This spring, my sister-in-love Mary invited me to spend some time with her and her son Christopher, a delightful, intelligent Downs man. It was an exciting yet restful ten days. Day two we went to Morgan’s Point Conservation area/ Wainfleet on Lake Erie with coffee and snacks. The birds singing in the trees turned out to be 3 Baltimore Orioles. Sitting on the beach we saw waterbirds. During my visit, 24 year old Chris had his first real date with beautiful Lindsey at romantic Zappy’s Italian restaurant near the Falls. Mary and I chaperoned and enjoyed plenty of giggles, smiles and deliciousness. Days were filled with simple joys such as meals with family and friends, thrifting and talks.
Mary was equipped with passes to tourist sites. We chose the tour of a Laura Secord Museum. This was in St. Davids/Queenston village. We finished that off with an ice cream cone and a chocolate bar. Later, the Spanish Aero Car took us over the Niagara River. I wasn’t afraid as we were far from the falls. The attendant assured us they had never had a mishap with this attraction since its inception in 1916. There is plenty to do in the Niagara area. After my return home I found an excellent book that I recommend. Best Places to Bird in Ontario by brothers Kenneth and Michael Burrell. Before my holiday would have been a better time to get this book.
“It is a reminder that we live in a birders’ paradise province. Located along both the Atlantic and Mississippi flyways, Ontario is a birding mecca. Its diverse geography allows birders to explore the Great Lakes, the Artic coastlines of James and Hudson Bay, expansive boreal forests and a taste of southern Carolinian forests. The province has one of the most active birding communities on the continent and a species list approaching 500, so it’s no wonder so many birders enjoy Ontario in all of its seasons.” I would heartily agree with these birding brothers. If you are interested in some practical information on Ontario birding this book is available by contacting your local Wellington County library.
What sparked your interest in birding? After speaking at three birding events recently, this question challenged me to look back many years to what got me started. For me it was events involving birds that occurred over the years. For the Burrell brothers it was, as preteens, a trip to Long Point on Lake Erie, where their parents dropped off a few dozen Prothonotary Warbler nest boxes. We all might have the opportunity to introduce young people to the pastime of birding and maybe a career path to pursue as happened for the Burrells. Both of them have been absolutely obsessed with birds and have spent most of their free time learning and chasing birds from one corner of the province to the next. This book covers their favourite sites in depth, including updated information on the sites and birds themselves, birding strategies, and natural and cultural history sprinkled with some personal stories. Whittling down their list down to 30 was a challenge. You will find a balance of locations within a couple of hours of the GTA (Greater Toronto Area).
Submitted by Susan Warren
