Unique Species You Can See in Ontario Throughout the Summer

Ontario really comes to life during the summer months and there are so many incredible species that you can observe, whether they live here year round or migrate into Ontario for the summer - it's a great time to get outside and see some stunning wildlife. 

This is not by any means an exhaustive list but let's highlight an exciting few: 

Piping Plover. Photo by Kristen Martyn. 

Piping Plover: A small shorebird that nests along the sandy shores of the Great Lakes, including Lake Huron and Lake Ontario. They are classified as endangered in Ontario and are protected -if you do happen to see them or their nesting sites, please keep a distance. Human disturbance on beaches is a main factor in their decline.

Common Loon. Photo by Shayna Hartley. 

Common Loon: A summer staple! Known for its haunting calls and beautiful plumage, the common loon is often seen on lakes throughout Ontario, particularly in Algonquin Park and other northern regions. Learn more about them in our recent Species Spotlight. 

Moose in Algonquin Park. Photo by Shayna Hartley. 

Moose: Ontario is home to a healthy population of moose, especially in the northern boreal forests. They are often seen near marshes and lakeshores, particularly during early mornings or evenings.

Monarch Butterfly on Milkweed. Photo by Kristen Martyn. 

Monarch Butterfly: Known for their epic migration, the Monarch butterfly can be seen throughout Ontario during the summer months. A sure way to see them? Plant lots of milkweed! It's the one native plant they seek to lay their eggs on. Learn more about Monarch Butterflies and how you can help them thrive in this blog post. 

Bald Eagle flying. Photo by Kristen Martyn. 

Bald Eagle: With its impressive size and distinctive white head and tail, the bald eagle can be spotted near lakes and rivers where it hunts for fish during the summer months. It's been wonderful to see these majestic birds building in numbers over the past several years. 

There is certainly a lot of wildlife magic to take in throughout Ontario in the summer months - don't miss out! 



Happy watching! 



Warmly, 

Heather