Birds, Boreal Forests, and Seasons

Canada's Boreal forest is home to birds all year round, but in the spring and summer, the influx of nesting bird species can be counted in the hundreds. Learn more about birdwatching in Northwestern Ontario available in different seasons of the year.

White pelicans like to feed in the fast moving waters during the spring.

By Gerry Cariou Gerry is the Executive Director of Ontario's Sunset Country and is an avid fisherman and nature photographer.

January 14, 2026

Birdwatching in the Heart of Northwestern Ontario’s Boreal Forest

Canada is a vast country, and much of it is covered by the Boreal forest. Fun fact: there are estimated to be 277 billion trees across the entire Boreal Ecozone in North America, and around 80% of that is in Canada. In Northwestern Ontario, outside a few isolated pockets of farmland, the entire region is forested, and it has over 70,000 freshwater lakes, rivers, and streams.

With such a vast forested area, Northwestern Ontario is a critical habitat for birds of all kinds. Read this article and learn more about birdwatching opportunities across all seasons, and you'll agree, it's another excellent reason to visit Ontario's Sunset Country.

Northwestern Ontario is covered almost entirely by Boreal forests. — Northwestern Ontario is covered almost entirely by Boreal forest which is a key habitat for hundreds of different bird species.

Seasonal Birdwatching in Sunset Country, Ontario: Changes Drive Viewing Opportunities

In Northwestern Ontario, there are four distinct seasons, each lasting long enough to affect which birdwatching opportunities are available. What birds you see at any given time is determined by geography (our latitude) and ecology, primarily due to massive temperature changes that affect the availability of food supply. With winter and summer temperature ranges of 40 to 50 degrees celsius, that makes a lot of sense.

With the spring explosion in insect populations and seed production in the summer and fall, bird movements are determined by nature, and being aware of seasonal changes is key to successful birdwatching. Waterfowl can't deal with ice-covered lakes and open‑water invertebrates, aquatic plants, and small fish shape where and when waterfowl, loons, and shorebirds congregate during migration and breeding. If you know what is happening in the Boreal at any given time, it will guide you on which birds to look for.

Common loons arrive in Ontario in May and depart by the middle of October. — Common loons breed in large numbers in Northwestern Ontario. Their haunting cry is a defining sound of the Boreal.

Best Times of Year for Birding in Northwestern Ontario

Spring- Late March to Mid-June: Even though "spring" officially begins on March 20th, it's usually not too springlike in Northwestern Ontario at that time. Come mid to late April, temperatures generally rise, and the ice on the rivers and lakes begins to melt. This is the real start of the spring migration. As the back bays on lakes and rivers begin to open up, you'll see the first waterfowl, such as ducks, swans, and geese. If the breakup is slow, you may find concentrations in the small patches of open water. As the snow fully melts and it's warm enough during the day, the first insects hatch.

Common Bird Species Found in Northwestern Ontario in the Spring

This is the start of "prime time" for migratory birds as many species arrive and begin scouting out nesting sites. Some arriving birds to look for in spring include:

There are many other species one could list, as massive numbers of migrating birds fly through and to Northwestern Ontario in the spring. Sunset Country is large enough that you could see different species depending on where you are viewing them. A great resource for birdwatching in Northwestern Ontario is the Thunder Bay Field Naturalists website.

For an out-of-this-world birdwatching experience, visit the Thunder Cape Bird Observatory.

Canada geese are a common sight in Sunset Country. — You will definitely see Canada geese when you visit Northwestern Ontario.

Summer - Mid-June to Mid-September: By mid-June, nesting and breeding are fully underway, and the bird-watching opportunities improve dramatically. The raptors have all returned, as have the hummingbirds. There are literally hundreds of different species in the Boreal forest at this time of year, some only for a few months, which breed and then leave.

Common Bird Species Found in Northwestern Ontario in the Summer

Sightings of water birds are especially good at this time of year. Some summer birds to look for include:

Great Blue Heron fishing image by Valerie Dunsmore. — A Great Blue Heron is an awesome sight! Count your lucky stars if you see one. Image by Valerie Dunsmore.

