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Odyssey to Lake Erie

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  Point Pelee trip report Long Point Birdathon trip report Rondeau trip report Every Spring birds and birders migrate to the shores of Lake Erie to see and participate in a natural phenomenon, Spring Migration.  Birds are always moving around, but in March songbirds, shorebirds, raptors, gulls, waterfowl move from their wintering grounds, southern states for short distance migrants, South and Central America for the long distance migrants.   I have often wondered why the south shores of Lake Erie are a magnet for migrating birds, I asked Google and this is what she said. "Lake Erie's coast is a premier stopover for migrating birds because it acts as a massive geographic bottleneck and a safe refueling station.  Millions of birds pause here each spring and fall to rest, feed and wait for favourable weather before continuing their journey. The "Wall of Water' effect has an impact.  For tiny songbirds migrating northward across the continent, Lake Erie present...
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One Day in May

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  trip report For me, every day is a day to celebrate birds and the more than human world.  The powers that be (Cornell) have nominated May 9 to be Global Big Day or World Migratory Bird  Day ( every May and October) and I try to do a Big Day on those 2 days annually.   Sightings maps in VC, updated in real time Jean at the Tip Today I thought I'd go to Point Pelee National Park, a place that is known for migratory birds and unique ecosystems.  The tip is the southernmost point in Canada, and birds will stop on their way to and from their breeding grounds.  This time of year is also the Birding Festival and so I was excited to meet like minded people and seeing old friends.   The drive in (I left at 4:30 am) was extremely foggy and though the forecast was better than the Tuesday previous where I was registered for a Bird walk that showed 100% chance of rain, so I birded closer to home, the start of the day did not look promising.  I was ...
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Dogspotting 10

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 As I am enjoying the birds, I still enjoy seeing the dogs just as much (and chatting with their people!)  Here are some puppers that I have met over the past few months. Vera is a very sweet golden retriever rescued from Cairo and who loves people!  Bonnie is her gal pal and has had many litters of puppies before she was rescued by this lovely lady. A sweet pup living his best life catching a stick in Lake Huron Bella a gorgeous Husky with bicoloured eyes! Gorgeous Bernese Mountain Dog crossed with a Poodle, cool looking dog! These 2 gorgeous  puppers were a pair that I met but I forgot to write down their names! Marley, a gorgeous Mastiff/Pyrenees mix. This awesome good boy, Nova Scotia duck tolling retriever, going for a car ride after a good walk I hope you enjoy these canine characters as much as I do!  From mixed breeds to pedigree, they are all awesome!
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The Rhythm of Spring

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 We are fully into spring and the awakening of the earth.  The birds feel the pull northward to their breeding grounds and the earth is warming up enough for ephemeral shoots to emerge.  I have been enjoying it so much, even amid the cold damp weather that I forgot to write a post for my blog's 1st anniversary.  It has come and gone, but no matter, I tend to write when I feel like it and that is fine by me.   Today I was thinking about the way that the migrating birds come in waves.  The vanguards of this push are the American Robins and Red Winged Blackbirds, for me they indicate that winter is waning and spring is on its way.  Turkey Vultures are next as they gracefully soar above us in numbers.                                                Northern Flicker American Coot                 ...
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