The birds are coming back! And with your help they’ll keep the Lemay forest standing.

With two days of 16 C on the calendar this weekend, the excitement of spring is reaching a fever pitch. Not only do warmer temperatures make us excited to spend more time outdoors, but a strong south wind means migrating birds are making their way back north. The quacks of mallard ducks, the morning songs of the Pine Warbler and the chirps of the Common Grackle make up the symphony when you step outside your home this time of year! 

This weekend, we’re inviting you to keep an eye out for migrating birds. The BirdCast live bird migration map shows us that over 100 million birds have already made their way north earlier this week. When you see migratory bird species arriving, share them on your favourite bird app–like iNaturalist or EBird, then share a photo, video, or sighting on your socials that the birds are back at home in Lemay forest. Tag us, use #SaveLemayForest even, and tag your elected officials too.

The owner and developer continue to threaten the Lemay forest, even though Indigenous consultation and heritage resources analysis of burial sites are not complete. But forests are protected from logging under the Migratory Bird Regulations during the breeding bird season. For Lemay, that is mid-April until late August. By looking out for migrating birds this weekend you’ll help protect their nesting habitat.

If you’re around the Lemay Forest, pay special attention for our friend the Pileated Woodpecker with its distinctive red hat-like plume and loud distinct call. Their use of the forest for nesting is a reason we’re calling for protection here. 

One of the best ways of figuring out what birds are around is the wonderful Merlin Bird ID app run by Cornell University. You can discover birds by their physical features or by the bird calls that you hear. For more info, check out the Merlin website or find the free app on the major app stores.

And  if you hear a chainsaw, call and email federal wildlife officials. This forest is only standing because of citizens like you, and we will keep standing up for it.
 cwsnwapermitprairie@ec.gc.ca and 1-800-668-6767

Get outside, contribute to the Lemay forest campaign, and save this sacred forest.