Summer 2025: 1 Jun–31 Jul

Adam Capparelli
adam.capparelli@alumni.utoronto.ca

Recommended citation:

Capparelli, A. 2026. Summer 2025: Ontario. <https://wp.me/p8iY2g-lS9> North American Birds.

Despite some cooler than normal weather in June in some parts of the province, much of summer 2025 was dominated by heat and humidity. In July, Toronto recorded 10 days with temperature highs above 30 degrees out of 14 so far this year. Last year there were only 10 days above 30 degrees the entire year. Unlike the temperature pattern which was consistent across the province, different areas of the region saw differing amounts of precipitation. High humidity in northern Ontario resulted in higher-than-normal precipitation in the lowlands region. The rest of the province saw normal precipitation levels with some stretches of drier weather.

Some of the vagrant trends that started in spring continued into the summer. Most notable was a continuation of the influx of Western Kingbirds, with 10 records this summer. A few Franklin’s Gulls were also reported in early June, as well as a Scissor-tailed Flycatcher, and a Western Tanager. There was also a widespread movement of American White Pelicans into southern Ontario with most of the counties in southwestern Ontario having a record this summer. The volume of more typical summer vagrants was still on the lower end compared to previous summers, however there were a few standout rarities: Brown Pelican, Crested Caracara,  Broad-billed Hummingbird, and a small push of Black-bellied Whistling-Ducks.

Notable rarities included Black-bellied Whistling-Duck, Broad-billed Hummingbird, Brown Pelican, and Crested Caracara.

Special thanks:
We would like to extend our gratitude to Brian Ratcliff for regional reporting and Andrew Keaveney for assistance in data logistics.

Waterfowl through Shorebirds

After a steep drop-off in the number of records last year, there were a few reports of Black-bellied Whistling-Duck this summer: 8 Jun in the City of Ottawa (Nina Stavlund), 12–18 Jun in Collingwood, Simcoe Co (Robert Copeland), and 29 Jun–1 Jul in Exeter, Huron Co (Brandon R. Holden). A Ross’s Goose seen on 14 Jul at a golf course in Markham, York RM was an unusual summer record (fide Trevor MacLaurin). Over-summering Brants were reported from 18 Jun–5 Jul in the City of Ottawa (Laura Bone) and 9–25 Jul in Cobourg, Northumberland Co (Dave Milsom, Cathy Douglas). Notable Mute Swan records were: 20 Jun into August in Wawa, Algoma Dist (Christine Drake) and 28 Jun in Nipigon, Thunder Bay Dist (m. ob.). Trumpeter Swans seen from 19–23 Jun on Opinnagau Lake, Kenora Dist were good records for the lowlands region of the province (Patrick Kramer, Sarah Gates, Bill Greaves). Summer records of Eurasian Wigeon are extremely scarce in Ontario, so the two individuals seen this summer were quite notable: 4 Jun in Forest, Lambton Co (James M. Holdsworth) and 24–30 Jul in Exeter, Huron Co (Brandon R. Holden). Rounding out the atypical summer waterfowl are two records of Harlequin Duck on Lake Ontario: 22–24 Jun at Prince Edward Point, Prince Edward Co (Paul Jones) and 9 Jul in Cobourg, Northumberland Co (Dave Milsom, Cathy Douglas).

A Eurasian Collared-Dove was present on 11 Jun in Inverhuron, Bruce Co (Bob Taylor, Anne-Marie Taylor). The surprise record of the summer was a Broad-billed Hummingbird at a private feeder in Williamstown, Stormont, Dundas, and Glengarry Co from 7–8 Jul (Martin Bowman). This represents Ontario’s third record and comes a little over a year after the second in May 2024. A Common Gallinule reported on 6 Jun in Hilliardton, Timiskaming Dist was a good record for northern Ontario (Kenneth G. D. Burrell, Jim Burrell). A Yellow Rail was a surprising summer find on 19 Jul at Carden Alvar, City of Kawartha Lakes where this species is an uncommon spring migrant (Nehan Fernandez). American Avocets were widespread with reports from Chatham-Kent, Lambton, Elgin, and Middlesex Cos and Rainy River Dist. Nesting Piping Plovers first reported in the spring were last seen on 15 Jun in Wasaga Beach, Simcoe Co (m. ob.) and 20 Jul in Oshawa, Durham RM (m. ob.), while at least one bird from Presqui’ile Provincial Park, Northumberland Co continued into August (m. ob.). Piping Plovers were also reported from 5 Jun–17 Jul at Windy Point, Rainy River Dist (Leo Weiskittel, Jude Szabo, Rick Szabo). Willets were widespread with reports from Essex, Lambton, Norfolk, Bruce, and Chatham-Kent Cos, Durham RM, the CIty of Toronto, and Thunder Bay Dist.

