Thirty-five people attended our birding walk on September 7th 2025. Jill Kelly from the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority led us with her birding knowledge. She taught us about the importance of birds for nature, their significance to indigenous peoples, and how humans can engage in an ethical manner with these creatures.
People help to create places. There were bird enthusiasts of all ages. Children pointed out bird sightings to adults and shared their excitement about a Canadian fox sighting! Older adults using birding apps shared what species were in our vicinity.
Residents with knowledge of the park pointed out sites that few knew about. A bird enthusiast and photographer told us about a Woodhouse duck that had a Mallard duck as his girlfriend. He said: “I didn’t even know they could mate on an inter-species basis!”
Jill guided us through a moment of silence so we could let the birds sing. This helped us to identify species based on their songs. People’s enthusiasm and openness to connecting with each other was palpable.
The walk brought together bird enthusiasts from across the GTHA – a couple came from Mississauga. Many brought their binoculars and clad in bird-themed clothing. I wore my Toronto Blue Jays hat. We all flocked together!
Parks can be places that we pass through. Our winged friends use them as their homes and stops on their migration routes. Next time you’re in a park: pause and take a moment to listen. You may hear more birds than you were expecting.
Thank you to TD Park People for their grant, which funded our snacks for everybody. Thank you to Melissa Lantsman, Member of Parliament for Thornhill, and to Mario G. Racco, Local and Regional Councillor at the City of Vaughan for attending this event. Thanks to our participants.
Want to start your own friends of the park group or food forest? Don’t be shy. Get in touch.