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Bird Watching Paradise at Harris Hill Resort in Northwestern Ontario Canada
Birdwatching is also renowned is this specific area because of the novelty of having many migratory routes that pass over, plus species from both the western and eastern regions.
This is a bird watching paradise with 298+ species of birds in this area alone.
The Piping Plover: one of the 298+ species of birds in just our area alone
This is a picture of the nearly extinct Piping Plover that nests near by on Windy Point, just across the Bay from Harris Hill Resort.
This is also one of the few remaining areas for the Piping Plover to nest. They are an endangered species that nest close by and are cared for by our Natural Resources Department.
Orchard Orioles have been seen here at Harris Hill Resort for a few years now.
Watch the Bald Eagles fly overhead from their nearby nest as they soar effortlessly through the air.
The Magpie is at the most eastern extent of it's range/territory here.
There are many species of Ducks, including Blue Bills and Mallards.
Check out the Yellow Rail in the nearby marsh, or the Sandhill Cranes as they strut through the meadow.
The Loons can be heard calling in the distance, or swimming and diving around your boat.
Pelicans, Gulls and Terns are waiting to show off their skills as they dip into the rippling water around you and catch the minnows jumping up out of the surface of the water.
Watch the many Hummingbirds flit to and fro in the flowers and to the nectar feeding stations.
There are at least 8 pair of Baltimore Orioles here in the spring.
The Evening Grosbeaks have been around all year round now. There are also many Pine Grosbeaks and Rose Breasted Grosbeaks in this area.
The lawn at the lodge is always alive with the presence of many species of birds that come to our many bird feeders.
Bookmark us for further development of this site and of our upcoming "birding packages". Ask us if you may want a "Birding Tour" and we may be able to arrange something for you.
AFFORDABLE VACATIONS CABIN RENTALS for 'BIRDERS' 1 child <12 free per adult 2 People $ 80 day / $480 wk 2 Family $ 75 day / $450 wk 3 People $ 90 day / $540 wk 3 Family $ 85 day / $510 wk 4 People $100 day / $600 wk 4 Family $ 95 day / $570 wk 5 People $110 day / $660 wk 5 Family $105 day / $630 wk 6 People $120 day / $720 wk 6 Family $115 day / $690 wk Boats 10% off some restrictions apply
"Per Cabin" prices
The Birds of Harris Hill Resort
Harris Hill Resort is an ideal location from which to explore the birding opportunities of the Rainy River area in Northwestern Ontario. Our Resort is located 27 km. or 18 miles north of the Town of Rainy River on the shores of Windy Bay in the southeast corner of the Lake of the Woods. We are surrounded by oak and aspen woodlands with extensive farmlands and wet meadows close by to the south. From the Resort dock a marvelous view of Windy Bay with its shoreline marshes, the long sandy spit of Windy Point and the open waters of the Lake of the Woods introduces the birder to the rich bird life of the area. This combination of habitats supports a very large variety and number of birds including many of the special species of the Rainy River area.
The Seasons
Spring birding at Harris Hill Resort begins in early April when the forests and fields are snow free. The ice on Windy Bay begins to break up by late April and often the bay is open before the main part of the lake. The open water attracts large numbers of migrating Loons, Grebes, Ducks, Gulls and Geese. By early May the first Sparrows, Thrushes, Warblers, Flycatchers and Blackbirds (Red Winged & Yellow-Headed) are moving north through the shoreline woods often in impressive numbers. Shorebirds are also arriving and the sandy beaches and small islets of Windy Point are a magnet to the migrants.
By early June, the spring migrant rush is over and the woodlands and meadows around the Resort ring with the songs of breeding birds that blend with the voices of the residents of the marshes around Windy Bay. Large feeding flocks of American White Pelicans, Double-crested Cormorants, Gulls and Terns often visit the bay, a most impressive sight.
Fall migration starts in late July with the first south-bound shorebirds appearing on Windy Point. Warblers and Flycatchers move south through the woodlands in late August followed by Sparrows and Thrushes into mid-October.
Winter is a quieter time at Harris Hill Resort. The well stocked feeders at the Resort nonetheless attract a large number of winter visitors including Finches, Grosbeaks, Nuthatches, Chickadees and Woodpeckers. An occasional Great Gray Owl, Northern Hawk Owl, Black-billed Magpie and the ever-present Common Raven can be found in and around the open farmlands south of the Resort.
Key Birding Areas at Harris Hill Resort
Windy Bay and Windy Point - Just by standing on the Resort dock, the birder can see a large number of birds. American White Pelicans float on the bay or soar overhead. Yellow-Headed Blackbirds and Sandhill Cranes frequent the shoreline marshes. Franklin’s Gulls fly by or loaf on the islets and beaches of Windy Point. Bald Eagles nest on Snake Island and often perch in trees along the point. Common Terns nest on the point as has the rare and nearly extinct Piping Plover. Exploring the bay and the point by boat or canoe can be even more rewarding. Boat Rides can be arranged, or rent a boat or canoe.
