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Home My WebLink AboutThe Lucknow Sentinel, 1994-08-31, Page 15This bird is a master at camouflage The American bittern presents an interesting little dilemma to the bird -watcher that lives for the chance to add new species to a life list .of birds spotted. Hearing a bittern is easy --seeing one ' is a whole new ball game. • Bitterns go to great lengths to. avoid being observed. Other mem- bers of the heron family are easily spotted, wading in open water and roosting, or even nesting, in trees. Not the bittern. Through the day, throughout the seasons, dense, flooded recd beds are all the habitat it needs. With a long, spiked bill .and a crow -sized body perched on stilly legs, bitterns can easily handle up to a foot of "water in marshes and swamps. Adults are carnivorous, stalking just about any gullet -sized recd -dweller that moves,. including frogs, salamanders, small fish and crayfish. • Even the nest is a platform of reeds built over' shallow water. About two weeks after hatching, the fuzzyll, gawky young leave the nest to teeter through the tules (a com- mon name for cattails), though they continue to rely on regurgitated food from , mom for quite a long period. Adults are brown and broadly streaked with dusky and buff on the back. Their bellies are a vertical mix of black, brown and white streaks. Tucked into a tule stand, you'd think they have all the con- cealment tools they need: But bitterns don't just rely on looks to remain • unseen. If color is the first line of defence, the second is their characteristic _ pose when N4,4e/le bucks Unlimited Canada trouble. is near, • Long • before intruders get uncomfortably. close, bitterns will point their. necks and bills to the sky in order to blend with the vertical background, And if :hat isn't enough, they may .actually ;way their upper body in synchrony with the waving reeds around .them! Phis distinctive response has n crrned, as you might have guessed; 'bitterning.". The breeding season brings many )pportunities to detect, if not actual - .y see, bitterns. Just about any. reed narsh in south and central Canada ;an be home to a pair. A male will 'iroclaim its 'territory 'and advertise br females with a territorial call hat defies simple explanation. It's a call that not only carries veli, but has a ventriloquist -like luality that. stems to keep both iredators and persistent bird- ✓atchcrs from easily homing in on it. It's such a low -frequency sound that one almost seems to feel it as, much as hear it. Males utter a 'three -note gulping call, variousiy,described as "pump- er -funk",• "dunk-a-doo", and "oong- ki-loong," It seems that the hollow, non -directional sound is produced as, thebird draws air into its esophagus, which becomes thick- ened and more muscular during 'the breeding season to handle the extra strain of calling. *A sound' this unusual is sure to draw . nicknames: • "Thunder pumper," "stake -drive," "water- belcher" and ."slough -pump" are just a few. The "pumping" season will last from early spring well into summer. Early morning and late evening are the best times to listen. Looking for arsonists Crime Stoppers of Grey Bruce are seeking the public's assistance in the investigation of an arson which. occurred in Sarawak Township. The Owen Sound Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police report that at approximately 3:00 a.m. on Tuesday, July 12, 1994, in the vicinity of Sourer and 14th St., a building was set on fire." The buil- ding which was an old 20' x 30' shed was completely destroyed by the fire.. Three unknown ' youths; ap- proximately 14 - 15 years of age,• fled, the