October Big Day Birding Walk in Toronto's High Park
Saturday, October 10, 2026, 10AM-12PM
Ages: 16+ years
NOTE: Pre-registration is required for all our events, hikes and workshops. We do this to ensure we don’t exceed our capacity for indoor events or the maximum limits for group sizes on High Park’s ecologically sensitive trails. Please register on our website before coming to High Park.
We cannot guarantee availability of walk-in spots. If an event is at capacity, please put yourself on our waitlist. We will notify waitlisted participants if we open up new spots or sessions for our events. Please contact us if you have any questions.
October Big Day Birding Walk in Toronto's High Park
Join us for October Big Day, a global celebration of birds and community science in High Park! On this casual birding walk, we’ll explore High Park’s diverse habitats looking and listening for resident and migrating birds. Whether you’re an experienced birder or just curious about the birds around you, this is a welcoming opportunity to explore, connect, and bird together.
This is a beginner-friendly hike. All skills levels are welcome.
Binoculars: High Park Nature Centre has a limited number of pairs of binoculars available to borrow. Binoculars will be handed out on a first come, first served basis.
Price: Pay What You Can ($0, $5, $8, $10)
Ages: 16+ years
Meeting Location: High Park Forest School, 375 Colborne Lodge Drive
- Day: Saturday, October 10, 2026
- Time: 10AM-12PM
Please arrive on time. We might not be able to connect late arrivals with the group once they depart.
This event will start at the High Park Forest School building located at 375 Colborne Lodge Drive.
We continue to recommend using the TTC or biking as the best way to get to High Park and the Nature Centre’s facilities.
Public Transit (TTC):
High Park Subway Station is the closest subway station to the High Park Forest School.
After exiting High Park Station through the High Park Avenue exit, walk south into High Park along Colborne Lodge Drive. The Forest School is the first building on your left, about 5 minutes from the subway station.
Please visit TTC’s website for route schedules, fares and passes, service advisories and alerts.
Cycling:
We have bike racks available at the High Park Forest School. Please bring your own bike locks.
There are also several Bike Share Toronto docking stations in and near High Park. Please visit Bike Share Toronto’s website for more information.
Driving:
A number of changes were made to the travel network within High Park as part of the High Park Movement Strategy that might influence your decision to drive to High Park.
- Weekends: High Park is closed to cars on weekends. If your event is on a weekend, you will need to park outside the park and walk in, or take transit. On-street parking is available on Bloor Street West. Precise Parklink parking lots are available just north of Bloor Street West off Pacific Avenue. Green P parking lots are available at the Keele and Runnymede Subway Stations.
- Weekdays: Due to limited street parking in the park, we strongly recommend you to park your car at the public parking lot near Grenadier Cafe, and walk to the High Park Forest School.
Visit our How To Get Here page to learn more about planning your trips to High Park.
General Admission (Adults and Youth):
- Pay What You Can ($0, $5, $8, $10)
This event is for youth and adults ages 16 years and above.
By registering for this event, attendees confirm they will be 16 years of age or older on the date of the event.
It’s important to come prepared for an outdoor event. High Park Nature Centre events will run rain, snow or shine. We recommend checking the forecast before your event and preparing accordingly.
Please wear weather-appropriate clothing and comfortable, closed-toe footwear.
Depending on the weather and your personal needs, some optional things you may also wish to bring:
- Sun protection (hat, sunglasses, sunscreen)
- Insect repellent
- A nut-free snack
- A refillable water bottle
We try our best to accommodate accessibility needs on a case-by-case basis. Please reach out to us about any accessibility-related questions you might have as soon as possible.
- Hike routes through High Park might include some uneven terrain and mild slopes.
- The High Park Forest School building is not yet an AODA-compliant facility.
Dogs and other pets are not permitted in our programs. However, certified service animals, such as registered therapy or guide dogs, are welcome.
Birds of the City Online Course
Keep your curiosity and enthusiasm about birding in Toronto alive all throughout the year by signing up for our Birds of the City online naturalist course!
From tails to talons, we cover it all in this course. Learn about their adaptations, threats, and behaviours, and practice identifying common species found in southern Ontario’s urban environments without leaving the city.
Registration Policies
- General Cancellation Policy
- Extreme Weather-Related Cancellation Policy
- Behaviour Policy
Thank You To Our Funders
Our community science programs are funded by Park People, TD Bank Group, and your generous donations. We are truly grateful to all our donors and supporters for their generous support of our stewardship and community science programs in High Park.
