Birding Experience

Are you interested in birding? Then you’re in the right place! Over 200 species of birds have been spotted at Fort St. Joseph National Historic Site. The site’s diverse habitat – from rocky shorelines to dense woodlands, and marshland to meadows – supports a great variety of bird life. In addition to being a national historic site, the land and waters around Fort St. Joseph are also designated as the St. Joseph Island Migratory Bird Sanctuary. New and experienced birders are welcome! If you don’t have binoculars during your visit, they are available for rent at the Visitor Centre. Just ask the friendly Parks Canada staff!

Seasonal Highlights         Bird List         Birding Events          Birding Tips

Spring (March-May): Many migrations

Due to St. Joseph Island’s unique position in the Great Lakes region, migratory bird routes pass over the area to avoid long crossings over the vast waters of the lakes. Spring migration begins with ducks and geese making their way north, following the waterways as they open. Songbirds follow a little later, and by May, the air is full of the songs of birds searching for mates and establishing nesting territories.

Join us for a special birding event on the second Saturday in May to experience spring migration at Fort St. Joseph! Details below.

Summer (June-August): The young and the restless

As the summer progresses, juvenile birds venture from their nests and adults keep busy finding food for hungry fledgelings. Non-breeding plumage may make bird identification more of a challenge and creates an opportunity to expand your observational skills! Fall migration begins early for some species, particularly shorebirds, so there may still be some new arrivals during this time of year.

Fall (September-November): Moving to warmer climates

As the days get shorter and cooler, fall migration picks up steam. Small songbirds, particularly warblers, form small mixed flocks as they make their way south. When you encounter one of these flocks, look carefully to distinguish the different species in their non-breeding or immature plumage. Raptors move on warm afternoons, when they ride rising warm air high into the sky before soaring across the lake, using the air movement to save their energy. Kettles of broad-winged hawks with dozens of birds may be seen in good conditions

 

Join us for a special birding event on the second Saturday in October to experience fall migration at Fort St. Joseph! Details below.

Year-round	Spring (March-June)	Summer (June-August)	Fall (September-November)
Bald Eagle Common Raven Blue Jay Black-capped Chickadee Golden-crowned Kinglet Red-breasted Nuthatch White-breasted Nuthatch Downy Woodpecker Hairy Woodpecker Pileated Woodpecker Ruffed Grouse Barred Owl	Canada Goose Red-winged Blackbird Common Merganser Bufflehead Merlin Yellow-bellied Sapsucker Warblers of many types: Northern Parula, Palm Warbler, Nashville Warbler and more	Mallard Common Tern Belted Kingfisher Yellow Warbler Chestnut-sided Warbler Ovenbird Red-eyed Vireo Sandhill Crane White-throated Sparrow Spotted Sandpiper Northern Flicker	Dark-eyed Junco White-crowned Sparrow Broad-winged Hawk Northern Harrier Sharp-shinned Hawk Eastern Bluebird American Pipit Yellow-rumped Warbler Horned Lark

For a complete checklist of bird species spotted at Fort St. Joseph, check in at the Visitor Centre, or download a copy here.

Birding Events at Fort St. Joseph

Parks Canada is pleased to present two annual birding events at Fort St. Joseph. Join us to watch for migrating birds on these event days! The days feature access to the site during the spring and fall migration, outside of Fort St. Joseph’s summer operational season. Admission fees apply. Binocular rentals available. Contact the Visitor Centre for additional details.

Birding tips

Migratory and resident birds depend on the protection of the St. Joseph Island Migratory Bird Sanctuary for resting, feeding and breeding.

• Birds’ priority: To survive and reproduce.
• Your priority: To ensure your bird watching does not endanger the birds.

Here are some tips to help you make the most of birding while protecting our feathered friends:

• Speak to Parks Canada staff to find out what species you are likely to see, recent sightings, and trail conditions. They can also share a bird checklist and would love to hear about what you’ve spotted during your visit.

• Keep dogs on a leash. Birds can be easily disturbed, and disturbance while feeding could cause them to lose time and energy critical for their survival.
• Prepare for the weather and habitat where you’re birding. Dress appropriately for varied conditions ranging from rocky shores to shady woods.
• Give birds space. Binoculars, zoom lenses and spotting scopes help to observe birds from a distance. Do not disturb known nesting areas or attempt to attract birds to you with food. Help keep the wildlife wild!
• Be careful about sharing rare bird sightings. For the health and safety of the birds, particularly species at risk, sharing exact location details widely may not be the best choice. Extra human disturbance may disrupt the birds’ natural behavior and add unnecessary stress.