World Migratory Bird Day, May 10, 2025 World Migratory Bird Day May 10 is officially celebrated on the second Saturday of May in Canada and the US. It is a special day that is celebrated all around the world. People from all walks of life come out to recognize, acknowledge, and appreciate the myriad of incredible benefits provided by birds. (World Migratory Bird Day in the Americas, 2025.) There will be display table in the foyer at the Barrie Public Library with bird information including Barrie’s official bird the Belted Kingfisher on May 7, 8, 9, 10 during library hours. May 10 volunteers will be present 10 am - 1pm. to provide activities and share knowledge about the theme and Barrie's Official Bird. Weather permitting, there will be a walk to the waterfront to see urban birds on the way and hopefully see the Belted Kingfisher at the waterfront. Did you know without birds our Earth would have very few trees? Most birds from the smallest fluff of feathers to large toucans help...
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AVIAN INFLUENZA
AVIAN I NFLUENZA Many people are concerned about the outbreak of avian influenza. Avian flu has been reported in 108 countries and has caused the death of more than 300 million birds (Dec. 2024). It began in 2022 and has affected – domestic poultry, waterfowl (Mallards, Canada geese), raptors (Great Horned Owl, Cooper’s Hawk, Red- Tailed H awk) shorebirds (Storks, Plovers) and other species of birds and some mammals (in many parts of the world.) Chickens are highly susceptible to avian flu with near 100% deaths in some outbreak strains like H5N1. (CDC, March 19, 2025) As of Jan. 2 025, 136, 327, 327 domestic poultry were affected with H5N1 flu and two months later as of March, 2025 USDA reported 166, 891, 036 domestic poultry were infected. (CDC, March 2025), At present, the current strain of avian flu cannot spread human-to-human. This may change quickly if the virus mutates. Wild migratory waterfowl, especially ducks a...
WHAT A WASTE OF TAXPAYERS MONEY! (2)
WHAT A WASTE OF TAXPAYERS MONEY! (2) When Mr. Ford took over the reins of power in 2018 here in Ontario, we had a very successful Cap and Trade initiative with California. “ Ontario joined the emissions market in 2017 and has raised more than $2 billion from the quarterly auctions .” CalMatters 2017 . Doug Ford without any consultation immediately cancelled this very successful program that actually reduced GHGs. “ It cost the province $ 10.5 billion in lost revenues, legal fees and compensation for cancelled contracts.” NATIONAL OBSERVER, May 19, 2022. In Ontario we did not pay any federal carbon tax until Ford cancelled Cap and Trade in 2018. So, ironically, Ford who never stopped railing against the carbon tax is actually the person responsible for people in Ontario having to pay this tax! I personally was happy to pay if it meant my grandchildren would not have to live with the a...
WHAT A WASTE!
WHAT A WASTE! Here in Canada 26% of our landmass is tundra comprising over 2 million and six hundred thousand Km2. A lot of people are not aware that with global overheating our permafrost here in Canada is melting at an alarming rate releasing methane gas which is 30-40 times more potent in trapping the heat from the sun than carbon dioxide. The warmer climate could drastically change the landscape and determine who can live there, and what species of plants and animals will be able to live there. For example, the growth of new shrubs might crowd out lichen, an important food source for caribou. As the tundra warms we will see an increase of wildfires and droughts. As the tundra continues to melt scientists are extremely worried about the release of ancient bacteria of which we have no immunity and other organisms which have been trapped in the tundra for millions of years. In Sibe...
BOOKS BY GWEN PETREMAN
You can contact me at 705-309-7452 Aesop's Fables (5-9 year olds) A great number of teachers and TL's are buying Aesop’s Fables for their classrooms andthe school. Aesop's fables have been specifically rewritten to address the variety of reading levels found in primary classrooms. This is an ideal book to be used for the whole class from grade 1 to grade 3. The book is a great buy as it contains 20 fables with lessons that resonate with decision making when it comes to appropriate behaviour. Perhaps one of the most quoted fables by parents and teachers is the one from the Grasshopper and the Ants - f irst, you work and then you play. A Wish for Haidan (7-9 year olds) This fairy young boy who is granted 3 wishes on one condition. Trying to meet this condition brings astonishing changes to his environment and his life. This book will inspire young readers to become more engaged i...