Harrowsmith Fall 2019 | 31ABABOUOUTTAAWHWHOLOLEEBUBUNCNCHHOFOFSSTUTUFFFFThis book is like finding your kid
sister’s diary but better. All the best
birding epicentres are shared in a
moving open journal by brothers
Kenneth and Michael Burrell. They
are birders with enormous
binocular cred. Kenneth is an active
member of the Ontario Field
Ornithologists, volunteers with
eBird and has both a bachelor’s and
master’s degree in environmental
studies from the University of
Waterloo. Michael, in a similar vein,
obtained a bachelor of science from
Trent University and a master’s
degree from the University of
Toronto. He has conducted
fieldwork with Bird Studies Canada
and the Ontario Ministry of Natural
Resources and Forestry.
If you’re hoping to track down
elusive species like the American
three-toed woodpecker and the
yellow-billed cuckoo, you’ll want to
lean on the bros. While some might
balk at the suggestion of poking
around the sewage lagoons in
Kincardine, true birders will delight
in learning that 225 species have
been documented there.
Ontario is one of the most
active birding communities on
the continent, and destinations
like Rondeau Provincial Park offer
staggering waterfowl counts
for listers. Want to tick off the
prothonotary warbler? The best
spot in the province is on the no-
longer-secret Tulip Tree Trail.
The Burrell brothers provide
helpful birding strategies, like
where to park, when to go and
specific directions (versus a
distracted Siri). Discover where
to see birds banded and learn
about the distinct advantage of a
“sightings board” in a park.
Ideal for residents, weekenders
and travellers alike, Best Places
to Bird in Ontario demonstrates
a shared familial obsession, and
the passion is obvious. While
some may choose to eat a hot
dog at every stadium in America,
you might be inspired to hit
every Burrell-approved flyway in
a year. I’d suggest starting with
Moosonee, where the northern
hawk owls are visible from your
train seat, perched on the utility
poles as you chug past.Best Places to Bird in Ontario
by Kenneth Burrell and Michael Burrell
(Greystone Books, 2019)