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10 - Orono Weekly Times Wednesday, November 18, 2009 PARADE Continued from front page Birds of a Feather Birding by Markus Lise Large wading birds This week, I want to share about some of the large wading birds who are migrating. The other day, I heard a couple of Sandhill Cranes calling and flying over the Bowmanville Marsh like a set of newlyweds. Husband and wife, they were on their way back from the tundra where they nested and hopefully raised a new family. Last fall I witnessed them calling and flying over the Marsh. I am not totally sure that they were the same couple, but we'll leave that up to everyone's imagination. The crane can fly so low that its wingtips brush the grasses and aquatic plants as it passes over. Yet it can also fly so high it can't be seen from the ground. It also owns one of the world's mightiest windpipes -- a five-foot-long tube that produces its distinctive call. Before 19th Century hunters began their devastation, the deep, organ-like tones of a t h o u s a n d Sandhill/Whooping Cranes passing overhead were compared to the noise of some great army on the march. By 1941, the year before I was born, the total Whooping Crane population had fallen to just 11 birds, and many experts already considered them extinct. But rescue efforts have fostered at least a modest recovery, and continuing success would be especially welcome to anyone who has ever witnessed the Whooping Crane's highspirited mating dance. Typically, one crane will begin dancing, and before long others join in, often to impress prospective mates but sometimes apparently just for the joy of being alive and of being a crane. There is something very carefree and liberating about the dance. In the state of Wisconsin, there is a program (originated in conjunction with Port Perry's Bill Lishman) where they train newly-hatched cranes to fly south like the geese in the movie, Fly Away Home. A couple of ultra-lite planes are used as surrogate parents in training the young birds. This year's fledglings are in their fifth week and have had to postpone their flights a few times because of the wind. You can follow their route down to Florida on the computer. Just google Whooping Cranes Migration and click on videos. If you have any bird stories or questions to share, please phone 905-987-9889 or e-mail at lise.markus @gmail.com Markus Lise lives in Newcastle. He is a retired minister who now spends his time as a "minister of Nature." sold the idea of additional fees to the Newcastle BIA in advance of October's Fall Festival. "Because of the economic conditions, we have to stand up and pay for this," Robinson said he told the BIA. "Everybody helped, and everybody was happy," he told councillors. According to Robinson, the Newcastle Santa Claus Parade Committee never approached the Newcastle BIA for financial assistance to help pay the road closure invoice from the municipality. "If the request came forward, they (the BIA) would assist them with finances for the road closure," he told councillors. According to Robinson, council cannot turn around and waive the fees for the upcoming events due to the late notice, because the Newcastle BIA was also hit with late notice of fees for their Fall Festival. "We have to stand strong and stand unit- ed," he said. "We made a decision and we have to stand by it." Council voted to refer the issue back to staff for a further report. This decision was supported by all members of council except for Councillors Trim and Robinson. Mayor Jim Abernethy spoke in favour of waiving the fees for both Santa Claus Parades. "I think we should support the Santa Claus Parades," he said. "It is not a commercial operation as some of the other events we have in downtowns and communities," Abernethy stated. In hindsight, the decision to eliminate the overtime to save $5,000 was hastily made, according to the Mayor. Advertise in the ORONO WEEKLY TIMES 905-983-5301 oronotimes@rogers.com Donations always appreciated at the C l a r i ng t o n E a s t F o o d B a n k 905-987-1418 LOCAL FARM FRESH PRODUCE EGGS Egg-Shack, 4240 Conc.#4, Orono, 905-786-EGGS FRUITS & VEGETABLES Fred's Fruit Market, 4303 Hwy #115, Orono, 905-983-5628. See ad pg.11 Tax Farm, Regional Rd. 42, Orono, 905-983-6105. Locally grown potatoes, sweet corn & canteloupe in season Sikma Orchards, Hwy. 2, 5 km East of Newcastle, 905-7862153. Strawberries & Apples in season Link Greenhouses, 3990 Bragg Rd., Orono, 905-983-9003 Hydroponic Tomatoes, Cucumbers, Sweet Corn. Strickland Perennial Farm, 5467 Middle Rd. Bowmanville. Potatoes, Tomatoes, Carrots, Peas & Beans, Garlic, Swiss Chard, Pears & Perennials H. 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