Guided Bird & Nature Hike at Short Hills: July 2026

Meet the Friends of Short Hills Park for a guided bird & nature hike! While the focus is largely on birds, we'll also check out any insects, spiders or amphibians we also might see! Guided walks will be held at 6:30 and 8:30am, starting at the Pelham Road parking lot. Bring binoculars and wear sturdy footwear for a 3km hike with steep uphill sections. All ages are welcome; 14 and under must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

We expect to see summer birds and critters – expected species include:

• Northern Yellow Warbler
• Common Yellowthroat
• Blue-winged Warbler
• song sparrow
• eastern towhee
• eastern bluebird
• tree swallow
• indigo bunting
• downy woodpecker
• hairy woodpecker
• red-bellied woodpecker
• white-breasted nuthatch
• black-capped chickadee
• american robin
• brown-headed cowbird
• red-winged blackbird
• gray catbird
• monarch butterfly
• baltimore checkerspot butterfly
• six-spotted tiger beetle
• pennsylvania firefly
• black firefly
• common gartersnake
• DeKay's brownsnake
• green frog
• gray tree frog
• common snapping turtle

And hopefully many more!

Download the Merlin and iNaturalist apps to add to your enjoyment of the day. For more information:

• Merlin:
• iNaturalist:

For more information about the Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC), please visit

The Friends of Short Hills Park is a community-based organization dedicated to preserving the cultural and natural integrity of Short Hills Provincial Park through liaison with Ontario Parks, volunteer work, public education and fund raising activities. Find out more:

The hike will be led by Brad Demers, board member of the Friends of Short Hills Park. You can follow Brad on iNaturalist at: https://www.inaturalist.org/people/bdemers76

Brad will compile an eBird list to share with conservationists and attendees alike.