A Walk for Waterloo Public Library and a Visit to the Canadian Clay and Glass Gallery

31 May, 2025

     I was delighted when I was asked by Waterloo Public Library to lead a birding walk through Waterloo Park, culminating with a visit to the Nest Works Exhibit at the Canadian Clay and Glass Museum.

     It was a cold day, with a temperature of a mere 5.5  degrees when we began, and it speaks well to the enthusiasm of the fifty or so people who braved these unseasonable (and unreasonable) end-of-May conditions. 

     I am indebted to Peter Walesch for permitting me to use the pictures he took as we meandered along together. 

     Even though the number of birds and the range of species was less than we might have hoped for, there was much to talk about, and a lively discussion took place about all things avian.

    Enthusiasm and zeal were never lacking.

     Predictably, Canada Geese (Branta canadensis) were numerous and liberally seeded the paths and sidewalks with their droppings.

     Such is the price we pay for encouraging them to eschew migration and take up residence in parks and on golf courses, tailor made for them.

     You will notice in the picture below a little girl in a pink hat. You will be hearing more about her in a subsequent post; suffice it to say here that she was inquisitive and delightful, and won the hearts of everyone on that cool morning.

     She brought a feather to me to identify and that led to a whole discourse on feather structure and function, and a discussion of different feather tracts and their purpose.

     Actual birds were hard to find, so her curiosity was turned to good advantage.

     We meandered on.

     There were many more geese to keep us company.

     A young Black-capped Chickadee (Poecile atricapillus) looked like it had only recently fledged and its flight was not quite as proficient as it will become.

     It had already realized, however, that friendly humans bring breakfast on cold mornings.

     Enthusiasm remained high and I don't think anyone left early.

     A noisy Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata) was keen to join our group.

     My little friend was never without a question or an observation.

     Red-winged Blackbirds (Agelaius phoeniceus) were very active and everyone learned their song quickly. 

     A male is a handsome fellow indeed.

     The Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics signals Canadian excellence at its highest level.

     We made our way over to the Clay and Glass Gallery, where I am sure everyone was glad to be inside away from the biting cold of the day.

     We were there to examine the fabulous exhibit of Mara Silver, a dedicated conservationist and protector of vulnerable Barn Swallows (Hirundo rustica) and American Cliff Swallows (Petrochelidon pyrrhonota). The exhibit is curated by Marcel O'Gorman and Jennifer Clary-Lemon, those indefatigable, dedicated aficionados of the realm of birds and their role in the Anthropocene.

      I was enormously satisfied to be able to provide background information on these species and elaborate on their breeding biology, threats and speculate about their future, having spent several years of my life intimately involved with them.

     The following pictures probably need little further commentary from me.

     Is anything so heartwarming as a full clutch of eggs in the nest of a bird weighing a mere 18 grams, who has journeyed all the way from South America to raise its young with us?

     The skins of the birds, on loan from the Royal Ontario Museum, do not capture the vibrancy of their plumage, nor the incredible speed and versatility of these accomplished aerialists. For that you will need to go and find them!

     For those readers who are local, here is the route we took on our pleasant Saturday morning ramble in the park.

     Waterloo Public Library is owed a huge vote of thanks for organizing this walk. What a fine way to connect to the community. I am very grateful to Julia Gingrich and Cathleen Getchell for their professionalism. It was a pleasure to deal with them.

     The Clay and Glass Gallery deserves much credit for having the foresight to mount such an important exhibit. 

     It's great to live in Waterloo!