Local Events
Sharing the joy of birds and nature is at the core of everything we do at Wild Birds Unlimited. We love playing an active role in the local community by hosting bird walks and giving educational presentations. Check back often to see what we have planned in-store or out. Call the store if you are interested in a presentation for your group.
2025
Wild Birds Unlimited - Kitchener
Upcoming Events -
May 18 12:30 - 1:30
Cathy will be at City Hall at Square Peg for Bird Friiendly Kitchener
Interactive presentation will be given on the Seven Steps to Help Birds
Saving our Song Birds has been our initiative since opening our store and now as Kitchener is certified as a Bird Friendly City it is important that we
join together and share knowledge on what each of us can do to stop the decline of our bird population.
Please join me - all are welcome.
Saturday, April 26th 10am - 1pm
31 Northumberland Street, Ayr
Earth Day - The Township of North Dumfries invited us to participate; Cathy and Michelle will be celebrating this special event and we want YOU to join us on Saturday
We are excited to team up with Clean Ayr Project for another fun Earth Day event. Happening in Centennial Park, downtown Ayr, this event is packed with activities for all ages.
Kids craft
Free pollinator plants, while supplies last
Wild Birds Unlimited will be there with information on attracting birds to the garden and keeping them healthy
There will be a live Raptor/Birds of Prey demonstration at 11:30 a.m.
May 3 8am - 10am
Nature Walk at Huron Natural Area
A chilly breeze and a rainy forecast didn’t stop us from enjoying an incredible morning on the trails! We tallied 45 species in total, with plenty of spring migrants making an appearance—including Rose-breasted Grosbeaks, Palm Warblers, Gray Catbirds, Black-and-white Warblers, Warbling Vireo, and an American Redstart. We even had two Common Loons fly overhead, a special treat for the group!
Thanks to everyone who joined us—we’re so glad the weather held off and the birds were active. You can view our full eBird checklist here: https://ebird.org/checklist/S232474141
This American Redstart is one of the birds that was viewed on Saturday.
May 10 11:00am - 1:00pm
Optics - Binoculars 101
Peter Ray of Vortex Canada
We are excited to welcome Peter once again to our new location.
This presentation will cover what binoculars and or scope is best to match your needs. A great opportunity to ask questions and learn. Optics make a special gift for Mother's and or Father's Day.
Bird Friendly coffee will be served. Bring along a friend and enjoy the talk.
Backed by Bees
Backed by Bees creates honey and so much more.
We will be welcoming Dave and or Vince to our store to share their knowledge. We are delighted that there also will be a taste testing.
Cathy, our owner, loves the liquid honey in our Bird-Friendly coffee.
Date to be confirmed
February 15 11am - 12pm
In-store presentation - 501 Krug Street
Creating Backyard Bird Habitat
“Birds are indicators of the environment. If they are in trouble, we know we'll soon be in trouble.”
Roger Tory Peterson
Are you curious about why the hobby of attracting wild birds to your yard is growing and thriving?
Come on out and learn what elements are key to enjoying birds and what options you have to help the birds.
Can I feed the birds and not squirrels? - Yes, we will show you how - you decide what is best for your yard.
Everyone welcome. Bird Friendly coffee will be served.
2024
December 7 11am - 2pm
Carolyn R. Wilker, Children's Author
Carolyn has 3 books in the store, "Harry's Trees" and the French version "Les Arbres de Harry" and "Sophie and the GIANT Boy"
https://www.carolynwilker.ca/books/harrys-trees/
November 23 at 11am
Bela Sharma Bratch, Children's author of Kaya's Farm
"Bela lives on a farm in Carlisle, Ontario with her husband and three children. They are surrounded by nature and by their adventurous pets. After the birth of their daughter Kaya, Bela would regale Kaya with stories of their pets’ adventures while living on “Kaya’s Farm”. There were many stories to tell. Bela, wanting to share these stories, began writing a series about her family and their pets living on “Kaya’s Farm”. What makes these stories extra special is that they are real. The people and animals exist, the events have truly occurred, and the animals’ experiences are interpreted through Bela’s eyes."
Bela will bring copies of her 3 books; Welcome to the Country, The Visit, The Koi
I know Bela personally and believe this will be a fun event - join us, all are welcome
November 2 Birds of Prey - Raptor Event
Lara and her team from Mountsberg, Conservation Halton will be bringing in their Birds of Prey from noon - 2:00pm
All are welcome.
October 19 Grand Re-Opening and Birthday Celebration
Come join us as we celebrate our new location 501 Krug Street.
August 1st we turned 6 years old. We have lots to celebrate as we overcame the challenges of covid and the disruption of the extreme construction on King Street East. We could not have done it without you - our most loyal customers, thank you. So save the date and come on in - it will be a party!
October Big Day: Saturday, October 12, 2024
We will be putting together Team WBU Kitchener to count as many bird species as possible. This walk will be led by Mark Duchene, our new team member.
