If you fancy your wildlife with a hefty side of nature, it’s time to head to Hamilton Halton Brant. The region’s unique geography, including the Niagara Escarpment, vast Carolinian forests and the Grand River, make it a literal breeding ground for a diverse range of animals, birds and reptiles. That, combined with an enthusiastic community of conservationists committed to inspiring future generations of nature lovers, has resulted in some very unique (and very fun) ways to interact with the region’s wildlife.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  • 1

    DOUGLAS G. COCKBURN RAPTOR CENTRE AT MOUNTSBERG CONSERVATION AREA, MILTON

    The Douglas G. Cockburn Raptor Centre is currently home to 15 different species of native birds of prey, including eagles, owls, falcons, hawks and vultures. The over two dozen birds that call the Centre home each have a unique story, as many have experienced injuries that have left them incapable of surviving on their own in the wild.

    Birds of Prey shows, which are held daily during July and August and on weekends and holidays during the rest of the year, allow visitors to see the birds up close and ask the staff questions. Photography enthusiasts won’t want to miss the Centre’s one-hour Raptors In Focus workshops, where Raptor Centre staff work with the feathered ambassadors to enable participants to take truly one-of-a-kind photos.

  • 2

    HIDE AND SEEK TRAIL, CRAWFORD LAKE CONSERVATION AREA, MILTON

    Crawford Lake’s Hide and Seek Trail is an engaging and fun way to bring the important issue of endangered wildlife species to life for young children. Larger than life wooden carvings of endangered species, including the Hooded Warbler, Jefferson Salamander, Monarch Butterfly and Snapping Turtle are located along the trail. After your hike, walk the boardwalk around the lake and watch the turtles paddling in the water. If you have older children, consider hiking the Nassagaweya Canyon Trail, which runs between Crawford Lake and Rattlesnake Point Conservation Areas. Be sure to look up and watch the turkey vultures soar on the thermal currents created by the Niagara Escarpment. The prehistoric-looking birds can glide on their six-foot wingspan for up to six hours without flapping a wing!

  • 3

    HENDRIE VALLEY, ROYAL BOTANICAL GARDENS, BURLINGTON

    Royal Botanical Gardens’ nature sanctuaries are home to 277 types of migratory birds, 37 mammal species, 14 reptile species, 9 amphibian species and 68 species of Lake Ontario fish. Spend a few hours exploring the Hendrie Valley walking trails and you’re sure to encounter some of them. At the South Pasture Swamp, keep an eye out for beaver and muskrat. During the spring and fall at Grindstone Creek, watch for seasonal fish spawning of herring, spottail shiner and salmon.

  • 4

    Grand River

    Spending a few hours paddling on the Grand River is a fun way to have a float-by wildlife sighting. Look up and watch for Great Blue Herons, eagles and osprey. Look down and watch for snapping turtles, bass and trout. Look to the shore and beyond into the Carolinian forest that borders the river and you may be rewarded with a sighting of a beaver, muskrat, fox or deer. Local outfitters, including Grand River Rafting and Grand Experiences, make it easy to get out for a few hours on the Grand on a canoe, kayak, stand-up paddleboard or river raft. They provide all the gear you’ll need and give you the choice of a guided or unguided trip.

  • 5

    HORSEBACK TRAIL RIDES, OAKVILLE

    Keep an eye out for deer, coyote, hawks and falcons as you explore the tree-lined fields and forests that surround The Ranch horse farm in Oakville on horseback. The one-hour trail rides are suitable for any level of rider ages 10 and up. For a truly unique experience, organize a group of 10 or more for a private Twilight Ride, where you’ll return at dusk to a campfire and cook-it-yourself BBQ.

  • 6

    ERAMOSA KARST CONSERVATION AREA, STONEY CREEK

    Wild turkey, coyote, white-tailed deer, meadow voles, Red-eyed Vireos, Indigo Buntings, Savannah Sparrows and the Red-tailed Hawk all call the Eramosa Karst Conservation Area home, but the geology is so fascinating here it’s easy to forget to watch for them. The Eramosa Karst contains examples of 16 different karst features, including soil pipes, sinkholes, sinking streams, dry valleys and a 335-metre-long cave. Plan a trip for an awesome day of exploring.

