Celebrate World Migratory Bird Day with guided walk

Pack up your binoculars. The Markham Environmental Advisory Committee (MEAC) invites you to celebrate World Migratory Bird Day by taking a guided bird walk at Swan Lake Park.

Located at 25 Swan Lake Park Rd., the park is one of the most biodiverse places in Markham and an eBird hotspot. Participants will learn how to differentiate between bird species that are returning from their long migration in the south to raise their families in Markham.

The theme is, “Every Bird Counts – Your Observations Matter.” Discover the need to create and adapt environments to support bird populations across all communities, including in Markham. Learn how to use binoculars (take binoculars if you have them), field guides and birding apps to prepare you for your next birding adventure. Walk leader Kathleen Elizabeth Noël will share her knowledge of birds, ethical bird photography and the importance of preserving the habitats birds call home.

The event takes place Saturday, May 9 from 10 a.m. to 12 noon. Parking is available along Swan Park Road and the meeting point is the gazebo by the playground. The one-and-a-half-hour walk is about two kilometres in length and features an easy, flat paved path around the lake and a gravel trail by ponds and through the woods with two small hills. The pace is easy.

Children must be six years or older and children under 14 years must be accompanied by an adult. Service dogs only are permitted. Participants are encouraged to dress appropriately. Hiking boots are recommended. It’s your responsibility to be up to date on whether a walk is cancelled in extreme temperatures, weather events or unforeseen circumstances. Register for the free event here.