Field Trip – McKellar Island Bird Observatory *** This Outing is Now Full ***

*** This Outing is Now Full ***

Join us on Saturday, May 16, 2026 for an early morning visit to the McKellar Island Bird Observatory, located on Baffin Street on McKellar Island. Every year, thousands of birds stop to rest and eat at McKellar Island during their annual migration.

Join this TBFNC field trip for a unique opportunity to visit a bird migration monitoring and banding station located right within the city of Thunder Bay. We will meet at 7:00 am (sharp!) on Baffin Street at the entrance to the bird observatory (see attached map) and walk in together to the active netting/banding area. This is a roughly 250 metre walk on a flat dirt path. At the field station, we will tag along with bird biologist Brady Mills and Angelina Vatamanelu to get an “up close and personal” educational experience with wild birds. See how birds are captured, banded and then released. Learn about migration monitoring and bird watching in general. This is your chance to ask an expert any bird related question! There are excellent photo opportunities as we will be observing the birds in the banders’ hands.

Each spring, an average of 328 birds of 44 species are banded! Check out the McKellar Island Bird Observatory Facebook page for more information and beautiful photos!

Participants should come dressed for changeable spring conditions. It is often very cold early in the morning! Waterproof footwear is recommended for the less than 1 km total walking distance. This area is home to ticks and other biting insects and precautions should be taken to avoid bites. There is no fee for our visit, but participants are encouraged to make donations to the McKellar Island Bird Observatory to support this valuable work.

This trip is limited to 16 participants. The trip may be postponed if there is inclement weather.

Please email Sam Krause (samkrause@tbfn.net) to register.