❄️ Cozy Winter Bird Adventures
Winter is the perfect time to slow down, stay cozy, and connect with birds — whether you’re heading out on snowy trails or settling in at home for a birdy night in.
From online events and fun winter challenges to local trails, feeder watching, and photo contests, we’ve gathered a few ways to keep your love of birds thriving all season long.
Don’t forget your camera! Your bird photos could win you a gift card with our Monthly Photo Contest.
🧠🐦 Jeop-Birdy! Online Bird Trivia Night
Get ready to flex your bird brain with a fun night of Jeop-Birdy! Just like the classic game show — but all questions are about birds… naturally.
Gather your flock and wing it from the comfort of your cozy home. January is cold, and there’s no need to leave the nest! Bring a piece of paper to keep score, and everyone has a chance to win a prize when we hit the Daily Doubles.
It’s time to ruffle some feathers and show off your smarts!
📅 When: January 20th, 7:00 PM
💻 Where: Online via Zoom
❄️🦉 In-Store Presentation: Outwit, Outlast & Outplay Winter
How do birds outwit, outlast, and outplay winter? Join us at the Kanata store as Survivor fan Patty explores how backyard birds survive the harsh winter.
In celebration of Survivor’s 50th season, Patty will draw fun comparisons between the game’s strategies and the real-life adaptations, tricks, and tactics birds use to make it through the toughest season. Discover which birds would form the strongest alliances, who’s the ultimate strategist, and who’s most likely to snag the hidden immunity idols.
February is National Bird Feeding Month! Patty will also share practical tips for helping your feathered friends thrive all season long.
The night will be filled with laughs and learning — and there will be chances to win prizes for those who attend in person.
📅 When: February 4th, 6:30 PM
📍 Where: Kanata store - 420 Hazeldean Rd
👉 Register to attend in person
Can’t make it in? We’ll also stream the presentation live on Facebook.
❄️ Explore Local Trails & Feed Some Chickadees!
Winter is a wonderful time to head outdoors, stretch your legs, and meet some of Ottawa’s friendliest birds. Black-capped Chickadees, along with Red-breasted and White-breasted Nuthatches, often fly right up to a patient outstretched hand for seeds on many local trails.
Here are some of the most popular trails around Ottawa to feed Chickadees. Download link
West-end trails
- 📍 Jack Pine Trail – Easy, 0.7–2.3 km loop, Moodie Dr
- 📍 Beaver & Chipmunk Trail – Easy–moderate, ~2.6 km, Moodie Dr.
- 📍 Sarsaparilla Trail – Easy, ~0.8 km loop, Old Richmond Rd.
- 📍 Old Quarry Trail – Moderate, 2–3 km, Eagleson Rd
- 📍 Mud Lake Trail – Easy, 3 km loop, Cassels St
Central trails
- 📍 Fletcher Wildlife Garden – Easy, 0.5–2 km, Prince of Wales Dr.
- 📍 Hog’s Back Park – Easy, 1–2 km, Riverside Dr. & Hog’s Back
East-end trails
- 📍 Mer Bleue Bog – Easy, 1 km, end of Ridge Rd. P22
🐦 Winter Bird ID Guide
Before you go, take a look at our Winter Bird Identification Guide. It is a great resource for identifying birds you might meet on the trail, but it is also perfect to keep at home while you watch your feeders. The guide pairs perfectly with Project FeederWatch, so you can enjoy recognising your backyard visitors and contribute valuable observations all winter long.
Follow us on Facebook @wbuottawa for news & updates on future events!
🐦 Interested in Partnering With Us?
We love collaborating with people who share our passion for birds, nature, and lifelong learning.
If you have an idea for a presentation, workshop, walk, or creative project that would resonate with our birding community, we’d love to hear from you.
Email us at [email protected] with a brief description of your idea and how it might fit our community.