Bird Watching Toronto

Fall Migration Birding in Toronto

**Please note the only way to register for this adventure is on [our website.](https://www.wildernessunion.com/adventures/fall-birding-26)** **Toronto has some hidden natural gems, and October is when it puts on its best show.** Join our guide Pedro Hernandez of[ Outdoor Commute](https://www.instagram.com/outdoor.commute/) for a beginner-friendly birdwatching walk through the unique Tommy Thompson Park. You do not need to know a warbler from a wren, but you probably will when the day is done. This walk is built for people who are simply curious about the birds sharing our skyline. We’ll move slowly and stop often, learning how to identify species by shape, colour, and call, how to actually use a pair of binoculars (yours to borrow for the day), and how to make sense of field guides and birding apps you can keep using long after the trip ends. October is peak Fall migration in the city, with so many different birds to spot. Depending on conditions, we might spot warblers, sparrows, and thrushes moving through, along with waterfowl like northern shovelers and gadwalls resting on the water. Year-round residents including red-tailed hawks, black-capped chickadees, and northern cardinals tend to make an appearance too. **Please note that binoculars are included in the cost of the adventure and that, due to the Toronto location, transportation is not offered.** **Accessibility** Wilderness Union is committed to making our adventures as accessible as possible. If you wish to make an accommodation request relating to a disability or provide feedback, please do so by sending an email to info@wildernessunion.com **Highlights** **Fall Migration:** October is one of the best windows of the year to bird at the Spit, with local species and southbound migrants both moving through the park at once. **Professional Birder:** Pedro founded the popular birding account[ Outdoor Commute](https://www.instagram.com/outdoor.commute/) and brings a genuine, patient teaching style **Binoculars Included:** Every participant gets a pair of high-quality NOCS binoculars for the walk **Event cost: $60+HST (for explorer members). Register [here.](https://www.wildernessunion.com/adventures/fall-birding-26)** **About Wilderness Union** Wilderness Union is deliberate about building an outdoors community that connects you to the life-changing magic of the outdoors and helps you find your people. Members range from 20-40 years old. The group is a mix of GTA locals and newcomers to Toronto from within Canada and abroad. Attendance numbers on Meetup don't reflect our actual event attendance - we typically have 15-20 community members at each event. Large enough that there's someone new to meet but small enough that it's not overwhelming! ***Learn more at our website [www.wildernessunion.com](https://www.wildernessunion.com/)***

Birds of Prey and Eagle Watch

**Bald Eagles over the Scarborough Bluffs!** Fall raptor (hawk) migration is underway, and Friday's conditions are shaping up beautifully for a potentially exciting movement of hawks and other birds of prey. We'll be watching the skies for **Bald Eagles**, along with Ospreys, hawks, falcons and whatever other surprises migration sends our way! Join me for a relaxed three-hour raptor watch at beautiful **Rosetta McClain Gardens**, one of Toronto's best locations for watching migrating birds of prey as they move along the Lake Ontario shoreline. The forecast conditions for Friday look very promising for raptor movement, and we'll be watching the skies for **Bald Eagles, hawks, falcons, Ospreys and other birds of prey**. You never quite know what will appear during a hawk watch, and that's a big part of the excitement. One moment the sky can seem quiet and the next we're watching several raptors moving past us. And it won't just be about hawks! Rosetta McClain Gardens is a beautiful park and an excellent place for **songbirds and butterflies** during fall migration. We'll spend some time exploring the gardens and surrounding areas looking for warblers and other migrating songbirds, while keeping an eye out for Monarchs and other butterflies. One of the nice things about raptor watching is that **we don't have to start at the crack of dawn!** As the morning warms up and conditions improve, raptors begin taking advantage of rising air and favourable winds, making late morning an excellent time to watch the skies. This will be a casual and friendly outing. **You don't need to be an experienced birder.** If you're interested in birds, wildlife, photography or simply spending a few hours outside with other nature lovers, you're very welcome to join us. **When:** Friday, 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. **Where:** Rosetta McClain Gardens, Scarborough Bluffs **Cost:** **FREE!** Bring binoculars if you have them, a camera if you enjoy photography. Come out for a few hours and let's see what migration brings us. **Hawks, Bald Eagles, Ospreys, warblers, butterflies and hopefully a few surprises!** I look forward to meeting you!

Ward Island Sunset!

Let’s catch a beautiful Toronto sunset while it’s still warm enough to sit outside without freezing. 🌅🍂 Summer may be ending, but we still have some good outdoor evenings left! Come join us for a relaxed early-fall evening on Ward’s Island, where we’ll hang out by the water, meet some new people, and watch the sun go down over the Toronto skyline. This is a casual, low-pressure social event. There’s no packed itinerary and no need to be particularly outdoorsy — just bring yourself, something to sit on, and whatever you’d like for a cozy evening outside. 🌿 What We’ll Do We’ll start by meeting near the Ward’s Island ferry dock, where we’ll have some time for introductions, casual conversation, and for everyone to arrive. Once the group is together, we’ll leave the meeting point and walk toward our sunset spot. We’ll find somewhere comfortable by the water, settle down, chat, snack, take photos, and enjoy the sunset together. Feel free to bring cards, a book, a camera, or anything else you might enjoy. You’re also completely welcome to just sit, talk, and enjoy the view.

Watercolour Painting Meetup

Join us for relaxing watercolour painting meetups at a local cafe. Whether you’re a complete beginner or an experienced painter, all skill levels are welcome. Each session will begin with brief introductions, a short overview of watercolour techniques, and ideas to spark inspiration. From there, we'll settle in to paint, chitchat, and enjoy some cafe drinks together. We’ll wrap up each meetup with a show-and-tell, where anyone who’d like can share their work and see what others have created. The meetup is free if you bring your own supplies. If you need materials, $5 cash will cover basic watercolour supplies. To keep things chill, each meetup is limited to 10 attendees. Come unwind, experiment, and connect with others through art.

