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'. = 14 -- Beugog Citizen -- Tuesday, March 15, 1994 pA Ve Time to look forward to return of the Robins nature's corner ken carmichael This has been a very cold and snowy winter, giving all of us reasons, at this time of year to begin thinking of spring. Perhaps the severity of winter has brought some new species of birds to our area from the north. The first birds we see as we drive along the reads are the large flocks of Snow Buntings. This sparrow sized bird, in its brown and white winter plumage is certainly along way from its summer home. I photographed this bird in its beautiful black and white summer plumage at Cambridge Bay in the North West Territories. When you see flocks of Snow Buntings check the flock carefully. You may be rewarded by sighting the Horned Larks, Lapland Longspurs Which nest in the Artic Tundra. Another bird, which also can be seen in flocks, is the Common Redpole. These Goldfinch-sized birds have a red head and rose coloured breast with a black patch under their bill. They have been eating me out of house and home for about three weeks. Check these birds over very closely as you may be watching a Hoary Red Poll in with the flock. The Hoary Red Poll has a very distinctive white rump. The summer home for these birds is right where the tree line ends. | have photographed them at Churchill "Manitoba and at Inuvik in the North West Territories. It seems that these northern friends like to travel in flocks, the most spectacular of these being the Pine Gresbeak. The mature male bird of this species has a bright red head and chest, two white wing bars, and a red rump. The females are olive green in colour, with two white wing bars and an olive green rump. They appear to be very tame, preferring fruit to other foods. I have seen this bird on summer breeding grounds at Winish Ontario and at Churchill Manitoba. It is interesting to note that the winter movements of these birds is irregular so that it may be abundant in one area one winter but absent the next. The addition of these northern species along with the usual Gold Finch, Purple Finch, House Finch, and Evening Grosbeak have made bird watching a pleasure this winter."Where have these birds been seen"? You may ask. Dave Deitlein on Wilson Ave. has been feeding a large flock of Snow Buntings for quite a few weeks. Red Polls, | think are at many feeders. | know I have them and most people I talk to have them too. The Almacks reported Pine Janets Aaa Deerges Top yielding alfalfa, superior feed value. Here's iow DK122 compared with other r leading alfalfa varieties: T Neutra Detergent | NO! sed Vae | Avg b + --t - + -- -- LAR SL Crownll | 226 65 MIPTE [6 [2] 8920 MF 242 32 s02 | 14 120 | | Legend 223 38 | 508 | 109 116 | Strathmere Talk to me today about DK122 and DEKALB'S other Alfalfa varieties Don't forget about DEKALB DAYS March 21st to 25th WRIGHT'S FEEDS 'n NEEDS 3490 Hwy #7A BLACKSTOCK 986-4201 a Relative RFV | 112 ALL WLLL 13 18 | year stand Grosbeaks on Church St. and | saw quite a large flock in the Park on Scugog Island. We also have large flocks of Cedar Waxwings feeding on Buckthorn berries all over the Township. Check these flocks closely. You may find a Bohemian Waxing in the flock. Look for a bird, a little larger than the Cedar Waxing with rusty coloured Crissum. Mel Milne reports fourteen Cardinals at his feeders on the Old Scugog Road. This must be a spectacular site. I guess it is safe to start thinking spring. The Gray Jays are nesting in Algonquin Park. | photographed this bird in the Park feeding young early in March. - The Ravens will be carrying sticks to rebuild their nests on the rocky cliffs of Algonquin Park, and in a few weeks will be incubating their eggs. Here in Southern Ontario the Great Horned Owls will be hooting in the Woodlots. The females will be looking for a deserted hawk or Crow Nest in which to deposit their two white eggs. My earliest record for this bird nesting was Feb. 14,1880 in Agincourt Ontario. I guess the first real sign of spring for most of us is the return of the Red-Winged Black Birds which should take place in about the two weeks. I know that each time I drive across the causeway I will be looking for them perched on the cattails singing their spring song O-Kay-Lay. The male blackbirds always arrive two or three weeks before the females. By the middle of March we should see the first Robins, the official harbinger of Spring to most people. So, hang in there, enjoying the merthern friends, and in a short time some of our spring friends will return so that we can say good buy to winter . On April 16,1994 St. John's Anglican Church Blackstock will be holding a silent auction. I will be giving a talk on birds of the Arctic Summer. I am looking forward to this event as the arctic is my favourite spot for photography. Carol and Bob Parker, Frank and Marg na gen mea. Son ary boon. 50's and 60's, great music, great clothes, and greet times. See story below. Do you like 50's and 60's music? Circle June 4th June 4 may seem. like a long way away, but you might want to circle that date on your calendar, especially if you love those all-time favourite tunes from the 50's and 60's. The Port Perry Rotary Club will be holding an "Oldies Dance" at the Scugog Arena on June 4 and the Club is going to great length to create an atmosphere that will take you back down memory lane. Erin Davis, the popular morning DJ on CHFI FM98 will be there to spin the music. Classic autos (lots of fins and chrome and great colours) from the Cruisin' Classic Car Club will be on display at the Arena, and there will be lots of contests for the most best dressed guy and girl in 50's styles, biker costumes and so on. Hairdressers will be there to help you capture that perfect "greaser" look, and you'll be able to have your photo take in front Pasture Season is Coming ... This year use GALLAGHER PoweR FENCING M120 for 5 «10 acres, up to the M1500 for 300 acres plus. B250 Car Battery powered for the ranch. Other models in between to suit your needs. ELECTRIC FENCING MATERIAL, WIRE, INSULATORS, etc. Fast, reliable repairs to Hydro and Battery Fencers. WALTER WRIGHT. Blackstock (905) 986-4818 Complete Seed Suppli & Servi RR®, Blackstock 90) 986-4331 FOR DEPENDABLE SERVICE SINCE 1947 [11 /AIN SEED! of your favourite classic car. If you grew up in the 50's and 60's what a great way to re-live some very special memories. If you were too young to remember, well, let your imagination go and take a trip back in time. Rotary president Allan Bertrand said tickets at $20 each are going on sale this month at Irwin Smith Music, Port Perry IGA, or from any member of the Port Perry Rotary Club. For info, call 985-9777, and don't forget to circle June 4. Prices quoted at market closing Monday. Board Prices includes basis price. $/ $/ Metric Bushel Tonne Con Old 3.62 Corn New 3.26 Soys Old 8.80 Soys New 8.21 Canola Old © 384.90 Canola New 338.40 Prices supplied courtesy of W.G. THOMPSON & SONS LIMITED Hwy. TA & 35, R1 Bethany 142.50 128.33 323.33 301.65