Odds were slim Sarnia’s official bird would turn up during Saturday’s Christmas Bird Count at Canatara Park.
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It was the fifth year the bird count organized at the Sarnia park by the Young Naturalists program of Lambton Wildlife saw volunteers lead groups of youngsters on a hike to spot and identify as many birds as they could.
Following an online poll, the group Bird Friendly Sarnia declared the red-headed woodpecker the city’s official bird as a step in a process that led to the community earning designation by Nature Canada as a bird friendly city.
“I know there was one reported up in the Pinery (Provincial Park) over Christmas, but they should be somewhere else right now,” John Cooke, chairperson of Bird Friendly Sarnia, said as Saturday’s count was set to begin.
Christmas Bird Counts are said to be North America’s longest-running wildlife census, dating back to 1900. The information gathered by volunteers around the continent is collected to help scientists monitor the health of birds and develop conservation strategies, according to the Ontario Nature group.
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“I think it’s a good way to get kids initiated into nature,” Cooke said.
“We love ours at kids (ages) six through 12,” said Anne Goulden, an organizer with the Sarnia count which had 34 youngsters registered this year.
Groups of youngsters were matched up with a volunteer guide at the start of Saturday’s event.
“They go around for an hour and see what they see in the different areas of Canatara,” Goulden said.
“It’s going to be cold today so we’re maybe going to do it a little quicker than we normally do,” she said.
The temperature in Sarnia was –6 C Saturday morning.
Last year, the Sarnia count recorded 270 birds and 19 species.
“One year we had a big number because we had 500 ducks out in the lake,” Goulden said.
Local results for the count are sent to Birds Canada each year, she said.
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There was a snack at the end of Saturday’s count and young bird counters went home with a “grab bag” that included a kit to make a birdfeeder from a pinecone on a string covered in peanut butter or bacon and rolled in seeds.
There was also a button pin with an image of a northern cardinal.
“Each year is a different bird button” made for the group by Sarah Rupert, a Sarnia native who works at Point Pelee National Park, Goulden said.
The local Young Naturalists program has been offered in Sarnia by Lambton Wildlife for many years, said Mike Kent, one of its leaders who volunteered at Saturday’s bird count.
It’s a free program for kids ages six to 12 with monthly activities at locations around Lambton County.
“The goal, really, is just to get them outside exploring the natural world and exploring nature,” Kent said.
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Activities are planned around the themes, such as birds and insects, and include a popular night hike exploring moths, bats and owls.
“I love the Lambton (County) Heritage Forest,” Kent said about one of his favorite local nature areas.
The 327-hectare site which features public trails is located in Port Franks and is owned by Lambton County and managed by the St. Clair Region Conservation Authority.
“We run a fungi event there every year,” Kent said. “It’s great for fungi. It’s got big trees. It’s got cool birds. . . it’s neat to have that close by.”
Information about the Young Naturalist program can be found online at lambtonwildlife.com.
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