Whether you enjoy searching out new species to add to your list or casually birdwatching while in nature, Kawartha Lakes is the place for you. With its diverse land and wide range of habitats, Kawartha Lakes is home to over 260 species of birds. Ospreys, warblers, great blue herons and bald eagles are among the many species commonly spotted throughout the region as well as hundreds of rare species found in the Carden Plain Important Bird Area (IBA).
Carden Plain Important Bird Area (IBA)
Situated in the Kirkfield area, the Carden Plain is rated among the top five birding locations in Ontario and among the top 200 in the world. It is located less than a two hour drive North of Toronto and is known as The Land Between.
The Land Between lies south of the Canadian Shield and north of the fertile farmlands of south central Ontario. It is a limestone plain, formed 500 million years ago from the deposits from a huge coral reef. At its western end, in the former township of Carden the plain becomes Alvar, a globally rare geological formation supporting rare plants and an abundance of grassland birds and insects. 238 bird species including the endangered Loggerhead Shrike and the rare Golden-wing Warbler plus 90 butterfly species, 80 dragonfly species and 240 moth species along with Prairie Smoke, Indian Paint Brush and Wild Bergamot are found on the Carden Alvar.
For more information on The Carden Plain including events and walking trail brochures visit
The Couchiching Conservancy website.
Birding Hotspots
There is no shortage of places to go bird watching in Kawartha Lakes with our diverse geography of lakes, wetlands, meadows and forest habitats. Keep your eye out for Osprey platforms scattered throughout the region along our lakes where the Osprey nest every Spring.
Visit the Gamiing Nature Centre, or one of our Conservation Areas or Provincial Parks for more bird watching trails and the chance to make that rare sighting.
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