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NOVEMBER 1991 NORTH LEEDS LANTERN 5 BIRDS OF A FEATHER He was a quiet boy, so his excitement was not apparent to those who did not know him well. But excited he was, for he had been looking forward to this week in the country at Chaffey's Lock with a fish hook in its neck. After being treated, it was returned to the area where it had been found. The parent birds appeared to reject their returned for almost four years. offspring. Margaret felt His older brother had Moreover, it is a species was discovered, that, the fafctd that thfishermen been here on his own, that is difficult to find in spite of a successful were 'ee ing e young and so had his young here. boneâ€"marrow transplant, bird did not help matte:s sister, but something The field trip continued. Douglas' leukemia had and the loon eventua y had always stood in his Interesting birds such returned. His little disappeared. Margaret way, and he had had to as Doubleâ€"crested sister Elizabeth (8) had believes that there are times when nature should wait. bravely donated the marrow Cormorant, Caspian Tern, Now he was fortunate enough Upland Sandpiper, Redâ€" that would have saved be left alone, and that to be birdwatching w1th eyed Vireo, Northern his life, had not some the aboveâ€"mentioned feeding the . North Leeds Cardinal and ’Northern cancer cells survived was perhaps one of those Birdwatchers. .Both his Harrier were seen. the radiation treatment times. . brother. and‘ Sister had Lunch by the water tasted given before the Oh September 22, Shirley good bird. lists, but he good and the banter among transplant. Douglas, Wimperis saw ,5 flocks was starting almost from the other birders was who was only 12 years of loons within a mile scratch'; for him nearly enjoyed. After lunch old, was well aware that and she also had Redâ€"necked every bird would be a the driving trip continued, he was going to die, and Grebes in her bay on lifer. when suddenly, a large he faced that fact with October 5. Her last Rubyâ€" What luck!‘ He was not owl was seen on the ground the same "maturity, throated Hummingbird left only. driVing in Bill by the road. It was soon determination, and a well on September 16' Cutfield's car but he evident that the bird, documented streak of John Goodman saw a large was also in the coveted identified as a Great stubborness" with which skein of Canada Geese on September 28, Annette Mess saw about 60 on September 30 and Shirley Wimperis observed about 500 in her bay on October front seat. His siblings had told him how much fun it was to bird with Bill, though, mind you, he had faced the ups and downs of his four year illness. September 30, from Horned Owl, was injured. The only thing to do was to capture it and take it to Kit Chubb at the On he had been warned, (by Avian Care and Research timeâ€"to-time Douglas someone who shall remain Foundation in Verona. watched the birds at the 4. . nameless) 'not to take Kit and her husband Robin, feeder from his hospital Eastern Bluebirds were any of 8111's somewhat care for injured birds. bed, which had been set seen on . October 2 by colourful language home up in the family TV room. Shirley Wimperis, October to Mom! (Sorry Bill). It was a lovely day, sunny and warm and the destination for this field trip was Wolfe Island. Neither the lad's brother or sister had ever been there, and he had been told that even though it was July â€" a poor month for birding â€" there could be good birding on the island. By the time the group reached ' Wolfe Island, the bird list had begun to grow. The boy was glad to add new species to his list, even though Upon arrival Kit immediately gave the owl an injection, naming the medication. Douglas whispered, That's one of my medications". Kit explained that it appeared that the bird had been brain damaged, and she fixed a 'bed' for it in a box of pine needles. Birding was over for the day, and Pauline Hockey asked Douglas what rwas the bird of the day for him. It was the Great Horned Owl and it was also a species which neither his brother or sister had on their lists! He died early in the morning on October 1 enveloped by the love of his family. His older brother Andrew (14), exhibiting a maturity beyond his years, helped his parents cope with the seizures that came at the end. Each child in the family chose something that Douglas treasured, to go with him to his final resting place. Andrew's choice was the Peterson bird book which I had given to him. I am sure that when 11 by Elsie Goodman and on October 12 by Jansje Keates. Dave willison had a long list of interesting birds but because space is running out, I'll only mention a couple. He had Pine Siskins on September 29 as did Annette Mess on September 30. Dave also had a Common Redpoll on September 30. It would be nice for a change if we were to have a big winter finch year. I hope that my readers have not found this month's column too much of a he knew his siblings The next morning saw my Elizabeth and Andrew get Idowner'.. To be truthful, already had them on theirS. grandson Douglas, up bright their first Great Horned it was difficult to think 32w:::fih Zinge::::l:p::§:: and early. He worked :wl, they dwill femember :: 1::thltirv:jse’as an: that was unique to his hard to get a 900d 100k ow eXClte Doug as was catharsis for me. . ‘ at ,a Common Yellowthroat to tell about his. As , A trip to th? sewage lagoon which was chucking and for me, I Will always Please 'call 359-5178 With proved exc1ting. There Skulking in the bushes. be grateful that Douglas your Sightings: I should h? had 900d hgoks at Blueâ€" I knew then that a true had the chance to visit be more available thls Winged Teal and a Spotted birder had been born! us on his own, as he had month. Until next month. Sandpiper. A Gadwall "We'll have you for a always wanted to do. GOOD BIRDING! W1th young swam quietly visit soon again, Douglas" It is a happy memory that as he watched through I said, “and you'll get will be ours forever. the telescope. Suddenly, some more new species Margaret Youldon phoned what excitement, a Wilsons for your list." to say that a young Common Phalarope flew in ‘ a But 'it was not to be Loon had been taken to bird unique to his list! shortly thereafter it the biological station HUGHSON SELLING ALL GRADES OF‘ HUDSON INSURANCE D/B S-P-D. INSURANCE LTD. 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