Bird Songs in Your Backyard

If you’re already interested in bird identification and have always wanted to know more about identifying birds by their songs, then this series of 1-hour Zoom calls should provide you with a good introduction to the subject. We will concentrate on the commonest species singing during each week, a few at a time, so nobody is overwhelmed with information. The pace should be slow enough for all of us to have fun while learning.

To register for this event complete this form.

Location: ZOOM
Dates: Five Tuesday evenings May 4, 11, 18, 25 and June 1
Time: 7:00 to 8:00 p.m.
Leader: Ken Allison

COVID strikes again!

Sad to say the new lockdown announced last week means MVFN will once again have to cancel our Early Morning Bird Walks.

However, spring migration is still underway and everyone is encouraged to go out on these dates and see what you can find around your own place. And, you don’t even have to get out of bed. Just go to sleep with the window open and take note of all the birds you hear singing as the sun comes up.

So join other MVFN members each Wednesday morning in April at 6:30 a.m. for a virtual walk to see who has arrived. Take a few minutes afterwards and log your observations into iNaturalist. If you haven’t already joined our iNaturalist project, you can find directions on the website at  https://mvfn.ca/inaturalist-instructions/.

Wed.  April 7 – your backyard*

Wed.  April 14 – your front yard*

Wed.  April 21 – your porch*

Wed.  April 28 – under the covers*

* no mask required, no need to register.

To see the results for last year, check out this article on the MVFN website. Michel Gauthier and Ken Allison walked the routes to record what they saw and heard in 2020.

This will be a fun, informal opportunity to refresh our memories of many of the local bird vocalizations ahead of the busy field work season for the Ontario Breeding Bird Atlas. We will use the Dendroica app as a source.

These two nights will be targeted at those who already know most of the common bird songs but wish to have a review before heading out to Atlas this spring. If you are just beginning to learn bird songs, you’re still welcome but you might prefer to wait until May for the Bird Songs in your Backyard Zoom series as it will start at a more basic level.

These sessions will be informal and the coverage of species will largely depend on the needs expressed by the participants. So, come prepared with requests for birds or groups of birds that you struggle with.

To register for this event complete this form.

Location: ZOOM
Date: April 6 and 13 , 2021
Time: 7:00 to 8:00 p.m.
Leader: Ken Allison

Spring migration is underway. The harbinger of spring, Red-winged Black Birds,  can already be heard calling, birds of prey are pushing north and waterways are starting fill with water fowl. Join MVFN each Wednesday morning in April at 6:30 a.m. for a guided walk to see who has arrived.

Wed.  April 7 – 38 Carrs Street, Almonte

Wed.  April 14 – Wolf Grove Road and 12th Concession to Taylor Lake

Wed.  April 21 – 561 Wolf Grove Road

Wed.  April 28 – Mississippi River Walk, 73 Nedham Street, Carleton Place

This is a great opportunity to see and hear local species. Each walk will traverse a variety of habitats to ensure a good variety of birds. The walks are a nice introduction for beginning birders and a reunion with old friends for our experienced birders.

Everyone is welcome but registration is required so an individual email for each walk will be sent the week before providing a link to a registration form. All COVID protocols will be followed.

To see the results for last year, check out this article on the MVFN website. Michel Gauthier and Ken Allison walk the routes to record what they saw and heard.