Markham celebrates World Migratory Bird Day
The Markham Environmental Advisory Committee (MEAC) invites you to Unionville Library to learn what the City of Markham is doing to become bird safe and bird friendly as it proclaims Saturday, Oct. 11 World Migratory Bird Day.
The idea of designating days for migratory birds began more than 30 ago and the global response gave rise to community bird festivals, bird counts and education programs. MEAC reports. This year’s theme is Shared Communities: Creating Bird Friendly Cities and Communities.
The proclamation event begins at 2 p.m. and will be followed by a guided bird walk at 3 p.m. hosted by MEAC and led by birder, naturalist and amateur photographer Kathleen Noel. She will share her knowledge of birds, ethical bird photography and the importance of preserving bird habitats. The one-hour walk is geared towards families with young birders aged above four years.
You’re invited to register for one of the following WMBD events: Proclamation and Bird Walk, Unionville Library (https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/celebration-of-world-migratory-bird-day-tickets-1545079336889?aff=oddtdtcreator), Swan Lake Bird Walk, Markham (https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/celebrate-world-migratory-bird-day-tickets-1549314484329?aff=oddtdtcreator) and German Mills Meadows and Natural Habitat, Thornhill (https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/celebrate-world-migratory-bird-day-tickets-1542577804739?aff=oddtdtcreator/).
On Saturday, Oct. 25 at 2 p.m., MEAC will host How Birding Makes Us Better People by Julia Zarankin at the Fireside Lounge at Markham Village Library Branch. The practice of birding isn’t just about seeing as many birds as possible; it can teach us about how to live a good life and how to be a better human being. Not only does birding help us feel more present, but it also encourages us to see the world with more nuance, wonder and empathy, MEAC notes.
The one-hour lecture will be followed by a question-and-answer period. Zarankin is a Toronto-based writer, birder and Canadian Ambassador for ZEISS Sports Optics. Her memoir, Field Notes from an Unintentional Birder, is a Canadian bestseller and her writing has been featured in Audubon, Sierra, Birding Magazine, Canadian Geographic, Chatelaine, The Walrus and The Globe and Mail. Register at https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/how-birding-makes-us-better-people-by-dr-julia-zarankin-tickets-1703874086259?aff=oddtdtcreator.
Photo courtesy of the Markham Environmental Advisory Committee.