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Orono Weekly Times, Wednesday, December 12, 1 990-3 Ever doser It has been a desire this year that I should sight a flock of wild turkeys and to this end considerable tramping around has resulted - but to no avail. We are however getting a little doser. Hours have been spent north of Pontypool and in the other sites north of this Village. Many visits have been made to a turkey release area and sanctuary but even during last winter with light snowfalls we could flot even fmnd any foot marks to get the adrenalin flowing. Sitting on the hill tops looking into the valleys had no resuits as far as turkeys were concemed. On one occasion on the sunny side of a pine plantation and sitting against a pine tree we were startled as was a doe and fawn as they passed within eight feet of us. They soon vanished with the doe giving out loud wamings to her offspring. As much as we enjoyed the encounter it wasn't turkeys. 1Things havent changed that much but finally we have been niadeaware that turkeys do exist for on Sunday Bill Bunting and 1 didrninto ahost offoot marks. If only we had been there when they were made in the snow, a snow cover that badl ot been disturbed by any man or creature with the exception of the turkeys . The site is rather a picturesque site being a slightly downhill bush road bordered on both sides with Red Pines. It would have been a sight to see that flock (we estirnate) of twenty-five turkeys. (It was easy to count the foot marks in the snow). I view the turkey as a majestic bird as well as large and colourful. To say the least tise.bird is also evasive and one is flot going -to wallc Up to a flock for viewing. --The subject did corne up as to what the birds might be eating. So we did take off to follw the tracks to see just what that might be. Although they passed by Wintergreen shrubs the red bernies were not on the menu. Further down tise trail we did make a fmnd for some of the birds had entered into wild grape vines and the seeds had been stniped from the vines Up to a certain height. At thse samee Urne we camne across the lracks of a Ruffed Grouse and it was most apparant that this bird had been eating tihe seeds from a nuniber of Burgamot wild flowers. Although we are no dloser to an actual sighting of thse turkey it was an interesting outing. A word for AI Kerr 1 cannot hielp it if you are mixed Up on how we feed the birds, but 1 wili go over it once more. Use one hanging bird feeder (the cylinder type) in which you place only sunflower seeds. This will attract the Goid Finch, chickadees, Pine Siskin, Blue Jays. Using this method there is little waste as when using the commercial mixes of which a lot of seeds are wasted when the birds flip it out to get at their desired sunflower seeds. For the ground feeders such as sparrows, Jays, Doves, Juncos, possibly Cardinals a sprinkling of chicken scratch.(a mix of 60% cracked com, wheat and barley or oats) thrown on the ground, a cieared patch in thse snow. The ingredients are reasonably priced and readily available. AI there is nothing wrong with leaving your present feeder in place and filling it with the scratch. Sorry about your lawn I'11 be over in the spring with shovel and rake. From A round Region A new bookc on area nistory, "The Rickards of Shaw's" was unveiled on Sunday at the home of Gamet and Annabelle Rickard. Taking front and centre was Marion Farr, writer and her husband Fred, editor, of Thornhill. Marion is a sister of Garnet Rickard. There was plenty of interest i the unveiling of the book which is a history of the Rickard family beginning with their origins in England. The book also deals with many of the old farnijîjes at, Shaws, with a section on the school and area especially in the era of the 1920s. Books are available by contacting the Rickards. Reject road plan running north of City The City of Oshawa has opposed an east-wide road running north of Taunton Road. The road has been backed by the Region but Oshawa States it rUns through a number of water resource areas. It was noted that the proposed 407 will also run east-west miles forth of the other proposai. Bhigo Hall closes in Cobourg One of two bingo MalS in Cobourg suddenly closed recently leaving some 17 charities and ser- vice groups from across Nor- thumberland County affected. The remaining Cobourg Bingo Country operation is expected to pick-up some of those who have lost out with the fund-raising ef- forts with the closing of the Bingo Centre. Residents take pity on sheltered cats Adoption of cats from the Oshawa and District Humane Society shelter has been on the in- crease of late leaving some vacancy of cages at the shelter. The Oshawa councîl passed a resolution lately that dogs and cats at the shelter must flot be sold for medical research purposes. As a result the shelter was overcrowded with animaIs. Oshawa to undertake $200,000 harbour study Oshawa council has approved a further study of the Oshawa bar- bour whi ch also include theSecond Marsh. The, study is to cost $200,000. In the past, 1984, the Harbour commission completed a $ 100,000 port study and more recently some $95,000 on two further studies. Committee approves $1.35 million upgrading The finance committee of the Region of Durham has given their stamp of approval to a fflan to un- date police communication systemns The updated system gives im- mediate information stored at na- tional, provincial and local data base. It has been stated that the new - system will be needed with the in- troduction of the 911 caîl program to be in place May 1, 1991. Road death s down in Durham Region Road deaths in Durham Region for the first nine months of 1990 are down to a number of 19 people comparing with 33 in the saine period for 1989. The number of drunk driving charges have risen by 25 percent in the saine period. The overall crime rate is up 12 percent while offenses against police officers have increas- ed by 38 percent. Drug charges have increased by 24 percent. Grou backs out of opening Capital Theatre Group intending to reopen the Capital Theatre in Port Hope has backed out of the deal. The Capital Theatre was closed in 1987 being one of only three-in al of Canada that can boost being a atmosphefic thïèàlre. The theatre opened with much- ado in 1930. CAS flot about to reinstate student liaison programn The Childrehis' Aid Society is flot about to reinstate the Student Liaison program it had operated in the western area -of the Nor- thumberland and Newcastle Board of Education area. Requests from the board and in-, divuduals have flot been sufficient to have the programn be brought back to the schools. Hope ready with a plan for recycling Hope Township has devised a plan to operate a recycling program costing annually $20,400 and with a capital cost tag of $27,000. The- plan -involves shreddîng newspapers for animal bedding 'as well as the collection of glass and cans. Building acti*ity slow in Northumberland Construction in Port Hope has dropped to $7 miîlion to the end of October comparing with $10 million for the same period in 1989. Hope Township drops to $5.4 million comparing with. $17 million in 1989. Cobourg drops to $40.3 million comparing with $57.9 million. Sale starts Wednesday, Dec,. 12 to Sunday, December 16 Corne in and apply, for our new Durham Building Supply "GOLO CARDI" A FREE $25.00 Gift Certif icate on the approval of your new account Durham Building Supplies 'F.,rAU Your Building ed' 164 Baseline Road, Bowmanville 623-6341. From A rond Hom BUILDING- SIUPPLIES EHOMECARE OPEN SUNDAYS 11:ýe00 -~ 4:0 Cottage Grade Pine V-Joint Pkg. Panelling s,5.99 ÉBndl' Ri 2 East Strip Insulation $8.95 2x4x8 Economy Studs $1.05 iiïiý