Bird Friendly Sarnia will host a World Migratory Bird Day event at Canatara Park this weekend.
The annual event is a chance to experience spring migration firsthand and learn how local actions can support birds travelling thousands of kilometres.
"World Migratory Bird Day is an international event that's being celebrated across North America, and it's sort of to recognize the migration pattern that goes on every spring, and to bring awareness to migrating birds and to celebrate the fact that they're migrating and coming up north to nest and raise their young and keep the cycle going," said John Cook, chair of the Sarnia Bird Team. "We have some information booths. Actually, Lambton wildlife will be there, the bird team will be there, and the Blue Water Raptor Rehabilitation Center will be there."
The event will have several hands-on activities for families and children.
"We hope to get other people there as well who are coming just to learn about Migratory Bird Day, and perhaps to learn about a bird-friendly city," he said.
This year’s theme for the day is “Every Bird Counts – Your Observations Matter!”, highlighting the importance of community science in bird conservation.
"Lambton Wildlife is also sponsoring a kids' hike to go out and look for migratory birds in the park. We will have binoculars there for people to borrow and to use to help them look for birds, and we'll just be providing information about how to be a bird-friendly city and what you can do personally to be bird-friendly," said Cook.
The family-friendly event takes place from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Saturday, May 9, at the Carriage House in Canatara Park.