  • 7

    Bruce Trail

    The Niagara Escarpment is home to 300 species of birds, 53 types of mammals, 36 species of reptiles and amphibians and 90 types of fish. Hiking the Bruce Trail, which runs along the Niagara Escarpment, is a great way to spot some of them. If you’re bringing kids along, download a copy of the Bruce Trail Conservancy’s Biodiversity and Me booklet before you set out. The booklet’s fun activities and checklists will turn your hike into a fun scavenger hunt for birds, animals and plants along Canada’s oldest and longest footpath. Great family-friendly Bruce Trail access points within Hamilton Halton Brant include Limehouse Conservation Area, Dundas Valley Conservation Area, Crawford Lake Conservation Area, Rattlesnake Point Conservation Area, Royal Botanical Gardens and Mount Nemo Conservation Area.

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Experiences & Tours View All >>

Now thru May 29

Dance Fitness with Mindfulness & Movement

Dundas Museum & Archives

139 Park Street West, Dundas, ON, L9H 1X8

Dates: Every Wednesday and Saturday (Unless otherwise stated) Times: 7:00pm to 8:00pm Class Price: $10.00...

March 21

Spring Nest, Tabletop Planter at Floral Collective

335 Kerr Street Oakville, ON L6K 3B7

Date & Time: Mar 21st, 6:00pm to 8:00pm Workshop Price: $100.00

Now thru March 31

Maple Syrup Festival with the Friends of Bronte Creek

Bronte Creek Provincial Park

1219 Burloak Drive, Oakville, ON, L6M 4J7

Dates: Every weekend of March (Sat & Sun), and All of March break (11th to...

April 6 - August 24

Worlds of the Night – Exhibition at Joseph Brant Museum

Joseph Brant Museum

1240 North Shore Boulevard East, Burlington, ON, L7S 1C5

Date & Times: Tuesday - Friday, 10:00AM - 4:00PM, included in the cost of regular...

Now thru June 30

MYndful Movement: Stretch, Gentle Yoga, Qigong, Mindfulness

Joshua Creek Heritage Art Centre

1086 Burnhamthorpe Rd E, Oakville, ON L6H 7B2

Dates & Times: Every Thursday, 7:00pm to 8:00pm Class Costs: Drop-In: $20 6 class package:...

April 6 - 14

Sap to Syrup: A Maple Syrup Making Experience

Terra Cotta Conservation Area

14452 Winston Churchill Boulevard, Halton Hills, ON, L0P 1N0

Dates: Apr 6th & 7th, 13th & 14th Two Sessions: 10:00am to 12:00pm & 2:00pm...

Now thru January 1

Woodland Cultural Centre – Self Guided Museum Tour

Woodland Cultural Centre

184 Mohawk Street, Brantford, ON, N3T 5V6

March 20 - September 17

Expressive Abstract Painting Party with Studio K2

studio k2

The Cotton Factory, DyeWorks Building, 9 Landsdowne Avenue, Hamilton

Date & Time: Third Wednesday each month, 7:00pm - 9:00pm Workshop Price: $50/person +HST

Now thru June 1

Tarik Kiswanson – Prelude

Oakville Galleries

Oakville Galleries at Gairloch Gardens, 1306 Lakeshore Road East Oakville, ON L6J 1L6

Dates & Times: Feb 3rd - Jun 1st, 10:00am to 5:00pm Admissions by Donation Closed...

Now thru January 1

Museums Burlington Online Galleries

Joseph Brant Museum

1240 North Shore Boulevard East, Burlington, ON, L7S 1C5

Now thru December 31

Private Date Night Painting for 2

studio k2

The Cotton Factory, DyeWorks Building, 9 Landsdowne Avenue, Hamilton

Whenever Date Night is! Event Price: $165.00 + hst per couple.

Now thru June 30

Winter Staycations in Brant

Brant Tourism

31 Mechanic St, Paris, ON N3L 1K1

Some winter activities but enjoy others all year round!

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