More than half of shorebird populations are currently in decline worldwide but despite decades of research, the reasons why are still not well understood. Dr. Laura McKinnon, an Associate Professor at York University Glendon Campus, has spent the last 18 years working to advance our understanding of declining North American shorebird populations. Though she has spent most of this time studying shorebirds in the Arctic, in 2017, she started monitoring a unique urban-nesting shorebird, the Killdeer (Charadrius vociferus), right here in Downsview Park. Each summer, university students search for and monitor Killdeer nests in order to better understand the ecology of these amazing creatures that share our city parks.

Join Dr. McKinnon and her graduate student, Kazuo Koekebakker Low, for a guided tour through the Killdeer wonderland that is Downsview Park. You’ll have the opportunity to search for and visit monitored nests and talk about the not-so-secret life of Killdeer in Downsview Park.

Participants under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult.

Pets are not permitted at this program. Service animals are always welcome.