Birds, Native Plant Gardens, and Bird Habitat

We'll meet in front of the Rideau Sports Centre, 1 Donald St. We'll walk south along the Rideau River, and our first stop will be the native plant garden and plaques at the Rideau River Kiosk. From there, we will proceed south along the multi-use pathway, stopping to look for water birds in the river and songbirds in the thickets in the park. We will stop for a chance to listen for and look for birds and try out the Merlin application. We will continue the pathway under the Queensway and then stop just south of the overpass at the entrance to the trail into Hurdman woods. Then we’ll cross the iron railway bridge and turn north to return to the Adàwe Crossing, finishing at the Rideau Sport Centre where we began.

Accessibility: Most of this route is paved, although some of the pavement is in poor shape.

Emilia is the is the chair of the Ottawa Field Naturalists Club Birding Committee. She is an avid birder and often walks along the Rideau River.

Deborah Doherty is a bird lover and the co-chair of Bird-Friendly Ottawa. She is passionate about preserving and restoring our natural environment for generations to come. Deb loves the beautiful birds that live and visit our community during their spring and fall migration. This walk is takes place in a special part of her community along a portion of the Rideau River Eastern Pathway that is part of the Rideau Winter trail.

Deb has lived, worked and played along the Rideau River for almost 40 years. As a retired adult educator and a life-long learner, she knows the importance of taking time to smell the flowers and listen to the birds. She loves exploring nature and sharing the gifts of nature in our urban environment.

This walk is co-hosted by CAFES Ottawa and the Ottawa Field Naturalists Club Birding Committee.