World Migratory Bird Day May 14

A large flock of sandhill cranes descends on a local farm field

In 1993 the Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center initiated what has now become a worldwide celebration on World Migratory Bird Day to focus public attention on the dire need to protect, maintain, and enhance food sources and habitat for birds.

This year World Migratory Bird Day will be celebrated on May 14 and again in October.

Eleven ambassador species of migratory birds have been chosen including the Baltimore oriole, western tanager, Wilson’s warbler, and burrowing owl.

For Migratory World Bird Day a number of bird focused events have been planned by members of Nature Barrie and others.

James Coey from Nature Barrie has planned the following activities-

Events are limited to 10-12 participants and will be approximately 2 hours in duration.

Please dress for the weather.

Binoculars would be handy.

All walks will start at 10.00 a.m unless otherwise posted.

Leaders have absolute discretion in all eventualities.

Birds of North Kempenfelt Bay

Leader: Dave Knowler
Meet: 10.00 a.m. at Johnson’s Beach parking lot. Easy walking, water and insect repellent. Washrooms available.

Birds of Hewitt Creek

Leader: Paul Forde
Meet: at 7.30 a.m. at Walnut Crescent
Some hills, moderate walking. No washrooms. Water and insect repellent.

Birds of Bear Creek Eco-Park

Leader: Dave Cowl
Meet: 10.00 a.m. at the turn around at the bottom of Elizabeth Street,  Moderate walking, no washrooms. Water and insect repellent.

Birds of Sandy Hollow Buffer

Leader: Jim Coey
Meet: 10.00 a.m at Edgehill and Miller. Park on Miller. Moderate walking, no washrooms. Water and insect repellent.

Birds of Sunnidale Park

Leader: Ian Cook
Meet: 9.00 a.m. at the Dorian Parker Centre just off 227 Sunnidale Road. Moderate walking, some hilly terrain, washrooms may be open.

Birds of the South Shore

Leader: Chris Evans
Meet: 9.00 a.m. at the South Shore Centre
Easy walking, bring water, toilets available.

Friends of Minesing Wetlands will be hosting an Introduction to Birding Basics event at the Waterfowl Viewing Platform May 14^th 1 pm – 3 pm.
The 12′ – high Waterfowl Viewing Window offers a bird’s eye view of the wetland and a myriad of waterfowl.

Lampman Lane Park Display

Host: Gwen Petreman
Celebration of community gardens at Lampman Park from 1-3 p.m.
At this display you will have the opportunity to learn how you can enact light pollution measures to help reduce the deaths of 22.5 million birds a year that die from glass collisions at houses in Canada.
You will have the opportunity to win bird books and window collision tape.
With a donation to plant more trees in Barrie you will receive a hand painted hot pod pad.

You will also have the opportunity to choose up to 3 birds to become part of a list of resident birds for voting on a City Bird in the future.