Things to See and Do 

To catch the peak of bird activity, this weekly guided bird tour takes place on Wednesdays at 7:30 am, beginning at the Summer Street gates of the Camp Hill Cemetery. The tour season opens in the spring and ends in the fall.  

Your tour guide, Dr. Wesley Petite, ​will outline the day’s plan and what ​birds ​you can expect​ to see​. You are welcome​ ​to ask questions or share any insights you have about birds.​ Wesley is an ​​expert ​birder and is excited to help people on their birding journey.​     ​ 

After observing avian activity in the cemetery grounds, you will proceed into the Halifax Public Gardens. There, you’ll find the sparkling Victoria Jubilee Fountain, often visited by European Starlings bathing, squawking, and foraging for food. 

You may see Chimney Swifts flying in the sky with their crescent-shaped wings and White-breasted Nuthatches crawling on tree trunks in their signature style, or hear a symphony of sparrows filling the morning air. In the spring, Mallard ducklings often parade across the grounds​. Later in the summer,​​ ​Ruby-throated Hummingbirds buzz among the flowers and Blackpoll Warblers flit through the trees. ​ ​Rare sightings enjoyed on past tours include a Yellow-crowned Night Heron and Canada Warblers. No two weeks are the same – ​​an exciting and educational tour awaits you at any​​​​ time in the season. 

Your guide will help you identify birds and share tips on behaviour, appearance, and migration to help you become a more effective birder.  

Along the way, you can admire the sculptures, fountains, ornate flowerbeds, and historic structures that highlight the Victorian heritage of the Public Gardens. The tour ends at 8:30 am, after which you are welcome to continue exploring on your own self-guided bird walk.  

Planning Your Visit

• No registration is necessary and there is no admission fee. To participate, simply arrive at the Summer St. gates of Camp Hill Cemetery before 7:30 am on Wednesday. 
• The bird tour is seasonal and runs for 20 weeks, from the third week of May to the first week of October. 
• Public transit serves the area, and there are paid parking options available nearby. ​​​​ 
• The tour is outdoors and covers a fair amount of distance over the hour, so dress comfortably in weather-appropriate clothing.  
• The tour takes place rain or shine, but will be cancelled in the event of thunder or lightning.  
• Bringing binoculars or a monocular is recommended, as they will help you get a closer look at any bird spotted. The tour guide will have some available to borrow if you don’t have your own.  
• Most importantly, bring patience and curiosity. No week is the same, and there are no guarantees which birds you will see.  
• The Friends of the Public Gardens Bird Tour welcomes people of all ages, backgrounds, and experience levels—from the bird-curious to the bird-obsessed. 

Insider Tip

To date, 126 different wild bird species have been observed in the Public Gardens according to entries on eBird.org.  

There are public washrooms in the Public Gardens and a place to get coffee and a treat in the Horticultural Hall. The Public Gardens are also close to Spring Garden Road, a vibrant shopping and restaurant district, as well as other historic landmarks such as the Citadel and Victoria Park.  

This experience is organized by the Friends of the Public Gardens, who offer a range of other exciting tours and experiences, all available on their website. 

Carousel photos courtesy of The Friends of the Public Gardens.