WHITBY FREE PRESS, WEDNESDAY, MAY 25, 1988, PAGE 11 It's only in the last two years that I have seriously taken up "birding." ("bird watching" is now passe, I'm told by those in the know). Up until the last couple of years my efforts have been in planting trees, shrubs and flowers that were known to attract -different species of birds. This worked well and I was content to watch from the kitchen window or in the backyard. I don't quite know what happened, but last year for the first time I wasn't content to stay home and watch birds. The Mr. has watched birds all his life. True, in his teenage years they didn't have feathers. But being an avid outdoorsman he has always known more about animals and birds than me. He can identify birds by their song, even if 'he never sights them. It wasn't difficult to convince him to accompany me on a tip to Point Pelee. (For those of you who may not know, Point Pelee, near Leamington, is the southernmost tip of Canada, reaching into Lake Erie, and it is through this area that thousands of exhausted birds migrate from points south on their way north during the month of May). Planning a trip to Point Pelee is like planning a trip to the Shaw Festival in Niagara-on-the-Lake. If you want to stay overnight somewhere more comfortable than your car, you better reserve a room a year in advance.. This we were told by veteran birders. rm sure it's the truth, but both this year and last, we were able to get "the last room we have." Apparently some birders are not punctual, and motels in the area will not hold rooms past 6 p.m. After that, they'll give them to the next frantic birder they see, which just happened to be us. The birding was great. I sighted indigo buntings, scarlet tanagers, dozens of warblers and many more birds I had never seen before. More interesting than the birds though, were the birders. It's easy tospot a cyclist. They wear shiny skin tight suits and a squat helmet. A jogger has a walkman on his head and rarely removes it, his shoes cost more SEEMS TO ME... by Veronica Colangelo Birding with Pierre than anything else he owns, and every now and then you'll see them checking pulse points. Tennis players have that clean cut, but sweaty, look and usually are moaning about something called tennis elbow. What does the fashionable birder wear? I hadn't given this much thought before. i now realize that like all other sports, this, too, is one in which a dress code is in effect. The hat. The hat is important. You definitely must have one. I saw literally hundreds of birders on the weekend and everyone wore a hat, that is, everyone except my companion, who insisted he didn't need one. I just hoped everyone was too busy looking skyward to realize he was with me. - There were all sorts of hats, baseball hats, straw hats, hats at least 25 years old, obviously dearly loved, but their original style by now undetectable. The most recognizable hat of all was the "Tiley," a hat that costs about $39 and a clue that you are dealing with a yuppie --between 35 and 45 with lots of money and time. The hat comes with all sorts of guarantees, that's why it's called an endurable. It will last forever as well as float if the need arises. There were a lot of yuppie type people birding on the weekend. No, I do not own a Tilley bat. My little number is i Fair homecraft entries wanted By VERONICA COLANGELO One of the most popular attractions at the Brooklin Spring Fair each year is the homecraft displays and competitions held in the Luther Vipond Arena. But organizer Maureen Jackson says she has so far received only a few entry forms for this year's homecraft show. Last year more than 50 had already been received by this time. Jackson explains that "a threat of a postal strike could well have been the reason people were mailing them in ahead of time last year." On Saturday, May 28 and Monday, May 30 between 2 and 5 p.m., entry forms for the homecraft section will be taken at the Mason's Hall across from the Brooklin United Churèh. (This is a change in location from the Brooklin United Church). All exhibitors (except seniors and juniors) will be - charged a membership fee of $4 to accompany each entry. No exhibits will be entered after these dates. Entries are to be placed in the arena on Friday, June 3 between Bike rodeo On Saturday, May 28 at 1 p.m. at the Luther Vipond arena in Brooklin, the Optimist Club of Brooklin will host a bike rodeo for all children 5 to 14. There is no charge to participate and there will be plenty of prizes for different age groups for bike skills, plus special draws. All participants will receive something. The event will be held.rain or shine. For more information contact Connie Koster at 655-3137. 'Bike Back' On Saturday, May 28, the Optimist Club of Brooklin will host a "Bike Back " registration clinic in cooperation ' with Durham Regional Police. All bikes will be registered into a central computer system to aid police in the return of lost or stolen bikes. This program is open to everyone at no charge. Registration will begin at 9 a.m. at Luther vipond arena in Brooklin, rain or shine. For further infdrmation contact Connie Koster at 655-3137. the hours of 2 and 5 p.m. There is a wide variety of categories to enter. Some of the main ones are quilts and afghans, knitting and crocheting, sewing, hooking and weaving and household items and crafts which include such things as decoupage, candlewicking, needlepoint and various other craft items. There are special categories for seniors (those over age 65) and also a junior craft section. The domestic science category is the baking section. Bread, pies, muffins buns, preserves and more are included in the different classes. There is also a junior domestic science class which is for those 16 and under. As well as the homecraft section, there is a "floraculture" section which includes classes for a wide variety of houseplants, garden plants and decorative arrangements. ALL STEEL BUILDINGS CANCELLED ORDERS (only a few left) Example: 40' x 60' x 16' complete -list price $29,510 -your price $22,383 "YOU SAVE $7,127" CALL: 1-800-267-9432 HURRY! THE SAVINGS WON'T LAST 1 100 per cent cotton, dark beige in color, and sits on my head just r ght. It cost $5.90 plus tax and was bought in good old downtown Whitby at the Outdoor Store. If I lose it, which I will, Ill get another and I won't be upset by the price. Anything that costs $39 for your head should come with a lock and key. The real veteran birders tended to be in their oldest and most comfortable attire. From their sweaters to their serviceable pants, I would say that the lack of style and attention to current fashion was obvious. I fit right in here. My sweatshirt and corduroy jeans were timeless. They were old alright, no one could tell just exactly how old. The footwear of choice seemed to be running shoes. Everything from "Biway" specials to the fancy jogging varieties (worn with a Tiley hat of course). There were a few pair of real hiking boots, but birding isn't anything like hiking. You simply don't move that fast. Usually all heads are turned skyward, revealing an unusual variety of chin shapes. The pace is slow, and at times it's stop while you wait for a bird to reveal itself. As a matter of fact, the only time a birder actually moves with haste is if a soundless signal is given, an arm thrust upward, a finger pointed excitedly and 30 or 40 perfectly normal humans racing through the forest in search of that rare bird. Those at the back of the pack have no idea what they are looking for, nor do they care, because someone up at the front knows what's going on and whatever it is, it's sure to be worth the dash. The one piece of clothing I spied that I would like, was on the back of Pierre Berton (yes, the author, television personality etc.) This was a vest with great big pockets with lots of room for bird identification books and just about anything else one might fancy. I wondered what he kept in his pockets, but didn't have the nerve to ask. Actually he didn't even look in my direction. It is comforting, though, to know that birding is for everyone, not just ordinary people like me but those of celebrity status. mua :i= _ .. , - ----j