Monday, October 21, 2019
Today was a beautiful PD Day so the Chelsea boys and the Lambert
Dr. Bowmans had an amazing adventure at Constance Bay. First the boys and Grant
had fun with some old lego, making lunar rovers, space ships, rockets and
cars/trailers.
Grandpa wanted to introduce the boys to shorebirds, so after
a discussion of Greater and Lesser Yellowlegs we each made our own picnic
lunches and set out for Constance Bay Beach. A Spiderman observation “I Spy” search
bingo game entertained us enroute and the boys filled out their observation
sheets.
The boys got out their binoculars at the beach and it wasn’t
long before they spotted several birds, including many Lesser and Greater Yellowlegs. They loved watching wave after wave of Canada
Geese descend until there were hundreds in a group. They also spotted a Great Blue Heron. Grandpa had promised them 25¢ for each new
bird type. They recorded their findings
on his voice recorder. They also checked out some “chameleon” footprints.
Then Grandpa led us on a trail through tall reeds, looking
for Nelson’s sparrows. No luck but the boys had great fun playing hide and seek
in the reeds. Sam spotted another Great Blue Heron barely visible through the
reeds.
On the return trip along the beach, David found a large fish
carcass, likely a walleye. The boys loved testing their boots out in the muddy
shoreline. Goodbye beach and shorebirds.
Now it was time for
lunch. We drove to Torbolton Forest/Constance Bay Skateboard Park where
we found a picnic table and a playground.
Lots of laughing!
We had one last birding opportunity, hiking some trails in
the Torbolton Forest where we did see some woodpeckers at work. Grant spotted a
Red-tailed Hawk soaring overhead. David noticed a tree with many woodpecker
holes. The boys enjoyed running along
the trails on this beautiful fall day.
All together the boys had seen 11 bird species. 11 birds @ 25¢ = $2.75 for each boy. Grandpa had seen an additional 3.
Bird List October 21 2019 Outing – Samuel, David, Grant, Barbara & Bill
1. Canada Goose
2. Lesser Yellowlegs
3. Mallard
4. Herring Gull
5. Greater Yellowlegs
6. Ring-billed Gull
7. Great Blue Heron
8. Blue Jay
9. Pileated Woodpecker
10. Downy Woodpecker
11. Red-tailed Hawk
12. Hermit Thrush (Bill only)
13. Hairy Woodpecker (Bill only)
14. European Starling (Bill only)
Once home, we all hiked to the Arlington Woods Church so
Grandpa, Barbara and Grant could vote in the federal election.
