'It’s a big time of year for us': Tourism Windsor-Essex Pelee Island launches new birding pass
Warmer weather means birdwatching season is here as the spring songbird migration gets underway across much of Windsor and Essex County.
Tourism Windsor-Essex Pelee Island (TWEPI) has launched a new WE Bird Trail digital pass that connects birders from near and far to various bird watching sites and nearly 50 bird-friendly certified businesses or locations across the region.
“We really evolved it this year to include a digital pass that brings in businesses who really wants to celebrate this season,” said TWEPI Vice President of Destination Development Lynnette Bain.
“These are businesses who may be connected to the birding interests somehow. They might offer early morning breakfasts and an early morning coffee or items that birders might be interested in and this is a way to engage those businesses,” Bain added.
Bain said tourism officials expect upwards of 50,000 bird watchers to flock to the region over the next several weeks, with popular bird-watching locations like Point Pelee National Park and Hillman Marsh Conservation Area attracting thousands of birds and binoculars.
Bain explained, “When you're out birding, you can stop, there's a map that will help guide you. You can plan a route and you can figure out where do I want to eat lunch, where do I want to shop, where can I can support these businesses that are bird friendly?”
Whether going on a guided walk or exploring on your own, Bain said there is something for everyone.
She continued, “So when you go for a day at Point Pelee National Park, you might see up to 100 different bird species in one visit. It's unbelievable. So you really want to go for that experience to get through interpretive services.”
Butch Demers at Pelee Wings Nature Store near Point Pelee National Park is seen on April 23, 2024. (Chris Campbell/CTV News Windsor)
Bain noted when an out of town visitor comes to the area, they spend approximately $100 to $150 on a day trip, but that if they stay overnight, the amount spent nearly doubles.
“We're looking at bringing almost six million people this year to the region and birding is one of our top drivers,” Bain told CTV News Windsor. “So anything we can do to attract people from afar, that's why we have these types of programs.”
Business has already started to pick up according to staff at Pelee Wings Nature Store near Point Pelee National Park.
“We're seeing more people come in from Michigan. We're seeing people travel a lot more. It started already started a few weeks early, especially with the weather,” said co-owner Butch Demers. “Thousands of people come this way. All of the hotels are full. It's exciting for us. We have a great team here that are very, very knowledgeable.”
“It's a big time a year for us!” Demers continued. “A large percentage of our sales comes in late April and May especially around binoculars and scopes.”
Demers said their location offers a unique experience for bird watchers because of migration and the large number of species that come through the area, giving bird watchers a variety of birds to admire.
‘We think it's the best spot in Canada,” he said.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Serial sexual offender linked to unsolved 1970s homicides of four Calgary girls, women
An investigation into unsolved historical homicides from the 1970s has linked the deaths of two girls and two young women in and around Calgary to a now-deceased serial offender.
Woman with liver failure rejected for a transplant after medical review highlights alcohol use
For nearly three months, Amanda Huska has been in an Ontario hospital, part of it on life support, because of severe liver failure. Her history of alcohol use is getting in the way of her only potential treatment: a liver transplant.
$500K-worth of elvers seized at Toronto airport
Fishery and border service officers seized more than 100 kilograms of unauthorized elvers at the Toronto Pearson International Airport on Wednesday.
Toronto eliminated from PWHL playoffs
Toronto has been eliminated from the PWHL playoffs.
Information commissioner faces $700K funding shortfall, says system is 'overwhelmed'
Canada's information commissioner says her office is facing a $700,000 funding shortfall that could impact its ability to investigate complaints about government transparency and accountability.
B.C. man 'attacked suddenly' by adult grizzly near Alberta boundary: RCMP
A B.C. man is recovering from multiple injuries after he was "attacked suddenly" by an adult grizzly bear near Elkford Thursday afternoon.
Backlash over NFL player Harrison Butker's commencement speech has reached a new level
The NFL is distancing itself from controversial comments by Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker during a recent commencement address.
Dabney Coleman, actor who specialized in curmudgeons, dies at 92
Dabney Coleman, the mustachioed character actor who specialized in smarmy villains like the chauvinist boss in '9 to 5' and the nasty TV director in 'Tootsie,' has died. He was 92.
Craig Berube named as next head coach of Toronto Maple Leafs
The Toronto Maple Leafs have named Craig Berube as their new head coach.