🌟 Events for 2026 🌟
📅 September 10, 2026 – Probus Ajax
🎤 Guest Speaker: Paul Oliver, Founder of Urban Nature Store
📍 Topic: Tips on Fall Migration
📅 October 8, 2026 – Brantford Garden Club
🎤 Guest Speaker: Paul Oliver, Founder of Urban Nature Store
📅 October 14, 2026 – Cloyne Garden Club
🎤 Guest Speaker: Paul Oliver, Founder of Urban Nature Store
📅 October 15, 2026 – Probus Durham
🎤 Guest Speaker: Paul Oliver, Founder of Urban Nature Store
📅 October 26, 2026 – Probus Dundas
🎤 Guest Speaker: Paul Oliver, Founder of Urban Nature Store
📅 November 14, 2026 – Riverwood Seminar
🎥 Topic: Feeding Birds
🐦2026 Birding Walks with Urban Nature Store
🎟️ Free Beginner Birding Walks
Wilket Creek Trail Bird Walk
📅 Date & Time- Sunday, October 4, 2026 | 9:00 AM
Meeting Spot: In front of the Toronto Botanical Gardens (TBG) main building.
Address: Toronto Botanical Gardens, Toronto, ON
Parking: Paid parking is available in the TBG parking lot.
Transit: Take Line 1 to Eglinton Station, then take the Lawrence East 54 bus to Lawrence Avenue and Leslie Street. From there, walk to the meeting spot.
🐦 About the Walk
Join us for a 1.5–2-hour, approximately 4.5 km circular walk through Wilket Creek Park and the surrounding ravine.
Starting at the Toronto Botanical Gardens, we’ll head down the access trail from the TBG parking lot and follow the trail through the ravine. We’ll then follow Wilket Creek to where it meets the Don River before making our way back to the starting point. The route is mostly paved and flat, with some gentle slopes and stairs. Washrooms are available at the beginning, along the way, and at the end of the walk.
🌿 Trail & Facilities
The walk covers approximately 4.5 km on mostly paved, flat surfaces, with some gentle slopes and stairs. Washrooms are available at the beginning, along the route, and at the end of the walk. Please dress appropriately for the weather and wear comfortable walking or hiking shoes or boots.
🎒 What to Bring
- Weather-appropriate clothing
- Comfortable walking or hiking shoes/boots
- Drinks and snacks
- Binoculars and/or camera
🐦 Walk Leader: Zunaid Khan
Zunaid Khan is a nature photographer and a Fellow of the Royal Canadian Geographic Society.
📧 RSVP- Please contact support@urbannaturestore.ca to RSVP. Spots are limited to 25 participants.
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World Migratory Bird Day at Pomona Mills Park
Please contact support@urbannaturestore.ca to RSVP. Spots are limited to 35 participants.
📅 Date & Time- Sunday, October 11, 2026 | 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
📍 Meeting & Parking
Meet by the parking lot at Pomona Mills Park at 244 Henderson Ave, Markham, ON L3T 2M1 by 10:00 AM.
Walk Location: Pomona Mills Park and Thornhill Meadow
Parking: Ample parking is available at the park.
🐦 About the Walk
Join us to celebrate World Migratory Bird Day and explore Pomona Mills Park and Thornhill Meadow, home to 100+ bird species, from Golden-crowned Kinglets to Red-tailed Hawks.
We’ll search for migrating birds preparing to head south, seasonal visitors such as Dark-eyed Juncos, and year-round residents including Red-bellied Woodpeckers, Cardinals, and Blue Jays. Participants will also learn about citizen science and how we can help support local bird populations.
🌿 Trail & Facilities
The walk includes a mix of paved, gravel, and dirt trails.
There are no public restrooms at Pomona Mills Park or Thornhill Meadow. The park is located near Thornhill Community Centre, cafés, and restaurants.
🎒 What to Bring
- Weather-appropriate clothing and sturdy footwear
- Long pants for tick protection
- Sunscreen and bug spray
- Binoculars and/or camera, if available
A small number of binoculars will be available to borrow.
