Here's where to catch some of the action.
Presqu'ile Waterfowl Weekend
Presqu'ile Provincial Park south of Brighton has its 34th annual Waterfowl Weekend, March 20 and 21.
"With spring comes the return of tens of thousands of ducks, geese and swans to Presqu'ile Bay," said park naturalist David Bree.
On the scenic peninsula near Trenton, this is a bird watcher's paradise with some 25 different species of waterfowl arriving each spring to rest and feed there before moving on to nesting areas further north and west, Bree said.
"Presqu'ile has some of the greatest concentrations and has easy access to good viewing locations," he said.
There will be spotting scopes to view the birds while volunteers will help identify the many species.
A barbecue lunch will be available and the Lighthouse Centre will have children's activities, crafts and duck displays.
Tundra swans return
Along with the return of the tundra (whistling) swans to the North Lambton area, groups of the birds are stopping by in Oxford County.
The turkey vultures are back as well as the resident osprey and bald eagle, said Cathy Bingham of Tourism Oxford.
Birdwatchers have recorded some 321 species, with 149 known to breed in the county.
Oxford's conservation reservoirs "have had a profound effect on the birds of the region and are important stopover sites for many migrants," she said.
There are hiking trails at the conservation areas -- Chesney, Pittock, Wildwood and Embro -- as well as throughout the county. They are listed on the tourism website (www.tourismoxford.ca) and in the "Seek and Explore" Trails Guide.
To check on the number of swans in Lambton, go to www.returnoftheswans.com or call 1-800-265-0316 as the Heritage Museum has a festival continuing through April 4.
Rondeau's Wings of Spring
The spectacle of returning ducks and tundra swans can be seen at Rondeau Provincial Park, jutting from the shores of Lake Erie, southeast of Chatham.
Wings of Spring on March 20 and 21 is a weekend of bird viewing, birdhouse building, wagon rides and barbecues.
The park also has its "Festival of Flight" to mark the return of songbirds from May 1 to 24, with the experience "truly unbelievable," said Rondeau's Emily Slavik.
Previous years have seen "unexpected oddities" as the Kirtland's warbler and seasonal returnees such as the nesting prothonotary warblers.
Chatham's Retro Suites Hotel offers a Rondeau Discovery Package with a night's accommodation, park tickets and boxed lunch for two (March 20 to Oct. 31 from $169, plus taxes, double occupancy).
The "Enhanced Rondeau Discovery Package," May 1 to 24, includes a guided bird hike and list of species, said Ron Laroche, hotel marketing director.
Norfolk Wildlife Festival and Adventure Show
This weekend (March 13 and 14), the "great outdoors moves indoors" in Simcoe.
The eighth annual Norfolk Wildlife Festival and Adventure Show includes Little Ray's Reptile Zoo, Jungle Cat World, featuring a tiger cub, lemur, skunk, red fox and a serval along with Muskoka Wildlife Centre (today only) with a beaver, lynx, porcupine and two birds of prey.
Publicist Wendy Brick said the Canadian Canine College will present dog sports with rally obedience and tricks followed by "pat and chat" and signing "paw-o-graphs." David Arama, known as "Survivor Guy" from the W.S.C Survival School will give outdoor tips and make calls of the wild.
There is also a climbing wall, more than 25 exhibits including "Sciensational Sssnakes," free balloon animals and a "camp-style lunch" available.
Jim and Barb Fox can be reached at outtosea50@hotmail.com
IF YOU GO
Presqu'ile Waterfowl Weekend
March 20 and 21, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., costs $10 per vehicle. (613) 475-4324, Ext. 225; www.friendsofpresquile.on.ca
Oxford County waterfowl and birding adventures:
1-866-801-7368 or at www.tourismoxford.ca
Rondeau's Wings of Spring Festival
March 20 and 21, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., info: www.rondeauprovincialpark.ca; (519) 674-1768.
Retro Suites Hotel Rondeau packages: 1-866-617-3876 or www.retrosuites.com
Simcoe's Wildlife Festival and Adventure Show
Saturday 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., is at the Norfolk County Fairgrounds (172 South Dr.). $8; no charge for four and younger. www.norfolkcountyfair.com; (519) 426-7280, Ext. 226.
The Lumeneo SMERA prototypeReturn of swans a sure sign of spring