Gulls through Herons

Pomarine Jaeger is typically the latest arriving Jaeger in southern Ontario, so an individual seen from 18–22 Jul in the City of Hamilton was quite unusual (Richard Poort). The continuing Black-headed Gull from the spring at Kettle Point, Lambton Co was last reported on 2 Jun (m. ob.). In addition to the continuing Laughing Gull in the City of Toronto which was last seen on 2 Jun (m. ob.), two other individuals were seen this summer: 26 Jun in the City of Hamilton (Markus Legzdins) and 4 Jul in Dorion, Thunder Bay Dist (Lindy T. Wagenaar). Notable Franklin’s Gulls were seen from 2–3 Jun in Whitby, Durham RM (Linda Standfield), 7 Jun on Long Point, Norfolk Co (Samuel Perfect), 8 Jun at Turkey Point, Norfolk Co (Kalvin Chan), 14 Jun at Presqu’ile Provincial Park, Northumberland Co (Doug McRae), 8 Jul in Kesagami Provincial Park, Cochrane Dist (Darrell Isaac, Lucas Beaver), and 13 Jul in Oshawa, Durham RM (Emily Posteraro). Eared Grebes were recorded on 5 Jun in Pinewood, Rainy River Dist (Angelique Mori) and 8–15 Jun in Hearst, Cochrane Dist (Max Segler). The long-staying Western Grebe in the City of Toronto was last reported on 5 Jul (m. ob.); another was present from 15–26 Jul in the City of Greater Sudbury (Chris Blomme). A Pacific Loon photographed on 2 Jul on Missinaibi Lake, Sudbury Dist was an interesting record for central Northern Ontario (Trent Massey). The Neotropic Cormorant first reported in May in Leamington, Essex Co was last seen on 17 Jun (m. ob.); additional records of this species were: 20 Jun–9 Jul in London, Middlesex Co (Mike Poole) and 2 Jul in the City of Hamilton (Richard Poort, Jude Szabo).

A Glossy Ibis was present around Leamington, Essex Co from 9–15 Jun (Jeremy M. Bensette). Unidentified Glossy/White-faced Ibises were seen from 6–7 June in Leamington, Essex Co (Steve Pike) and 31 Jul in Selton, Leeds and Grenville Co (Jon P. Ruddy). A Least Bittern photographed on 9 Jun on Shaganash Island, Thunder Bay Dist represents the second record of this species for the district (Bill Skrepichuk). Yellow-crowned Night Herons were reported on 7 Jul in the City of Ottawa (Robert Rose) and 12–13 Jul in Sarnia, Lambton Co (Tony Doty). A Little Blue Heron was present from 4 Jun–3 Jul in Kingston, Frontenac Co (Alexandra Simmons). Snowy Egrets were seen on 15 Jun in Niagara Falls, Niagara RM (fide iNaturalist) and 30 Jun in Amherstburg, Essex Co (Jeremy L. Hatt). Notable records of Green Heron were: 16 Jun in Burriss, Rainy River Dist (Bob Saunders), 26 Jun in Fort Frances, Rainy River Dist (Bob Saunders), 19 Jul in Manitou Rapids, Rainy River Dist (Kathleen Gardiner, Sarah Lamond), and 27 Jun in Batchawana Bay, Algoma Dist (fide iNaturalist).