The Resort Grounds – The oak and aspen woodlands of the Resort area are easily explored simply by walking the roads. The woodlands host a large number and variety of migrant and breeding Finches, Sparrows, Orioles, Warblers and Flycatchers. Check out the busy Resort feeders. In 2005 & 2006, an Orchard Oriole was a regular visitor at the hummingbird feeders. In 2006 a Bullock’s Oriole may have been seen, but we could not get a picture of it. The Red-Bellied Woodpecker has made his home here since fall of 2006.
Farmlands and Meadows – Driving the roads through the farmlands south of the Resort one will be rewarded by seeing and hearing Sandhill Cranes, Black-Billed Magpies, LeConte’s Sparrows, Western Meadowlarks, Brewer’s Blackbirds, Sharp-Tailed Grouse and other grassland species. In wet years, Yellow Rails can often be heard from the roadsides. Evening drives often turn up Short-Eared and Long-Eared Owls.
Cheryl and Gary Gauthier, your hosts at Harris Hill Resort, are very familiar with the birds of the Resort area and can assist you by providing checklists, directions, weather details and other helpful information.
Boat rides to such areas as Windy Point can be arranged or you can rent a boat and explore Windy Bay and Lake of the Woods at your leisure.
You may also rent one of our cabins at a reduced rate, 10% off the regular price.
We hope that your birding stay at Harris Hill Resort will be rewarding, enjoyable and most of all, memorable.
Special Birds of the Harris Hill Resort Area
Orchard Oriole – Resort grounds
American White Pelican – Windy Bay, overhead
Bald Eagle – Windy Bay, Lake of the Woods, overhead
Sharp-tailed Grouse – fields, meadows, roadsides, south of the Resort
Sandhill Crane – fields, meadows south of the Resort, Windy Bay marshes
Yellow Rail – wet meadows, the Big Marsh off Fred’s Road
Piping Plover – Windy Point
Marbled Godwit – fields near Rainy River
Wilson’s Phalarope – Windy Point, Rainy River sewage ponds
Franklin’s Gull – Windy Bay and Point, overhead.
Red-headed Woodpecker – Resort grounds, aspen stands to the south
Red-bellied Woodpecker – Resort grounds, aspen stands to the south
Western Kingbird – throughout area but irregular in occurrence
Black-billed Magpie – throughout area
Sedge Wren – wet and brushy meadows to the south
Yellow-Throated Vireo – aspen and oak woodlands
Connecticut Warbler – aspen groves south of the Resort
Brewer’s Blackbird – fields and roadsides to the south
Yellow-headed Blackbird – Windy Bay marshes, Resort feeders in spring
Western Meadowlark – fields to the south
Clay-coloured Sparrow – brushy fields to the south
LeConte’s Sparrow – wet meadows and hayfields south of the Resort.
298+ Species of Birds of Harris Hill Resort * denotes the confirmed breeding species (Ontario Nest Records Scheme) Common Loon * Turkey Vulture Pied-Billed Grebe * Osprey * Horned Grebe Bald Eagle * Red-Necked Grebe Northern Harrier Eared Grebe Sharp-Shinned Hawk Western Grebe Cooper’s Hawk Northern Goshawk * American White Pelican Red-Shouldered Hawk Double-Breasted Cormorant Broad-Winged Hawk Swainson’s Hawk American Bittern * Red-Tailed Hawk Least Bittern Rough-Legged Hawk Great Blue Heron * Golden Eagle Great Egret American Kestrel * Snowy Egret Merlin * Cattle Egret Peregrine Falcon Green Heron Black-Crowned Night-Heron Spruce Grouse * Ruffed Grouse * Tundra Swan Sharp-Tailed Grouse * Greater White-Fronted Goose Snow Goose Yellow Rail Canada Goose Virginia Rail * Wood Duck Sora * Green-Winged Teal * American Coot * American Black-Duck * Sandhill Crane Mallard * Northern Pintail Black-Bellied Plover Blue-Winged Teal American Golden Plover Cinnamon Teal Semipalmated Plover Northern Shoveler Piping Plover * Gadwall Killdeer * American Wigeon Black-Necked Stilt Canvasback American Avocet Redhead Greater Yellowlegs Ring-Necked Duck * Lesser Yellowlegs Greater Scaup Solitary Sandpiper Lesser Scaup Spotted Sandpiper * Harlequin Duck Willet Oldsquaw Upland Sandpiper Black Scoter Whimbrel Surf Scoter Hudsonian Godwit White-Winger Scoter Marbled Godwit * Common Goldeneye * Ruddy Turnstone Barrow’s Goldeneye Red Knot Bufflehead Sanderling Hooded Merganser * Semipalmated Sandpiper Common Merganser * Western Sandpiper Red-Breasted Merganser Least Sandpiper Ruddy Duck White-Rumped Sandpiper Parasitic