Family Day Birding with Headwaters Nature in Orangeville

Headwaters Nature is celebrating the Great Backyard Bird Count this weekend with an outing in Orangeville! We would be happy to share in a bird outing experience with you on this 2026 Family Day (Monday February 16th, 2026 | 9:00AM – 10:45AM EST) as we look and listen for birds within urban greenspaces on the west end of town, along Mill Creek, and in the nearby neighbourhoods. We welcome all members and non-members, birders, and non-birders alike to this Headwaters Nature outing and encourage bringing family, kids of all ages, and well-behaved dogs.
Our guides for this field trip are both experts in environmental field work and guiding. Josh is (he/him) is a community ecologist, currently pursing a doctoral degree in biology at the University of Waterloo, where his current research interests relate to conservation management, breeding bird population dynamics, dynamics, and novel ecosystems. Jodi (she/her) is a conservationist and invasive species expert, with a desire to make a positive diﬀerence for both people and biodiversity within our own neighbourhoods and communities.

WHEN: Monday February 16th, 2026 | 9:00AM – 10:45AM EST:
9:00AM – 9:15AM: Welcome and Introductions
9:15AM – 10:45AM: Birding outing

WHERE: Alder Street Recreation Centre, 275 Alder St, Orangeville, ON L9W 5H6

• We strive to make this outing accessible and want you to know that this location is accessible by public transit, as the Blue Route bus runs on the Family Day Holiday from 8:00AM – 5:00PM, with specifics for bus schedules, here.
• If you are carpooling or driving yourself also note that parking is available at the Alder Street Recreation Centre. Please note that carpooling is encouraged, but will be organized by individuals, and not by the outing leaders.
• A round-trip loop (~2.2 km) along the Mill Creek trail and adjacent neighbourhoods on the west end of Orangeville.
• This outing will be accessible and inclusive with the outing being along paved sidewalks and trails, however, some trails are snow covered, but have been well worn from winter use.
• Public washrooms are available for use within the Alder Street Recreation Centre.
• Please arrive on time and be prepared for a morning spent outdoors.
• We welcome all members and non-members, birders and non-birders alike – no registration required, but you are welcome to send an email of your anticipated attendance or any questions to info@onheadwatersnature.ca
• Please dress appropriate for the weather, including warm layers, mittens, and toques!
• You are welcome to bring binoculars and/or a camera, but they are not essential.
• Also note that “Birding Backpacks” are available for rental use from both the Mill Street Branch (x1 backpack), and the Alder Street Branch (x2 backpacks) of the Orangeville Public Library with an active library card.

Contact: info@onheadwatersnature.ca

Kiah Jasper Big Birdi year speaker

In 2022 Kiah broke the Ontario Big Year record for most birds spotted in a calendar year, with 359 species seen across the province! Kiah is a 23 year old birder who has grown up with the Bruce Peninsula as his backyard. His keen interest in photography sparked his more serious fascination with all things avian. Kiah is the winner of the 2018 Canadian Geographic wildlife photographer of the year (under 17). He is currently an eBird reviewer for 5 counties and is an active Ontario birder. Kiah is on the Board of the Ontario Field Ornithologists and the Ontario Bird Records Committee (OBRC). Kiah runs Gyrkite Birding Tours with Alessandra Kite, leading birding outings across the province.

This Headwaters Nature meeting will be an entirely ZOOM meeting.
(This occasional switch to fully-online ZOOM
is what many of the Naturalist Clubs to the north of us do.)
There will be no-one at the Seniors Hall on January 27th.

Headwaters Nature