Pelicans through Corvids

American White Pelicans were widespread with notable reports from Norfolk, Lambton, Dufferin, Chatham-Kent, Middlesex, Northumberland, Brant, Lanark, Bruce, Frontenac, Elgin, Simcoe, Haliburton, and Prince Edward Cos, the Cities of Ottawa, Toronto, Greater Sudbury, Kawartha Lakes, and Hamilton, Parry Sound, Nipissing, and Manitoulin Dists, and Peel, Durham, Niagara, and Waterloo RMs. There were a number of scattered reports of Brown Pelican this summer, although many of these undoubtedly pertain to the same individual: 10 Jun in Pleasant Bay, Prince Edward Co (Craig Dougall), 21 Jun in the City of Toronto (Lisa Pitch), 23 Jun in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Niagara RM (Frank Campbell), 1–6 Jul in Fort Erie, Niagara RM (m. ob.), 7 Jul in Fitzroy, City of Ottawa (Aaron Hywarren), and 8 Jul in Carleton Place, Lanark Co (Bob Kennedy). The only notable record of Black Vulture was 6 Jun in London, Middlesex Co (Dave Jolly). A Golden Eagle, rarely seen in southern Ontario in summer, was reported on 20 Jul in Britt, Parry Sound Dist (Andrea Kingsley, Robert Hickey), An American Three-toed Woodpecker found on 1 Jul in Killarney Provincial Park, Sudbury Dist was an excellent southerly record (Viktor Moroz).

The excellent year for Crested Caracara records continued, with three more reports this summer: 27 Jun in Oliver-Paipoonge, Thunder Bay Dist (Donna Peacock, Robin Peacock), 30 Jun–1 Jul in Nipigon, Thunder Bay Dist (Rick Moore), and 6 Jul into August in Foleyet, Sudbury Dist (Taylor Gervais). Western Kingbirds were widespread with reports from Prince Edward Co, the City of Toronto, and Algoma, Rainy River, Cochrane, and Thunder Bay Dists. A Scissor-tailed Flycatcher was photographed on 5 Jun on Colley Island, Parry Sound Dist (Aaron Rusak). A few White-eyed Vireos were reported, most from far southern Ontario: 1 Jun (Stephen R. Charbonneau) and 3 Jun (Ric McArthur) in Rondeau Provincial Park, Chatham-Kent Co, 3 Jun in Saint Joseph, Huron Co (Meghan Douglas), 12 Jun and 15 Jun in Wheatley, Chatham-Kent Co (Paul Pratt), and 15 Jun on Long Point, Norfolk Co (Myles Falconer). Away from their two main breeding areas, a Loggerhead Shrike seen on 3 Jun in Rondeau Provincial Park, Chatham-Kent Co was notable (John Jobin). The long-staying Fish Crows in Kingston, Frontenac Co (m. ob.) were present throughout the summer; additional notable reports were: 8 Jun in Sandbanks Provincial Park, Prince Edward Co (Jake Barry, Cassandra Cass) and 22 Jun–20 Jul in Brockville, Leeds and Grenville Co (Brennan Obermayer).

Wrens through Buntings

A small population of Marsh Wren, present from 25 Jun–29 Jul in Cochenour, Kenora Dist, is quite far north of their usual range (m. ob.). Although ubiquitous across much of North America, House Sparrow is rarely reported from the lowlands region of Ontario, so a few individuals reported from Moosonee, Cochrane Dist from 1–10 Jul was notable (Lucas Beaver). Eurasian Tree Sparrows were present at a feeder in Rossport, Thunder Bay Dist from 14–15 Jun (Gordon Smith, Joan C. Smith). A pair of House Finch, another common southern species that is rare in the north, was present on 4 Jun in Fort Frances, Rainy River Dist (Molly MacDonald). Lark Sparrows were seen on 12 Jun in Rossport, Thunder Bay Dist (Dana Latour) and 26 Jul in Algonquin Provincial Park, Nipissing Dist (Quinten Wiegersma). A singing male Lark Bunting, set up a territory near Blenheim, Chatham-Kent Co from 30 Jun–7 Jul (Will Doel). Nelson’s Sparrow, rare in southern Ontario except for the fall, was seen on 5 Jun in Whitby, Durham RM (Mike Berger). Yellow-breasted Chats were reported on 4 Jun in Rondeau Provincial Park, Chatham-Kent Co (Stephen R. Charbonneau), 8 Jun in Milton, Halton RM (David Britton), 21 Jun near Wallacetown, Elgin Co (Laure Wilson Neish), and 19 Jul in Point Pelee National Park, Essex Co (Linda McDougall, Mark Anderson).

