Welcome to Eastern Ontario Birding. My name is Jon Ruddy, and I am an Ottawa-based field birder & freelance birding guide, specializing in birding tours throughout eastern Ontario. I have birding outings fit for all levels of birders, from beginner to expert. I first became interested in birds while studying under the tutelage of Carleton University professor and naturalist, Michael Runtz. From 2012-2014, I worked as a field biologist, conducting bird surveys in southern Ontario, southern James Bay, and throughout Manitoba and the southern portion of the Okanagan Valley. Throughout that same time, I led walks for both the Ottawa Field-Naturalists’ Club (OFNC), Macnamara Field-Naturalists’ Club (MFNC), and Ontario Field Ornithologists (OFO). I have since 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. I am a keen student of the birds of eastern Ontario and relish the challenges of bird identification (both by sight and sound). 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. Expect in-field and out-of-field consultation, identification tips and PDF’s on all aspects of eastern Ontario field birding. 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, and all sorts of field craft tips.
Contact Information
Jon Ruddy
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
1-613-558-6821
About Me
Personality Type: INFP
Birthdate: May 9, 1985
Interests: Reading about birds (especially older texts), building my birding library, studying bird songs and calls, religious studies, Formula 1 Auto Racing, road running, trail running, hiking, fishing, cooking, local dining, travel and making lists.
Strengths: Careful listener, open-minded and patient
Weaknesses: A bit too idealistic, and sometimes tardy
A good night out: Dinner and a really bad movie with friends
A good night in: Reading about birds with my dog by my side
Likes: Goodwill toward others and artistic expression
Guiltiest pleasures: The Bachelor and binging on Vine compilations
Favourite movie director: Stanley Kubrick
Favourite artwork: Romanticism and Victorian
Instrument of choice: Acoustic guitar
Favourite food groups: Seafood and Italian
Coffee: Dark roast with honey and a touch of cream
Pet: A Schnorkie named “Howie.”
Favourite bird: Yellow-throated Vireo
Strongest bird groups: Raptors & Sparrows
Weakest bird group: Gulls and Seabirds
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Navigating the Eastern Ontario Birding website
The Homepage is where you’ll find short ID articles relevant to the season.
The Outing Schedule page details upcoming trip information.
The Field Notes tab is where you’ll find information about both my tours, as well as my solo-birding adventures. Be sure to check Trip Reports for short summaries of what we saw during a tour, and Birding Journal for my solo-birding field notes.
The Subscriber’s Lounge is where you’ll find a treasure trove of birding information pertaining to eastern Ontario’s birds. Additionally, subscriber’s are added to a Google Group and given regular updates on the occurrences of rare birds, special weather events, and so on. This is a subscription area of my site. The annual cost of membership is only $20.00. Please send inquiries about access to the Subscriber’s Lounge to eontbird@gmail.com.
The Photo Gallery is where you’ll find tour-related photography, most of which are of my clients.
The Library page is for those who love to read about the identification and natural history of birds. I have included the articles that I have either read or am currently reading.
The Testimonials page is where you’ll find out what clients are saying about Eastern Ontario Birding.
The fee for field outings is $ 40.00 for a half day outing (4-4.5 hours) and $ 75.00 for a full day outing (8-8.5 hours).
Private tours throughout eastern Ontario are also available. Please contact me by email for availability and more information.