March 20, 2012

Neotropical Migratory Bird Exhibit

Neotropical Migratory Bird exhibit on March 25 at 1:30 pm. 

The exhibit re-creates a tropical mangrove wetland. It features a rare collection 
of 22 life-size bird carvings by the Skeete family that was donated by the 
Graeme Hall Nature Sanctuary in Barbados.

This unique collection shows familiar migratory birds from Canada sharing an exotic mangrove wetland with resident Caribbean birds. 

Visitors will be invited to follow Wally, the Yellow Warbler, on his annual migration from Oak Hammock Marsh to the south. Arriving at Wally's destination, visitors will use a viewing blind, binoculars, and interpretive signs to search for Wally among the mangroves that he shares with a variety of herons, egrets, and other resident Caribbean birds.

"We were overwhelmed when Peter Allard and the Allard Family agreed to sponsor the creation of an exhibit that would not only showcase the beauty of these carvings," said Michele Kading, the Head of Interpretation at OHMIC.

The new exhibit will help visitors realize the critical importance of Caribbean wetlands.

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The first goose of the year was seen at Oak Hammock Marsh on March 11 at 11:45 am.

The person guessing the closest date and time of the arrival wins a family membership to the Interpretive Centre as well as a cute and cuddly plush Canada goose. 
The winner for this year's contest is Sophia Schreckenbach from Winnipeg. 

The arrival of the geese is a sure sign that spring is on its way!!

The annual bird migration is triggered by environmental factors, primarily the changes in the day length. These changes are also related to hormonal changes in the birds during the migration period called Zugunruhe, a German word meaning migratory restlessness, when many birds display higher activity as well as physiological changes such as increased fat deposition in preparation for the long flight ahead. 


The Oak Hammock Marsh Interpretive Centre is located 20 minutes north of Winnipeg on highway 67 between highways #7 and #8. For more information call 467-3300.

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