Jaeger Baird’s Sandpiper Franklin’s Gull Pectoral Sandpiper Bonaparte’s Gull Dunlin Ringed-Bill Gull Stilt Sandpiper Herring Gull * Buff-Breasted Sandpiper Iceland Gull Short-Billed Dowitcher Glaucous Gull Long-Billed Dowitcher Sabine’s Gull Common Snipe * Caspian Tern American Woodcock * Common Tern * Wilson’s Phalarope Forster’s Tern Red- Necked Phalarope Black Tern Lewis Woodpecker Rock Dove Red-Headed Woodpecker * Mourning Dove Red-Bellied Woodpecker Passenger Pigeon (extinct) Yellow-Bellied Sapsucker * Inca Dove Downy Woodpecker * Hairy Woodpecker * Black- Billed Cuckoo * Three-Toed Woodpecker Yellow-Billed Cuckoo Black-Backed Woodpecker * Northern Flicker * Eastern Screech-Owl Pileated Woodpecker * Great Horned Owl * Snowy Owl Olive-Sided Flycatcher Northern Hawk Owl Eastern Wood Pewee * Barred Owl Yellow-Bellied Flycatcher Great Grey Owl Alder Flycatcher Long-Eared Owl Willow Flycatcher Short-Eared Owl Least Flycatcher * Boreal Owl * Eastern Phoebe * Northern Saw-Whet Owl * Say’s Phoebe Great Crested Flycatcher * Common Nighthawk * Whip-Poor-Will Horned Lark Purple Martin * Chimney Swift Tree Swallow * Northern Rough-Winged Swallow Ruby-Throated Hummingbird * Bank Swallow * Rufous Hummingbird Cliff Swallow * Barn Swallow * Belted Kingfisher * Gray Jay * Western Kingbird * Blue Jay Eastern Kingbird * Black-Billed Magpie * Scissor-Tailed Flycatcher American Crow * Common Raven * Black-Capped Chickadee * Boreal Chickadee * Carolina Wren Red-Breasted Nuthatch * House Wren * White-Breasted Nuthatch * Winter Wren Brown Creeper * Sedge Wren * Marsh Wren * Sage Thrasher Brown Thrasher Solitary Vireo * Yellow-Throated Vireo * American Pipit Warbling Vireo Sprague’s Pipit Philadelphia Vireo* Bohemian Waxwing Red-Eyed Vireo * Cedar Waxwing * Northern Shrike * Summer Tanager Loggerhead Shrike * Scarlet Tanager * European Starling * Western Tanager Golden-Crowned Kinglet Northern Cardinal Ruby-Crowned Kinglet * Rose-breasted Grosbeak Blue-Gray Gnatcatcher Indigo Bunting * Eastern Bluebird * Dickcissel Mountain Bluebird Eastern Towhee Veery * Spotted Towhee Gray-Cheeked Thrush American Tree Sparrow Swainson’s Thrush * Chipping Sparrow * Hermit Thrush * Clay-Colored Sparrow Wood Thrush Vesper Sparrow * American Robin * Lark Sparrow Varied Thrush Savannah Sparrow * Gray Catbird * Grasshopper Sparrow Northern Mockingbird Le Conte’s Sparrow * Sharp-Tailed Sparrow Golden-Winged Warbler Fox Sparrow Tennessee Warbler Song Sparrow * Orange-Crowned Warbler Lincoln’s Sparrow Nashville Warbler Swamp Sparrow * Northern Parula White-Throated Sparrow * Yellow Warbler * White-Crowned Sparrow Chestnut-Sided Warbler * Harris Sparrow Magnolia Warbler * Dark-Eyed Junco Cape May Warbler Lapland Longspur Black-Throated Blue Warbler Snow Bunting Yellow-Rumped Warbler * Baird’s Sparrow Black-Throated Green Warbler Blackburnian Warbler Bobolink * Pine Warbler * Red-Winged Blackbird * Palm Warbler Eastern Meadowlark Bay-Breasted Warbler Western Meadowlark * Blackpoll Warbler Yellow-headed Blackbird * Black –And-White Warbler Rusty Blackbird American Redstart * Brewer’s Blackbird * Prothonotary Warbler Great-Tailed Grackle Ovenbird * Common Grackle Northern Waterthrush * Brown-headed Cowbird * Connecticut Warbler Mourning Warbler * Orchard Oriole Common Yellowthroat * Northern Oriole * Wilson’s Warbler Canada Warbler House Sparrow * Prairie Warbler Thayer’s Gull Trumpeter Swan Brambling Gyr Falcon Gray-Crowned Rosy-Finch Pine Grosbeak House Finch Purple Finch * Red Crossbill White-Winged Crossbill Common Redpoll Hoary Redpoll Pine Siskin American Goldfinch Evening Grosbeak To request more information or to book your family holiday or vacation adventure: or e-mail us through our "contact us" section of this web site. At Harris Hill Resort we offer quality services, great hospitality, affordable rates, comfortable accomodations and a relaxing atmosphere. Please Contact us Now and Come Visit us Soon Remember, Birders get a 10 discount off their cabins at Harris Hill Resort. Harris Hill Resort - Lake of the Woods Sunset Country, Northwestern Ontario, Canada ONLY 18 miles from Rainy River Ontario Canada & Baudette Minnesota USA Ontario Fishing - Ontario Hunting - Family Vacations- Ecotourism Holidays CANADA HUNTING-FISHING
please phone us at 1 - 807- 488-1116