Riverwood’s new Virtual Birding Tour lets you learn about Mississauga’s avian species from the comfort of home
By Lindita Abazi, placement student from the University of Toronto Mississauga
Over the last year, many of us have found ourselves sitting at home, staring at a screen for hours at a time, just about every day. Maybe you’re working or studying from home, or maybe you’re just following public health guidance and spending as much time as possible at home to limit the spread of COVID-19 (and good on you for doing so). Whatever the reason, many of us have been indoors longer than we’d like, and there may be a need for that trend to continue, at least in the short term.
The Riverwood Conservancy knows full well that connections to nature are vital to our physical and mental wellbeing and that those connections can, and must, continue even when more of our lives are spent in a virtual space. Last spring, TRC created a Virtual Retreat in Nature tour of Riverwood to help people experience nature while indoors. This year, as part of my 4th-year Biology Internship placement, I’ve created a new virtual tour of the park in consultation with staff from TRC and the University of Toronto Mississauga’s Biology Department – and this one focuses on birds!
The new Riverwood Virtual Birding Tour guides viewers along the park’s trails to highlight areas where 14 bird species can be found. Each stop on the tour focuses on one species, describing its’ appearance, size, diet, and some fun facts. Pictures, videos, and sonograms (recordings of bird calls) are also included.
I particularly enjoy the stop that features my favourite bird on the tour, the double-crested cormorant. Just by looking at it, you’d never guess this bird sounds like an oinking pig!
I really enjoyed creating something that others can use to stay close to nature while they stay safe at home. Putting this project together was a bit out of my comfort zone, but I’m glad I took it on – I never thought I would enjoy birding as much as I do!
My supervisor at TRC, Catherine, encouraged me to take walks at Riverwood on my own time to develop my connection with both Riverwood and the birds. This helped immensely as I physically connected to the virtual project, and I began to develop a new appreciation for the birds I was working with. The experience has made a positive impact on my physical and mental wellness too. I will carry this new perspective with me as I work towards a future career in the medical field.
I hope that taking the virtual birding tour will be a great way for you to reconnect with nature, learn about local wildlife, and take a step back from your busy schedule to relax and rejuvenate.