HomeMy WebLinkAboutLakeshore Advance, 2011-03-23, Page 22 Lakeshore Advance • Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Thndra swans return to Lambton in huge numbers
Shawn Jeffords
OMI Agency
'I'hedford Bog has transformed into
Lambton County's biggest bed and
breakfast thanks to a massive flock of
20,0(X) tundra swans.
The birds arriving from Chesapeake
Bay have converged on the flooded
fields near Pinery Provincial Park on
their annual migration to Arctic nesting
grounds.
'Ihe swans use the fields as a staging
area, making for some spectacular bird
watching right now, said Gwen Watson,
the Lambton heritage Museum office/
event coordinator.
"This is one of their first staging areas,
a place where they can rest and eat
some food before they move on."
The 600 -acre flats where the swans
land was once a lake that was drained
for farm land, Watson said.
"It's a place where they've landed for
hundreds of years. Since the fields still
flood they continue to return each
year."
The majestic birds fly more than 6,500
kilometres (4,000 miles) on their annual
migration.
The heritage Museum hosts the
annual Return of the Swans Festival,
which runs to April 3. Highlights include
interpretive displays, a Paint Ontario art
show and sale, and a tea room.
Watson said nearly 3,000 people visit
each year to watch the birds. In the
crowd lining Greenway Road on Friday
were Ben and Megan Waite, with their
grandparents Jim and Janet. 'Ihe young
duo from London, aged 5 and 3
respectively, had binoculars pressed to
their eyes to get a good view.
"The best part is seeing them swim
and fly," Ree said.
But he had trouble believing anything,
even a tundra swan, would willingly fly
to the Arctic.
"1 thought it was cold up there," he
said.
Last year, the swans arrived on March
10 and left on about March 23, Watson
said.
"It was about four or five years ago
where we had about 15,000 of them out
there and they actually stayed for a
couple of weeks."
That tends to happen every five to 10
years when cold 'temperatures delay the
migration, she said.
"'They all just pile up here waiting to
move north"
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While resting on this "staging area", the Tundra Swans give visitors an excellent opportunity to view one of
the last great wildlife migrations. This Is ane of the first "stops" the swans make after leaving the wintering
grounds off the coast of Maryland.
Bluewater still on board for sewer
treatment plant project
CONTINUED FROM > PAGE 1
agenda and meeting room set up. I
learned at that time that Bluewater had
not yet made its appointments to the
Board but that the Council would be in
full attendance and remain committed
to the project. 1 knew prior to this that
Bluewater was having some challenges
with respect to appointments to its
committees but wasn't concerned as
long as they were present to hear the
discussion. 'Ihe meeting yesterday sim-
ply confirmed that they were still work-
ing out those issues"
When asked if he knew before Fri-
day's meeting that Bluewater was not
going to he at the table, Bonesteel said
he did not wish to comment until the
Lat nbton Shores council has had an
Qalser CLINTON
Kn, ale 482-::401
opportunity to review its position in a council meeting.
South Huron CA() Roy !lardy said stated their Council
understood coining out of the orientation session held in
Crediton on February 18th that Board members would he
selected by all the partners. Bonesteel was not at the Febru-
ary 18th meeting.
The meeting continued with the final design at the fore-
front. South 'lemon's CA() Roy Hardy presented the updates
to the group.
'{here were two design submissions, a full built out with a
price tag of $26,230,000 and a single train to the tune of
$21,030,000. 'Ihe later can have future expansions. 'this deci-
sion must he made by the end of 2011 and { lardy said each of
the municipalities are near completion of their FA. 'There are
still decisions to be made as part of the process.
Weber said their council has agreement for full build and
questioned whether the grant money ($14.9 million from
Build and $1million from Green ) was restrictive of the
design, being $21 or $26 million. The dollars represent two
thirds of the cost. If the facility costs $21 million- they will
receive $7 million. South I luron councilor Tom 'Mines said
his council has the same questions.
Other technical questions that will go before the engined.
were discussed.
Surprising to Lambton Shores, the collection system was
brought into the conversation. South 1luron would Tike to
downsize the plant and include the collection system into the
dollars. Weber said Lambton Shores believes the dollars are
for plant -not collection and this has not been discussed at
this council. The next meeting of this group will be April 1 at
10:30 at the South Huron Recreation Centre.