Williams Lake Conservation Company Hosts Series of Bird Walks in Shaw Wilderness Park
by Cathy Vaughan
What’s the difference between a “bird-watcher” and a “birder?” A “birder” is a passionate, bird loving aficionado. A “bird watcher” enjoys birds in a more casual way and can stroll through the Shaw Wilderness Park and enjoy a lesson from two highly qualified, engaging “bird enthusiasts.”
Through the Williams Lake Conservation Company’s (WLCC) Sparrows Hawks & Doves project, two experienced and entertaining bird enthusiasts guided a group of keen learners on how to identify the sounds, sights and surroundings of local birds in the Shaw Wilderness Park on Williams Lake.
Fulton Lavender is a well-known local bird identification expert and respected naturalist specializing in ornithology. He has more than 35 years birding experience and is trained in methods of scientific bird observation and data collection. Lavender has led the WLCC’s bird survey of the Williams Lake watershed and shares his time and expertise with local bird-watching groups.
Clarence Stevens is also a naturalist specializing in ornithology with more than 25 years of birding. He is the author of numerous books and articles on birds in Nova Scotia and has been writing on birds for regional newspaper for many years.
WLCC partnered with the Captain Spry Public Library to sponsor guided bird-watching walks as part of their Sparrows Hawks & Doves project. Project leader Martha Leary said, “We have professional birders leading our 4-part-series of bird-watching walks in our local Spryfield area. There is enormous interest and curiosity in this enjoyable hobby. Anyone can learn how to identify birds in your own back yard.”
A fully-illustrated Nature Guide to the main trail through the Shaw Wilderness Park was designed and produced with the leadership of Leslie Randall of WLCC for the Sparrows Hawks & Doves project. The colourful guide features prominent birds sighted throughout the 360-acre wilderness park on Williams Lake. Participants on the tour were delighted to receive a copy of the new guide which will be available on WLCC’s website for everyone to enjoy. With approximately 174 different kinds of birds in Nova Scotia and another 62 species that regularly fly through the province, this engaging hobby is endless fun and keeps your brain-cells active!
June, 2022