Raffle supports young banders at PEPtBO

Support the Prince Edward Point Bird Observatory’s Young Banders Fund by purchasing a raffle ticket with the opportunity to win $5,000.

PEPtBO’s banding site is significant due to the tremendous number of migratory birds that pass through the area.

The location is a focal point for passerines, waterfowl and raptors, with yearly reports of rare and unusual species.

The Canadian Nature Federation and Bird Studies Canada designated Prince Edward Point as a Globally Important Birding Area (IBA) in 1998. The Observatory includes a banding lab, a bander’s cottage and net lanes both in the woods and alongside the old field edge among the scrub.

In an average spring, some 4,000-5,500 birds of 100+ species are banded; and in the fall some 6,000-8,000 birds of 100 species.

Daily banding totals have reached 700+ in a but 100-300 is more usual depending on the time of the year.

Owl banding takes place in the fall during October and up to 1,200 owls have been banded in a season, although 400-800 is more usual with a norm of 0-40 a night. There are times when wind comes from the wrong direction on a moon lit night and Saw-whets stay away.

Just 200 raffle tickets will be sold. The winning ticket is to be draw Nov. 2 at the annual fall dinner and silent auction.

To purchase a ticket, contact Cheryl at 613-849-7743, or email her at cherylanderson23@sympatico.ca