The first weekend of the festival has come to and end and we are looking forward to the next starting on Thursday, 1st June to the 4th June. Festival participants had great weather and all events were well attended. Total number of species for the first weekend was a whopping total of 166 accounted for. The 26 species of warblers is a great count for the festival among which is a Connecticut Warbler seen on Sunday during one of the hikes, along the road that leads to the Visitor Centre, just before the parking lot. Blue-winged and Golden- winged were bothe seen and heard along the Bruce Sauggeen Townline, the southern boundary of the park. Other warbkers of note are Pine, a late Cape May, numbers of Blackpoll, Tenneessee, Nashville, Northern Parula, Yellow, Chestnut-sided, Magnolia, Black-throated Blue, Yellow-rumped, Blackburnian, Black-throated Green, Bay-breasted, Black and white, Mourning, Wilson's and Canada. The common nesters, Ovenbird, Northern Waterthrush, Common Yellowthroat and American Redstart were singing vociferously. Other birds of note were a singing Yellow-throated Vireo, Black-billed Cuckoo and Red Headed Woodpeccker, all seen in the area of The Campers Beach washrooms. A grand total of 10 Sparrows were recorded as well, AMerican Tree, Chipping, Clay-colored, Field, Savanah, Grasshopper, Song, Swamp, White-throated and White-crowned. A Marblrd Godwit seen on Horseshoe Bay this morning is a first for the 9 years of the festival. Warblers were seen both in Kincardine and MacGregor Park, sparrows were seen on the J/I rd. and the Bruce/ Saugeen Townline
Mike Pickup Chair, Huron Fringe Birding Festival The 9th Annual HFBF runs from 26th - 29th May and 1st - 4th June 2006 Please check Friends website in January 2006 for more info. www.friendsofmacgregor.org Directions To reach MacGregor Point Provincial Park. From Hwy #21 south of Port Elgin, turn west on 4th Conc. Saugeen and follow the signs to the Park. To reach the Kincardine Lagoons. From Hwy #21 south of Kincardine, turn west on Saratoga Rd. and follow the dirt road to a parking area at the Rail Trail. The lagoons and trail are on the your right. The Bruce/Saugeen Townline which is the southern boundary of MacGregor Point Park runs west from the hamlet of North Bruce on Hwy. #21 to the shore of Lake Huron. DU pond is approx. 5 km west of North Bruce on a gravel road which has a no exit sign at the east end. The J/I sideroad is a gravel road running north and south one conc. west of Hwy. #21 from the Bruce/Saugeen townline and ends in the village of Tiverton. The 12th Conc. Bruce, is the first intesection south of the townline. Mirimichi Bay is west of Hwy #21 on 10th Conc. Saugeen north of Port Elgin. Travel west approx. 2 km and turn right (north), the first intesection and Mirimichi Bay and Horseshoe Bay are on your left as you travel along Lake Huron towards Southampton, Chantry Island can been seen of shore. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ++++ The HURON FRINGE BIRDING FESTIVAL takes place every year at MacGregor Point Provincial Park. This year the 9th Annual Festival takes place MAY 26 TO JUNE 4. There are over 80 events and over 40 top notch leaders. The migration corridor along the shore of Lake Huron known as "The Huron Fringe", extending from Kincardine to Tobermory on the Bruce Peninsula is the area we cover. Our birding hikes, presentations and workshops are lead by very competent birders and naturalists from all Ontario and Michigan. All birders and naturalists from the beginner to the more advanced will find something to pique their interests. To find out more about our program and down load a registration form, visit the Friends of MacGregor Point web site. "Last Chance for this year" Spaces are still available. Sign up at the Park. http://www.friendsofmacgregor.org (Click on "Birding Festival" and then on "Events") for accommodation in Saugeen Shores visit http://www.sunsets.com
