Eastern Ontario Birding

If you have any interest in birds or birding you must book a tour with Jon!! His passion is infectious. He is so knowledgable, very approachable and friendly, and ready with answers to questions you didn't even know you wanted to ask. I've done several tours with Jon and each one has been memorable, not to mention a boatload of fun. Birding with Jon is an incredible experience and I would highly recommend him to everyone!

As a gift for my birthday, my wife gave me a birding tour with Jon at the Fletcher Wildlife Garden in Ottawa. Within the first 10 minutes of the tour I learned how to spot an owl in the woods. During the 3 hour tour Jon identified 33 different species of birds by sight and by sound. There were so many opportunities for great photos. I highly recommend his tour and remember to bring binoculars or a camera or both!

We have gone on many birding tours with Jon. It has been a wonderful experience all around. Jon is very knowledgable , friendly and a lot of fun to go birding with. Jon has an extremely deep knowledge of birds and wildlife and nature in general and he is always ready and enthusiastic to impart his vast knowledge. The trips are well organized and exciting. For instance on one occasion Jon lead us to a place with 55 short eared owls and so on. I highly recommend his tours they are a lifer for me.

As a novice birder and bird photographer I was looking for someone to introduce me to more of the fascinating world of birds and new locations near home, Ottawa. I signed up for a local tour Jon was offering and got hooked! I have been on tours near and far, from half day to weekend tours to Algonquin Park, Toronto, Barrie, and others. Jon is incredibly knowledgeable about birds and his ability to find them is , to me, uncanny. For instance, I would never have seen so many Saw-whet owls without him! And on that occasion, he made sure that everyone who hadn't seen or photographed one before had the chance to go in first. Jon will also keep you updated on new bird sightings and information on the types of location to explore on your own. But all that knowledge alone is not why I would recommend Jon. He is courteous, respectful of people, birds and the environment, fun, patient and loves to share his knowledge and experiences. The groups are varied each time and have always been fun and friendly. The fact that even very experienced birders keep coming back is a testament to Jon. I guarantee that an outing with Eastern Ontario Birding will leave you wanting more!

Jon's birding skill and knowledge is amazing. We enjoyed a fantastic day at the Napanee Alvar and 2 other sites where we observed 3 lifers : loggerhead shrike, upland sandpiper, and black tern. Thanks for a great day Jon !

Jon is a very knowledgeable and enthusiastic guide. We have gone on a few of his tours and we always learn so much. He makes the events fun and enriching both. He has an incredible sense of hearing and knowledge of habits and habitats of birds so he tracks down birds we never would see by ourselves and makes sure all of us see and enjoy them. He also educates us as we go. Highly recommend one of Jon's tours.

Every time I've gone on a birding tour with Jon I've seen or learned something new. I have added many lifers to my list during his tours. His understanding and knowledge of birds is amazing and he keeps up to date on where to find our feathered friends. Not only is he an extremely knowledgeable guide he is also a lovely person to send time with enjoying nature and seeking birds. I highly recommend his outings.

5+++!! There should be a rating above five just for businesses like this one! I have gone on many tours with Jon, who owns and runs EOB, and he never ceases to amaze me with the high level of quality and research that he puts into his tours. His knowledge and field skills with respect to birding in the region are unsurpassed. You will not be disappointed by going on one of his tours. Prepare to see some amazing birds and also to be blown away by Jon’s knowledge of birds and unbelievable skill level at finding birds, including many rarities, in the field.

Jon - BIRDING-GUIDE EXTRAORDINAIRE!His attention to detail, sensitivity to his environment, friendly, encouraging, and humble demeanour, make him the optimal choice for those seeking an educational yet fun birding tour!Highly recommended if you are just starting out (as was the case for me) or have been birding for years!* Picture - Great Blue Heron sighted by Jon whom guided me in snapping the perfect shot :)

Although I'd been birding off and on since 1977, Jon dived right in and immersed himself into the wonderful world of birds, and it shows!! His love of birds and their environment, and his immersion into the intricate details of bird identification, behaviour, habitat..... the list goes on, results in an experience that will leave you with a greatly enhanced knowledge of all aspects of birds, and birding. And most of all, if you just didn't mind birds before a Jon Ruddy tour, you'll absolutely LOVE them after one!!!