The Huron Fringe Birding Festival came to a conclusion on the weekend under sunny and warm weather. The birds were also very cooperative as they dazzled all with their territorial songs and fleeting glimpses. Some even put on a show and posed for camera buffs. Pine warblers were seen all over the park, along with other resident warblers such as the American Redstart our signature bird, on our logo and all printed matter. A total of 26 warblers were seen, the usual number for the festival. Vireos, and sparrows were in abundance as well. Black-billed Cuckoo's were seen and heard calling all week, probably because of the increase in population of Eastern Tent Caterpillars. Yellow-throated Vireos, three seen on the last day, Sunday on a hike with Michael Runtz, an unusual bird for the park. A couple of firsts for the festival were the Marbled Godwit seen all week at various times on Mirimichi Bay and Horseshoe Bay, and a Dikcissel observed by folks on a hike with Michael Carlson, on Dyers Bay Rd. just east of the intersection of Crane Lake Rd. Thanks to Mike Cranford and the ONTBIRDS network for letting us post sightings for the month of May and through the festival.
Yours in birding Mike Pickup ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ The 10th Annual Festival will start the weekend after the May 24th long weekend. Look for details starting in late January 2007 for the program and the dates.
