Spring has sprung! Come join us and count the signs of spring on a hike through Toronto’s biggest park.

All ages are welcome, but content most suitable for adults and older children (8+). This walk is NOT wheelchair or stroller accessible. Date: Saturday, May 4, 2019Time: 10:30 am - 12:00 pmFee: PWYC donation (register online, donate at the event)

Learn the basics of birding from naturalist and long-time birdwatcher, Allyson Parker. This workshop will teach you how to identify birds by sight and sound, how to use a field guide and binoculars to their maximum potential, and where to look for birds in Toronto's biggest park and beyond. Practice your new skills with a guided birding hike to a few of the birding hotspots in High Park and look for some of the Park's common, rare, and migratory Spring birds. The hike is moderate in difficulty. Instructor Bio: I first became interested in looking at birds at the age of 5, starting with learning ducks because: A. they are big, B. they stay out in the open and don't move much and C. the different species actually look different from each other. This makes them a great "gateway group" of birds to work on identification skills and my passion took flight from there. I have been birding as a hobby ever since and incorporated it into my education and work throughout my life. I have worked at Presqu'ile Provincial Park as a park naturalist for 10 years, 6 of those as the head naturalist and a summer program co-ordinator. I have done bird-related walks, talks, presentations, demonstrations and talked the ear off of many people who have shown an interest in birds. In addition to looking at birds and educating people about birds, I also participate in research through trapping, tagging and collecting information on wild birds, a process known as bird banding. What started as a chance for 11 year-old me to get to touch the birds I was seeing through my binoculars turned into another lifetime bird-related passion. I earned my bird banding license before my driver's license, in what I think is a great example of my priorities. I have banded at Prince Edward Point Bird Observatory for over 15 years and have banded thousands of birds of over 100 species. I love birds and sharing my enthusiasm and interest with people and I have been known to stop mid-sentence during a conversation to identify a bird.

Calling all early birds: flock to High Park at the crack of dawn for a quiet hike to a secluded spot to hear the morning chorus of birdsong as the sun rises. Tons of songbirds will be passing through during spring migration as Toronto is on a bird superhighway. Experienced birders will be on hand to help identify the birds we hear and see.No pre-registration is required and this is a free event. And - there will be coffee!NOTE: Please check www.highparknaturecentre.com for updates as the event will be cancelled in the event of heavy rain or wind.The 300 Bloor / Danforth Night Bus stop at High Park Ave. is the closest bus stop. From there walk into High Park south along Colborne Lodge Drive to the High Park Nature Centre at the Forest School. We are north east of the tennis courts. This event is part of the 2019 Toronto Bird Celebration, coordinated by Bird Studies Canada, running from May 11 - May 25.

As a part of City of Toronto’s “Ravine Days” celebration, we invite you to explore the surprising biodiversity of Spring Creek on a nature walk led by one of the High Park Nature Centre’s creek geeks. Investigate historical maps to see how ravines age over time; compare human impacts on different tributaries; discover an underground aquifer and consider what we can do to ensure Toronto’s ravines are both healthy and functional ecosystems for future generations. All ages are welcome, but content most suitable for adults and older children (8+). This walk is NOT wheelchair or stroller accessible. Date: Saturday, May 11, 2019Time: 10:30 am - 12:00 pmFee: PWYC donation (register online, donate at the event)

Springtime breathes new life into High Park as many of our residents are having babies! Join us to explore who is being born at this time of year as well as looking out for their nifty and creative nests. You'll also learn about some of the most quirky mating behaviours.

Before the big showy blooms of summer arrive, spring offers an opportunity to view the more delicate forest flowers that blossom for only a few short weeks each year. Taking advantage of the period between snow melt and tree leaf-out, this small but mighty group of wildflowers collectively known as the spring ephemerals offer an excellent opportunity to practice plant ID. Kick off the season with ecologist Dan Stuart for a tour through High Park’s forests and oak savannahs to seek out this diverse and fascinating group. This workshop will focus on plant identification techniques and ecosystem dynamics, with an emphasis on native spring wildflower identification. • An understanding of foundational plant identification methods, including familiarity with the use of a dichotomous key. • Knowledge of plant anatomy, and an introduction to categorizing plants by family. • The ability to identify many native spring wildflowers located in High Park and beyond. The workshop will include a brief indoor seminar (approximately 45 minutes) followed by an outdoor field hike (approximately 3 hours). The hike will be easy to moderate in difficulty, and participants should come prepared with comfortable outdoor gear. Instructor Bio: Dan Stuart is an ecologist, naturalist, and avid hiker, having worked for the University of Guelph and in the environmental consulting sector since 2009. Dan currently works for Azimuth Environmental Consulting, Inc. in Barrie, Ontario as a terrestrial ecologist with a focus on botanical inventories and restoration ecology, but also undertakes studies to evaluate the habitats of birds, reptiles, amphibians, and Species at Risk. He holds Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry certifications in Ecological Land Classification, the Ontario Wetland Evaluation System, and is a designated Butternut Health Assessor. Dan also sits on the executive committee of Tallgrass Ontario, where he helps to oversee and facilitate grant applications, monthly board meetings, and implementation of numerous tallgrass prairie creation, restoration and maintenance projects throughout Southern Ontario.

And...they're back! Some of our winged friends are just passing through on their annual migration, while others are here to stay. Come and discover who's who in the spring sky!