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Eastern Ontario Birding

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Ottawa, ON
Eastern Ontario Birding

Guided birding tours throughout eastern Ontario, lead by Jon Ruddy Welcome to Eastern Ontario Birding! I specialize in birding tours throughout eastern Ontario.
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My name is Jon, and I am an Ottawa-based professional birding guide and Kowa Sporting Optics brand ambassador. The year 2022 marks my seventh year as a professional bird guide, and I continue to fall more in love with birds by the day. A little bit about me: I am a real Bird Nerd at heart and enjoy reading older texts in search of fascinating tidbits about bird behaviour, migration, breeding biolo

gy and general avian natural history. While in the field, I take every opportunity to share the information I have learned through study. Before the inception of Eastern Ontario Birding, I worked as a field ornithologist. I have conducted bird surveys in eastern Ontario, southern Ontario, James Bay, the Okanagan Valley and throughout Manitoba. Throughout that same timeframe, I led bird hikes for both the Ottawa Field-Naturalists’ Club (OFNC), Macnamara Field-Naturalists’ Club (MFNC), and Ontario Field Ornithologists (OFO). I found that I derive no greater pleasure than seeing birders light up as they observe interesting bird behaviour, a particular species for the first time, or admire beautiful plumage details. As soon as a birder becomes a client, they are included in the group emails I share with clients. Looking forward to birding with you in 2022! Jon Ruddy
Owner & Guide at Eastern Ontario Birding

09/21/2024

A beautiful morning along the Ottawa River during today’s tour. Another week is a wrap! See you in the field next week, Eastern Ontario birders!

09/17/2024

Good afternoon, birders:

Below is an updated list of my remaining September tours, as well as my October tour schedule. Many different tours are available for sign up, including Algonquin Park in October, Presqu'ile Park in late September and October, Barrie and Toronto in late October, and more! Details below:

Thursday, September 19: Fall birding at Crysler Falls and Farran Bay Park

Friday, September 20: Peak fall migration at Petrie Island and Rockliffe Airport Woods

Saturday, September 21: Peak fall migration in Renfrew County

Wednesday, September 25: Peak fall migration at Mac Johnson Conservation Area and the Thousand Islands Parkway

Saturday, September 28: Fall Birding Spectacle: Peak fall migration at Point Petre and Prince Edward Point NWA

Sunday, September 29: Fall Birding Spectacle: Exploring Presqu’ile Park & Gull Island

Friday, October 4: Point Petre Hawkwatch & Lakewatch in Prince Edward County

Sunday, October 6: Fall Birding Spectacle at Algonquin Provincial Park

Thursday, October 10: Fall birding at Parc National de Plaisance

Friday, October 11: Fall birding at Constance Bay and Shirleys Bay

Thursday, October 17: Fall Birding Spectacle at Gull Island, Presqu’ile Provincial Park

Friday, October 18: Fall birding at Crysler Falls and Farran Bay Park

Saturday, October 19: Fall Birding Spectacle at Sandbanks Provincial Park and environs

Friday, October 25: Fall Birding Spectacle: Lake Simcoe’s Loons, Gulls and more!

Sat/Sun, October 26-27: Fall Birding Spectacle: Greater Toronto Area’s Waterfront Parks

Thursday, October 31: Happy Owloween Owl Prowl in Ottawa

For more info, please visit eontbird.ca

Best regards,
Jon Ruddy
Eastern Ontario Birding
https://eontbird.ca/
(613) 558-6821

09/17/2024

Late on Sunday afternoon, two juvenile American Golden-Plovers visited Outlet Beach at Sandbanks Provincial Park. Outlet Beach is a magnet for shorebirds, especially when beachgoers are sparse. In my experience, American Golden-Plover is uncommon to rare at Sandbanks Park; for example, the most recent previous sighting was during the fall of 2011.

Good birding,
Jon Ruddy
eontbird.ca

09/14/2024

Sanderlings resting on a shoal on Lake Ontario. These are juvenile Sanderlings, with one of the birds undergoing its preformative moult to its scapulars. Notice, on the bird at front right, the “block” of pale, light grey feathers with dark shafts; those are formative feathers. Because the bird’s plumage is not entirely formative, the terminology used is “preformative” in regards to this birds’ plumage class.

Good birding!
Jon Ruddy

09/14/2024

Nature’s Artwork on fine display early in the morning along the St Lawrence River.

09/14/2024

Mating Green-striped Darners (Aeshna verticalis) at Presqu'ile Provincial Park. Presqu'ile Park is a superb location, during late summer/early fall, to observe migrating and local insects.

09/12/2024

What a productive three day tour that was! Presqu’ile for two days and Tommy Thompson Park in Toronto for one. 139 species in total, with 23 warbler species and all sorts of other goodies. September is an outstanding birding month, eastern Ontario birders! I have plenty of tours available for registration. See, eontbird.ca for more details.