Global big day is a semi annual event organized by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology that brings together bird lovers to document as many birds as possible over a 24-hour period. Whether you're a seasoned birder or just getting started, come join us at F.W.R. Dickson Wilderness Area on Saturday, October 12th from 8:00 to 10:00am to go out birding! Please RSVP to [email protected] or reach out to us at 519-208-2928 to attend or ask any questions about the event.
We are very excited that also on October 12th @ 1pm, we will be entertained by Jacob Moon, here at the store https://www.facebook.com/jacobmoonmusic/
Jacob grew up in Kitchener and is a folk singer/songwriter and guitarist. He entertains throughout Canada and frequently plays at The Registry Theatre.
All are welcome! Please bring a non-perishable food item for the food bank in the spirit of Thanksgiving.
September 21 Nature Walk
North Shore of Lake Ontario join with Waterloo Region Nature
Join David Gascoigne for a full day tour of key birding hotspots between Waterloo Region and Lake Ontario. You will be sure to see many birds heading south.
If you are not a member, no worries, contact [email protected] and let Kathy know you would like to attend
September 14 - 11am - 4pm - Krug Street Plaza
Terrible Toby's is having an "Appreciation Pawty" There will be caricatures, live music and outdoor fun.
Terrible Toby's is one of our neighbours, that both some of our customers and team members shop at. This is sure to be a fun event. Pets are welcome!
May 12 Mother's Day Nature Walk
Georg Hentsch will be leading our walk. Research proves it is great for our happiness to be in a forest and watching birds brings us moments of joy. Start your day with us.
Bring a friend, your Mom or come on your own; all are welcome.
Please call to register 519-650-9800.
February 16 - 19 Great Backyard Bird Count
"The Great Backyard Bird Count is an annual four-day event that engages bird enthusiasts of all ages around the world in counting birds to create a real-time snapshot of where the birds are. Anyone can participate, from beginners to experts. You can count for as little as 15 minutes on a single day, or for as long as you like each day of the event. It’s free, fun, and easy – and it helps the birds! The Great Backyard Bird Count is a joint program of the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and Audubon with Canadian partner Birds Canada." *
Birds Canada*
"Merlin Bird ID Trivia – North American Birds: Great Backyard Bird Count Edition
Thursday, February 15, 8:00-9:00 p.m. Eastern
What better way to brush up on North American bird identification than with a fun-filled trivia game? The Merlin Bird ID app will be put to the test. Can the app outperform an experienced birder and you, our live audience? We’ll use photos and sounds to determine who can accurately identify the most North American bird species." by Team eBird
Everything you need to know about GBBC:
Get ready to flock together for the 2024 Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC)! This annual four-day event is right around the corner. Join our webinar on Tuesday, Feb. 13 at 1 p.m. Eastern. Panelists will explain how to participate in this exciting global event and how participation might extend past your back door. Discover how to join a group taking part in the GBBC and explore fun ways to involve kids. From bird ID tips to counting birds with ease, this webinar is your ticket to an engaging and confident GBBC experience.
Register Here
Learn more https://www.birdscanada.org/bird-science/great-backyard-bird-count
February 24 @ Kitchener Public Library, Queen Street, Kitchener Main Branch - Seedy Saturday
11:00 Presentation: Save Our Song Birds and The Seven Actions to Help Birds Cathy Hale and Peter Rasberry
March 2 @ Wild Birds Unlimited - Kitchener In-store
11:00 Join us and Pamela Cooley, Author of There is a Goldfinch at My Feeder
Pamela will be reading and signing her book. Books will be available to purchase. Children of all ages welcome
Pamela Cooley fell in love with watching birds when she and
her family moved to their current home in 2016. After her children
were born, she set up a bird feeder and together they watched
and learned about birds. To correctly identify birds, she consults
the eBird and Merlin Bird ID apps, as well as the Birds Canada and
Audubon Society websites.
Pamela lives near Burlington, Ontario with her husband James,
their son Nolan, and their daughter Lydia, along with their dog
Maverick, and their cats Marshall and Sheldon
April 6 @ WBU Kitchener In-Store
11:00 am Join us and Peter Ray of Vortex Canada for Binoculars 101
We are excited to welcome Peter. Peter will be sharing knowledge on how to find the best optics for your needs. Vortex supplies optics from junior binoculars to spotting scopes for nature enthusiasts.
Why Vortex - great optics with the best warranty - "VIP stands for a Very Important Promise to you, our customer"
Come join us - all are welcome.
April 10 @ Waterloo Region Library
Nest Box Building Workshop @ Elmira branch 10am - 11am Jim Huffman, carpenter, will be instructing children of all ages on building their own nesting box/bird house
All materials and tools will be provided. Young children require adult supervision. Thank you to Allie of Waterloo Region Libraries for this invitation.
May 4th In-Store Nest Box Building
Join us at 11:00am to build your own Nest Box / Bird House
Back by popular demand is Jim Huffman, the carpenter of the kits and Francine
Please call to register 519-650-9800
May 12 Nature Walk
Join us at 9:30 as Georg Hentsch (Waterloo Region Birds) will guide us this Mother's Day morning. Please call the store to register 519-650-9800, you will receive meeting details then.
