Grab your binoculars because the birds are back and so was TRCA’s annual Spring Bird Festival.
On May 10, Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) hosted the Spring Bird Festival at Tommy Thompson Park, welcoming seasoned birders, families, and nature enthusiasts to this annual celebration.
The park is a one-of-a-kind urban wilderness, located right in the heart of the city. This constructed peninsula sits at the intersection of two major migratory flyways. Every spring, tens of thousands of birds stop here to rest and refuel on their long journeys. Some birds come from as far away as the Amazon!
This year’s festival began with a smudging ceremony led by Indigenous Traditional teacher Cat Criger, a tradition that honours the land and the deep connections between people, place, and nature. It was a meaningful way to open a day focused not just on birds, but on our shared responsibility to protect the ecosystems they depend on.
More than 700 visitors attended the festival throughout the day, with opportunities to learn about spring migration and, in many cases, witness the phenomenon firsthand.
Festivalgoers explored a full lineup of activities. Guided bird walks and live bird banding demonstrations gave visitors a close-up view of the incredible diversity at the park.
The Tommy Thompson Park Bird Research Station was open to visitors, offering insight into the science behind bird monitoring.
Families enjoyed nature-based games and interactive displays at the Nature Centre, including Cowbird Plinko, bird-themed arts and crafts, and the popular Wingspan Wall.
Local organizations hosted community booths with tips on bird-friendly gardening, conservation actions, and how to get involved.
While the festival has wrapped up, birding season is just getting started. TRCA invites visitors to return for upcoming spring programs at Tommy Thompson Park:
- Wetlands in Watercolour: Participants will learn about painting techniques while immersed in the unique beauty of Tommy Thompson Park (TTP). They will be guided through the creation of a painting depicting the silhouettes of birds that can be found in TTP’s iconic wetlands.
- Birds and Brushstrokes: Participants will learn about painting techniques while immersed in the unique beauty of Tommy Thompson Park (TTP). They will be guided through the creation of a painting depicting the beautiful migratory songbirds that return to TTP each spring.
- PA Day Camp: Campers will discover how the diversity of bird species changes throughout the year. They will spend the days adventuring on guided hikes, playing nature-based games outdoors, and deepening their connection with the natural world.
And if you’re still looking for more ways to celebrate spring migration, the City of Toronto is also hosting its Spring Bird Festival at Colonel Samuel Smith Park on May 24. Visitors can enjoy guided bird walks, live birds and reptiles, habitat-building workshops, children’s activities, and interactive displays. Get more details.
Tommy Thompson Park is a reminder that you don’t have to leave the city to experience the wonder of bird migration. Visit and be part of a community that’s helping migration thrive!