On The Wing is GOS' signature birding workshop, intended to guide and inspire you to deeper connection with the birds and nature in your ‘backyard’. Bringing over 15 years of bird-guiding and outdoor education experience, GOS's birding mentor Matthew Iles hopes to not only show you some resident and visiting birds, but to share ID tips and tricks, tools for listening to bird language, questions about bird track and sign, along with plenty of stories.
Dress for the weather, with sturdy footwear for a gentle walk. Snacks and water, maybe a hot beverage, recommended. Please reach out with any accessibility concerns ahead of time.
Since 2020, On The Wing has been rooted in curiosity, awareness, and inclusivity – intended for the absolute beginner to fully-fledged bird-nerd. Every feather found is a tracking mystery waiting to be unraveled. Just as much about connecting with the land and new frriends, as it is about knowing how to identify each species.
Meet Your Instructor
Matthew grew up in Wales, studied Zoology at University of Liverpool, and began working as a biologist in 2007. He moved to Canada in 2009, after spending a year working in Ecuador's Amazon region. A birding spark led to a year spent volunteering at Long Point Bird Observatory, where he later worked as Assistant Coordinator for between 2015 and 2017. Matt began volunteering at Guelph Outdoor School in 2017 with a personal mission to spread bird-joy through the Guelph community.
These days he works as a consulting wildlife ecologist, runs occasional community birding workshops, including On The Wing, and offers guided birding trips both locally and further afield. He lives in Kitchener with his partner and daughter. To keep up to date about upcoming workshops and outings, follow Matt on Instagram (@wild_m.iles), or email ilesmatt1984@gmail.com and ask to be added to his newsletter!
Sliding scale pricing is available. Visithttps://www.theguelphoutdoorschool.com/economics-for-a-changing-world to review options and select a coupon code that meets your financial needs.