by June Hitchcox

The record-breaking, magnificent Great Gray Owls that visited Southern Ontario this past winter, have returned to their far-north breeding grounds to find abandoned hawk or crow nests and raise their families.  We watched a Great Gray at Cranberry Marsh, Whitby, for as long as we wished, as it perched in a low tree just a few yards from the road.  It constantly swiveled its head, listening for mice under the snow and suddenly swooped down even closer to us, using its long wing as a shovel to try to scoop up a mouse - but missed.  Later that day, down one of the trails, we watched a Barred Owl, close-up.  It has also been a special winter for seeing them.

Two Apsley families, Pat, Tom Carlos and Mike Blair, have enjoyed watching Barred Owls in their backyards. Many Barred Owls stay in our area.  Listen for their call: "Who cooks for you, who cooks for you-all?"

Among other birds seen by Liz and Bill are a Gray Owl near Peterborough and a Wild Turkey on their road.  Spring is a good time to see Turkeys in large groups with last year's young still with the mothers.

Exhausted Hummingbirds arrive about the first week of May, some a little earlier.  You can help them by having your Hummingbird feeder out for them.  Clean and rinse the feeder thoroughly.   Bring to a boil a 4 to 1 solution of water and sugar:  one cup water to one quarter cup sugar.  Use NO red food colouring - it causes fatal physical problems in the developing eggs, which produces young with such things as twisted bills, making it impossible for them to feed themselves.

Owl Shots
 
by Grant Rowland

I just finished reading the Feb/Mar 2005 edition of the Apsley Voice. I noticed the Great Grey Owls column by June Hitchcox, and had to share these  pictures with everyone. This Barred owl is a regular visitor at our house north of Coe Hill, and doesn't seem to be to frightened by any daily  activities.  Horses, cats, dogs, or humans do not seem to bother him at all.

Enjoy the pictures.

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Gymnastics back in Apsley

by Robin Miszuk

It took  years of trying but we finally succeeded in bringing gymnastics to Apsley.  The program runs at our local school and is open to girls from grades four to eight.  There are 25 students enroled of which 22 will be participating in the Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board gymnastics competition. Come and cheer on our athletes at Crestwood Secondary School on April 14th.  Along with Apsley Central Public School, there will be 15 other elementary schools participating.  Hats off to the Program Co-ordinator and Head Coach Donna Friedrich for the determination necessary to get this program initiated. Thanks to Assistant Coach and KPR representative, Sharon Hainer as well as spotters Sandra DelMastro, Lorie Lawley and Amy Lawley.  Gymnastics in Apsley has been made possible by the North Kawartha Township and Parks and Recreation Department for assuming the liability insurance and assuring the program is affordable to all.