Bird Watching Toronto

Fall Migration Birding in Toronto

**Please note the only way to register for this adventure is on [our website.](https://www.wildernessunion.com/adventures/fall-birding-26)** **Toronto has some hidden natural gems, and October is when it puts on its best show.** Join our guide Pedro Hernandez of[ Outdoor Commute](https://www.instagram.com/outdoor.commute/) for a beginner-friendly birdwatching walk through the unique Tommy Thompson Park. You do not need to know a warbler from a wren, but you probably will when the day is done. This walk is built for people who are simply curious about the birds sharing our skyline. We’ll move slowly and stop often, learning how to identify species by shape, colour, and call, how to actually use a pair of binoculars (yours to borrow for the day), and how to make sense of field guides and birding apps you can keep using long after the trip ends. October is peak Fall migration in the city, with so many different birds to spot. Depending on conditions, we might spot warblers, sparrows, and thrushes moving through, along with waterfowl like northern shovelers and gadwalls resting on the water. Year-round residents including red-tailed hawks, black-capped chickadees, and northern cardinals tend to make an appearance too. **Please note that binoculars are included in the cost of the adventure and that, due to the Toronto location, transportation is not offered.** **Accessibility** Wilderness Union is committed to making our adventures as accessible as possible. If you wish to make an accommodation request relating to a disability or provide feedback, please do so by sending an email to info@wildernessunion.com **Highlights** **Fall Migration:** October is one of the best windows of the year to bird at the Spit, with local species and southbound migrants both moving through the park at once. **Professional Birder:** Pedro founded the popular birding account[ Outdoor Commute](https://www.instagram.com/outdoor.commute/) and brings a genuine, patient teaching style **Binoculars Included:** Every participant gets a pair of high-quality NOCS binoculars for the walk **Event cost: $60+HST (for explorer members). Register [here.](https://www.wildernessunion.com/adventures/fall-birding-26)** **About Wilderness Union** Wilderness Union is deliberate about building an outdoors community that connects you to the life-changing magic of the outdoors and helps you find your people. Members range from 20-40 years old. The group is a mix of GTA locals and newcomers to Toronto from within Canada and abroad. Attendance numbers on Meetup don't reflect our actual event attendance - we typically have 15-20 community members at each event. Large enough that there's someone new to meet but small enough that it's not overwhelming! ***Learn more at our website [www.wildernessunion.com](https://www.wildernessunion.com/)***

Ward Island Sunset!

Let’s catch a beautiful Toronto sunset while it’s still warm enough to sit outside without freezing. 🌅🍂 Summer may be ending, but we still have some good outdoor evenings left! Come join us for a relaxed early-fall evening on Ward’s Island, where we’ll hang out by the water, meet some new people, and watch the sun go down over the Toronto skyline. This is a casual, low-pressure social event. There’s no packed itinerary and no need to be particularly outdoorsy — just bring yourself, something to sit on, and whatever you’d like for a cozy evening outside. 🌿 What We’ll Do We’ll start by meeting near the Ward’s Island ferry dock, where we’ll have some time for introductions, casual conversation, and for everyone to arrive. Once the group is together, we’ll leave the meeting point and walk toward our sunset spot. We’ll find somewhere comfortable by the water, settle down, chat, snack, take photos, and enjoy the sunset together. Feel free to bring cards, a book, a camera, or anything else you might enjoy. You’re also completely welcome to just sit, talk, and enjoy the view.

Watercolour Painting Meetup

Join us for relaxing watercolour painting meetups at a local cafe. Whether you’re a complete beginner or an experienced painter, all skill levels are welcome. Each session will begin with brief introductions, a short overview of watercolour techniques, and ideas to spark inspiration. From there, we'll settle in to paint, chitchat, and enjoy some cafe drinks together. We’ll wrap up each meetup with a show-and-tell, where anyone who’d like can share their work and see what others have created. The meetup is free if you bring your own supplies. If you need materials, $5 cash will cover basic watercolour supplies. To keep things chill, each meetup is limited to 10 attendees. Come unwind, experiment, and connect with others through art.

