Bird Friendly City | City of Kawartha Lakes

Kawartha Lakes has been awarded Bird Friendly City Certification as of March 22, 2024.

What is a Bird Friendly City?

Bird Friendly City Certification is a program that encourages local communities to take action to protect and support bird populations. In cities across Canada, various stakeholders such as nature groups, municipal officials, and community organizations are collaborating with Nature Canada to ensure that urban areas become safe and welcoming places for birds, rather than posing threats to their well-being. For more information, visit the Nature Canada Bird Friendly City website.

It’s no coincidence the osprey is central to the Kawartha Lakes brand. Dubbed “Ontario’s fishing hawk”, it’s always near water such as shorelines of large lakes, rivers and ponds. Osprey migrate, spending the winter months in the warmer south, much like many of our ‘snowbird’ residents.

It’s a common sight to see an osprey soaring overhead, whether in your urban backyard or in the secluded Carden Alvar in the north portion of our municipality. Watch for their large nests perched atop trees or hydro poles, a sign of efforts made by the community decades ago to ensure the ospreys made a comeback from dangerously low numbers. Graceful in flight, powerful and resilient by nature, the osprey is a fitting symbol of Kawartha Lakes.

Accomplishments

Osprey adopted as official bird of Kawartha Lakes

On September 12, 2024, Council adopted the osprey as the Official Bird of Kawartha Lakes, symbolizing the region's natural beauty and commitment to conservation. Known as “Ontario’s fishing hawk,” the osprey’s selection highlights successful local conservation efforts and the importance of clean waterways and thriving ecosystems. Read the full news release for more details on how the osprey was selected.

2023 Conservation Partner of the Year Award

The Bird Friendly City of Kawartha Lakes (BFCKL) received the 2023 Conservation Partner of the Year Award from Nature Canada, to recognize their collaboration and work to protect nature. Read the official letter from Emily McMillan, Executive Director of Nature Canada.

Upcoming Events

There are lots of opportunities to become more familiar with your birds in your backyard and further afield and to contribute to science at the same time.

Project Feederwatch, organized by Birds Canada, provides powerful tools for recording and reporting on birds in your backyard. To learn more and to register go to Project Feederwatch.

Past Events

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - from Humane Society of Kawartha Lakes

June 10, 2025

Calling All Cat Lovers: Win a Catio and Other Great Prizes While Keeping Your Cat Safe!

Kawartha Lakes, ON — The Humane Society of Kawartha Lakes (HSKL) is thrilled to announce a new initiative to help keep cats safe and support local wildlife: the "Keep Cats Safe Pledge" Contest. Cat owners who pledge to keep their feline companions indoors will be entered into a draw to win exciting prizes—including two grand-prize “catios”, secure outdoor enclosures that allow cats to enjoy nature without exposure to outdoor hazards, valued at $600 each.

Additional prizes, generously provided by Pet Valu Lindsay, include bundles of indoor cat entertainment such as toys, scratch mats, and laser pointers. The prize draws will take place on Thursday, July 17th, 2025.

“Making the responsible choice to keep your cat indoors will significantly enhance your cat’s quality of life and contribute positively to the environment,” says Emily Harris, Executive Director of HSKL. Indoor cats typically live much longer, often into their late teens or twenties, compared to the 5–7 years of their outdoor counterparts. Outdoor cats face numerous hazards such as traffic, predators, parasites, toxins, and harsh weather.

There’s also an environmental impact. According to Nature Canada, outdoor cats are a significant threat to bird populations, contributing to millions of bird deaths annually. That’s why Bird Friendly Kawartha Lakes is proud to support this initiative, and Nature Canada is backing the campaign with a generous grant.

By taking the pledge, participants are not only protecting their beloved pets but also helping preserve vulnerable wildlife populations.

Visit the Humane Society of Kawartha Lakes Shelter today at 107 McLaughlin Rd, Lindsay, ON to take the pledge, complete a ballot, and give your cat a safer, healthier life—while making a positive difference in the environment.

About the Humane Society of Kawartha Lakes:

The Humane Society of Kawartha Lakes is committed to promoting animal welfare and building strong, compassionate connections between people and pets in the Kawartha Lakes region.

Media Contact:

Emily Harris

Executive Director, HSKL

eharris@hskl.ca

(705) 878-4618

There are lots of opportunities to become more familiar with your birds in your backyard and further afield and to contribute to science at the same time.

Project Feederwatch, organized by Birds Canada, provides powerful tools for recording and reporting on birds in your backyard. To learn more and to register go to Project Feederwatch.

Fleming College is held a Lindsay-area Christmas Bird Count on Saturday, December 14th.

On Saturday, December 28, Kawartha Field Naturalists held a Christmas Bird Count for the entire City of Kawartha Lakes. This is an annual event and a way to contribute to citizen science and help experts track population trends and locate rarities. About 40 species are counted in a normal year.

