Archive for November 2013
HFBF CONGRATULATES PETER MIDDLETON
As a naturalist, outdoor educator and a man with a true passion for birds, Peter Middleton has spent a lifetime in the field…literally. During that time he has always stressed the importance of teaching younger generations the value of the natural world around them. For Peter, outdoor education is a practical extension of what is learned in the classroom.
As proof of this lifelong commitment, his achievements were recently acknowledged with the Latornell Environmental Leadership Award. Peter was one of five recipients recognized for their profound impact on conservation in Ontario.
The Huron Fringe Birding Festival couldn’t be happier for Peter. Over the years he has been one of our key presenters and leaders and a keynote speaker at our Festival Banquet.
And this year, you can experience Peter’s outdoor expertise directly as he is back at HFBF on two dates.
On Friday, May 23, he’ll be your personal guide to Rock Stars of the City – as he introduces you to the over 50 fern species found in Grey/Bruce and in and around Owen Sound.
On Sunday, May 25, Peter will show you The Hidden Treasures of the Huron Coast as you explore Lake Huron coastlines, both present and past, north of Sauble Falls and you’ll visit Petrel Point, Ontario’s oldest reserves and the newest, Sauble Dunes.
So note those dates and plan to spend some quality outdoor time with our award-winning leader, Peter Middleton.
Peter Middleton is a retired outdoor education teacher and principal. He has guided groups, to many areas of the globe, to observe birds, animals and plants, and interpret natural environments. Throughout his life, Peter has had an overarching interest in birds. His passion for birds began as a young boy in northeast Scotland, and continued to develop in Canada when his family immigrated in 1952. He is a respected field ornithologist who, over the years, has contributed to many projects including the Ontario Breeding Bird Atlas, North America Breeding Bird Surveys, Grey-Bruce Records Committee and Endangered Species Recovery Programs. He was a leader for the endangered Piping Plover Protection Project at Sauble Beach. He served as President of the Owen Sound Field Naturalists and has been a member of OSFN since its inception in 1989. In his spare time he serves as a Director on the Board of the Bluewater Association for Lifelong Learning (BALL) and on the Board of Ontario Nature.
Peter with his Latornell Award
HFBF SCHEDULE OF EVENTS AVAILABLE FOR VIEWING, JANUARY 15, 2014
ON-LINE REGISTRATION BEGINS FEBRUARY 1, 2014
http://friendsofmacgregor.org/page/schedule-of-events
Email: birdfest@rogers.com
“Like” us on Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Friends-of-MacGregor-Point-Park/101912730956
Follow HFBF on Twitter: https://twitter.com/fompp
HURON FRINGE BIRDING FESTIVAL
MAY 23 to MAY 26 – MAY 29 tor JUNE 1 -2014
MCGREGOR POINT PROVINCIAL PARK
PORT ELGIN, ONTARIO
THE FESTIVAL TAKES SHAPE
HURON FRINGE BIRDING FESTIVAL – MAY 23 to MAY 26 – MAY 29 to JUNE 1 – 2014
Spread out in front of me is an almost final draft of the upcoming HFBF Schedule of Events. Next steps are final proof reading, design and printing. But here’s even better news – the complete Schedule of Events will be available for viewing ON LINE beginning January 15, 2014. ON LINE REGISTRATION BEGINS FEBRUARY 1, 2014.
By my count there are over 40 birding activities over the two weekends in MacGregor Point Park as well as all over Bruce and Grey Counties and the rugged and beautiful Bruce Peninsula. New this year will be two sessions all about bumblebees. The trip to Flower Pot Island is back. You can bike the trails in MacGregor. You can even stay up late stargazing when even the birds are sleeping.
So if you have an interest in birds, botany, outdoor photography, geology, geomorphology, wildflowers, warblers, bees, bird banding, heritage farms, the secret sex lives of plants, or sex and the single warbler – Huron Fringe Birding Festival is where you want to be. And that’s only a partial list. Your favourite leaders will be back to share their knowledge, plus a new line-up of leaders will join the group to broaden the scope of what the Festival has to offer.
Needless to say, as usual, HFBF has something for everyone whatever your outdoor interest. As soon as the program is finalized, this Blog will begin bringing you more details on all programs and their leaders.
Keep reading.
http://www.friendsofmacgregor.org – ON-LINE REGISTRATION
Email: birdfest@rogers.com
Visit and “Like” us on Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Friends-of-MacGregor-Point-Park/101912730956
Follow HFBF on Twitter
DAVID LAMBLE – KEYNOTE SPEAKER – HFBF BANQUET
David Lamble removes a juvenile Great Blue Heron form its nest for banding. Photo courtesy Grand Actions
Consider the varied interests of this year’s HFBF Keynote Speaker David Lamble. For 35 years a high school chemistry teacher, now a singer, actor and TV host in his retirement, but more importantly for us, a Master Bird Bander – one of only 100 in Canada.
Since 1978 he has banded 171,759 birds of 193 species (as of this writing), but who’s counting. As David says, “I am not good at keeping track…the totals are really personal goals/achievements…banding is not a competitive sport.”
David will be at St. Joseph’s Parish Hall in Port Elgin on May 24 evening to inform, entertain and enlighten us. He has titled his presentation: BIRDS AND SOME OF THEIR MYSTERIES. He’ll be talking about bird intelligence – bird vision and of course bird banding and how it all contributes to our understanding of birds.
David’s love of birds began in 1978 with a banding study of Tree Swallows. He received his Master Bander Permit in 1986. By 1999 he had banded some 60,000 birds and received the Grand River Conservation Authority Watershed Award. His interest in our feathered friends expanded to include all species found in Southern Ontario. His major studies have now branched out to include Bobolinks, Snow Buntings, Ducks as well as his all-time favourite – the Tree Swallow.
He spends about 200 days a year in the Luther Marsh Wildlife Management Area north of Grand Valley where he meticulously documents each banding to better understand the habitat and needs of birds.
David’s banding goals are simple: find out where they go – try to ascertain if they return to the same place and measure a bird’s longevity.
“Banding opens us a range of things for research,” says David. “I think there are 286 species in Ontario. I’ve banded 193 so far. There are lots more areas in which I can still experience something new.”
Plan to joins us for the banquet and our special presentation on May 24 and discover for yourself why David Lamble is no ordinary bird lover.
HFBF BANQUET
Keynote Speaker – David Lamble
BIRDS & SOME OF THEIR MYSTERIES
Saturday May 24 – 4:30 PM
St. Joseph’s Parish Hall, Port Elgin,
ON-LINE REGISTRATION – http://www.friendsofmacgregor.org
HURON FRINGE BIRDING FESTIVAL
MAY 23 to MAY 26 – MAY 29 tor JUNE 1 -2014
MCGREGOR POINT PROVINCIAL PARK
PORT ELGIN, ONTARIO
Visit and “Like” us on facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Friends-of-MacGregor-Point-Park/101912730956
With notes courtesy of Jeff Rollings (In The Hills) and Janet Baine (Grand Actions). Photo Grand Actions.
huronfringefest 