Hello Fall Colours: Dorset Hike & Lookout Tower

**Please note the only way to register for this adventure is on [our website.](https://www.wildernessunion.com/adventures/dorset-hike-and-lookout)** **Not every good trail makes it into a guidebook, and this hidden gem sure hasn't.** Tucked just southwest of Algonquin, it's a route we keep close for our members: rolling rock outcrops, quiet beaver ponds, and wide ridges that open into sweeping views when you least expect them. In September, the whole forest turns to a radiant display of red, orange, and gold; the kind of colours that makes you stop mid-stride. Welcome to fall in Ontario. We'll cover 7.5 km at a comfortable pace, with plenty of time to take it in before stopping for lunch at one of the best views on the route. It's a moderate hike, and a solid choice if this is your first time out on trail. From the trailhead, it's a short drive to Dorset. The tower was first built in 1922 as a fire lookout and rebuilt in 1967 into the structure that stands today. Climbing to the top puts you level with the treetops and gives you a panorama of the hills and lakes around Lake of Bays, all dressed in their fall colours. It's one of Ontario's most recognizable lookouts, offering a totally different perspective after a morning spent within the tree canopy. **Please note that anyone not taking the WU transportation will need to purchase their own tower access pass.** ‍ **Accessibility** Wilderness Union is committed to making our adventures as accessible as possible. If you wish to make an accommodation request relating to a disability or provide feedback, please do so by sending an email to [info@wildernessunion.com](mailto:info@wildernessunion.com) **Highlights** **The Lookout Tower Climb:** The observation deck sits 142 metres above Lake of Bays, with a 360 degree view over the surrounding hills and lakes. **A Trail Off the Map:** A quiet, little-known route kept for Wilderness Union members, far from the lineups that build up around Dorset in the fall. **Fall Colours:** Red, orange, and gold scattered across the Canadian Shield. **Event cost: $75+HST (for explorer members) + $60 optional transport available.** **Register [here.](https://www.wildernessunion.com/adventures/dorset-hike-and-lookout)** **About Wilderness Union** Wilderness Union is deliberate about building an outdoors community that connects you to the life-changing magic of the outdoors and helps you find your people. Members range from 20-40 years old. The group is a mix of GTA locals and newcomers to Toronto from within Canada and abroad. Attendance numbers on Meetup don't reflect our actual event attendance - we typically have 15-20 community members at each event. Large enough that there's someone new to meet but small enough that it's not overwhelming! ***Learn more at our website [www.wildernessunion.com](https://www.wildernessunion.com/)***

Sip n Stitch - September

Afternoon and Sunset at Hanlan's beach

✈️ Let's watch the Canadian International Air Show ✈️

Lion’s Head Lookout Hiking Trip

Cabbagetown Architecture Tour & Festival

We will be walking by the grandest homes in Cabbagetown and discussing their unique history and architecture. We will also be visiting the Cabbagetown Fall Festival which includes music, food, a street festival, arts & crafts, yard sales and a farm. This event is free. Highly recommended.

Scarborough Bluffs: Guild Park - South Marine Drive Park and back

This is a Photography hike in that we will take pictures at Guild Park and on the shore towards South Marine Drive Park You can view the history of the Guild Inn here: http://guildinnestate.com/guild-inn-history/ Distance: 8-10k hike Hiking Pace: slow to medium, take lots of pictures Elevation: +600' No Dogs Allowed (rules of Guild Inn) The Guild Inn Estate 201 Guildwood Pkwy · Scarborough, ON There are plenty of parking spots at Guild Park and Gardens. We'll meet in the first parking lot south of Guildwood Pkwy. In case you are lost, please call my cell: 647-949-6912 **Important Reminder:** By participating in this hike, you confirm that you have read, understood, and agreed to the Liability Waiver and Acknowledgement of Risk. If you have not done so, we kindly request that you refrain from participating in this event. We appreciate your cooperation and look forward to an enjoyable and safe adventure! • Dress for the weather! Prepare for the weather and wear suitable gear for the trail. • Ice cleats are mandatory! • Arrive on time! Please be punctual, as the group will leave on time. • Know your limits! Choose the hike that match your fitness level. After the event we may stop for a hot coffee or tea.

