WE Bird 2025: The Windsor Essex Pelee Island Birding Trail | Tourism Windsor Essex Experiences

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WE Bird 2025: The Windsor Essex Pelee Island Birding Trail

Expiration: Jan 31st 2026

Connect to hundreds of species migrating to Windsor Essex each year with WE Bird. Immerse yourself in our unique habitats to connect with spectacular flora and fauna. Here you will find a plethora of winged species including beloved warblers (songbirds), shorebirds, waterfowl and raptors. Sign up for our free birding trail to access helpful tips, links to more information, and the opportunity to share photos of your sightings. Check in at the locations to be entered into a prize draw! Birds of a feather watch together and discover the numerous species of flighted friends along the way!

Included Venues

See locations on an interactive map.

Tufted Titmouse: The Official Bird of the City of Windsor

The Tufted Titmouse is the official bird of the City of Windsor. Part of the tit and chickadee family, it is a vocal songbird that nests in natural holes left by woodpeckers. The Tufted Titmouse can be found in the oak woodland natural areas that are unique to Windsor, including the Ojibway Prairie Complex. This habitat makes Windsor one of the few places in Canada that this bird can call home.

Photo courtesy of Tom Preney

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Big "O" Conservation Area

Big “O” Conservation Area attracts a wide variety of migrant songbirds during May. As it is located in a wooded habitat, it is a welcome stop for many species of warblers.

Cedar Creek Conservation Area

Experience the Carolinian woodlands, rolling landscapes, creeks, tributaries and abundant wildlife. Be inspired by the sight of eagles soaring, herons and egrets wading, and turtles sun worshiping on logs. View the provincially rare American Lotus, Swamp Rose Mallow and other superb flora and fauna.

This site is managed by the Essex Region Conservation Authority.

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Fish Point Provincial Nature Reserve

Fish Point is a gently rolling, shallow-sand, limestone plain with a sandspit and dune system extending south into Lake Erie. Its southern deciduous forest harbours several provincially rare plants, including the prickly pear cactus, and the hop tree. Rare animals include the fox snake, Lake Erie watersnake, and the giant swallowtail butterfly. Fish Point is an important stopover for migrating birds, and a bird-watchers paradise.

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Hillman Marsh Conservation Area

The shorebird habitat at Hillman Marsh is unique in North America. The managed habitat creates the perfect combination of mudflats to provide nutrition and a resting area for migrating shorebirds. A large bird blind is open for visitors to photograph and study the birds.

Invasive species: Hydrilla spreads quickly and can have devastating impacts to wetlands and the birds and wildlife that rely on them. Please respect closed trails to STOP THE SPREAD!

This site is managed by the Essex Region Conservation Authority.

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Holiday Beach Conservation Area

Holiday Beach and Big Creek Conservation Areas received international recognition in 2000 as a globally significant Important Bird Area (IBA) due to raptor migration, and being known as a breeding area for Prothonotary Warblers (a nationally endangered species). In fall, you can witness the migration celebration as thousands of raptors head south, and in spring, it’s a great location to watch ducks and warblers. Climb the three storey observation tower to gain a different perspective.

This site is managed by the Essex Region Conservation Authority.

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Jack Miner Migratory Bird Sanctuary

Founded by conservationist Jack Miner, visitors can feed and interact with waterfowl, hike a 5km trail system, enjoy the grounds, and book a tour to visit the Jack Miner House and explore the museum. In the spring and the fall, the grounds are filled with birds passing through using the sanctuary as a safe resting place for food, water, and shelter.

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John R Park Homestead

Adjacent to the provincially significant Fox Creek Wetland and the shores of Lake Erie, this historic homestead provides for significant birding opportunities through the meandering paths of its woodlands. In addition to shorebirds and warblers, Bald Eagles can often be seen perching lakeside in early morning. The site also includes active resident colonies of Chimney Swifts and Barn Swallows.

This site is managed by the Essex Region Conservation Authority.

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Kopegaron Woods Conservation Area

One kilometer of boardwalk trails meander through this conservation area, and warblers such as American Redstart, Blackburnian Warbler, Black-and-White Warbler, Northern Parula, and maybe even a Kentucky Warbler or a Mourning Warbler can be spotted resting before continuing their flight north in spring.

This site is managed by the Essex Region Conservation Authority.

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Lighthouse Point Provincial Nature Reserve

Named for the lighthouse originally built in 1833 that stands at the tip of the spit, Lighthouse Point boasts a number of nature trails ideal for wildlife viewing and photography. The lighthouse itself is the second oldest Canadian lighthouse on Lake Erie and received a beautiful restoration in 2000. It is located to the northeast end of Pelee Island and bounded by water on every side.

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Little River Corridor

A naturalized 200-acre park, with a wildflower meadow, ponds and Carolinian trees. The area was historically surrounded by large marshland and provides habitat for many wetland species.

Ojibway Prairie Complex

Ojibway Prairie Complex is a collection of six closely situated natural areas within a 10 minute drive from downtown. Over 260 species have been recorded in the 260 hectares of the Ojibway Prairie Complex, the largest protected tallgrass prairie and oak savannah in Ontario. This park complex attracts large numbers of migrant warblers, and other song birds and breeding birds such as the Tufted Titmouse, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Hairy Woodpecker, Rosebreasted Grosbeak, Scarlet Tanager, and Indigo Bunting.

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Peche Island

A small island in the Detroit River that was purchased by Hiram Walker in 1883 for his summer home. The City of Windsor acquired the land from the Province of Ontario in 1999 and it is now a naturalized park with walking trails. This island is only accessible by boat or other water craft.

Peche Island attracts large numbers of waterfowl, especially Canvasback, Redhead, Lesser Scaup, Common Goldeneye and Common Merganser. Peregrine Falcons and Bald Eagles are often spotted perched in the island's tree tops.

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Pelee Island Bird Observatory

The Island is recognized as a globally Important Bird Area and is at the confluence of two migration routes - the Atlantic Flyway and the Mississippi Flyway. Devoted to the study and conservation of birds on the Island is Pelee Island Bird Observatory at Fish Point Nature Reserve. This bird banding station has documented 313 different bird species on Pelee Island. For more bird spotting, be sure to explore the two provincial nature reserves on Pelee Island: Fish Point and Lighthouse Point.

Planning a trip to Pelee Island? Be sure to CHECK THE FERRY TIMES and book ahead to ensure a spot. Ferries depart from Kingsville or Leamington ON, or from Sandusky OH.

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Point Pelee National Park

Situated at the southern extreme of mainland Canada, Point Pelee National Park is a tiny sanctuary supporting a mosaic of habitats from jungle-like forest to lush wetlands to open savannah. The park holds the title of Canada’s warbler capital as well as being named one of the top 10 birding destinations in North America. Hike the 20 km of trails and footpaths taking you deep into the forest, or walk the Marsh Boardwalk, out onto one of the largest freshwater marshes on the Great Lakes.

Witness the songbird spring migration at the Festival of Birds, held annually in May at Point Pelee National Park.

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River Canard

The Canard River is a wetland complex and a tranquil river. Keep your eyes peeled for muskrat, mink, turtles, bald eagles, and waterfowl.