It’s that time of year again, when the Prince Edward Point Bird Observatory’s motto, “Save the Planet…One Bird at a Time” changes to “…One Bid at a Time.” The Fabulous Festive Holiday Auction begins this week.

The Bird Observatory at the very end of Long Point Road is known for its bird banding station. But its conservation work extends beyond the South Shore. PEPtBO studies, monitors, and reports on the migration, breeding patterns, and ecosystems affecting birds throughout the County. It protects birds by understanding them. 

“As bird populations continue to decline, we collect crucial data on thousands of birds including species at risk and of special concern as they fly through the County between their northern nesting sites and where they spend the winter in the south. We also monitor birds that are year-round residents to PEC,” said Cristina Petrucci, PEPtBO’s Communications Assistant.

Prince Edward Point is a perfect site for the observatory. Birds on fall migration stop here; it’s the last bit of land to feed on and wait for the right weather for the 50 to 100 km open-water crossing of Lake Ontario.

In the spring, it’s the first bit of land where they can rest and feed after their crossing. The Point and the entire South Shore are also the staging grounds for thousands of butterflies making the same incredible journey.

This time of year, PEPtBO and the South Shore, as well as the provincial parks of Sandbanks and Presqu’ile, welcome other migratory species. The Long-tailed duck and the Snowy Owl are Arctic birds which consider PEC their southern destination for the winter.

The station is just one of a continent-wide network along major migration corridors. It is run by volunteers and has a small staff of professional banders. The volunteers are active in other local conservation groups, such as the Field Naturalists and the South Shore Joint Initiative, which which PEPtBO works closely to deliver fall and spring programs.

The Spring Birding Festival drew hundreds of visitors, including birders and photographers, to the Observatory in May. “Starry Nights with Saw-whets,” which ran all of October, was also popular. 

As a a charitable organization, PEPtBO fundraises to operate its station and offer all of its public programming.

The Festive Holiday Auction, one of PEPtBO’s most important annual fundraisers, features as gifts experiences like a cruise on West Lake,  and guided birding excursions in the winter and spring, as well as County arts and crafts, fine wines and food fare. 

“Our Holiday Auction isn’t just a fundraiser for us, it’s a community builder. It gives us an opportunity to partner with our local businesses, artists, service providers and supporters to highlight the richness and diversity of our county,” said President Julie White.

“Last year we made a bold move, to become a year-round program, significantly increasing our capacity for research, conversation, and public impact. We were able to do so, in part, because of the funds we raised through our 2021 and 2022 auctions,” said Ms. Petrucci. 

The auction runs November 27-December 11. Peruse the offerings and bid online at https://www.32auctions.com/PEPtBO23.