Ontario Nature Calendar

January

🗓️ Jan 1 - 3: Winter's Stillness and Survivors

On Jan 3rd, there is a Wolf Moon. This is the name given to the first full moon of the year. The crisp winter skies may offer some of the clearest full-moon displays. It peaks at 5:02am (Toronto), but will still appear full during the evening.
Start your year by listening for the clear, whistled “fee-bee” song of Black-capped Chickadees. A whistled song in contrast to their usual "chickadee-dee-dee" calls. It’s a small, hopeful sound in the cold of early January and it's the Chickadees way of declaring territory and of looking for a mate. Their singing is thought to be encouraged by hormonal changes caused by photoperiodism - the lengthening daylight.
In early January, Great Horned Owls are courting. Even in the deep of winter, listen for their deep resonant hoots at dawn and dusk. The owls are one of the earliest birds to breed in Ontario.
Another owl species to look for during these tough winter months is the Long-eared Owl. They often gather in communal roosts in dense evergreens near to open hunting grounds. An elusive species best seen on winter evenings as they hunt for rodents.

🗓️ Jan 4 - 10: The Grip of Deep Winter

Scan windswept farmland, lakeshores, and airport edges for perched Snowy Owls. These Arctic visitors stand out against the snow - often sitting calmly on fenceposts, silos, or even rooftops. A winter icon worth seeking. If you'd like some tips, watch this video on How To Find Snowy Owls.
There are several Pines, Fir and Spruces, but look for the Eastern Hemlock. It has dense, low-hanging branches that trap snow and block wind which creates a warmer microhabitat for roosting birds like Chickadees and Kinglets.

🗓️ Jan 11 - 17 Voices in the Stillness

Red Foxes and Coyotes approach their breeding seasons. Coyotes howl and yip to defend territory and strengthen pair bonds, while Red Foxes bark sharply to communicate with potential mates. Tracks and paired movements are more visible - especially around dawn and dusk.
By the end of January, many Great Horned Owls have already claimed a nest — often a reused hawk or squirrel platform. Some may already be on eggs. Look and listen for these large owls, especially near woodlots, ravines, or cemetery groves.

🗓️ Jan 18 - 24 Skybound Rituals

Through January into March, Short-eared Owls patrol open landscapes through the winter, gliding low over marshes, grassland and fields in search of small mammals. Their ghostly flight and distinctive facial discs make them a highlight of winter birding. They are elusive and populations are quite localised - but winter is your best chance
Common Ravens begin their courtship early. If you’re near rural forests or rocky areas, watch for paired flights, chases, and barrel rolls in the sky — often accompanied by deep croaks and rattling calls. You’ll often hear them before you see them.

🗓️ Jan 25 - 31 Fowl Weather Friends

Through January and February is prime time to see Ontario’s winter ducks. On lakes, rivers, and sheltered bays, ducks gather in sizeable flocks. Look for Long-tailed, Goldeneyes, Buffleheads, Redheads, Canvasback, Scoters and Eiders. It's also the perfect time to hone your skills at identifying Lesser vs Greater Scaup! Watch for the striking plumage contrasts of males diving and foraging beneath icy waters, then work on your skills on identifying the more subtle females.

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February

🗓️ Feb 1 - 7 Ghosts of the Harvest

Flocks of Snow Buntings sweep across snowy farm fields, often joined by Horned Larks and hidden Lapland Longspurs. Watch quiet rural roadsides, especially where crops were harvested - these restless flocks flush easily but rarely fly far.

🗓️ Feb 8 - 14 Eyes in the Daylight

You’re more likely to spot a Barred Owl around this time of year, as they establish territories. Food is also more sparse and hiding under the snow, forcing them to hunt more frequently during daylight and along woodland edges.
If it’s a good year, February is peak time for nomadic finches. Watch for Redpolls in weedy fields and birch groves, or Pine Siskins chattering in conifers. Crossbills might show up wherever cone crops are ripe - spruce stands are your best bet. Some flocks are tame, others restless, but all are worth seeing!

