Brace yourself, it is May Madness time. May is the busiest time for serious birders. The first or second week of May is a must to spend a few days at Pt. Pelee, especially for the Warbler migration. There are Big-count Days, Baillie Birdathons, Mother’s Day on the 10th ( have to find 100 birds that day). At the end of the month there is the Huron Fringe Festival. Many Grey and Bruce experts take part in that – the Expert will lead a couple of the events.
Several summer birds have already been seen here. April 13 Mike O’Dell saw an Old Squaw (now called Long Tails) in Thornbury Harbour. The same day, Norm Leedham saw 4 Swans in the Bay at Craigleith. Towhees have been seen at Duncan and Dr. David Rose has photos of them at his place near the Buffalo Farm, Town Line West. Great Blue Herons, Song and Chipping Sparrows have arrived. Had a phone call asking if Great Egrets are common here. Not common like Robins, but they nest here.
Recently, when Barb Selkirk looked out her window and saw a lot of birds at her feeders, she commented: “such a delight”. So why do so many of us feed birds? One writer for “Birds and Blooms” magazine said it was in his DNA inherited from his Nature-journalist father. We know the birds don’t need us, we need them. Why? I asked people why, and here are some answers:
I like the colours—yellow, red, blue.
Amusement
Pleasure
I like birds
It puts a smile on my face, watching
So my grandchildren can see the birds
Watching the activity and different birds
It teaches children to distinguish size and colours
It makes you think – good for the brain, identifying the species
Birds are a connection to the wild
Their beauty enriches our lives
They add to my Yard List
Company for shut-ins
I like their songs
One week-end I was bored so I made a bird-feeder from scrap lumber and that was the start
When I watch Curling on TV, I watch birds through the window between rock throws
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