Summer Series of Birding 2011 - Trip #7

IMPORTANT: Please note that this week's Summer Series trip is being held on Sunday, August 7th; not on Saturday.

Due to extensive road work being conducted on the bridges this weekend, I thought it best to choose a destination on the island. This week we will be repeating a very popular outing that we did way back in July 2006. We will be visiting the McGill Bird Observatory (MBO) in Ste-Anne-de-Bellevue.

SPECIAL TIME: 6:30 AM

MEETING PLACE: The McGill Bird Observatory, adjacent to the Morgan Arboretum, behind the Ecomuseum, Ste-Anne-de-Bellevue
NOTE: Gay has indicated that there is a very hungry bunch of mosquitos residing on the MBO property, so come prepared.

DRIVING INSTRUCTIONS: From the east or the west, take Hwy 40. Exit at exit 44 (Morgan Blvd). Turn left on Chemin Ste-Marie. Drive 1.4 km to second stop sign (at Arboretum road). Turn right into the Arboretum. Pass the open fields on the left and right. Just past the fields, there is a service road cutting off to the right (prior to reaching the Arboretum entrance. Turn right on this service road which cuts in behind the Ecomuseum. The entrance to the McGill Bird Observatory is just behind the Ecomuseum. Gay Gruner has advised us to drive our vehicles right into the MBO property.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me by e-mail, or by telephone at 450-462-1459. On Sunday morning, if you are delayed or need further driving instructions, you can reach us by cellphone at 514-637-2141.

NOTE REGARDING THE EARLY START TIME: Yes, it is very early, but due to the operating schedule maintained at the MBO, the early start is essential for us to make the most of this unique outing. It is particularly benefical, bird-wise, as Gay has indicated that there is much more bird activity on the property early in the day, especially on hot days.

ITINERARY: The MBO staff will be setting up their nets (weather permitting) at the banding station prior to our arrival. We will be able to accompany MBO staff to the nets to view the process of extracting birds from the nets. We will then return to the banding station to observe the actual banding, cataloging and, ultimately, the release of captured birds.

Only those individuals trained and certified to remove birds from the nets may do so but we will be able to assist with related duties throughout the morning, including the daily bird census. A pre-determined route around the MBO property is surveyed each day to compile the daily observations.

If it is raining on Sunday, banding will not take place but the census will be conducted, rain or shine.

To wrap up the day, we will be given a short presentation, with a question and answer session, about the activities of the MBO, including details of how you can help out. We hope by better understanding the work being conducted at the MBO that some of you may choose to step forward as volunteers during the busy fall schedule.

The visit to the MBO is a great way to get "up close and personal" with the birds. Also, remember to bring along your camera for some excellent and unique photo opportunities.

The banding station will be conducting daily census and banding activities throughout August, September and October. They need additional volunteers to assist with banding and/or the daily census. For more information on the activities at the Observatory, visit their web page