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Wednesday, March 10, 2010 Orono Weekly Times - 9 Birds of a Feather Birding by Markus Lise Catching another Trumpeter Swan Yes, as I mentioned in last week's column I befriended two Trumpeter Swans at the Port of Newcastle. I picked up some more stale bread from IGA and was very successful in enticing the swans. The ice and snow conditions on the shore line were treacherous. When Harry Lumsden, the ornithologist arrived with his buckets of feed and tools necessary to tag and band birds we decided to move over a little further to the east where there was some beach area. The ornithologist was wearing hip waders and anti slip devises so he would not slip on the ice. We both held out our hands filled with buns and bread and sure enough with the hand of experience Harry was able to get a firm grip with his gloved hand and pulled the swan out of the water, layed her on her back on the beach where it was dry and proceeded with attaching a band on the one Are you in an abusive relationship? Call leg and a yellow tag on the right wing. It was a very smooth procedure. We let the newly tagged swan out of our control and she opened her wings wide and ran off the beach on to the water several meters trumpeting loudly and scattering all the other Canada Geese and swans further away from the beach. Of course we scared off the other swans and will have to wait a while before he comes back. We will then lure them again and try to catch the male partner. It is always a lot of fun to be involved with birds. Lately there has been a request for organizing a group to learn more about birds. If you are interested in joining a group like that please contact myself. It will be an educational group that explains many aspects of bird watching. Bethesda House 905-623-6050 or 1-800-338-3397 March is Red Cross Month! Find out how you can help save lifes, visit www.redcross.ca