Bird watching not just a summer activity, says enthusiast

Bird watching might not seem like an obvious activity in cold-weather months,but record-setting birder Jeremy Bensette believes winter can be just as much fun for following our feathered friends.

For one thing, the winter migration means a variety of species have come to the area.

• This man travelled 90,000 km across Ontario to break a bird-watching record

In the northhawks aren't seen in the winter, saidBensette. But there are some species like song birds in the area. He saidwinter finches from further north will be around to eat. Further south in Ontario, it's easier to spot snowy owls, rough-legged hawks and bald eagles.

"I've seen as many as 60 bald eagles in one spot before in Ontario," Bensette said.

Keeping warm

Unlike skating or skiing, bird watching is a more sedentary activitywhich can make it difficult to keep warm.

"I almost lost a few toe nails," he said.

Bensette likes to combine bird watching with other actives like cross-country skiing.

"Because the birds are fewer and far between, it's still sometimes fun to go searching even if you may walk for a few kilometres and only see a few birds in total. You wouldn't know if you didn't try," he said.

Dress for the weather

There are some things to keep in mind if you do go looking for birds when the weather isn't quite warm enough.

"I always suggest to wear at least one extra layer on top," Bensette said. "I'm wearing a pair of sweat pants under my normal pants because I'm so used to doing that."

Bensettesaid birds are more concentrated onfinding foodduring the winter. So when scouting them he suggested watching bird feeders and open water.

OntarioBig Year

Last year Bensettesighted 346 different species of birds in Ontario, more than anybody had ever done before.

"My goal was always to do the best that I could do," Bensettesaid when he took on the venture. He does field work with Bird Studies Canada between adventures.

In Search of Birds

7 years ago

Duration 0:56

Jeremy Bensette is doing a Big Year, tracking down as many bird species in Ontario as he can during the year.

Bensette's photographs can be seen on his blog jeremybirder.com.