Bird Conservation, Biodiversity and Bird Education a Focus at Annual Event at Internationally Acclaimed Bird Area

(TORONTO, May 20, 2009) – It’s not every day you get to look a Broad-winged Hawk straight in the eye, see a Turkey Vulture strike a pose or watch a Great Horned Owl from only a few feet away. Those are just a few things that make the ninth annual Tommy Thompson Park Spring Bird Festival special. It’s also an opportunity for residents to learn how to save the songbirds and a chance to visit Tommy Thompson Park (TTP), a unique urban wilderness, selected as a globally Important Bird Area by Birdlife International in 2000. Birdwatching is also one of the fastest-growing outdoor hobbies. It’s easy, inexpensive and relaxing. Best of all, wild birds are fascinating to watch and listen to, and with more than 315 bird species in Toronto alone, there is something for everyone. Participants at this year’s event include Ontario Nature and guest speaker and birdathoner Dr. Bridget Stutchbury, Author of Silence of the Songbirds.

WHEN: May 23, 2009, open to everyone and FREE!

WHAT: Tommy Thompson Park Spring Bird Festival Live bird demonstrations by University of Guelph Wildlife Education and Environmental Programs (WEEP); guided hikes to view bird colonies; live bird banding demonstrations; invasive species removal; children’s activities: scavenger hunt, birdbox building; interpretive displays on bird conservation, habitat restoration, wetland ecosystems, and healthy yards; and various bird viewing areas throughout the park.

WHERE: Tommy Thompson Park, at the foot of Leslie Street, south of Lake Shore Blvd East. Free parking is available at the TTP parking lot or on Unwin Avenue and Leslie Street. Shuttle buses run throughout the festival area. Private vehicles and pets are not permitted in the park.

TIMES:
7:00 am – 8:30 am – Birding for Beginners Early Bird Hike, leaving every 30 minutes from the front gate. Please register for hikes at 416-661-6600 ext. 5770 or ttp@trca.on.ca
7:00 am – 11:30 am – Bird Banding Demonstrations at the Tommy Thompson Park Bird Research Station (TTPBRS)
8:00 am – 4:00 pm – Tommy Thompson Park Spring Bird Festival
10:00 am – 2:00 pm – University of Guelph WEEP
11:30 am – 12:00 pm Guest speakers: Bridget Stutchbury, author of Silence of the Songbirds and Caroline Schultz, Executive Director of Ontario Nature.

“Since we opened in 2003 volunteers and staff at TTPBRS banded more than 32,000 birds and the number of bird species seen at TTP has actually increased slightly, which is amazing,” said Karen McDonald, Project Manager, Toronto and Region Conservation. “Of the 316 species, more than 65 are known to breed here. We’ve spotted birds rarely seen in Toronto including a Northern Hawk Owl and a Snowy Egret. The sightings of these species are a good sign that the parks habitats can support a diverse mix of bird species.”

The park is situated in the largest area of existing natural habitat on the central Toronto waterfront on a peninsula that extends five kilometres into Lake Ontario. The park has been colonized by an impressive variety of plant and animal communities, and is the site of choice for migrating birds, butterflies and nesting colonial waterbirds. The Toronto and Region Conservation (TRCA) owns the land and water bodies at Tommy Thompson Park and is dedicated to the understanding, protection, and awareness of birds in Toronto.

“Ontario Nature is thrilled to be part of this year’s Spring Bird Festival, which launches its new action and education program connecting kids with nature through nature-based recreation and hands-on conservation experiences,” said Caroline Schultz, Executive Director, Ontario Nature. “With the support of Ontario Power Generation, the program will feature 10 family events in urban centres across the province in the course of the summer and fall of 2009. These events will help give the wonder of nature back to Ontario’s children and foster the next generation of nature lovers to care for and speak out for wild species and wild spaces. Thanks to TRCA and Tommy Thomson Park for inviting Ontario Nature to be part of this great annual event.”

Tommy Thompson Park Bird Festival is part of the International Migratory Bird Day that occurs in North America, and Central America. Visitors will also get to a chance to participate in the TTPBRS annual Baillie Birdathon where birdathoners tally as many species as possible in a 24-hour period or sponsor this year’s guest birdathoner, Bridget Stutchbury. Birdathoners are sponsored on a flat rate or on a per species basis’s. TTPBRS will receive up to 90 per cent of the funds raised to support the operating costs and the programs offered at the station. The remaining fund will go towards Bird Studies Canada or their national and international conservation efforts. Since participating in the birdathon in 2006 more than $40,000 was raised and at least 80 people have gotten to help conservation efforts, and learn more about birds while having fun. Past birdathoners include: gardening expert Mark Cullen and science journalist Bob McDonald.

Toronto and Region Conservation
With over 50 years of experience, Toronto and Region Conservation (TRCA) helps people understand, enjoy and look‐after the natural environment. Our vision is for The Living City®, where human settlement can flourish forever as part of nature’s beauty and diversity. For more information, call 416.661.6600 or visit us at www.trca.on.ca or www.ttpbrs.ca.

For media information and registration contact:
Rowena Calpito, Supervisor, Media Management, Toronto and Region Conservation
T: 416.661.6600 ext 5632; C: 416.358.3446; E: rcalpito@trca.on.ca