THUNDER BAY — If you’re never too old to experience the thrill of spotting a great grey owl in the dead of winter, you’re probably never too young, either.
That’s part of the thinking behind the Lakehead Region Conservation Area’s first-ever winter bird count, specifically for youthful enthusiasts who may literally follow in their parent’s footsteps — possibly on snowshoes.
“It’s a great way to engage the next generation of birders,” LRCA education coordinator Rachael Zacharias Bezanson said on Tuesday.
The Jan. 27 Thunder Bay Christmas Bird Count 4 Kids event at the Wishart Conservation Area is aimed at participants eight years and older.
Sightings will be collected the old-fashioned way, on paper, or by mobile app, Zacharias Bezanson said.
The data will be forwarded to Bird Studies Canada, a national research organization that records sightings and other ornithological information. Other youth groups have previously collected data for the agency, located on Lake Erie’s north shore.
The main annual Christmas bird count held last month is a North American-wide event that records sightings for Bird Studies Canada as well as the U.S. National Audubon Society headquartered in New York City.
One advantage of bird watching in winter is that species hardy enough to withstand the cold can be easier to spot because there’s no leaves on the trees.
In addition to owls, Zacharias Bezanson said she hopes to see various woodpeckers and winter finches “that are so colourful.” Spotting a snowy owl would be a special treat, she added.
The Jan. 27 event is set to take place between 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. There is no cost, and free hot chocolate will be available. Organizers suggest bringing a mug.
Wishart Conservation Area is a 20-minute drive from Thunder Bay, just off Onion Lake Road on the left-hand side when heading north. The parking lot is plowed.
More information about the youth bird count can be obtained by email: [email protected].
The Chronicle Journal / Local Journalism Initiative
