This area, Meaford to Collingwood and Thornbury to Kimberley does not have a gathering of birds or something special like Pelee Island, Wye Marsh or National Parks.
Ski hills are people places, not for the birds any more. But there is a good selection of species when you take a little bird drive, almost any time of year. It helps if you have an Expert or experienced birder taking you, and of course a local bird guide is a must. Recently on a little tour around Thornbury and the flooded Beaver River near Bill and Dorothy Elford's farm on County Rd. 13 North of Kimberley, about 40 species were listed, including such good finds as a Wood Duck, Red-Breasted Merganser, Black Duck, Lesser Scaup, Ring-necked Duck, Wigeon. As I said, have an expert with you.
The black-coloured birds are all back now: Cowbird, Grackle, Red-winged Blackbird, Starling, Turkey Vultures, Ravens, and so are the more colourful Bluebirds, Golden-crowned Kinglets, Killdeer, Song Sparrows, Meadow Larks, Tree Swallows, etc.
This winter there were several calls about Swans in Georgian Bay, especially Meaford Harbour.
Some callers were astounded to see them. There are three kinds of swans that may be identified here: Mute, (all year long), Tundra (migrating through) and Trumpeter (a Western bird introduced in Wye Marsh and often seen here in winter). These are all big white birds with long necks. Juveniles are dusky brown.
Mute swans are the former ornamental birds kept on private property in parks and ponds. Here, they are escapees that are now established in the wild but are not programmed to migrate. In winter they move short distances where there is open water for feeding. Since 2005 Mute swans have nested in Thornbury.
Last year, two nests were successful, having juveniles survive to increase the population around here. Tundra and Trumpeter swans mostly hold necks straight up and down and the Mute usually holds necks in that graceful S curve and often swim with wings arched up. But the three types are identified positively by their bills. The Mutes have orange bills with a big black knob at the base.
The Tundra and Trumpeters have black bills. There is a tiny yellow spot at the base of the Tundra bills, which is hard to see. The forehead dips to a "V" on Tundras, it's straight across on Trumpeters.
Good luck in identifying these three types.
New Year's day, Ed Fortune took pictures of three swans in Lion's Park, Meaford water front. They were far out, making it hard to determine which kind they were. My guess is Mute, groups of three were often identified along the shore over winter, including on the Christmas Count.
The number of Ravens nesting in this area is on the increase. They like to use silos, at the top of the ladder or just inside the square opening there. One nest near Ravenna has been recorded for the ROM's Nest Record Scheme for the last four years. Mike O'Dell keeps track of that one for George Peck who has looked after the record scheme since 1966. There are more nests in silos on farms between Thornbury and Owen Sound.
Walter's Falls Community Centre Board is having a fund-raising event Sat., April 19, at their hall. It is called "Birding with the Expert" a.k.a Mark Wiercinski: 9:30 -10:15 coffee and muffins; 10:30-11:45 slideshow presentation and discussion (Mark loves those question-and-answer sessions); bird books and houses (bird houses, that is) will be for sale; chili and dessert 11:45 - 12:45.
And finally at 1:15 an outdoor birding walk for an hour. All that for $7.00 adult, $3.00 children. Beat that for a bargain. Tickets at the door, For information phone Rod Saunders at 519-538-5944, or Millie at 519-794-0824. Mark's talks are always fun, informative and fascinating.
He's taking a chance on the audience not getting lost in Walter's Falls.
