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14 - Orono Weekly Times Wednesday, June 17, 2009 The Regional Municipality of Durham Health Department Birds of a Feather Birding by Markus Lise Keep safe on your ATV this summer WHITBY, ON - Warmer weather is here and Durham Region Health Department is reminding area residents of the importance of safety while riding on and operating allterrain vehicles (ATVs). According to SMARTRISK, a leading injury prevention group in Canada, the number of ATV-related hospitalizations has increased by 66 per cent in recent years - from 1,693 cases in 1997 to 2,808 in 2005. Some ATV-related injuries include head and spinal trauma, fractures, internal injuries, permanent disability and death. "Driver error, particularly poor judgment and loss of control are commonly cited as leading to ATV crashes," said Nicole Goodfellow, a public health nurse with the Health Department. In 2007, 258 people visited emergency rooms at Durham Region hospitals for injuries sustained while operating or riding an ATV, while in Ontario, there were 26 deaths due to ATV-related injuries. The Canadian Association of Pediatric Surgeons, has also noted that ATVs are one of the most dangerous recreational activities for children and adolescents. The Canadian Pediatric Society recommends that children under 16 should not operate ATVs, as they lack the knowledge, strength and cognitive skills to operate ATVs safely. "Parents of children who ride ATVs need to be especially vigilant," added Ms. Goodfellow. "Proper education about the risks involved in this activity can greatly assist parents." The Health Department suggests the following tips to keep safe on ATVs: · Wear appropriate safety equipment (i.e. helmet, gloves, boots, chest protector, eye protection, long sleeves and pants). · Take an approved ATV training course. · Ensure your helmet is buckled up, and gloves and boots are secure. · Do not use drugs or alcohol. · Know where you're riding and ride within your ability. For more information about ATV safety or to obtain resources, call Durham Health Connection Line 905-6666241 or 1-800-841-2729, or visit www.durham.ca. Birding on Vancouver Island For the past ten days, I had the privilege of doing some birding on Vancouver Island. They were unfortunate circumstances that brought my wife Jeanne and I to the area. Her oldest sister passed away after a long illness at the age of 74. One of the first birds which we sighted in the family's back yard was theRed Breasted Sapsucker (the southern version). It's habits and appearances are very similar to the Yellowbellied Sapsuckers. The Bald Eagles were as common as Ring Billed Gulls along some of the rivers and in the Comox area where we landed in the air plane. Instead of our Ruby Throated Humming Birds, the Rufous Humming Bird was very common. When we walked along the beach of the Pacific Ocean and picked up several oysters as souvenirs, we sighted an Oyster Catcher. The Stellar Jay was as popular as the Blue Jay is here in the East. Once we returned home, one of our neighbours shared the sighting of a Crested Flycatcher south of Newcastle. It must have been either a Great Crested or a Brown Crested Flycatcher. I shall report on them further in the future. It was so good to be home again. Some of the feeders were totally empty, so it is taking us a while to get our birds back again. Baltimore Orioles, Grey Cat Birds, American Robins and the Winter Wrens wake me up again first thing in the morning. Another neighbour called me and asked why the Baltimore Oriole was not coming to her feeder now that she is all set up to feed them. I explained to her that one needs to fill feeders for the Oriole in the spring. The Orioles are too occupied with raising their new families and building/weaving their nests at this time of the year. Enjoy this fruitful season of adding new families to our environment. At the moment, I am enjoying 2 adult Swans, raising 7 signats in the Wilmot Creek entrance into the Lake. Markus Lise lives in Newcastle. He is a retired minister who now works as a "Minister of Nature." Loyal Printing Ltd. "Everything with the printed word" · Business Cards · Letterhead · Envelopes · Forms · Laminating · Booklets 5310 Main St., Orono L0B 1M0 · 905-983-5301