Hello Fall Colours: Dorset Hike & Lookout Tower

**Please note the only way to register for this adventure is on [our website.](https://www.wildernessunion.com/adventures/dorset-hike-and-lookout)** **Not every good trail makes it into a guidebook, and this hidden gem sure hasn't.** Tucked just southwest of Algonquin, it's a route we keep close for our members: rolling rock outcrops, quiet beaver ponds, and wide ridges that open into sweeping views when you least expect them. In September, the whole forest turns to a radiant display of red, orange, and gold; the kind of colours that makes you stop mid-stride. Welcome to fall in Ontario. We'll cover 7.5 km at a comfortable pace, with plenty of time to take it in before stopping for lunch at one of the best views on the route. It's a moderate hike, and a solid choice if this is your first time out on trail. From the trailhead, it's a short drive to Dorset. The tower was first built in 1922 as a fire lookout and rebuilt in 1967 into the structure that stands today. Climbing to the top puts you level with the treetops and gives you a panorama of the hills and lakes around Lake of Bays, all dressed in their fall colours. It's one of Ontario's most recognizable lookouts, offering a totally different perspective after a morning spent within the tree canopy. **Please note that anyone not taking the WU transportation will need to purchase their own tower access pass.** ‍ **Accessibility** Wilderness Union is committed to making our adventures as accessible as possible. If you wish to make an accommodation request relating to a disability or provide feedback, please do so by sending an email to [info@wildernessunion.com](mailto:info@wildernessunion.com) **Highlights** **The Lookout Tower Climb:** The observation deck sits 142 metres above Lake of Bays, with a 360 degree view over the surrounding hills and lakes. **A Trail Off the Map:** A quiet, little-known route kept for Wilderness Union members, far from the lineups that build up around Dorset in the fall. **Fall Colours:** Red, orange, and gold scattered across the Canadian Shield. **Event cost: $75+HST (for explorer members) + $60 optional transport available.** **Register [here.](https://www.wildernessunion.com/adventures/dorset-hike-and-lookout)** **About Wilderness Union** Wilderness Union is deliberate about building an outdoors community that connects you to the life-changing magic of the outdoors and helps you find your people. Members range from 20-40 years old. The group is a mix of GTA locals and newcomers to Toronto from within Canada and abroad. Attendance numbers on Meetup don't reflect our actual event attendance - we typically have 15-20 community members at each event. Large enough that there's someone new to meet but small enough that it's not overwhelming! ***Learn more at our website [www.wildernessunion.com](https://www.wildernessunion.com/)***

Sip n Stitch - September

Afternoon and Sunset at Hanlan's beach

Coffee & watch Fall for Dance North-Women’s Jingle Dance

Pub Night + Stargazing

Let's get together, drink beers and shoot the shit about space! And then also, do some star-gazing through a telescope on the nearby Kew-Balmy Beach! First bit of the evening, a blast from the past, we'll drink beers at Gabby's! Just like old times, though this is not the same location. They serve pub food, so you can come hungry too or whatever. We can talk about the feasibility of AI Data Centers in space, LOL. Also, some show and tell for recent stuff Space Club has been doing - we'll have a glider & control electronics on hand. Then around 8:30 or 9pm, if the weather is good (clear skies, etc), we'll walk south to the beach (600m, \~10 minute walk), we will setup a telescope, and we'll do some stargazing. The moon will be close to full (97%, waxing), and well in the sky, and Saturn rise in the sky around 9:30pm (it's a spectacular site though a telescope, you can see the rings). No other planets will be visible, but stars, galaxies, etc, plus there is some view of downtown though a gap created by the boardwalk. We'll pack up around 11pm. **\*\*\*Come with extra layers of clothing available\*\*\***, it can be amazingly cold to stand around on a beach, even if it seems warm on the street. Do not say I didn't warn you! Also you're welcome to bring any star gazing stuff you have, the more the merrier! If the weather is not good, we'll probably stay a bit longer at the pub, but it will be shorter evening. Hope to see you all out again!

Lion’s Head Lookout Hiking Trip

Cabbagetown Architecture Tour & Festival

We will be walking by the grandest homes in Cabbagetown and discussing their unique history and architecture. We will also be visiting the Cabbagetown Fall Festival which includes music, food, a street festival, arts & crafts, yard sales and a farm. This event is free. Highly recommended.

Scarborough Bluffs: Guild Park - South Marine Drive Park and back

This is a Photography hike in that we will take pictures at Guild Park and on the shore towards South Marine Drive Park You can view the history of the Guild Inn here: http://guildinnestate.com/guild-inn-history/ Distance: 8-10k hike Hiking Pace: slow to medium, take lots of pictures Elevation: +600' No Dogs Allowed (rules of Guild Inn) The Guild Inn Estate 201 Guildwood Pkwy · Scarborough, ON There are plenty of parking spots at Guild Park and Gardens. We'll meet in the first parking lot south of Guildwood Pkwy. In case you are lost, please call my cell: 647-949-6912 **Important Reminder:** By participating in this hike, you confirm that you have read, understood, and agreed to the Liability Waiver and Acknowledgement of Risk. If you have not done so, we kindly request that you refrain from participating in this event. We appreciate your cooperation and look forward to an enjoyable and safe adventure! • Dress for the weather! Prepare for the weather and wear suitable gear for the trail. • Ice cleats are mandatory! • Arrive on time! Please be punctual, as the group will leave on time. • Know your limits! Choose the hike that match your fitness level. After the event we may stop for a hot coffee or tea.