Canoe Camping in Killarney

**Please note the only way to register for this adventure is on [our website.](https://www.wildernessunion.com/adventures/killarney-camping-1)** **Dive into the Killarney backcountry with this beautiful and beginner friendly canoe camping adventure.** We're heading to Bell Lake, on the quieter east side of the park, for a weekend that mixes an easy paddle-in camping trip and an incredible hike to Silver Peak, the highest point in Killarney. Friday, we'll paddle the short 2.5km crossing to our backcountry site, set up camp, and spend the afternoon settling in. The rest of the afternoon is yours to spend how you like. If you want to learn to pitch a tent, get a fire going properly, or handle a canoe, we'll show you. If you'd rather find a rock in the sun and do nothing, that works too. Saturday, you can chill around camp or paddle over and hike Silver Peak, the highest point in the park. It's a roughly 11km round trip, starting on an easy rolling trail before a steep, hands on scramble up exposed quartzite for the final push. At the top, you're rewarded with a 360 degree view over Killarney's white ridges and out to Georgian Bay. Trust us, you won’t get many views in Ontario that are better than this! Both nights, we'll eat around the fire and fall asleep under some of the clearest skies in Ontario. Killarney's stargazing is genuinely other-worldly. On a clear night you'll see the Milky Way and more stars than you knew existed. Sunday, we pack up and paddle back out. By Sunday, you'll have spent two days swimming, paddling, and sleeping under the stars, surrounded by Killarney's unmistakable landscapes. What's included * Professional & certified guides * ‍All camp meals, cooking equipment and mess kits * ‍Tents * Canoe rentals Sleeping bags and sleep pads can be rented from WU for a small fee. **Highlights** **Silver Peak Summit:** The highest point in Killarney, with sweeping views over the range and out to Georgian Bay **Stargazing:** With some of the darkest skies in Ontario, the Milky Way is in full view on a clear night **Lake Swimming:** Cool off in clear water, or take the canoe out for a closer look at the shoreline **Event cost: $455+HST (for explorer members) - $70 optional transport available.** **Register [here.](https://www.wildernessunion.com/adventures/killarney-camping-1)** **About Wilderness Union** Wilderness Union is deliberate about building an outdoors community that connects you to the life-changing magic of the outdoors and helps you find your people. Members range from 20-40 years old. The group is a mix of GTA locals and newcomers to Toronto from within Canada and abroad. Attendance numbers on Meetup don't reflect our actual event attendance - we typically have 15-20 community members at each event. Large enough that there's someone new to meet but small enough that it's not overwhelming! ***Learn more at our website [www.wildernessunion.com](https://www.wildernessunion.com/)***

TALL SHIPS & AIR SHOW - Save $10.00

**TALL SHIP AND AIR SHOW** **SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 6 11:30AM** **Book by Monday July 20 and save $10.00** Hi Everyone! Annual TALL SHIPS - CNE AIR SHOW September 6 11:30am Join us for a sail on the Tall Ship at Harbourfront! Watch some of the CNE AIR SHOW and take some amazing pictures. And an optional lunch after! Just as we sail out of the Harbour you should be able to view some of the phenomenal overhead flights of the 77th CNE Air Show BOOK BY Monday July 20 AND RECEIVE AN ADDITIONAL $10.00 off The SNOWBIRDS, CF-18 HORNERS - JACK ACES FORMATION AEROBATIC TEAM, as well as a multitude of other guests will be flying high and will start timed as we leave the pier. Catch those Summer Vibes and Cool Breezes out on the water.This event sells out every time so please don't wait to book Sunday September 6 11:30 am Boarding 12:00 noon Sail I will be giving out Canada bracelets so you can find our group on the ship and at lunch. Meet in front of the ticket booth. I will be wearing a large straw hat - my cell for this event only is (416) 427 7843 This is your chance to get on board one of Toronto's best attractions and sail the Kajama, a traditional 165 foot three mast Schooner boat cruise. Toronto's only Tall Ship boat cruise. I have been organizing this event since I started my original group in 2001 This is my 26th year! Come and Join us! Friends and family welcome! Nothing says SUMMER like being out on Lake Ontario - and stunning views of the waterfront. Sit back and relax, perhaps with a cold drink from the fully licensed bar, as you set sail on Toronto Harbour and beautiful Lake Ontario. You might even have a chance hoist the sails! The trip is 1.5 hours - join us afterwards for lunch or an adult beverage on the patio. 235 Queens Quay West - on the water right behind the power plant - Meet me in front of the ticket booth I will be wearing a straw hat! Transit: From Union Station you can take either the 509 or 510 streetcar two stops to Harbourfront Centre stop. Once you are off the streetcar, walk south towards the water. If you are driving - the least expensive parking I have found is at the Loblaws on the corner of 10 LOWER JARVIS AND QUEENS QUAY Price is $20.00 for the day. Kajama is docked directly behind the Harbourfront Centre and the Power Plant buildings. PLEASE leave yourself lots of time to get there. $49.00 Including taxes - SPECIAL $10.00 Discount = $39.00 + $2.00 SC TOTAL $41.00 REGULAR $51.00 Please send an E Transfer to traveltheworldhorizons@gmail.com using only this password Question What Lake will we be sailing on? Answer Ontario Any questions please email me at traveltheworldhorizons@gmail.com My cell phone for this day only is (416) 427 7843 otherwise call me in the office. at (905) 471 7843 (no ability to text) before the event. If you can't make it I will try and sell your space. Don't miss out!!!!! Hope to see you there!  LeeAnn