Orono Weekly Times, Wednesday, December 18,2002 - 3 It appears that the Eastern Bluebird is enjoying a longer stay in the area this year than usually. Over this past week I have had two separate reports on sightings of Eastern Bluebirds. It could be the same flock even though the sightings sightings were some distant apart. The first sighting was relayed by Mrs. Murray Yeo of Middle Road, one and a quarter quarter Concessions north of Taunton Road. This was a small flock of three to four birds. The birds were seen December around December 8th in a swampy pond area surrounded by Eastern Cotton Wood trees. The second report came Sunday, December 15 and a lot closer, being east of Orono. Alex Haggerty of Henry Road, north of Mount Tom, east of Orono, phoned in a report of a sighting of some four male birds along with a female bird. They were seen on more than one occasion within a period of a few days. Of course I had to get out the James Richards book "Birds of the Oshawa-Lake Scugog Region", to check his reportings reportings of late year sightings of this species. It appears the fall migration of Bluebirds is most active during the month of October and extending into early November. A most unusual late date was a recording made on January 2, 1954. That's going back somewhat in time. The Eastern Bluebird mainly mainly feeds on ground insects, a reason for the species to be attracted to areas with shorter grass. But during the fall wild shrub fruit can replace the diet of insects. Being in the outdoors this fall it did seem as wild fruit was more in abundance than other years. This of course, is not a scientific count by any means but it did appear there was an abundance of colour coming from ripening shrub trees. It is interesting that Bill Bunting recently referred to a magazine article on Blue Birds. It had been noted that a small number of Blue Birds had crowded together in a wooden post cavity for warmth. Nature does have its survival habits. The presence of the Dark- Eyed or Slate Coloured Junco has increased considerably at the base of the feeding station of late. Most easy to identify with the flashes of white from under the body and along the side-edge of the tail. They can be busy little birds as they search for small seeds and crumbs. They do like the protection protection of shrubs as they scurry scurry about. to all friends and neighbours from Harold and Gwen r ~ Happenings ~ Tuesday. December 24th Free Public Skating - at Orono Arena from 1 to 3 p.m. sponsored by the Orono B.I.A. January 6 to 26.2003 Gain creative and effective job search skills in the Job Finding Club - Meta Vocational Services Inc. in Bowmanville is offering a 3-week job search program where you will learn: how to access the hidden job market; market; effective interview skills; preparing resumes and cover letters and more. The Job Finding Club is sponsored sponsored by Human Resources Development Canada. For more info contact Cathleen Lycett at 905-697-8887. Saturday, January 11.2001 Free Pancake Breakfast from St. Saviour's Church to Orono community at the St. Saviour's Church Hall from 8 - 9:30 a.m. Donations accepted for The Orono Crown Lands Trust. V Sunday. January 12.2002 John O'Toole, MPP, Annual Durham Riding Levee at Trillium Trails 53 Snowridgc Court (north of Raglan off Simcoe St. N.) Everyone welcome. Firemen say farewell By Anita DeVries Orono firefighters said a sad good-bye to 46 years of experience last Saturday night at their annual Christmas dinner dinner in the Orono Town Hall. Murray Dennis, Carl Coatham, Todd Graves, Jason Hansen and Stewart Richardson were all given a plague and a gift for their years of service here in Orono. They each commented how they enjoyed their time in Orono and thanked everyone for their support. "We don't want to see them go," said District Fire Chief Dave Forrester, "but we are not going to go into that... " A weeping woman from the audience said, "Because we're all crying." The firefighters were forced to quit working as part- time firefighters by their union, which states that as a member of the union, fulltime fulltime firefighters may not be a volunteer firefighter elsewhere. elsewhere. The phrase was in the union's constitution for years, but was never truly enforced until now. MPP Ted Arnott tried to pass a private members bill to protect full-time firefighters who chose to work part-time for their local fire departments, departments, but Bill 30 was defeated defeated in its third reading on Dec. 11. "If I had a choice, I wouldn't wouldn't see them go," said Forrester, but added that in "no way is it going to cripple us. I would never say the community community will be crippled by it. We do have a good staff." Five new part-time firefighters firefighters will be responding to calls in the new year, including including Orono's first female firefighter, firefighter, Angela Lynde Sinclair. "We have 27 part-timers now, not including the new recruits who will start responding to calls in the New Year," said Forrester. When Murray Dennis started started as a part-time firefighter in Orono 15 years ago, firefighters firefighters didn't receive much training. training. "They said, here's your coat, your hat and your boots,",, laughed Dennis. Now, new recruits are trained in everything from advanced first aid to bunker training and professional conduct. conduct. Free Pancake Breakfast from St. Saviour's Church to the Orono Community Saturday, January 11th, 8:00am to 9:30 am in the church hall Donations accepted for The Orono Crown Lands Trust mstmas to all my family) friends & neighbours Merry Christmas and A Happy New Year Margaret Todd & from the Orono Business Improvement Association te @11 etu® Friends Enjoy FREE SKATING at the Orono Arena Tues,, December 24th, from 1:00 - 3:00 p.m courtesy of the Orono B.I.A. OSesl ls)is£es to you anayours from ihe Orono Hi. S7.C/Ï. V T r* z