Amazing Birding Hotspots in Winnipeg Manitoba

King's Park is a 2.8 hectare park located in southern Winnipeg along the shores of the meandering Red River. In summer, visitors can walk, jog, or cycle its winding pathways, explore the Carol Shields Memorial Labyrinth, cross a beautiful wooden bridge onto a small island to visit a stunning Chinese pagoda, relax near a peaceful waterfall, or get active on some of its many athletic fields. Best of all, over 207 species of birds have been reported in King's Park on eBird. Pileated Woodpeckers, Black-billed Magpies, and Black-capped Chickadees are year-round residents, while Ovenbirds, Chestnut-sided Warblers, and Ruby-crowned Kinglets can be spotted during the summer months. In addition, a host of songbirds and water fowl can be seen during spring and fall migration, including Palm Warblers, Cape May Warblers, and Blue-headed Vireos, making this a great place for urban birding Winnipeg.

Kildonan Park is a 39 hectare urban green space, one of many birding hotspots in Winnipeg, located in northwestern Winnipeg that features 2.7 km of forested pathways and paved cycling routes, numerous play structures for children, a Witch's Hut, the Rainbow Stage open-air theater, the Peguis Pavilion, the Prairie's Edge Restaurant which offers views over the duck pond, a series of athletic fields, and much more. The mature forests, shrubs, landscaped grounds, and waterways of Kildonan Park support over 218 species of birds. Among the highlights are colourful songbirds like Bohemian Waxwings, Blackpoll Warblers, and Palm Warblers. In addition, impressive water birds such as Buffleheads, Ruddy Ducks, and Horned Grebes can be found, as well as an army of sparrows, including Harris's, Fox's, and Clay-coloured Sparrows. The diversity of species in this charming riverside park make it a great place for birding along the Trans Canada Trail in Winnipeg.

The Assiniboine Park and adjacent Assiniboine Forest are located along the Assiniboine River in western Winnipeg, and are perhaps the largest and best known riparian parks in the capital city.The 450 hectare Assiniboine Park is home to the Assiniboine Park and Zoo, the Pavilion Gallery and Museum in the historic Assiniboine Park Pavilion, an outdoor amphitheater, a sculpture garden, and both formal and informal gardens. The adjacent 280 hectare Assiniboine Forest features a network of six nature trails that wind below a canopy of mature oak and aspen forest, through a patch of restored tall-grass prairie, to the Eve Werier Memorial Pond and wetland at its center, where an observation area overlooking the water offers great opportunities to watch waterfowl including Blue-winged Teals, Canvasbacks, and Hooded Mergansers. 

Birding Species in Assiniboine Park

Over 233 species have been reported in this large and varied park including shorebirds such as Hudsonian Godwits, Semipalmated Plovers, and Willets. In addition, numerous brightly coloured songbirds like Blackburnian Warblers, Golden-winged Warblers, and Indigo Buntings have been spotted in spring, while Eastern Screech Owls, White-winged Crossbills, and Hoary Redpolls have been seen in winter. Special habitats have even been created for birds, such as chimney structures for Chimney Swifts, making it one of our favourite places to birding along the Trans Canada Trail in Winnipeg.

FortWhyte Alive is located in western Winnipeg, and includes a mix of grasslands, forest, and aquatic habitats. Restoration and wildlife conservation efforts have been underway at FortWhyte Alive since the 1950's, and it now features the Alloway Reception Center and a winding trail system which offers abundant birding opportunities. Over 240 species have been reported in this urban green space. In spring and summer it is possible to spot American White Pelicans, Great Egrets, and Black-crowned Night Herons in the small ponds and wetlands. In addition, White-breasted Nuthatches, Hairy Woodpeckers, and Black-capped Chickadees can also be seen year around, while Gray Catbirds, Baltimore Orioles, and Yellow Blackbirds can be spotted during the summer. Furthermore, American Redstarts, White-crowned Sparrows, and Dark-eyed Juncos can be spotted during migration. During any season this is a fantastic place for urban bird watching in Winnipeg.

Birds Hill Provincial Park is a 3,900 hectare park located just east of Winnipeg that features hills and ridges formed by ancient glaciers, oak and aspen forests, cedar bogs, wetlands, a lake with sandy beaches, and tall-grass prairies where beautiful wildflowers and rare orchids grow. The green space is crisscrossed with 30 km of trails for bird watching, walking, hiking, cross-country skiing, and bicycling. Popular activities in Birds Hill Provincial Park include camping, swimming, picnicking, fishing, horseback riding, or dining on farm-fresh produce at the Pineridge Hollow Restaurant. Over 230 bird species have been reported in this urban birding oasis. Broad-winged, Swainson, and Rough-legged Hawks can be seen soaring overhead. In addition, Franklin's Gulls, Bonaparte's Gulls, and Forster's Terns can be spotted near the lake. Meanwhile, the sweet songs of Rose-breasted Grosbeaks, Northern Waterthrush, and Nashville Warblers can be heard throughout. Whether visiting for an afternoon walk or a family camping trip, Birds Hill Provincial Park offers great birding in Winnipeg.