On the Trails: January 2026

Long open vistas, animal tracks in the snow, winter raptors, and Arctic waterbirds are the themes for January. Ice cover on the marsh remains variable but relatively thick to start January. Waterbirds and Bald Eagles migrating from the north concentrate at the unfrozen waters of Lake Ontario, though extensive ice cover within Cootes Paradise limits their local distribution. Common winter waterbirds include Bufflehead, Common Goldeneye, and Hooded Merganser.

The concentrations of waterbirds draw in a variety of raptors; Red-tailed Hawks and Bald Eagles are frequently seen soaring overhead. RBG public programs are regularly offered to help visitors experience and understand these seasonal phenomena.

Open water persists in areas with stronger currents, including Spencer Creek and Chedoke Creek where they enter Cootes Paradise Marsh, as well as the channel connecting the marsh to Burlington Bay. The most accessible winter hike is via the Desjardins Trail/Waterfront Trail, accessed at Princess Point.

Visitors are encouraged to enjoy the Cootes Paradise and Hendrie Valley landscapes, where glacially carved rolling hills and ravines are highlighted by snow. Sweeping winter vistas are available from observation towers at George North, Bulls Point, and Pine Point Lookouts (via the Arboretum), as well as from Sassafras Point on the south shore.

In addition to raptors, resident woodpeckers can be observed along many trails, including the impressive Pileated Woodpecker. Owls are often heard calling at dusk.

Trail User Notes

January 1: All garden areas, facilities, and parking lots CLOSED.

For Your Safety

• Please note that all trail use is at your own risk. Most of our trails are hilly and the trail surfaces are natural soil. Consider your footwear as during winter surfaces can be icy or muddy depending on the weather.
• Please stay on the marked trails to avoid trampling regenerating shrubs and trees or buried roots of understory plants such as trilliums.
• The nature trail system is considered closed during extreme weather event notifications from Environment Canada.
• Mountain bikes/fat bikes are not allowed as our trails are not designed to accommodate these activities.
• Please be aware ticks, including those carrying Lyme Disease, are found throughout the Hamilton/Burlington area and are active at temperatures above 0°C. Protect yourself by staying on marked trails. RBG does not accept ticks for testing. For inquiries regarding ticks, please contact the Region of Halton or City of Hamilton Public Health.