Editor’s Message CSANews© is published four times a year and is Copyright SPRING 2022 by Medipac International Communications Inc., 180 Lesmill Road, Toronto, Ontario M3B 2T5. 416.441.7000. Subscription Price: $9.95 Canada; $20.00 U.S. and foreign. Single copy: $3.95. Prices include tax. Published by Medipac International Communications Inc. Opinions expressed are those of the writers and are not necessarily those of the CSA, Medipac International Communications Inc. or its affiliates, their Directors, Officers, or other employees or agents. Canadian Publications Mail Product Sales Agreement No: 40063603. ISSN No: 1195-2393 Barb & Ron Kroll Dr. Robert MacMillan Shari McIntyre David McPherson Andrew Moore-Crispin Rex Vogel Robert Wiersema Judith Adam Gabrielle Bauer Donna Carter Michael Coren Jennifer Cox James Dolan John Hardy Milan Korcok Karen Huestis Ron Steeves Garry McDonald Ted Popel Wendy Caban Bob Slack James Leroux Mike Legault John Foster James Carl Simpson Johanne Blain Michael MacKenzie Wallace Weylie President First Vice-President Second Vice-President Treasurer Secretary Past-President Director Director Director Director Director Executive Director Legal Counsel CSA BOARD OF DIRECTORS Editor CSA Editor President Art Director Director of Operations Marketing & Events Specialist J. Ross Quigley Karen Huestis Christopher Davidge Peter Prusa Paula McGovern Fran Castricone SPRING 2022 | ISSUE 122 CONTRIBUTING EDITORS We acknowledge the support of the Government of Canada. Merv Magus Illustrator W hen we were locked in our Covid-safe homes, both here in Canada and in the United States, we all became much more aware of our environment and our surroundings. We had very little else that we could do. It is not that we did not pay attention before all of this nonsense, we just had far more time to contemplate our homes and backyards and we became much more aware of everything. The number of birds flitting about and even living in our trees was amazing. Sure, there have always been birds around, but we never really had time to watch, and learn. After a while, we were hooked. Every new bird species was an “event.”The baby birds that suddenly appeared were fragile and we watched them learn how to fly and survive in this unreal world. What a pleasure it was, and is. I guess that you could now call us “birdwatchers.” This is one of the most popular hobbies in America with estimates ranging up to 60 million people (now 60 million and two). Only fishing can claim that kind of participation. There are sponsored tours to birding regions in every province and state; most are inexpensive and many are free. It is a great way to meet good people who enjoy the outdoors and each other’s company. On Page 14, Barb and Ron Kroll outline several of the best opportunities for birding in Canada and I would recommend any of them. Our most interesting “observation” was when a red-tailed hawk dove down on the top of our bird feeder three feet from our kitchen window. It had a life-sizedmetal cardinal on top, for decoration, and it was to be the hawk’s lunch. It struggled for about a minute, trying to wrench it free, and then gave up. The hawk hit it so hard that I was concerned it would be injured, but it just flew away − frustrated, I am sure. And just for curiosity, most of us know that a flock of crows is properly called a “murder” of crows. For ravens, the word for a flock is an “unkindness” of ravens. Check this out for fun… www.almanac.com/redeeming-raven-evermore My son Jason taught me a new bird word − “murmurations.” This normally relates to starlings that swoop and fly in huge formations. So much more to learn. J. Ross Quigley Editor CSANews | SPRING 2022 | 3
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