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by Dick E. Bird Dateline: Aprll I. 2003 Birdwatchers from all over Canada and the United States are expected to flock to the Stouffvllle resewoir this spring. They will hope to catch a glimpse of the very rare Australian upside-down bird lavis inversus australis). Half-way around the globe from its native habitat. the bird has been seen several times at the reservoir. It has been seen only three times - 'WHITCHURCH-STOUFFVILLE THIS MONTH” â€" See Rare bird turns development on its head The bird was formally identified by William Bliss. president of the Bird Watchers' Society of Canada. last week. The 76- year-old hobbyist said that seeing it "was without doubt the biggest thrill of my life." Four features will help to identify the bird which is slightly smaller than a robin. Its body is a bright yellow colour and its beak in the past I0 years in North America. us on 'www.sfoulfvilleonline com Most of the time the bird will be seen with its head downward on a tree trunk or hanging by its feet from a branch â€"- hence its common name. This photo- is slightly curved to help dislodge insects from under bark. On its head are two tufts that look like horns. Residents in a flutter over arrival of rare upside-down bird graph was taken just a few days ago by a staff member People are asked not to approach or disturb the bird if they see it. However, spreading a few raisins around would not be harm- ful as this is the closest of the birders' favourite magazine, The Armchair Naturalist. The Australian Upside-down Bird is expected to be found hanging about at the Stouffville Reservoir on April 1. One councillor is hoping that the bird's arrival will help to revitalize the downtown core by attracting tourists, but some people fear it will ruffle feathers in the pro-development camp. "This is a very signifi- cant event." stated Tom Clinch of the Association of Canadian Ornithologists lwww.a.con.orgj and Stouffville should expect to see a lot of visitors. Anything that attracts tourists to our town is ben- eficial according to one councillor, who hopes "it will help to revitalize our downtown cone." thing to its native food dingo dung. Not everyone is happy 1n lnlvlligvnl u'uv h Lori Gray. CIMBL. PFP, AICB Cell: 416-727-7260 Fax: 905-642-5318 Web: www.|orimongages.com CALL TODAY FOR YOUR FREE CONSULTATION! MORTGAGE INTELLIGENCE 1st.2nd and Private Mongages Financing to 100% Residmtlal, Commemial. Recr‘teonal. Rental_ Self Employed? Commissioned Sales? Ask about Idoclm a 3'48-home developflient on the reservoir :site. As one disgruntled naysayer observed, "Which is more important, the town's growth or some goofy bird?" Editor’s note: Dick E. Bird is the nom de plumage of a prominent local citizen. though, as it was thought that preserving the bird's nesting site would interlere with the mayor's hopes foi :0! u nmrtgagv.’ MAC Company APRIL 2003