Did you know that ‘Birding’ or bird watching is one of the fastest growing hobbies in North America. There are more than 450 different kinds of birds in Canada alone. The numbers and variety provide endless hours for enthusiasts who want to simply watch, monitor, feed, film or photograph.
According to Drew Monkman, creator of the website “Our Changing Seasons, A Nature Almanac of the Kawartha Lakes District of Ontario”, local residents are getting a great head start on spring migration. Tundra Swans have been enjoying the spring weather. There were 27 seen just last week on Lake Chemong and in the Peterborough area south of Hwy 2.
Birders who enjoy watching water fowl have seen Wood Ducks, Hooded Mergansers, Bufflehead and of course Canada Geese. Others, used to looking up to the skies are enjoying Hawk migration, Turkey Vultures, Peregrine Falcons, Northern Saw-Whet Owls and Eastern Screech Owls.
For enthusiasts the possibility of a nesting pair of Bald Eagles southwest of Bobcaygeon is exciting!
Where would you get started? Kyla Makela with Bird Studies Canada says to start in your back yard! And guess what? You can even download an app to help. The Merlin Bird ID app is free to download. It walks you through basic bird identification including the size of the bird, it’s color, where you are seeing it and what it’s doing. From four simple questions it’s able to provide a really good guess on what bird you’re seeing.
Drew is also the co-author of a new book, “Big Book of Nature Activities…” for parents, grandparents, caregivers, and teachers to help youth of all ages – as well as adults – explore, appreciate and connect with the natural world.”
Birding and books about our outdoor environment support a step in the right direction for engaging our children – and ourselves – in the world around us. Many species in nature including birds are endangered. Our community provides the perfect back drop to develop a new hobby.
http://merlin.allaboutbirds.org/
https://www.newsociety.com/Books/B/The-Big-Book-of-Nature-Activities
Bethany Ontario 
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