🗓️ Feb 15 - 21 Plant Life Beginnings

You might start noticing the smell of Skunk on the breeze! Males are emerging from torpor and beginning to roam in search of mates and food. There’s a good chance of bumping into them at this time of year when natural food is scarce - foraging through garbage is more common now.
Look closely at twigs and you might notice buds beginning to swell. Silver Maple and Red Maple are among the first to respond to longer daylight and warmer spells.

🗓️ Feb 22 - 28 Whispers of Spring

Sunny days trigger early courtship in some resident bird species as spring creeps closer. Listen out for Northern Cardinals beginning to use their whistled song. This begins early in the year as they begin to claim territory and find a mate.
In sheltered woodlands or south-facing slopes, early green shoots like Wild Garlic or Garlic Mustard may poke through the leaf litter. It’s a quiet indication that the soil is waking up.
Pussy Willow buds begin to swell along wet ditches and streamsides. The soft grey catkins may break through their bud scales during a warm spell, or into March. A heralding that Spring will soon be here.
Look to the eastern sky about an hour before sunrise for a rare sight of six planets. Mercury, Venus, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune will be spaced out in a graceful arc along the ecliptic, the same path the Sun follows. They’ll rise in sequence from the east to southeast, forming a celestial procession low on the horizon. The alignment begins around February 26th and fades by March 3rd, but February 28th offers the best viewing if skies are clear. Uranus and Neptune will require binoculars or a telescope, but the others should be visible to the naked eye.

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April

🗓️ Apr 1 - 4 The Art of Distraction

Look out for Killdeer trying to distract you with their injured-wing display. Egg laying is underway around now. Expect chicks from May onwards - they can have more than one brood per year.

🗓️ Apr 5 - 11 The Insect-Eaters Return

The Eastern Phoebe is one of the first true insect-eating migrants to return. Listen for the raspy “fee-bee” call and watch for its distinctive tail bobbing on low perches near buildings or streams.
Further north, start looking out for Moose as they begin to venture close to roadsides as the snow melts. They take advantage of the salt left behind by winter road maintenance, using it as a vital mineral that aids hydration and nutrition. The timing of this behaviour is tied to the snow melt, and so it may occur at different times depending on temperature, pushing further into May in colder years.

🗓️ Apr 12 - 18 The First Warbler Wave

The first wave of warblers has arrived. Yellow-rumped Warblers flick through field edges and budding shrubs in search of early insects. Listen for their soft “chip” calls and watch for flashes of yellow at the rump and sides. An exciting arrival for birders.
Under cover of night, Smelt (a fish) flood into shallow rivers to spawn. Gulls and raccoons gather for the feast. A short-lived but dramatic spring ritual.

🗓️ Apr 19 - 25 Waking Woods and City Blues

The forest floor is waking up with bloodroot, hepatica, and spring beauty. Short-lived ephemerals bloom before the trees leaf out. In city parks, look for violets dotting the grass and Siberian squill, a non-native but widespread early bloomer, spreading waves of blue beneath bare branches.

🗓️ Apr 26 - 31 Scouts of Spring

Glossy blue-and-white Tree Swallows are returning, skimming low over marshes and open water. Nest boxes fill quickly, and their liquid chatter brings motion and lightness to the spring air. While other swallows wait for the insect hatch, Tree Swallows can arrive earlier because they are uniquely adapted to survive on waxy berries until the skies come alive with bugs.
Some of the early arriving warbler species may start to show, including Black-and-white, Palm, Pine and others. Read more here: When Do The Warblers Arrive?

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June

🗓️ Jun 1 - 6 The Meadow Chorus

Early June is a golden time in Ontario grasslands. Bobolinks hover overhead, Meadowlarks flute from fenceposts, and sparrows fill the air with buzzy trills - Vesper, Grasshopper, Clay-coloured, and Savannah among them. With luck, you might hear the high whistle of an Upland Sandpiper or the chatter of a hidden Sedge Wren. This is one of the richest bird soundscapes of the year.

