SIXTH ANNUAL BIRDS AND BREAKFAST

BY BARB MACDONALD

The sun shone in more ways than one for the 6th Annual Birds and Breakfast held at Prince Edward Island National Park on Saturday,

May 25. Nearly 200 people turned out at 6:30 a.m. to celebrate the

_centennial of the National Parks in Canada as well as the arrival of spring. ' '

v Both the weather and the birds co—operated well for the event. During a short stroll through the Rustico Island Campground in the early morning sunshine, the group encountered 30 different species of birds including a female Scarlet Tanager, a rare bird for Prince Edward Island.

Boomer the Beaver, the Parks Canada Centennial mascot, also rose early to make a special appearance at the event. Boomer had special pins to give all of the participants and was a great hit with young and old alike.

Later, the 200 hungry bird

’watchers enjoyed a delicious breakfast of sausages and pancakes prepared by the Brackley Beach Women's Institute. They also had a surprise offering - a special birthday cake to celebrate the 100th year of heritage conservation in Canada.

All in all, Birds and Breakfast '85 was a great success. Park staff hope that special events such as this will encourage Islanders to enjoy Prince Edward Island National Park to its fullest.

"SIGHTINGS“AT'BIRDS'AND‘BREAKFAST‘kaay'25y‘1985

Doublecrested Cormorant l6. .Golden-crowned Kinglet

l. 2. Great Blue Heron l7. Black-and—white Warbler 3. American Black Duck 18. Magnolia Warbler h. Osprey 19. Yellow-rumped Warbler 5. Greater Black—backed Gull 20. Common Yellowthroat 6. Herring Gull 21. Bob-o—link 7. Northern (Common) Flicker 22. Red-winged Blackbird 8. Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 23. Common Grackle 9. Eastern Kingbird 2U. Brown-headed Cowbird 10. Tree Swallow 25. Scarlet Tanager ll. Barn Swallow - 26. Purple Finch 12. ‘Northern Raven 27. Savannah Sparrow 13. American Crow 28. Chipping Sparrow 14. Black—capped Chickadee 29. White—Throated Sparrow 15. American Robin

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