area upon the officers' arrival. If you have any information on this, or any other. case, Crime Stop- pers of Grey Bruce are willing to pay a reward up to $1000 for infor- mation that leads to an arrest: Call Crime Stoppers Toll Free At 1-800- 265-3787: You will not have to identify yourself. No one will know who you are. You will never have to testify in court. Crime Stoppers does not subscribe to, call display: Search for '94 Ripley/Huron ambassador Card Party . The Ripley Legion Auxiliary will be holding a 'Card Party at the a Legion Hall on Wednesday, August 31 at 7:30 p.m. . Ripley's Alive in '95 Need a gift for someone special? Don't forget that the, Ripley -Huron Reunion Committee has available ash coloured T-shirts in children's; youth's, and adult sizes as well as adult sweatshirts. Reunion hats are also available at a cost of $8. Beer steins will be for sale at the Ripley-. Huron Fall Fair and Small Town Traditions beginning in September. Ambassador of the Fair If you 'reside within the boundaries of Ripley ,and Huron Township and are between the ages of .17 and 23, you may register for the Ambassador of the Fair Contest. Interested persons must register by Sept. 2 and may contact Gail Coiling, 395-5111. Ringette School It's that time of year again. The Tiverton Ringette School will be held in Port Elgin on Sept. 19, 20, 22, and 23 from 6-9 p.m. This. school will emphasise basic skating and passing skills and is designed for players between the ages of 6- 14. If you are interested please let Barbara Grubb know and application forms will be made. available to you. • Wheels Awayp Rby Barb Grubb IPLEY 111811111111 Ripley -Huron Community Centre Recreation. Registration and used .equipment sales fdr Minor Hockey, Ringette, and Figure Skating will be held at the Ripley -Huron Complex , on Thursday, Sept.. 8 from 6:30 to 9 p.m. and on Saturday; Sept. 10 from 10 a.m. to 12 noon. If your child is at all interested in participating in one ,. of these activities, please register on time 'to' prevent the $25 late registration fee. Organizers need to know the correct number of participants in order to organize teams. All : of these activities require qualified coaches and team officials. Please do your - part to help out in order that activities for your children continue. Coaches for hockey and ringette will be selected from applications submitted. Applications will be available at registration. Please volunteer to act as a coach, manager, or trainer at registration. More information is availableby calling Dan at 395-4004 for hockey, Barb at 395-5929 for ringette. Laura at 395-3123 for the used We Can Give You A Lift! Specialized Personal Transit 357-4074 .11111116 Lucknow Sentinel, Wednesday, August 31, 199'* — Page 15 ❑OGOo0202000oG0oG0 v Huron County's Complete o VEHICLE E a RENTAL 13 13 Ifl E O . Headquarters o 3 1 Small & Mid-sized (:ars E fl 1 Passenger & Cargo E 0 • Viins: 1'ic•kup•Trucks 0 1 Daily, Weekly, Ml'nthly 13 O 1 Insurance Rentals 84 O More 117 0 • 1 Free Delivery. U Cl. 1 Ask about our lull 117 1 transportation seryic•e E O E 0 10 0 ID O CAR & TRUCK RENTALS C l] Division rtf Sunru;,sl Fnrrl •E 0 500 Huron Rd., C,oderieh 0 CALL COLLECT Ask tor Helen A El. 524-8347 oecennunt eeeecene❑ equipment sale, and Tammy at 396- 5946 for figure skating: Minor hockey and ringette will be having a General Meeting this. season to select. an Ekecutive to administer each sport. The meeting will not be dealing with issues.. or. problems, but simply as a means to elect, .executive for each sport. • These executives will operate under the jurisdiction of the Ripley -Huron Recreation Board. This is the first year for this.. in an attempt- ` to improve the delivery of . the two 'sports. 