Notable reports of Yellow-headed Blackbird were 2 Jun in Rossport, Thunder Bay Dist (Jerry Horak, Ellen Horak), 4 Jun on Ship Sands Island, Cochrane Dist (Ted Cheskey), 9 Jun in Stayner, Simcoe Co (Colin Funk), and 9 Jun in Blind River, Algoma Dist (Scott Turner). Away from northwestern Ontario, Western Meadowlarks were seen from 7–10 Jun in Windsor, Essex Co (Cameron Chevalier), 2 Jul into August in Tobermory, Bruce Co (Kiah R. Jasper, Alessandra Kite), and 19 Jul at Carden Alvar, City of Kawartha Lakes (Nehan Fernandez). A Worm-eating Warbler was a good summer find on 23 Jun in Tillsonburg, Oxford Co (Stuart A. Mackenzie). The continuing Prothonotary Warbler from May in Shallow Lake, Grey Co was last seen on 1 Jun (Will Doel). A Black-throated Blue Warbler present on 1 Jul near Ranoke, Cochrane Dist was notable for the lowlands region (Reuven Martin). A Summer Tanager was present on 1 Jun at Thunder Cape, Thunder Bay Dist (m. ob.). A Western Tanager was photographed on 1 Jun in Wawa, Algoma Dist (Ellen Horak, Jerry Horak). A Blue Grosbeak was seen on 18 Jul in Emeryville, Essex Co (Paul Pratt). An interesting record was that of a male hybrid Lazuli x Indigo Bunting paired with a female Indigo Bunting and feeding young from 16–18 Jul in Oliver-Paipoonge, Thunder Bay Dist (Lynda Sisco, Monica Holenstein). Dickcissels were widespread with reports from Essex, Middlesex, Chatham-Kent, Lambton, Elgin, Lanark, Bruce, and Norfolk Cos.

Report edited by Andrew Keaveney, 26 Aug 2026.

Photos–Ontario: Summer 2025

After only a single report in all of 2024, this summer saw three reports of Black-bellied Whistling-Ducks including this group in Collingwood, Simcoe Co, photographed here on 17 June. The birds remained for a few days allowing them to be seen by many. Photo © Willem Span.

Ontario’s third record of Broad-billed Hummingbird appeared at a private residence in Williamstown, Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry Co from 7–8 July (photographed here on 8 July). This represents the second record in as many years although unfortunately neither bird was chaseable. Photo © Martin Bowman.

Three reports of Crested Caracara from the summer across northern Ontario likely pertain to the same individual. Photographed here on 1 July in Nipigon, Thunder Bay Dist, this bird covered over 500 kilometres in about a week and a half. Much like the spring record, it never stuck around in one location for long. Photo © Susan Fagan.

Lazuli Bunting is an extremely rare vagrant to Ontario so a report of a male Lazuli x Indigo Bunting hybrid paired with an Indigo Bunting and feeding young was quite a surprising record. Photographed here on 16 July in Oliver-Paipoonge, Thunder Bay Dist, this individual was initially reported as a pure Lazuli Bunting before analysis of the photos shifted consensus towards a hybrid. Photo © Brian Ratcliff.

This male Lark Bunting, photographed here on 5 July, attempted to set up a territory near Blenheim, Chatham-Kent Co. Present from 30 June to 7 July, it was frequently singing and easy to see, much to the delight of the many birders from across the province who came to see this uncommon visitor. Photo © Jack Belleghem.