The Soundtrack of Spring: Welcoming the Birds Back to the Grand
After a long, quiet winter locked under the ice and snow, there is no greater feeling of joy and relief than stepping outside in Southwestern Ontario and finally hearing the merry chirping of birds returning to the trees. Between February and June, millions of North American birds take to the skies, leaving their southern wintering grounds to fly thousands of kilometres north to their breeding grounds. For those of us who have been waiting patiently for the thaw, this arrival is a true spectacle for the senses and the ultimate herald of warmer days to come.
Here on the Grand River, we have front-row seats to this incredible journey. Migrating birds follow established routes known as “flyways,” which act like invisible highways in the sky following natural features like shorelines and river systems. Ontario is incredibly fortunate to have two major flyways crossing the province—the Atlantic and Mississippi—which bring a vibrant variety of warblers, wading birds, songbirds, shorebirds, and raptors right to our local waters.
If you are looking to cure your cabin fever, river valleys, marshes, and swamps are some of the absolute best spots for birdwatching in the province. Down at Long Point, one of the beautiful areas we serve, you can witness migrating birds touching down to safely refuel after their perilous journey across Lake Erie. When you book an early season paddle with us, you are completely immersed in this great migration. During your trip, you’ll likely spot daytime fliers like blue jays, swallows, and hawks orienting themselves by the sun and the very landmarks you are paddling past.
One of the things I love most about guiding on the Grand River is its ability to instantly wrap you in nature. As soon as you push your canoe off the bank, the chatter of city traffic fades away, replaced entirely by the rustle of new leaves, the gentle splash of your paddle, and the joyful calls of birds echoing along the shore. Whether it’s watching a great blue heron strike the water to catch a fish or spotting a mature bald eagle quietly surveying the river from the treetops, these moments remind us that our local waterways are a wild, natural sanctuary hiding in plain sight.
The birds are back, the air is warming up, and the river is coming alive. Grab your binoculars, book your early season adventure, and let’s go enjoy the sweetest soundtrack of the season together.