by Greg Layson
People and birds alike are flocking to one of the most rich and diverse ecological stops in Essex County.
Hungry migratory shorebirds are on the move, returning from over-wintering grounds as far away as South America. And they’re stopping to grab a bite to eat at the Hillman Marsh Conservation Area before finishing their journeys in Northern Canada.
Jessica Rose, the Environmental Educator for the Essex Region Conservation Authority (ERCA), calls the area “a really special, human-managed shorebird cell.”
The mudflat is flooded in the fall and kept snowy and wet all winter. In spring, bugs start to breed and lay their eggs.
“The larvae hatch and we end up with this amazing bug buffet that is perfect for returning shorebirds,” she said.
It’s also perfect for birders, young and old, new and experienced.
Rose has been hosting ERCA’s Birding for Beginners Hikes.
Her biggest piece of advice? Don’t be intimidated.
“Shorebirds can be an intimidating group to identify,” she said. “A lot of them look very similar and so many of them are here for such a short amount of time.”
Rose starts by teaching the basics through introducing some of the necessary equipment, which includes binoculars, a spotting scope, and even apps now available on smartphones.
And then, it’s on to the birds.
“The most important thing is just to start to notice size and shape, noticing colours, where they are, and what they're doing,” she said. “You don't have to be able to name the birds to realize that this one looks a little bit different than that one. Or that this one's kind of bobbing its tail in a different way.
“So, you can appreciate and notice the differences and the biodiversity that's out there, regardless of if you can find the bird in a field guide.”
Marion Overholt was one of the novice birders on the May 16 hike. She was putting some retirement gifts to good use.
“I’m just so excited. When I retired, two different groups of people gave me binoculars to do birding,” she said. “And then, because I support ERCA, I got the notice about the hike. So, I thought this would be awesome to come out and spend some time with Jess and get to know some of these shorebirds.”
Overholt grew up along the Detroit River and has a longstanding appreciation of Essex County’s unique biodiversity.
“I’m a marsh person,” she said. “I want to gain some familiarity with more birds than what I have now.”
Prior to the hike, Overholt participated in an interactive presentation about bird names in Anishinaabemowin, hosted by Joseph Pitawanakwat.
He is Ojibway from Wiikwemkoong and currently cataloging the names of birds in Anishinaabemowin, the Ojibwe language, before knowledge of these names – and what they mean in English – disappears forever.
“It was fascinating,” Overholt said. “This is such a rich area to explore and to show that appreciation and reverence for nature. I think that’s important.”
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