Bird Talk - Erika Gates
Go Wild, Go Birding
By Erika Gates
Oct 28, 2011 - 12:40:16 PM

 

"Shut up we are birding!"

Freeport, Bahamas - This year's theme for International Migratory Bird Day is "Go Wild, Go Birding" and exciting events are ongoing at by Garden of the Groves throughout the month.

The Grand Bahama Birding Group will meet at 8 am this coming Saturday at the Reef Golf Course to welcome some of the new fall arrivals, among them many of the Sandpiper species that forage on inland waters whereby the 11 ponds at this particular golf course offer an ideal habitat.

"Don't worry, my friend, we are safe on Grand Bahama - they don't shoot us here!"

The student's art competition under the theme "Go Wild, Go Birding" will climax with the official opening of the exhibition of all the youngsters' works in the chapel at Garden of the Groves this Saturday at 3 pm. At that time a panel of judges will select the three best paintings and distribute cash prizes to the winners.

Many school groups have taken advantage through the Garden of the Groves' IMBD program to learn about the amazing migratory journeys that birds undertake to get from their nesting grounds up north to their wintering places in the Bahamas, Caribbean and South America. Mrs. Erika Gates at Garden of the Groves commented that she is delighted to see that so many youngsters are taking a keen interest in birds and their habitats. She feels that this early fascination with our feathered friends combined with education will contribute to an interest in conservation at a later stage in the childrens' lives.

Walter Parker Primary School students and teachers enjoy and learn while "Going Wild and Going Birding" at the Garden of the Groves

For more information on IMBD activities, please call Garden of the Groves at 374-7778

An exhausted migrant, a Northern Parula, having completed his journey all the way from Canada, trustingly takes a breather on the hand of Marilyn Laing

© Copyright 2011 by thebahamasweekly.com -