The Birding Extravaganza Continues !!

Even with the weather forecast initially looking wet the first weekend of the Huron Fringe Birding Festival we ended up with sunshine and warm weather. The number of species seen was well over 120 but it did take a bit of hunting to get good views of the birds. With the warmer weather the leaves on the trees opened up making it a bit of a challenge to pick out those birds hiding behind them. All the hikes were well attended and interesting birds did show up. A White-eyed vireo was discovered near Pike Bay before the festival and stuck around to give people good views of a bird that doesn’t often come this far north.

At Sky Lake a Black tern gave most a great view as it seemed to be interested in making a nest on a clump of grasses in the water fairly close to the roadway. Usually we see these birds on the wing so it was nice to get good scope and binocular views. Maybe we’ll even get to see some young terns later on in the year.

Several of the events have had 90 to 120 species of birds either seen or heard. Some are difficult to get a glimpse of as they skulk around near the ground or in the underbrush but its nice to know they are there. Overall there are usually 160 to 199 species seen during the two weekends so I’m sure there are several more yet to be seen by the sharp eyes and heard by the even sharper ears of our participants.

Yesterday another teaser showed up when a Glossy ibis was seen a bit south of the park. Several people got to view the bird before it flew to a different location. Hopefully someone else will come upon this bird during one of the festival hikes. We were fortunate enough to see it at the original location that is had been spotted.

The weather reports for the next few days don’t show much rain so I’m sure the final weekend will be a great time to enjoy some of the beautiful sights as Spring begins to unfold its beauty on Bruce and Grey Counties. Check out the events and see if there’s something that might interest you. It’s a great time to meet new friends and see birds and other wonders of nature. Here’s the link to the festival page.

http://friendsofmacgregor.org/page/huron-fringe-birding-festival

With the recent very warm weather some of the winter birds will certainly have moved north but there is still a very good chance of seeing one of the remaining Snowy owls. Each day of the first weekend there was a Snowy owl seen by at least one of the groups.

We hope to see all of you out to enjoy an event or two before the festival winds down on Sunday June 3 !!!

Spring has Arrived and the Birds are Here as Well!

I sit here typing and listening to the wonderful bird sounds outside the house this morning. Since the colder weather has given way to the warmer breezes the birds have arrived in the area in numbers. The last Bruce Birding Club outing noted 22 species of warblers, several Vireo and Flycatcher species and many more species moving into the forests in the area.

If you haven’t yet signed up for an event or two of the Huron Fringe Birding Festival its time to check your calendar and treat yourself to a few days of birding or other nature event to learn and to enjoy the wonders nature presents to us this time of year. Some events are full but there are still several that have spots left on hikes with very knowledgeable leaders. To see what is available check the events at this link:

http://friendsofmacgregor.org/page/huron-fringe-birding-festival

Once summer arrives the birds will be settled in their ranges raising families and more difficult to see and hear. As they migrate through our area they are chipping and calling and present a wonderful time to learn their calls as well see what the birds look like all dressed up in their breeding plumage. The various ferns are starting to grow and the wild flowers are showing their colours in the forest as well.

So take a break from the routine of working and enjoy some trips through the areas of Bruce and Grey that you seldom see. Feel free to pose any questions to the hike leaders and educate yourself on the wonders nature has to offer.

Come out and enjoy an event or two or entire weekends during the Huron Fringe Birding Festival on May 25 to 28 and May 31 to June 3.