Photo: Pectoral Sandpiper rests along the shoreline of Gull Island at Presqu’ile Provincial Park.

09/09/2024

Beautiful sunset-lit mammatus cloud over Embrun, Ontario. The perfect end to a great birding day. 7 September 2024.

09/06/2024

It is hard to choose between May and September when it comes to the thrill of field guiding. There is so much to see this time of year 🙂 I have many tour offerings in September; be sure to check out my Tour Schedule for more details! https://eontbird.ca/?page_id=7

Photo: Migrant Monarch butterflies at Presqu’ile Provincial Park, one of eastern Ontario’s top sites to view large numbers of Monarchs

08/31/2024

Juvenile Bonapartes Gulls at Westmeath Provincial Park, August.

08/31/2024

Black-bellied Plover, juvenile. Digi-scoped vignette using my iPhone and Kowa TSN-884 spotting scope.

08/30/2024

American Redstart

08/26/2024

Peek-a-boo Barred Owl fledgling

08/24/2024

UPCOMING TOURS!

Tuesday, August 27: Shorebird study at Presqu’ile Provincial Park

Wednesday, August 28: POP-UP! Afternoon warblers and more at Britannia Conservation Area

Wednesday, August 28: Dusk Birding Spectacle: Herons, Nighthawks & more at Rapides Deschenes

Saturday, August 31: Peak fall migration at Prince Edward Point National Wildlife Area

Sunday, September 1: Peak fall shorebirds, songbirds & more at Presqu’ile Provincial Park

Monday, September 2: Peak fall shorebirds, songbirds & more at Presqu’ile Provincial Park

To register, please visit: https://eontbird.ca/?page_id=7

08/21/2024

Shorebirds are staging in eastern Ontario at this time — I have quite a few shorebird focused tours this from present time to October. Come join a tour to learn more about shorebird ID. See eontbird.ca for further details.

Photo: A juvenile Semipalmated Plover pauses along the shoreline of the Ottawa River. Juveniles have beautiful pale scalloping in the fall (crown and upperparts).

Good birding
Jon Ruddy

08/16/2024

Happy Birthday to the littlist member of our flock, our sweet Lydia! May the Lord bless you abundantly as you enter into this next year of your life. We thank Him for you, you are a gift!🙏❤️🙏

08/14/2024

Peak Fall Migration Tours!

We have entered the absolute best time period for fall birding; mid-August to mid-October (and even beyond) is such a rich time period for birding! For example, during today's four hour tour to Mac Johnson C.A. near Brockville, we tallied 73 species, including an Olive-sided Flycatcher, 6 Ovenbirds, 3 Golden-winged Warblers and 2 Canada Warblers. The birding was wonderful. I have a robust field tour schedule, with tours planned for maximizing birding opportunities. For more details, please see:

Birding outings throughout eastern Ontario suitable for a wide range of birders, from beginners to those with many years of field birding experience.

08/12/2024

Greater vs Lesser Yellowlegs in juvenile plumage:

A nice opportunity to view both species of Yellowlegs within the same scope view. The Greater is at front, Lesser at rear. Note, when comparing the Greater vs the Lesser, the larger overall size; longer, thicker and more distinctly bi-coloured bill; bolder and thicker orbital ring; and more coarsely-streaked head and neck. The Greater is already moulting some juvenal scapular feathers (note the handful of duller more solidly grey feathers to its upper back; these are called “basic” feathers).

Good birding,
Jon Ruddy
Owner and Guide at Eastern Ontario Birding

07/29/2024

Out from a mixed species flock popped a beautiful Eastern Warbling Vireo in fresh fall plumage. Fall plumage in the Eastern Warbling Vireo is typically brighter and more colourful thank spring plumage, which can create confusion with Philadelphia Vireo! For more on Philadelphia vs. Eastern Warbling Vireo, click here: https://eontbird.ca/?p=652

07/03/2024

Summertime exploration is filled with wonder and beauty. Mating pair of Halloween pennants. Digi-scoped image using my iPhone and Kowa TSN-884 spotting scope.

07/01/2024

Happy Canada Jay, Eastern Ontario Birders!

06/27/2024

A beautiful Bobolink balances on a twig as it surveys its surroundings.

06/24/2024

The Carden Alvar Important Bird Area tour was a great success! See you again, in 2025, Kawartha Lakes! My 2025 tour date will be posted in the fall of this year.

Good birding,
Jon Ruddy
Owner & Guide
Eastern Ontario Birding

06/17/2024

Lovely walk after a lovely Father’s Day meal at Ad Mare seafood. Mmmm lobster roll! Thanks, Samar ❤️🙏.

06/15/2024

Scarlet Tanager singing its dawn chorus in the Rideau Lakes region. A truly beautiful moment during today’s tour!

