In April migraters start going through.
Tree Swallows arrived early at Barb Selkirk’s corner April 7, followed by Meadow Larks April 10. That same day the Expert saw a Bluebird and then a Brown Thrasher, April 13. Early in April, Paul Venning of Heathcote, phoned that he had seen Turkey Vultures and a Great Blue Heron. In his travels Paul sees lots of these 2. From my window in Thornbury I see more little stuff like Goldfinches. But most days I catch sight of Canada Geese flying over morning and/or evenings. That’s as big as it gets here on Lemon St.
The most anticipated migrating takes place in May. Warblers are fascinating; so many different kinds and so hard to identify sometimes. I have no problem with Yellows, Yellow Rumps, Common Yellowthroats, Redstarts, Black and White. After that it’s “is it” or “isn’t it.” My yearly Mother’s Day trip takes care of that. The Expert not only sees differences, he hears differences. Only song I remember is witchety, witchety (Common Yellowthroat). It used to be 100 birds for Mother’s Day until my disability 4 years ago when the number dropped down to 40 and a short drive. Last year we were back up to 80’s with a lot of help from Wanda Pyatt. This year the trip is postponed to a later date. Stay tuned.
Lynn Richardson said she couldn’t speak highly enough about Peter Middleton’s excellent course at the Thornbury Library recently. Each week there was a special subject. First The World of Birds starting from dinosaurs, which I reported April 6th, followed by: 2. Birds and Human Culture, 3. Lives of Birds, 4. What of the Future, 5. Bird Watching and 6. Avian Celebrations, Complexity, Mystery and Beauty.
The course covered the origin of birds on earth, through the influence in history, music, art, literature and culture of birds throughout the world. He talked about the latest research on bird migration, population, growth, distribution, extinction and the repercussions these things have on the human species. He spoke about the sheer joy of birds, watching and studying them.
If you missed the course in Thornbury, Peter is doing it again in the Fall, sponsored by the Collingwood Association for Lifelong Learning, somewhere in Collingwood.
Huron Fringe Festival at the end of this month is Friday May 27 to Monday May 30 and Thurs. June 2 to Sunday June 4 at MacGregor Point Provincial Park. There will be lots of birding events, some led by the Expert. Something new this year is an off-site dinner Sat. May 28 at Piper’s Glen Golf Club, just east of Port Elgin. It will include a presentation by Ethan Meleg, John Haselmeyer and Mark Wiercinski (the Expert) discussing the Baillie Birdathon last year when they recorded a record 174 species. Complete Information at www.friendsofMacgregor.org .
Worth the trips.
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