Saturday, January 4, the Carden Field Naturalists are held their annual Carden Alvar Bird Count. This northwestern section of the City of Kawartha Lakes is one of the top 5 birding hotspots in Ontario and designated as an IBA (Important Bird Area) by BirdLife International. It is home to several hundred species.

Whatever your level of experience this was a great opportunity to explore this rich terrain and contribute to databases relied on by scientists.

May 11, 2024 - World Migratory Bird Day

Celebrate World Migratory Bird Day at Ken Reid Conservation Area

The day was packed with a variety of educational and engaging activities that promise to deepen your connection with the natural world. Find more information on the Kawartha Conservation Website.

Spring Birding Identification Walk

Join Kawartha Field Naturalists for three Saturday morning birding walks in May during the height of the migration season. All walks will be on level ground and suitable for beginners and experienced birders alike.

Participants should download to their cellphones the free Merlin App from Cornell BirdLab and will learn to use the app to identify birds by both sound and sight.

Locations and Dates:

Long Beach Rd., Cameron, south of Hwy 121 at the rail trail, Saturday, May 11 and Saturday May 25 at 6:30 a.m.

Carden Alvar Important Bird Area, north of Kirkfield at Hwy #6 and McNamee Road, 7:00 a.m. May 18.

April 4, 2024- Flight for the Future

The Fleming Bird Conservation Committee and Frost Student Association are inviting you to Flight for the Future, an evening celebration taking place as part of the Frost Campus EcoFest 2024. Everyone is welcomed to join! Come learn about Frost students’ initiatives towards bird conservation, see live birds of prey, and celebrate creativity with the showcase of bird and conservation inspired artwork, created by Fleming students as part of our Flight for the Future EcoArt Contest!

Event Date: Thursday April 4, 2024

Doors: 6:30pm

Start Time: 7pm

Location: Auk’s Lodge, Frost Campus, 200 Albert St S, Lindsay, ON K9V 5E6

Cost: FREE

For more information, contact: fbcc@flemingcollege.ca

February 16 to 19, 2024- Great Backyard Bird Count

Birds Canada invites you to participate in a global event taking place before spring migrations. Spend time in your favorite places watching and listening for birds, and in as little as 15 minutes, notice the birds around you. Identify them, count them and report to help scientists better understand and protect birds around the world.

For more information and to register, visit Great Backyard Bird Count. If you are a beginning bird admirer and new to bird identification, you can download the free Merlin Bird ID app to identify and automatically report on birds you are seeing or hearing.

November 14, 2023 to January 27, 2024 - Radical Feathers: Annual Juried Exhibit

The Kawartha Art Gallery, in collaboration with Fleming College and the City of Kawartha Lakes, presents an exhibition celebrating the beauty and diversity of birds, emphasizing the need for their conservation due to various human-induced threats. The exhibition welcomes entries in two categories: Fine Arts (2D + 3D artwork) and Photography, encouraging artists to express their avian inspirations and insights. Visit the Kawartha Art Gallery website for more information.

November 18, 2023 - Radical Feathers: Annual Juried Exhibit Awards Reception and Presentation

The event will take place Saturday, November 18 at the Auk's Lodge at Fleming College's Frost Campus from 6:30 to 9:30 pm. Visit the Kawartha Art Gallery website for more information.

November 25, 2023 - Lindsay Library Winter Birdfeeder Workshop

Join fellow bird enthusiasts at 2pm at the Lindsay Library to learn about & discuss choosing and maintaining bird feeders over the winter months. There will also be a draw for a nyjer tube birdfeeder. Birders of ALL ages are welcome. Registration requested, but all walk-in attendees are welcome. Visit the Kawartha Lakes Public Library website for more information

December 16, 2023 - Lindsay Circle Christmas Bird Count

Fleming College and the Kawartha Field Naturalists are calling on birders of every skill level to participate in the Lindsay Christmas Bird Count. This annual event occurs across North America over the Christmas season and is a great example of how citizen science can be used to help track bird population trends and locate rarities. We’ll be meeting at the college at 8 AM and returning around 4 PM for a tally and potluck supper.

To participate, email Paul Ashley paul.ashley@flemingcollege.ca or call Derek Anderson at 705-324- 9875 or John Bick at 705-738-2707.

Download the event poster.

December 28, 2023 - Christmas Bird Count

If you can identify a Blue Jay or recognize a Chickadee, you can be part oft he 2023 Christmas Bird Count on Thursday December 28 from 8 am to 4 pm throughout Kawartha Lakes. This annual event organized by the Kawartha Field Naturalists, is a great example of citizen science that helps experts track population trends and locate rarities. About 40 species are counted locally on a normal year.

To participate in one of our zones or to count birds at your feeders or neighbouring ones contact : Derek Anderson at 705-324- 9875 or John Bick at 705-875-5120.