“Lunch with Birds” at Queen’s Park Photo: Christoph Ng
9 May 2018 (Toronto, Ontario) – Toronto is home to over 290 different bird species. Each spring, millions of birds descend on the city’s neighbourhoods and green spaces. Just in time for peak migration, 20 of the city’s leading conservation organizations are coming together to celebrate the city’s incredible bird life and dedicated community of bird lovers. From Saturday, May 12 to Sunday, May 27, 46 festivals and events will be held across the Greater Toronto Area.
The event line-up has something for everyone, from bird-themed board game nights, to guided bird walks, to all-day bird festivals. Many events are free but may have limited space and require pre-bookings. A full list of events is available at www.torontobirdweek.ca.
“Many of the threats that bird species face, such as window collisions and development, are directly related to our urban lifestyle,” said Becky Stewart, Ontario Program Manager, Bird Studies Canada. “Birds will only be conserved if we value them as integral parts of our urban neighbourhoods and ecosystems. If we do, it will be a ‘win-win’ because birds and humans alike will benefit from conserving our urban green spaces.”
Event highlights:
May 12 (World Migratory Bird Day):
- Spring Bird Festival at Tommy Thompson Park – one of Toronto’s best birding spots
- World Migratory Bird Day at the Toronto Zoo and Rouge National Urban Park, featuring free guided birding outings at the park, family-friendly programming at both locations, and demonstrations at the Toronto Zoo’s new Motus Wildlife Tracking System station (Zoo admission required)
- Morning Bird Blitz and Birds and Bees workshop for urban gardeners at the Humber Arboretum
- 2018 Ontario BioBlitz – Learn Citizen Science skills and help document the species of Whitby’s Heber Down Conservation Area
May 17:
- Swift Night Out – Join the crowd walking from Allan Gardens to the Moss Park Armoury to see Chimney Swifts swirl into the chimney at dusk, like a living fireworks display
- Birds and Board Games – Bird and board game enthusiasts alike can challenge each other to bird-themed board games at the Pickering Public Library. (A second games night will take place May 23 at Oriole Community Centre in North York.)
May 22:
- A Night at the Movies – Join Bird Studies Canada’s President Steven Price at The Revue Cinema for a special screening of Twentieth Century Fox’s 2011 birdwatching comedy, “The Big Year”
Daily :
- Bird walks and watches are being held throughout the GTA to observe birds ranging from Whimbrels to warblers. All birding skill levels are welcome!
Visit the Toronto Bird Celebration online at www.torontobirdweek.ca for the full calendar of events, and resources including a multilingual Map Guide to the Birds of Toronto.
Bird Studies Canada
Bird Studies Canada is coordinating the Toronto Bird Celebration and is Canada’s leading national charitable organization dedicated to bird science and conservation.
Partners
The Toronto Bird Celebration is delivered by a large partnership of Toronto conservation organizations:
Bird Studies Canada, Citizens Concerned About the Future of the Etobicoke Waterfront, City of Toronto, Downsview Park, Drake Commissary, Fatal Light Awareness Program, Friends of Sam Smith, High Park Nature Centre, Humber Arboretum, Ontario BioBlitz, Parks Canada: Rouge National Urban Park, Rexdale STEM Club, Royal Ontario Museum, Thorncliffe Park Women’s Committee, Toronto Ornithological Club, Toronto Parks, Forestry and Recreation, Toronto and Region Conservation Authority, Toronto Zoo, Wild Birds Unlimited.
Funders
TD Friends of the Environment Foundation and The W. Garfield Weston Foundation
Media Contacts
- Stacey Kerr, Toronto Bird Celebration Coordinator, Bird Studies Canada (Celebration Coordinator), 416-889-9158 / stacey.lee.kerr@gmail.com
- Katie Gray, Supervisor of Public Relations and Events, Toronto Zoo (Partner), kgray@torontozoo.ca
- Jeffrey Sinibaldi , Public Relations and Communications Officer, Rouge National Urban Park, Parks Canada, Government of Canada (Partner), jeffrey.sinibaldi@pc.gc.ca / 647-271-8189
- Marilyn Campbell, Communications Assistant, Humber Arboretum (Partner), marilyn.campbell@humber.ca
- Mark Peck, Acting Managing Director, Schad Gallery of Biodiversity, Royal Ontario Museum (Partner), markp@rom.on.ca
- Elizabeth Oakley, Project Manager, Content Marketing, Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (Partner), eoakley@trca.on.ca
- Jessica Iraci, Parks Program Officer, City of Toronto (Partner), jessica.iraci@toronto.ca
- Diana Teal, Program Manager, Friends of Allan Gardens (Partner), diana@friendsofallangardens.ca