🗓️ Jun 7 - 13 Twilight Watchers

At dusk, Common Nighthawks sweep across rooftops and rural skies. Their sharp peent! calls and deep booming dives mark a summer rhythm. Watch for them high over ball fields, lakes, or open roads as the sun begins to dip.
Start looking out for Raccoons staring back at you from tree cavities. Are there cubs in there? In a few weeks, the cubs will venture out with their mother to learn the ways of foraging and surviving.
Wild strawberries beging to ripen in early-to-mid June, and they will be joined by raspberries in 2-4 weeks from now

🗓️ Jun 14 - 20 Deerly Departing

White-tailed Deer fawns are now strong enough to explore. Often curled up in meadow grasses or spotted crossing trails, their spotted coats help them vanish into the dappled forest light. Watch quietly - they’re often closer than you think.
Turtle nesting is underway, especially for Snapping Turtles who lay eggs around now and into early July. Drive carefully - females can travel far from water to lay eggs, crossing roads and trails.

🗓️ Jun 21 - 27 Summer’s Silken Ghosts

Late June is prime time for Ontario’s giant silkmoths. Cecropia, Luna, and Polyphemus moths emerge from their cocoons and take flight—males in search of females, females drawn to porch lights or moonlit leaves. With wingspans as wide as your hand, they’re brief, magical visitors to gardens, forests, and even suburban streets.
June 21st is the longest day and the Summer Solstice. There will be almost 15.5 hours of sunlight! However, the days get shorter from here.

🗓️ Jun 28 - 30 Fiery Nights

Evenings in late June can glow with Fireflies in meadows and backyard hedges. Their bioluminescent displays are part of courtship where each species has a unique flash pattern. Watch out in grassy areas at dusck for one of the enchanting displays of summer.
The insect chorus is soon added to by Katydids and crickets who begin calling on hotter evenings by now and into July.

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August

🗓️ Aug 1 - 8 Curtain’s Up: Send in the Shorebs

The first wave of shorebird southbound migration. Look for adult sandpipers and yellowlegs stopping at muddy shorelines, flooded fields, and drying ponds. While September is peak migration, these early travellers are a sign that the long journey south has already begun.

🗓️ Aug 9 - 15 Dust From a Distant Sun

One of the year’s most dazzling night sky events, the Perseids are active now and expected to peak around August 11–12. Under dark skies, you may see 50–100 meteors per hour streaking across the heavens. For the best show, head away from city lights and watch after midnight - especially when the Moon dips below the horizon.
There will be a partial solar eclipse on August 12th. Only about 10%-15% of the sun will be covered by the moon, but if you look carefully (using eye protection), you should see the maximum eclipse at around 1:40pm.

🗓️ Aug 16 - 22 Snakes on the Plain

Snakes are basking and foraging. Eastern Garter Snakes, Red-bellied Snakes, and other shy species are especially active now - hunting along trails and warming themselves on sunlit rocks or paths. If you’re in the right habitat, you may be among the lucky few to glimpse an Eastern Massasauga, Ontario’s only venomous snake. This scarce species prefers open, wet habitats and is rarely seen—but it’s out and about this month, feeding and preparing to give birth.

🗓️ Aug 23 - 29 Welcome to the Pollinator Parade

Canada Goldenrod, Grass-leaved Goldenrod, and other species now light up meadows and roadsides. These late-summer flowers draw in a busy cast of pollinators—from Common Eastern Bumblebees to metallic sweat bees and soldier beetles.

🗓️ Aug 30 - 31 The Last Light Patrol

Those fleets of Common Nighthawks we mentioned in June will begin their long-distance southern migration. Before they go, they continue to take the skies at sunset, to fuel up on insects mid-air. These are your last opportunities to see them.
Young Snapping Turtles hatch around now. These coin-sized reptiles make the treacherous journey from buried nests towards nearby ponds and wetlands. Watch for them from late August to early September, depending on temperatures.