🐦 Walk Leader: Kathleen Elizabeth
Kathleen is an avid birder and ethical wildlife photographer and a member of Friends of Swan Lake Park, Bird Friendly City Markham, the Toronto Ornithological Club, and Ontario Field Ornithologists. She is also a volunteer with FLAP Canada and has led bird walks for several environmental and community organizations.
📧 RSVP
Please contact support@urbannaturestore.ca to RSVP. Spots are limited to 35 participants.
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🐦 Lynde Shores Conservation Area Bird Walk
📅 Sunday, October 18, 2026
🕤 9:30 AM – 11:30 AM
📍 Meeting: Parking lot at 623 Halls Rd S, Whitby, ON
🌿 Trail: Approximately 2 hours on mostly walking trails
Join us for a morning bird walk at Lynde Shores Conservation Area, exploring the trails and discovering the many bird species that call this beautiful area home.
⭐ Proudly sponsored by Zeiss
🎒 What to Bring
- Weather-appropriate clothing and sturdy footwear
- Long pants for tick protection
- Sunscreen and bug spray
- Binoculars and/or camera, if available
A small number of binoculars will be available to borrow.
📧 RSVP Please contact support@urbannaturestore.ca to RSVP. ___________________________________________________________________________________________
Colonel Sam Smith Park Bird Walk
📅 Date & Time- Saturday, October 24, 2026 | 9:00 AM
Meeting Spot: The second parking lot on Colonel Samuel Smith Park Dr, further south than the skating trail parking lot. It is slightly east of the Yacht Club boat parking area.
Parking: Parking is usually available at the park.
Transit: From Kipling subway station on Line 2, take the 44 bus south to Colonel Samuel Smith Park Dr (last stop). From there, walk approximately 5 minutes south to the second parking lot.
🐦 About the Walk
Join us for a 1.5–2-hour, approximately 1.5–3 km circular walk through Colonel Sam Smith Park. From our starting point, we’ll walk toward the lake before heading east and completing a loop around the park, returning to our starting point. The walk takes place mostly on unpaved but even, fairly flat surfaces, with no stairs.
🎒 What to Bring
- Binoculars
- Drinks
- Snacks
- Weather-appropriate clothing
- Comfortable walking shoes or boots
🐦 Walk Leader: Zunaid Khan
Zunaid Khan is a nature photographer and a Fellow of the Royal Canadian Geographic Society.
📧 RSVP- Please contact support@urbannaturestore.ca to RSVP. Spots are limited to 25 participants.
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Tommy Thompson Park Bird Walk
📅 Date & Time- Sunday, October 25, 2026 | 9:00 AM
Meeting Spot: The pavilion at the entrance to Tommy Thompson Park, 1 Leslie Street.
Parking: Free parking is available at the entrance to Tommy Thompson Park. Enter via Unwin Avenue. If the lot is full, paid street parking is available on Leslie Street.
Transit: From Donlands subway station on Line 2, take the #83 Jones bus to Commissioners Street. From there, it is approximately a 7-minute walk to the end of Leslie Street.
🐦 About the Walk
Join us for a 2–3-hour, approximately 8 km circular walk through Tommy Thompson Park and along the Lake Ontario shoreline. From our meeting point, we’ll walk toward the Visitor Centre and then follow a gravel path along the shoreline toward a series of wetlands, which we’ll explore before heading toward the city side of the park and looping back to our starting point. The walk takes place mostly on unpaved but even and fairly flat surfaces. Dress for the conditions and wear comfortable walking or hiking shoes or boots.
🌿 Trail & Facilities
The walk covers approximately 8 km over mostly unpaved, even and fairly flat surfaces. Washrooms are available at the pavilion, with some porta-potties located throughout the park.
🎒 What to Bring
- Weather-appropriate clothing
- Comfortable walking or hiking shoes/boots
- Drinks and snacks
- Binoculars and/or camera
🐦 Walk Leader: Zunaid Khan
Zunaid Khan is a nature photographer and a Fellow of the Royal Canadian Geographic Society.
📧 RSVP- Please contact support@urbannaturestore.ca to RSVP. Spots are limited to 25 participants.
