noon to 1 p.m. 1 to 2 p.m. |
Guided tours with local bird enthusiasts to look, listen, and learn about birds. You’ll track common species and discuss etiquette and actions for birding in the city. Binoculars are suggested but not required. |
| May 25 | Wildlife Detective: Kids Nature Tour with the TRCA |
10:45 to 11:30 a.m. 1:15 to 2 p.m. |
Join Toronto and Region Conservation (TRCA) and become Wildlife Detectives as we explore the trails at Colonel Sam Smith Park! We’ll carefully scout the trail, searching for animal clues and learning about the different types of evidence our local wildlife can leave behind. What can these clues tell us about these animals? We’ll also learn about what we can do to protect wildlife habitats at home, at school, and in our communities! |
| May 25 | Family Bird Tours |
10:30 to 11 a.m. 11:30 a.m. to noon 12:30 to 1 p.m. |
Join local bird enthusiasts for a tour for younger birders. Together you’ll start to discover the wonders, sights, and sounds of local birds. We’ll explore where they build their homes, how they catch a meal, and what they do to survive winter. No birding experience is required, but curiosity is suggested! |
| May 25 | Turtle Protector Tour | 1 to 1:45 p.m. | Immerse yourself in the fascinating world of turtles and their ecosystems through an Indigenous lens. Explore the lush surroundings while gaining insight into the crucial role turtles play in the local environment, intertwining their lives with the diverse bird species of Toronto’s landscapes. |
| May 25 | Closing Ceremony | 1:45 to 2 p.m. | Wrap up the Bird Festival with Grandmother Vivian leading a closing ceremony, sharing wisdom and blessings while acknowledging the birds that enrich our world. Experience a calming meditation that fosters a deeper connection to nature, leaving attendees with gratitude for our feathered friends. |