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September

🗓️ Sep 1 - 5 Gone with the Wings

A rush of colour flits through the canopy. Warblers in non-breeding plumage - Yellow-rumped Warbler, Black-throated Green, Magnolia, and more - stream south through woodlands and parks. This early September wave is driven by shortening day length, post-breeding dispersal, and the final flush of insect food before cooler nights set in. Early mornings with a bit of mist are often most productive.

🗓️ Sep 6 - 12 Pelee’s Painted Pilgrims

Monarch Butterflies begin to gather in impressive numbers along the northern shores of Lake Erie, particularly at points like Long Point and Point Pelee. They will soon cross the lake on their way to Mexico. Timing varies through September, so do your research before travelling.
As autumn approaches, beavers stockpile branches and twigs underwater near to their lodges. These are submerged pantries which will provide vital winter sustenance when the water is frozen solid. Beavers will be actively foraging for the coming weeks, before the ice begins to form.

🗓️ Sep 13 - 19 Current and Colour

The Salmon Run is on! Watch for mostly Chinook Salmon powering upstream through creeks and rives to spawn. It’s a dramatic and awe-inspiring display, especially after a rainfall when water levels rise. Gulls, mink and raccoons are all drawn to this life and death pulse in the river.
Look to the skies! Blue Jay migration begins. A portion of Ontario’s Blue Jays start moving south this week, with thousands sometimes visible streaming overhead. Because they’re not strong over-water flyers, many follow the north shores of Lakes Ontario and Erie, travelling west or southwest to avoid open water. Large congregations can often be seen at prominent peninsulas such as Point Pelee.
Various species of Asters join the floral blooms. New England Aster with bold purples and Heart-leaved Aster in pale blues and white. These hardly late bloomers take over field edges and woodland margins while keeping pollinators well fed into the autumn.

🗓️ Sep 20 - 26 On a Wing and a Thermal

The skies above escarpments and open country come alive as Broad-winged Hawks, Sharp-shinned Hawks, American Kestrels, and Turkey Vultures drift southward. Vultures spiral in enormous kettles, numbering by the dozens - sometimes hundreds - as they circle lazily on rising thermals. A perfect week to scan the skies from open lookouts.

🗓️ Sep 27 - 30 Exit: Stage Eft

The Red-spotted Newt begins its quiet shift from land to water. After spending one to three years in its bright orange, juvenile “eft” stage, it now seeks out wetlands like ponds, swamps, and marshy forest pools to begin its aquatic adult life. You might spot them crossing damp woodland trails after rain, especially in shaded, mixed forests.
As we head into October and a little further to the north, the peak of Moose breeding season begins. Bull moose become more active and visible as they search for mates, often making deep grunts and engaging in sparring contests with rival males. This is the best time of your to try your luck at seeing an antlered bull moose.

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October

🗓️ Oct 1 - 3 Shroom with a View

Moist leaf litter and cooler nights create ideal conditions for mushrooms and other fungi. Forest floors burst to life with the likes of Turkey Tail, Amanitas, Honey Mushrooms, and colourful coral fungi. Even decaying logs can be covered in life - autumn is a prime time to slow down and look low.

🗓️ Oct 4 - 10 Much Ado About Maples

Peak Fall Colours time. Across much of Southern Ontario, deciduous forests explode in colour this week. Sugar Maples ignite in orange and red, contrasting with golden aspens and russet oaks. The exact timing varies by elevation and proximity to the Great Lakes, but Thanksgiving weekend is often a safe bet for peak leaf-peeping.

🗓️ Oct 11 - 17 Flight of the Crownlets

Golden-crowned and Ruby-crowned Kinglets flit restlessly through evergreens and shrubby woodland edges this week. These tiny birds migrate southward in waves, with their buzzy, high-pitched calls. Golden-crowned Kinglets are slightly earlier, but this is a prime time to catch both species—often travelling with chickadees, nuthatches, and the season’s final warblers.