06/08/2024

During today’s tour we were able to observe the remarkable camouflage of a Common Nighthawk!

06/08/2024

Common Merganser resting on a rock along the Ottawa River

06/07/2024

American Woodcock—what a neat bird!

06/02/2024

Our birding group enjoyed many lovely views of birds during today’s tour, including this beautiful Savannah Sparrow. I have exciting tours lined up for the remainder of June—you can take a peek at my tour schedule here: https://eontbird.ca/?page_id=7

Good birding!
Jon Ruddy
Owner & Guide at Eastern Ontario Birding

05/31/2024

Prince Edward Point National Wildlife Area is one of the top sites in all of eastern Ontario for seeing migrant Olive-sided Flycatchers. During todays Late Spring Migrants at Prince Edward Point tour, we observed three individuals. Lovely birds!

Address

88 Stradwick Avenue
Ottawa, ON

Opening Hours

Tuesday	7am - 6pm
Wednesday	7am - 6pm
Thursday	7am - 6pm
Friday	7am - 6pm
Saturday	7am - 6pm

Website

http://eontbird.ca/

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Videos

Scarlet Tanager singing at dawn’s early light

Scarlet Tanager singing its dawn chorus in the Rideau Lakes region. A truly beautiful moment during today’s tour! #kowa

Thanks for a wonderful 2023 tour year! Looking forward to 2024 already.

Snow Geese!

Snow Goose Spectacle!

Snow Geese in Eastern Ontario

The snow geese have arrived in big numbers! Join me this Saturday as we search for and photograph beautiful snow geese in eastern Ontario. Tour info: https://eontbird.ca/?page_id=26773

Bullfrog Ultimate Fighting Championship: Ringside seats in Renfrew County!

Warbler food (midges) along the coast of Prince Edward County.

Yesterday, I happened to be outside at the right time. Tens of thousands of Greater Snow Geese were heading north over North Embrun at high altitude, possibly en route to Lac St Pierre near Trois Rivieres; a key staging site. Eventually, by May, they will have arrived in Canada’s eastern Arctic! The flocks look like pearl necklaces in the sky; so beautiful!

What a lovely sound to hear while hiking! Sandhill Cranes arriving back to eastern Ontario 🎼 🎶

Many critters are out and about in the warmer temps. For animals such as this Mink, spring means plenty to eat and much to investigate!

What a magical scene in the woods yesterday. My wife and I were exploring in Lanark County. When the lead edge of the front hit, boy O' boy, did it snow :)

Lake Song! I happened to be visiting a lake site after the first really cold night of the year. The waves billowing underneath the freshly formed ice created an astonishingly beautiful sound. Enjoy 😊

Rough-legged Hawk hunting style: Rough-legged Hawks are master hover-hunters. They often position themselves head-first into a headwind, and then hover more or less in place, while searching the ground below. They hail from breeding grounds with very few trees...and it shows; they hunt on the wing as they slowly cover ground. It is said that Rough-legs can view a fluorescent latticework of small mammal urine, due to being able to detect the UV signal of the urine! Areas with high levels of UV latticework receive special attention from this High Arctic hunter. #Kowa

Clients sometimes inquire about how I manage to lead tours 4-5 days a week, 11 months out of the year. The logistics, the spotlight, the adrenaline, the packing/organizing, the identifications, the fielding of questions, the troubleshooting, the leading itself (bearing the weight of responsibility), etc. A full time tour leader. How do I recover? How do I remain fresh throughout a tour year? I found it helpful to identify WHO I am and HOW I need to recover in order to head out the door each morning inspired and ready to give my best. One of the key recovery tools I incorporate from time to time is seeking out beautiful spaces in which to enjoy true stillness and quietness. BiRd WoRlD just melts away. I make sure to savour the feeling of ease and relaxation… Anyways, I wished to share some insights I have discovered! See you in the field :)

Interesting “yard birds,” these Snow Geese! This is the view from our office window.

Night night, Snow Geese! Here they are heading to their nighttime roost…

The Snow Geese have settled in here in Embrun, Ontario! Wonderful to see and hear them daily. For goose lovers: I have a Snow Goose Spectacle tour on Saturday, November 12th; I’ll also be looking through large numbers of geese for Ross’s Goose, Greater White-fronted Goose and even Barnacle Goose! Details and sign up: https://eontbird.ca/?page_id=24178 #kowa

The Sandhill Cranes were dancing up a storm during today’s private tour in Renfrew County! #kowa

A Common Gallinule foraging in the shallows of the St Lawrence River during today’s tour! I created this short video using my iPhone held up to the eyepiece of my Kowa TSN-884 spotting scope. #kowa

During tonight’s after dinner walk, my wife and I were shocked to observe three river otters 🦦 foraging in the storm water ponds by our home!! Neat to listen to their “snorting” sounds as they investigated us. You just never know what you may see! #kowa #kowaoptics