Since summer is when most visitors are in Sunset Country, it coincides with prime birdwatching season. It's worthwhile to ask locals where you can see birds, as many people who live here are avid birders. Bring your camera and a tripod and pick a spot. If you have patience, you'll always be rewarded. Many locals flock to the south end of Lake of the Woods and the Rainy River District. Red Lake, Ontario, also has an avid Birding group.

Fall - Mid-September to December: Birdwatching in the Fall is excellent, but what you see and where it changes dramatically. Some birds start their southerly migration as early as the beginning of September, while others linger right until ice-in. Once the leaves begin to fall, birds in the Boreal are easier to see, so that's an advantage, but many are on the move and don't stay in any one place for long. Picking your spots to intercept migrating species is your best bet.

Beautiful spruce grouse perched in a conifer. — You have a good chance of seeing a spruce grouse in the Fall. Image: Discovery Lake Lodge.

For water birds, look in shallow bays and marshy areas where late-season vegetation is, as many waterfowl use these as staging or stopover areas. Wild rice beds are particularly good for various migratory duck species. Weather patterns trigger movements, so a cold fall will result in earlier migration patterns than what you see if it were warm.

Common Bird Species Found in Northwestern Ontario in the Fall

You can see many species of birds in Sunset Country during the autumn, but here are some of the more likely ones:

Blue Jays are very common in Northwestern Ontario. — Blue Jays are seen throughout the year but frequently in late fall/early winter. Image: Jay Siemens

Winter - Mid-December to Mid-March: With the cold temperatures in Northwestern Ontario, winter can be a challenging yet rewarding time for birdwatchers. The hardiest of species are what you'll see, and many birds, such as ravens, are much more visible in winter. While some of the best shots are captured at winter birdfeeders, you can venture out to known locations and down hiking trails and simply look up.

Common Bird Species Found in Northwestern Ontario in the Winter

Here are common species you are likely to see in the winter.

As long as you dress for the cold and plan your activities with safety in mind, the lack of leaf cover and the white blanket of snow can lead to some spectacular sightings—even owls!

Large pileated woodpecker at a winter feeder. Image by Al Smith. — Pileated woodpeckers are often large and easy to identify. This one is seen at a winter feeder. Image: Smith Camps.

Frequently Asked Questions About Birdwatching in Northwestern Ontario

Q: What is the best season for birdwatching in Northwestern Ontario?

A: They are all good, but if you want good weather, summer and early fall are the best times. It also depends on what species you are trying to see. Spring and fall are the best seasons to see migrators passing through.

Q: Is a week-long trip worthwhile?

A: Definitely! There are over 370 species identified in the Thunder Bay region alone, along with countless short-term migrators heading further north or south. You can easily spend a week of birdwatching in the comfort of a cabin rental!

Q: What are the main habitats in Northwestern Ontario suitable for birdwatching?

A: The variety of habitats is one of the things that makes bird watching here special. They range from rocky outcrops/cliffs, marshes and swamps, lakeshores, dense forested areas, and mature, open forest. In the Rainy River District and around Dryden, there are even open pastures and small, rolling hills. But for the most part, it is true wilderness in many parts of the region, so plan accordingly.

Q: What clothing and gear do you recommend?

A: Since you'll be traversing the rocky Canadian Shield, hiking boots, pants and proper attire for a forest environment are highly recommended. If you are going to an off-road/wilderness area, make sure you tell another person not accompanying you where you are headed and when you expect to be back.

Q: Are there local bird clubs, guides, or festivals, and do they offer field trips or up‑to‑date information for visitors?

A: The short answer is yes, there are. A list of local, regional and national resources is provided below.

Some Useful Resources for Birdwatching in Ontario

Thunder Bay Field Naturalists Facebook Page

eBird Canada

Bird Canada

Birding in the Rainy River District

Thunder Bay Field Naturalists Website

Birding Red Lake, Ontario

Cornell Labs All About Birds

Atlas of the Breeding Birds of Ontario (dated publication, but informative)

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About Gerry Cariou

Gerry is the Executive Director of Ontario's Sunset Country Travel Association and is an avid fisherman and nature photographer. Gerry has been writing about Sunset Country's varied travel experiences for over 20 years and lives these experiences year-round in Kenora, Ontario.