'If you wish to have an influence on the direction these sports should take, please attend these meetings and volunteer. The Minor Hockey meeting will be on Monday, Sept. 12 at •7 p.m., and the Ringette meeting will be the next evening, Tuesday, Sept. 13 at .7 p.m. Both meetings are at the Ripley Complex. Ripley -Huron Minor Hockey, needs volunteers to act as coaches, trainers, and. managers. Rule changes this year require Local League "B" teams to have certified coaches and trainers for each team. Your help will be• appreciated. Ripley -Huron Minor Hockey will be hosting Certification clinics for these positions. Please watch this column for further information. Llarne eti Rod Lippert and 'Pat dr, 'ffaricey Livingston announce with joy the forthcoming marriage of their children Danielle and Kirk, en Saturday, Sept. '10 • at Sacred 'Heart Roman Catholic ('h,urch, 'Ieesu'ater 04 Cherished .., 'lkddies'. tm . •moi r1t.• ✓r �,,,, I•,1,,,,„,l 104 ik. Out Cherished Family I .,, 1 u ., Mom, S,sler. Dad arid Bother oy, family is like no other, Sharing pry and tender rare. We always ha'vv much IMP 2 U%OFF quizeVifi4 rl I' 1.i r7 . LUCKNOW & DISTRICT LIONS CLUB Dabber Bingo Lucknow Community Centre Sunday, Sept. 4/94 $1000. Jackpot Winner. Florence Bradley Wingham Community Centre opens at 6:30 p.m. Bingo starts at 7:15 p.m.. "ntzney Birthday Club Charlotte Drennan August 30, 1982 12 Years Old Kyle borscht August 30, 1986 8 Years Old Aaron Bakker August 30, 1982 • 12 Years Old Danny MacDonald August 30, 1985 ,. 9 Years Old Micheal Fisher August 31, 1985 9 Years Old Candice Hamilton August 31, 1985 9 Years Old Brandon Howald August 31, 1992 2 Years Old Connor Jantzi August 31, 1993 1 Year Old Andy Gammie September 1, 1988 6 Years Old Lindsey Raymond September 3, 1982 12 Years Old Dillon Stapleton September 3, 1991 • 3 Years Old Gregory Archer September 5, 1984 10 Years Old ri 1z^ t S'y .'kms r t 1 baa /4 •FREE PHOTO ' OR FAMILY ANO ADDITIONAL GROUPS ' ?PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHER. .ANO AGE LIMIT . •CHOOSE •ADDITIONAL AT AFFORDABLE -t tires oja OF•YOUR PORTRAIT CHARGE CHILDREN'S FROM FINISHED PRINTS 4t4ire' ' PRICES this CHILD FOR PRINTS AVAILABLE, • ` V Wag LUCKNOW Lucknow arket - 528-3001 0.•4110•, ,. /*ma ,way Ikn.r.0 s V. Mwrw Ur M/M t, ll•n 659 Campbell St. LUCKNOW • XIC1 Ontario P'�.6 v� os "Great for • Christmas Gifts" Llarne eti Rod Lippert and 'Pat dr, 'ffaricey Livingston announce with joy the forthcoming marriage of their children Danielle and Kirk, en Saturday, Sept. '10 • at Sacred 'Heart Roman Catholic ('h,urch, 'Ieesu'ater 04 Cherished .., 'lkddies'. tm . •moi r1t.• ✓r �,,,, I•,1,,,,„,l 104 ik. Out Cherished Family I .,, 1 u ., Mom, S,sler. Dad arid Bother oy, family is like no other, Sharing pry and tender rare. We always ha'vv much IMP 2 U%OFF quizeVifi4 rl I' 1.i r7 . LUCKNOW & DISTRICT LIONS CLUB Dabber Bingo Lucknow Community Centre Sunday, Sept. 4/94 $1000. Jackpot Winner. Florence Bradley Wingham Community Centre opens at 6:30 p.m. Bingo starts at 7:15 p.m.. "ntzney Birthday Club Charlotte Drennan August 30, 1982 12 Years Old Kyle borscht August 30, 1986 8 Years Old Aaron Bakker August 30, 1982 • 12 Years Old Danny MacDonald August 30, 1985 ,. 9 Years Old Micheal Fisher August 31, 1985 9 Years Old Candice Hamilton August 31, 1985 9 Years Old Brandon Howald August 31, 1992 2 Years Old Connor Jantzi August 31, 1993 1 Year Old Andy Gammie September 1, 1988 6 Years Old Lindsey Raymond September 3, 1982 12 Years Old Dillon Stapleton September 3, 1991 • 3 Years Old Gregory Archer September 5, 1984 10 Years Old