Crozier man planning ‘Birdathon’

Roger Simms will be embarking on yet another “Birdathon” this spring–an annual event for the Crozier resident.
“Typically, it’s done over a 24-hour period and however many hours you can put in that 24 hours,” noted Simms, who has been taking part in the annual bird count since 1988.
“Historically I would be up at daybreak and out until about 10 p.m.”
Simms is taking part in the Baillie Birdathon, a national event staged to raise money for outdoors projects.
“Every year in May, there is something known as the Baillie Birdathon,” he said. “The idea being to raise funds for bird studies, protection of habitat, and things of that nature.
“I do it mainly because I’m helping to raise funds for bird-related projects including habitat protection, monitoring any increase or decrease in a species’ number, and because I always make it a field day and enjoy it,” he added.
“It gets me outside looking at birds, which I love to do, and it gets me out to raise money for a worthwhile cause.”
Simms logs sightings of anywhere from 100 to 130 birds in a day during the event.
“It’s always a challenge to see how many birds you can spot in one day,” he remarked. “Usually in the case of Northwestern Ontario, you’re looking at the migration.”
This year, Simms has raised $837 through sponsors. As suggested by Baillie Birdathon organizers, he donated 25 percent ($209) to a local organization of his choice–the Rainy River Valley Field Naturalists Club.