🗓️ Oct 18 - 24 All That Remains

Some of the final hardy insects still take to the air. You may spot Autumn Meadowhawks basking on rocks, Woolly Bear caterpillars crossing paths, or even a lingering Monarch or Painted Lady butterfly on warmer days. These are the last flickers of summer’s buzz.
We are into late season fungi, with many mushrooms having passed their peak. But species like Velvet Foot, Brick Caps, and Wood Blewits now emerge in cooler, wetter weather. Look for them on decaying logs and stumps, especially after autumn rains. Some species thrive well into November.
With peak colour behind us, the forest floor becomes a mosaic of fallen leaves. Oaks hang on longer, but birch, ash, and maple leaves drop steadily now. Trails become leaf-carpeted, and each step stirs up the scent of autumn decay and damp earth.

🗓️ Oct 25 - 31 The Birds are Back in Town

Winter birds start arriving. With frosts settling in, familiar cold-season visitors return. Dark-eyed Juncos flash their white outer tail feathers as they hop along trails and feeders. White-throated Sparrows, with their sweet whistled song, forage beneath shrubs and in garden beds. Keep an eye out, too, for the first American Tree Sparrows, just arriving from the tundra. These hardy migrants mark the seasonal shift—often joined by the occasional Fox Sparrow or early Snow Bunting in open country.

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December

🗓️ Dec 1 - 5 Gall Things Considered

There are galls around. Look closely at plants and thin tree branches. They may look bare and many plants may have long since withered, but hope is not lost! There’s still life clinging to the landscape. Galls, those strange swellings on stems and branches, are signs of insect life tucked away for the winter. Round goldenrod galls in meadows and odd-shaped oak or willow galls on tree twigs each contain the larva of an insect, protected in a hardened chamber until spring. They don’t always make it because Chickadees, woodpeckers, and even small mammals like mice have learned to crack them open for a nutritious winter snack. These galls may look inert, but they play a subtle role in the winter food chain.

🗓️ Dec 6 - 12 Of Lichens and Legends

Mosses and lichens take the spotlight. With the trees bare and the ground covered in snow or leaf litter, subtle beauties start to shine. Mosses and lichens are now among the most visible lifeforms in the forest. Look for velvety patches of green moss on logs, boulders, and tree bases. Delicate foliose lichens spread like frost across bark, while crustose and fruticose forms can resemble everything from splashes of paint to tiny branching shrubs. In the low humidity of winter, many lichens remain dry and brittle, but a thaw or bit of moisture brings them back to life, photosynthesising even on cold days.

🗓️ Dec 13 - 19 Waxing and Waning

Birds are making use of winter fruits. Bursts of movement and colour come from Cedar Waxwings, American Robins, and even European Starlings as they gather in small flocks to strip the berries from crabapple, mountain ash, and other fruiting trees. If you’re lucky, you might also spot Bohemian Waxwings. Slightly larger, greyer cousins of the Cedar Waxwing, with bold white-and-rust markings under the tail. These birds are nomadic and irruptive, meaning they show up irregularly, often depending on berry crops farther north.

🗓️ Dec 20 - 26 The Winter’s Tale

The is a hidden world of small mammals beneath the snow that remains active in the depths of winter. Voles, shrews, and mice create insulated tunnels in the subnivean layer - the space between the snowpack and the ground - where they forage on seeds and plant material while staying hidden from predators. Foxes and owls know this, and you might spot them intently listening, waiting to pounce. It’s a subtle drama unfolding just out of sight. It’s a fitting reminder to end the year with: that even when things seem still and silent, life carries on—unseen, but not absent. Nature, like time, never truly stops.
December 21st marks the Winter Solstice, the shortest day of the year with less than 9hrs of sunlight in Southern Ontario. A few more dark nights to come, but things start to lighten up from here.

🗓️ Dec 27 - 31 The End and The Beginning

As the year ends, the landscape rests under a blanket of frost and snow. Hardy birds like Chickadees and Woodpeckers stay busy, their calls and taps soft notes in the winter stillness. This is a time to reflect on nature’s resilience and the changing seasons. Thank you for joining this journey through the year’s wonders. Merry Christmas to those that celebrate it, Happy holidays to all and best wishes for the new year. Ready to do it all again next year?

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