Baldwin’s Birds

to start, a delicious fourcourse dinner with wine, live jazz by Sue Baker and The Rhythm Makers, dancing and games of chance throughout the evening … plus some fun surprises. Guests are invited to wear 1920s attire if they wish.

- $100 per person – or buy a table for eight at $90 per person

- For tickets, call Angela at 647-973-5752 or Mary Tessier at 613-4471533

- On-line tickets at Eventbrite.com

- Partial tax receipt for dinner guests

- CASH ONLY during the event, no ATM on site or in the village

Raptors return to North Grenville

see the hawk that hunts in a pack, like wolves? There is even a bird of prey that has the most highly developed sense of smell in the world –better than a bloodhound! Or how about a falcon that plunges into a dive that can reach speeds of 200 km/h as it soars over the heads of the crowd? You will have to come and see for yourself.

The Birds of Prey Show will take place in the arboretum of Ferguson Forest (entrance from County Road 43). Signage and volunteers will help direct visitors. Although admission is free, a suggested donation of $5 (or more) helps Friends put on events of this type and carry out our other programming.

Early morning singers

Nesting in our garden, seems to have slowed down for the time being, or at least the activity around my various nesting boxes has. The Bluebirds are no longer toing and fro-ing although I'm not sure what is happening with the House Wrens, who gave us the impression that they too had finished, but who are still visiting one of my nesting boxes as I write! They don't appear to be going in with food, so maybe they are thinking of another brood, I'll just have to wait and see!

Whilst watching what the Wrens are doing, I have been serenaded by the beautiful singing of a Song Sparrow, who is perched on the top of a pine tree, filling the air with its song. It just loves to sing and doesn't seem to be afraid of sitting in rather prominent places to do so. Of course my camera's telephoto lens helps me to see it once I have managed to hone in on the spot it might be singing in, which with the naked eye isn't quite so easy. A little bit of perseverance pays off when seeking some of our more ardent singers, like the Robins and the Cardinals who also regale us at various times of the day and are equally elusive, as the small birds are, when it comes to wanting to see them and not just listen to them. You've probably found that out for yourself already without me mentioning it.

I was able to observe but not capture a rare bit of bird behaviour at our water dish the other day, as a Grackle took bird seed from a feeder and soaked it in the water before eating it. I have witnessed Crows doing it with bread, in the past, but I hadn't noticed any other birds doing it for quite a while until this happened. Maybe if you keep a sharp eye out, you too might see the birds do this. I hope so, as it all adds to the joy of seeing the birds doing "their thing" in their natural environment without our interference. Enjoy and stay safe and well, Cheers, John

Baldwin

Looking for something to do on Canada Day weekend? You can’t go wrong with the Birds of Prey Show, brought to you again this year by the Friends of Ferguson Forest Centre. There will be three shows on Sunday, July 2nd at 11:00am, 1:00 and 3:00pm. The show has wowed crowds in the past in our community, as the magnificent birds plunge and soar, performing free flight demonstrations before returning to their handlers. The Canadian Raptor Conservancy provides the show which features a wide range of birds of prey. Which birds will be at the show is the decision of the Conservancy, but the crowd may see a bald eagle, golden eagle, Harris hawk, barn owl, great horned owl, red-tailed hawk, peregrine falcon, American kestrel or turkey vulture. The demonstration is expected to include five different raptors from around the world, including at least three birds of prey who will give a free-flying demonstration. While the birds are in flight, the handlers will provide educational commentary about each one.

Will you get to see the raptor with the best vision in nature, able to spot its prey over 20 km away? Will you

The Friends of Ferguson Forest Centre is a non-profit, volunteer organization that exists to preserve, protect, maintain, and enhance the Ferguson Forest trails and other public-use areas, in partnership with the Ferguson Forest Centre Corporation, for the educational benefit and enjoyment of the public and to promote the Ferguson Tree Nursery’s historical and ongoing significance to the Ferguson Forest Centre and the local community. The Friends of FFC hold a number of activities over the year open to the public, including interpretive walks in the Forest, and educational events. (https:// www.friendsofthefergusonforest.com)