Research by the U.S. Forest Service into the recreational habits of North Americans found that:

· Nature tourism is the fastest growing sector of the tourism industry

· Wildlife watching is the #1 outdoor recreational sport

· With over 65 million birders, birding is the fastest growing hobby

The growing number of birders will find that Muskoka is a good place to find birds. Our rich natural heritage includes one of the highest diversity of species in North America. Situated on the southern edge of the Canadian Shield, we have species that prefer the deciduous forests and farmland to the south as well as species common in the coniferous forests to the north. The Muskoka Field Naturalists checklist includes 269 species of which 160 breed here. The Ontario Breeding Bird Atlas shows that 110 species breed in the average 10 by 10 km. square in Muskoka. So where can you find all these birds?

The short answer is almost anywhere, however each species has its own preferred habitat. In Muskoka there are many different habitats, another reason why we can boast so many species. Now if you want to find a true “hotspot”, that is a location that has a large number of birds and occasionally some rare ones, seek out a wetland. Wetlands support food chains that attract high concentrations of wildlife, including birds.  Also, look for a productive wetland that has a good variety of habitats nearby and a trail that gives easy access. A location that fits these criteria well is the Bracebridge Ponds and the wetlands south of Beaumont Drive.

The Ponds, as they are known to local birders, have been the most popular birding hotspot in Muskoka for many years. The shallow clay lined ponds were once used for sewage treatment but now act only as a backup for the treatment plant that was built later. A section of the Trans-Canada Trail that starts at Kerr Park on Beaumont Drive in Bracebridge follows a route around the ponds then past Henry Marsh. Ducks by the hundreds use the ponds as a staging area during migration and many stay to nest. The muddy banks attract migrating shorebirds and the cattail borders bring in Virginia Rails and Soras. In the adjacent woods you can find warblers and other songbirds, maybe even a Scarlet Tanager or an Indigo Bunting.

Following the trail west from the ponds takes you through beaver meadows bordered by conifers and after about a kilometer you reach Henry Marsh. The marsh can also be accessed from a branch trail that starts at the end of Henry Road. This productive wetland is a good place to see Herons, Bitterns and Kingfishers. In the tall grass along the trail you might hear a Sedge Wren and in the alder thickets an Alder Flycatcher or a Golden-winged Warbler.

Now is the time to dust off the binoculars and head over to the Ponds or your own favorite hotspot and if you’re lucky find a good bird or two. To see what birds were sighted around Muskoka recently you can logon to the Muskoka Bird Board http://b3.boards2go.com/boards/
board.cgi?&user=MuskokaBirdBoard.

  If you do find a rare bird post your sighting on the bird board or call the Muskoka Heritage Foundation office at  645-7393. Good Birding!

For more information, please contact the Muskoka Heritage Foundation at (705) 645-7393, log on to our website at www.muskokaheritage.org or visit our resource centre located at 9 Taylor Road in downtown Bracebridge.  Office Hours are Monday to Friday, 10 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.  Muskoka Heritage Foundation is committed to the protection and preservation of the natural and built heritage that is unique to Muskoka.