Welcome to Eastern Ontario Birding!
My name is Jon Ruddy, and I am an Ottawa-based professional birding guide and Kowa Sporting Optics brand ambassador. I specialize in birding tours throughout eastern Ontario. Year 2021 marks my sixth year as a professional bird guide, and I’m more in love with birds by the day. I am a real bird nerd at heart. I enjoy reading older texts in search of fascinating tidbits about bird behaviour, migration, breeding biology and general avian natural history. While in the field, I take every opportunity to share the information I have learned through study. Before the inception of Eastern Ontario Birding, I worked as a field ornithologist. I have conducted bird surveys in eastern Ontario, southern Ontario, James Bay, the Okanagan Valley and throughout Manitoba. Throughout that same timeframe, I led bird hikes for both the Ottawa Field-Naturalists’ Club (OFNC), Macnamara Field-Naturalists’ Club (MFNC), and Ontario Field Ornithologists (OFO). I found that I derive no greater pleasure than seeing birders light up as they observe interesting bird behaviour, a particular species for the first time, or admire beautiful plumage details. As soon as a birder becomes a client, they are included in the group emails I share with clients containing tidbits about migration timing, where and when to see certain bird species, as well as all sorts of fieldcraft tips.
Good birding and happy trails in 2021,
Jon
Photo: Eastern Ontario Birding’s logo.
Photo: Scanning a lake for waterfowl during the Fall of 2020.
Photo: My wife and I during the Christmas season of 2019.
Business Hours
Tuesday to Saturday: 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM.
Sunday & Monday: Closed.
Contact Information
Jon Ruddy
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
(613) 558-6821
More about Me
Myers-Briggs Personality Type: INFP
Birthdate: May 9, 1985
Interests: Reading about birds (especially older texts), adding to my birding library, studying bird songs and calls, Formula 1 Auto Racing, road running, trail running, fishing, hiking, dining, reading, Ontario travel and general sightseeing.
Strengths: Careful listener, open-minded and patient
Weaknesses: Sometimes a touch idealistic, and, I guess, stubborn!
A good night out: Dinner and a really bad movie
A good night in: Reading about birds while listening to music
Favourite food groups: Seafood and Italian
Coffee: Dark roast with honey and a touch of cream
Pet: A “Schnorkie” (Schnauzer x Yorkshire Terrier) named Howie.
Favourite bird: Yellow-throated Vireo