Christmas Bird Count & Potluck Christmas Party

125th Audubon Christmas Bird Count

On Saturday Dec. 14, 2024 the Midland-Penetanguishene Field Naturalists will be the local organizers of the 125th Audubon Christmas Bird Count. This annual tradition started in 1900. Our local club held their first count in 1981. We missed only one year in 1986. That was just after the federal government tried to shut down the Wye Marsh Wildlife Centre in 1985. This important conservation project was rescued by the formation of the volunteer organization the Friends of Wye Marsh, who took over the management of the resource. It took us a year to reorganize the Christmas count, but since 1987 our club members and other volunteers have beat the bushes for birds every December, even during the challenging times of the Covid pandemic. That will make 2023 our 43rd count.

Once again our Christmas Bird Count Coordinator will be David Schandlen. To volunteer for the count contact David at [email protected] 705 526 8320. The deadline to volunteer is the end of the day on Wednesday Dec. 4th. David will organize the teams, assign their areas and distribute the info they will need.

When you respond to David, give him your contact info (email and phone number), where you live which will help David know where to assign you in our contact circle, a brief assessment of your birding experience and let him know whether you are able to drive or would like to carpool with other birders.

Birders and non-birders of all abilities can participate in a Christmas Bird Count. We need spotters, drivers, cheer-leaders, as well as those walking field guides who can ID every sparrow. Often it’s the novice birder who manages to spot that special bird. David will make sure the teams are well balanced with people that can work well together for the birds.

For those not able to get out in the field, you can become a registered Feeder Watcher by replying to this email [email protected] Let us know where you live in the circle, give us your contact info and we’ll send along instructions about how to watch your feeders and send us your report.

You can also become a registered Feeder Host by replying to this email [email protected] Again, let us know where you live in the circle and how you would like our field counters to access your property. They’ll count your birds for you.

It would be particularly useful to hear from anyone who has waterfront property in our circle so that our field counters can get an unobstructed view of any open water in the area.

---

Potluck Christmas Party / Bird Count Wrap-up / Mystery Gift Auction

Once the counting is done, we party! Our Christmas Bird Count Wrap up/Christmas Party will once again be held at the Wye Marsh Wildlife Centre on the evening of the count day, Dec. 14th. Doors will be open around 5 PM so that we can eat at 6PM. We’ll go over the day’s birding reports and then we’ll hold our ever popular Mystery Xmas Gift Auction. Participants bring their mystery gifts, festively wrapped with a cryptic poem or riddle subtly hinting or perhaps misleading as to the contents. Then our auctioneer goes into action. After what is often a very spirited competition, the gift goes home with the successful bidder and the proceeds go to the Owl Foundation of Vineland. Win Win all round!

Remember, the Christmas Party is not just for CBC counters, but is open to everyone – all members, their guests, and CBC volunteers. We hope to see you all there.

 

---

So why do we count birds every December? Here’s a link to a very interesting article from Audubon that outlines some of the history of the count and how the CBC is a prime example of how observations from first-time volunteers and experts alike can make a big difference in understanding our world. You may find some of what we have learned from the CBC disturbing. But knowledge is power and we can use the knowledge gained to benefit birds.

Audubon Article on Christmas Bird Count (link opens a new browser tab on the Audubon site): Click to Visit

You can read about some of the club’s previous bird counts on our website. https://mpfn.xyz/christmas-bird-count/

 

 

Guest Speaker: Njal Rollinson, U of T’s Rollinson Lab “The incredible natural history of local amphibians and reptiles: highlights from 7 years of research in Algonquin Park”
– https://rollinson.eeb.utoronto.ca/

Guest Speaker: Neil Gray

Neil Gray has a B.Sc.(Univ of Guelph), M.Sc. (Warwick University, England), and Ph.D. (Univ of Western Ontario) in Biochemistry. After concluding his studies he went into Environmental Engineering and was an Assistant Prof. at Western University.

After 5 years he shifted gears and went into industry, working on environmental projects (surveys, protocol development, remediation [air, land, groundwater and surface water]) for a Fortune 100 company in Canada, US and England. Throughout his industrial career (20 years) he maintained his academic connections, as an Adjunct Prof at Waterloo, Guelph, and Univ of Toronto.

For the last 9 years he has been leading a group of scientists for the Federal Government (CRA; Scientific Research and Experimental Development program for the Ontario Region); recently retired in November 2018; He has published/presented over 120 scientific papers and holds a number of patents, covering everything from bioremediation to wind turbine blade design.

He is the current president of the Carden Field Naturalists, Past Board President of the Couchiching Conservancy, and is a member of the Hamilton Naturalists, Ontario Field Ornithologists, Scottish Ornithology Club and the Archaeological Society of Ontario (presently serving as the Secretary for the Toronto Chapter).

Hummingbirds are the smallest known and smallest living avian theropod dinosaurs.  The iridescent colours and highly specialized feathers of many species (mainly in males) give some hummingbirds exotic common names, such as sun gem, fairy, woodstar, sapphire or sylph.  Neil will share his photos and knowledge of this fan favourite class of birds. 

MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL

A reminder that all MPFN memberships are due for renewal on Jan. 1st of the New Year.  Since the November meeting will be our last in person meeting for 2024 (in December we will have the Xmas Bird Count and Potluck on Sat. Dec. 14th and in Jan. Feb. and Mar. of 2025 we will be meeting on Zoom) now might be a good time to renew your membership for 2025. 

If you’re not sure of your membership status, reply to this email and we’ll clear things up for you.  We keep track, you know. 

Information is included in this message on how and how much to pay to keep your MPFN membership current. 

No change in the membership fees – $25 single membership, $45 Family membership, under 30 Free.  

Here’s how you can pay:

1. Send your cheque by snail mail to Midland-Penetanguishene Field Naturalists Club Box 393 Midland, ON L4R 4L1.  Make sure you include a note with any changes in your contact details. (address, email, phone number, etc.) Warning: There is currently an ongoing threat of a postal strike in Canada, so now might not be the best time to mail your membership renewal.  We will accept in person renewals at our upcoming meetings and outings. 

2. Make an E-transfer to [email protected] You can do this without any need for a security question or password and It will go directly into the club bank account.  Again please note in the comments of the transfer any changes in your contact details.  

3. Pay in person at one of our outings or in person meetings.  

We will be meeting on Zoom for our regular monthly meetings in January, February and March of 2024. 

We will once again be fundraising at the Nov. 21st meeting by selling our 50/50 tickets.  1 chance for 2 dollars, 3 chances for 5 dollars. 

We will also be running our GREAT NATURE BOOK SALE. 

 You can bring along any used nature books you’d like to donate. Books donated will be resold for what the buyer thinks they’re worth with all proceeds going to club operations.

You can catch up with the MPFN on our website 

https://mpfn.xyz/

Or follow us on Facebook, either on our club page or in our Facebook Group. 

Facebook MPFN Club Page

MPFN Facebook Group Page 

Hope to see you all on Thurs. Nov. 21st

The agenda and registration information for this Zoom meeting will be announced closer to the event. All are welcome to attend.