Fall Migration Starting

 Long Point Bird Observatory (LPBO) will kick off their fall migration program in middle of August.

LPBO began collecting standardized data on bird migration at Long Point, Ontario in 1960.  That makes them the oldest bird observatory in the western hemisphere.

They have three banding stations – The Tip, Breakwater and Old Cut.

The Old Cut Station is the only one accessible to the public.  Banding goes every morning weather permitting.  Visitors are not only welcomed but encouraged.  Banders provide an ongoing narrative as they work.

I’ve got some knowledge of these activities as my son Ross was employed as a Warden and Assistant Warden from 2008 – 11 by LPBO.  (Now he is off on Longridge Point on James Bay with a Project run by the Royal Ontario Museum in partnership with others like Bird Studies Canada.  (Here are Jean Iron’s pictures and notes from of this project from two years ago. (http://www.jeaniron.ca/2011/JamesBay2011/))

But back to Long Point/Port Rowan….

In 1986, LPBO coined the term “migration monitoring.” ” That term is now widely used to describe the use of standardized daily counts of migrating birds as a method of monitoring populations of many migratory species.   Read more about LPBO notes on their website (http://www.bsc eoc.org/longpoint/index.jsp?targetpg=index&lang=EN)

 Migration Starting

I’ve heard it said that migration happens all year at Long Pont.  This is our first full summer year so we are still learning the patterns.  For example, for two months beginning in early May we had regular and frequent visits to our back yard oriole feeders from Baltimore Orioles and Orchard Orioles. That has stopped.  Now we get only rare visits from male Baltimores.  That is because “our May to July Orioles" have left; gone south.  What we are likely seeing now are migrating Orioles from farther north.  

No complaints though. 

I just looked back at a video son Graham did two years ago which does a bit of a comparison of birds seen  in our old backyard in Burlington to the greater diversity and numbers down here in Long Point/Port Rowan.  Take a look.  

C:\Users\Lee\Videos\Listing Ontario with The Wood Bros Ep8_ Backyard Birding - YouTube.mht

Shorebirds at the Tip

I see that the Long Point Bird Observatory (LPBO) is providing opportunities to go to the Tip of Long Point again.

If  you ‘re interested in experiencing fall migration at the Tip  they’re making a private cabin available for guests to rent between August 25 and October 25.  There is a minimum five-day stay.  

For more information, take a look at their website at http://www.birdscanada.org/longpoint/index.jsp.   Book your adventure by mailing lpbo@birdscanada.org

Two years ago son Graham headed out there to help out his older brother.  Ross was an LPBO staffer at the time. 

Graham posted a couple of funny videos that included good shots of the shorebirds you’ll find at the Tip in early fall.  Here is one of the videos.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gW5bTpvhFCQ