Why did we Hike for Birds?

Why Hike?

People hike for countless reasons - some personal, some practical, some deeply emotional. For us, each long-distance trail has begun with a different intention. We set off along Ontario’s Bruce Trail to explore the natural beauty of our own backyard and to introduce a younger family member to the basics of backpacking and camping. Later, we found ourselves on the Camino Francés in search of peace during a difficult period in our lives, using the rhythm of walking as a form of healing. Over time, these walks became more than just journeys - they became resets.

 
In a world of constant digital noise, breaking away from screens, headlines, and notifications has become essential. Pilgrimage routes and long-distance trails offer something rare: silence, clarity, and space to listen - not just to birdsong and wind in the trees, but to ourselves. 
 
This is why we hike and spend so much time in nature, but each person has their own reasons even if they aren’t sure exactly what they are when they put their feet on the trail. 

Why Hike the Trans Canada Trail?

That desire to reconnect - with ourselves, with nature, and with something larger - eventually led us to the Trans Canada Trail. Stretching more than 28,000 kilometres across the country, this network became both a physical path and a philosophical one.

 

We hiked almost 19,000 km of it, not just to see Canada, but to experience it: to slow down, to listen, and to observe the everyday miracles of the natural world. Along the way, birds became our constant companions and our guideposts. Using citizen science platforms like eBird and iNaturalist we began documenting the species we encountered, discovering that birding offered not only a deep connection to place, but also a way to contribute to conservation efforts. This is why we encouraged Canadians to get back outdoors and explore nature through citizen science. 

Through birds, we focused and paid attention more - and in doing so, we rediscovered local communities, regional landscapes, and the shared stories that tie our nation together. The trail became an invitation - not just to walk, but to explore Canada. 

Why Birds? Why Now? Why a #Hike4Birds?

So, why birds?
 
Well, simply put, because birds are messengers, travellers, and storytellers. Because they connect backyards to the Boreal and deserts to the Arctic. They travel immense distances, they provide insight into the health of the natural world and because they need our help.

 
Many species, especially grassland birds and aerial insectivores, are in steep decline. Yet hope remains. Conservation efforts do work. Raptors and waterfowl are rebounding. And everyone, regardless of age, location, or ability, can help by becoming a citizen scientist.
 
With apps like iNaturalist or eBird, anyone can document what they see and contribute to global datasets that guide conservation. It’s birding with purpose. It’s using technology to rediscover the natural world. 

A Call to Action: From Backyards to the Boreal

You don’t need to walk across the country to make a difference.
 
You only need to go outside, be curious, and look up.

Anyone can help by : Planting native species. Keep your cat indoors. Turning off your lights at night during migration. Supporting bird-friendly coffee. Supporting youth programs. Sharing your love of birds. Logging your sightings. Inspiring others.
 
Each of us, in our own way, can bridge the divide between screens and skies, between the digital world and the real one. We can connect with something ancient and alive.
 
See you on the Trail!