BOOKS BY GWEN PETREMAN

 

World Migratory Bird Day, May 10, 2025

World Migratory Bird Day May 10 is officially celebrated on the second Saturdayof 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 to regenerate

forests all around the world. Seed-eating birds eat countless seeds and nuts from

mature trees which would otherwise drop to the ground pile up and decompose.

As billions of birds fly here and there they drop their poop and the seeds inside the

poop will start to grow into tiny saplings. Since a birds’ fecal matter contains

nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorus, the seedlings are off to a great start in

becoming mature trees.(earthworm 04 15 2024)

Farmers also greatly appreciate birds as they prevent the destruction of valuable

crops by devouring 500 million tons of insects and 15 million larvae each and

every single year. As well, barn owls eat 14-21 mice per week and may live up to

34 years. These mice would have eaten tons and tons of farmers’ crops.

(Environmental Literacy Council, Mar.11, 2025)

If it were not for birds, every time you go for a walk near trees or a woodland, you

might be stepping over dead animal carcasses. Vultures have a special very

potent acid in their stomach which quickly neutralizes the microbes before they

can cause harm. The vultures devour everything but the bones of dead animals.

Dead animals such as deer, other birds, and snakes if not readily eaten by

vultures would otherwise decay and perhaps spread harmful and life - threatening

diseases like anthrax. (Environmental Literacy Council Mar. 4, 2025,)

As well, 2000 species of birds are pollinators. And we all need our precious

pollinators, as one out of every three mouthful of food we eat, depends on the

survival of as many pollinators as possible. (Ornithology, The Science of Birds,

June 21-27, 2021.)

And, the latest research tells us listening to the sweet melodies of robins and other

songbirds will help reduce our anxiety and stress. (The World’s Rarest Birds, Dec.

28, 2023.)

So this year, the collaborative partners who promote World Migratory Bird Day

have decided on a theme of “Shared Spaces” for 2025. This theme of “Shared

Spaces” encourage bird-friendly actions from all sectors from the local level up to

the national level, including community groups and individuals.

You may wonder what exactly is meant by “bird-friendly”? Barrie officially became

a Bird Friendly City on June 16, 2022.

A Bird Friendly City promotes, creates, and maintains welcoming and safe habitats

and food sources for resident birds like chickadees and migrating birds like the

ruby-breasted hummingbird. (Nature Canada)

In the year 2024, there was an opportunity to vote on an official bird for Barrie. And

the bird that had the most votes turned out to be the Belted Kingfisher.

What can individuals do to ensure that the birds have safe habitats and readily

available food sources?

Homeowners and the City are encouraged to plant as many native trees, shrubs,

and flowers as possible. It is extremely important we focus on native plants as

compelling research from around the world has clearly demonstrated that local

animals survive and thrive much better if they get their food sources from plants

that are native to the area. Native plants have had 1000’s of years to adapt to their

surroundings and therefore are very hardy, drought tolerant, and pest resistant.

You can check various on- line sites to find out where you can source native

flowers, shrubs, and trees. (Audubon Native Apr. 4, 2016)

Here in Barrie Living Green has planted over 6,000 native trees including shrubs

that are specifically bird-friendly. Their long term goal is to plant 10, 000 trees in

Barrie.

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You can help keep birds safe by turning off lights indoors and outdoors when not

needed. If you have experienced birds crashing into window panes place decals on

windows, hang wind chimes near windows, and place bird feeders either 1 metre

away from the house or at least 10 metres away from your house, and clean them

regularly. (Birds & Blooms, April 2, 2025.)(BIRDSTIPPER, April 2, 2025)

And, if you have a cat the most important thing you can do is to keep it inside at all

times. Scientists placed cameras on cats and discovered they are serial killers!

They kill over 2,000 species of animals including a significantly high number of

birds. Here in Canada roaming and feral cats kill over 196 million birds and a

a whopping 2.1 billion in the US each and every year!

And, finally a greener, biologically diversified, and a bird-friendly city vastly

contributes to the health and well-being of all of us – we are all connected in the

web of life and the decline and elimination of any organisms, like birds found in

naturalized areas will impact all of us.

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