Rick and Kelly Stronks have been conducting our bird counts for years and will lead us in recording species of birds at the Marsh's Falls Nature Reserve during the spring migration.  Join us on Saturday May 18, 8:00am - noon at the Marsh's Falls Nature Reserve. 

Please email registration@lakeofbaysheritage.ca if you plan to participate or have any questions.

Participants are encouraged to bring rubber boots, cameras, binoculars (a few extras will be available to borrow) and a sense of adventure.  No experience required. 

The purpose of the count is to document all birds present and especially any bird species potentially breeding on the property.  The month of May is when many male birds, primarily through song, are trying to establish territories to attract females.  The count involves walking much of the property while watching, listening and documenting all species.  The data will be tabulated and submitted to eBird, a citizen science website used throughout the world to track birds.

Photo above Red-eyed Vireo by Warren Dunlop

Who is Dr. Cathy Charles

Our annual spring bird count now carries the name of Dr. Cathy Charles. Cathy enjoyed a long career as a Professor in the Department of Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics at McMaster University. She was also a lifelong cottager on Kerrimuir Road. Unfortunately, she died in November 2015. Her love of Lake of Bays was expressed in her will: she left the Foundation a very generous bequest. It was indeed the first bequest of several that the Foundation has since received. To recognize these generous donors, the Foundation has established the Legacy Circle. In Cathy’s instance, the Foundation also decided to name the spring bird count in her memory to honour her love of nature.