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Transcript: Forest Pit Stop
A child says, WHEE!
TVO Kids and Fifth Ground Entertainment, Original.
[Child giggles, joyful music plays, pop]
Text over video footage of a forest reads, “T.V.O. kids presents.”
A flock of birds flies in circles. Beneath a tree, Taviss, a ten-year-old girl, pushes a branch away from her face. Her dark brown braided hair is tucked behind a brown bandana. She wears a white and yellow striped jacket and a blue shirt.
[Birds chirping, gentle music plays]
Taviss narrates, EVERY FALL...BIRDS OF CANADA'S NORTHERN BOREAL FOREST START A LONG JOURNEY SOUTH IN SEARCH OF WARMER WEATHER. THEY SOMETIMES FLY FOR HOURS AND HOURS AT A TIME WITH NO PLACE TO REST. THAT IS, UNTIL THEY HIT THIS WORLD-CLASS PIT STOP.
[Upbeat music plays]
A spit has a red and white lighthouse.
Taviss says, LET'S GO SEE IT!
[Whooshing]
Taviss runs on a dirt path lined with trees on both sides.
Title: Secrets of the Forest.
A drawing beside the title shows a girl sitting on green tree roots. She holds a magnifying glass and gazes towards the title.
Taviss narrates, OUR SECRET BRINGS US TO THE LAND OF THE ATTAWANDARON, HAUDENOSAUNEE AND ANISHINAABE PEOPLES.
A sign reads, “Welcome to the Long Point World Biosphere Reserve. www.LongPointBiosphere.com”
[Birds chirping, upbeat music plays quietly]
Taviss narrates, TODAY, THIS SPECIAL AREA IS NOW PART OF THE LONG POINT WORLD BIOSPHERE PROTECTED REGION. STRETCHING KILOMETRES OUT INTO GREAT LAKE ERIE IS A NARROW STRIP OF LAND CALLED A SPIT. WHEN BIRDS TRAVEL SOUTH FOR WINTER, LONG POINT IS A MUCH-NEEDED REST STOP ON THEIR LONG MIGRATION HIGHWAY.
Seagulls take off from the spit.
Kyle Cameron wears a ball cap over his curly brown hair. He wears a green vest and a beige sweater. Kyle peers through his binoculars.
[Chiming]
Taviss narrates, MEET KYLE CAMERON. HE IS A BIOLOGIST WITH BIRDS CANADA WHO WORKS AT THE LONG POINT BIRD OBSERVATORY. HE KNOWS SO MUCH ABOUT BIRDS, I'M STOKED TO MEET HIM!
Kyle says, HEY, TAVISS.
Taviss says, HEY!
Kyle says, WELCOME TO LONG POINT BIRD OBSERVATORY.
Taviss says, I'M SO EXCITED TO BE HERE.
Kyle says, LONG POINT'S A SPECIAL PLACE. YOU KNOW HOW BIRDS MIGRATE?
Taviss says, YEAH, THEY GO SOUTH FOR WINTER BECAUSE IT'S WARMER, RIGHT?
Kyle says, THAT'S RIGHT. BECAUSE IT'S WARMER AND, YOU KNOW, A LOT OF BIRDS EAT INSECTS.
Taviss says, YEP.
[Birds chirping]
Kyle says, THERE'S NOT VERY MANY INSECTS AROUND HERE IN THE WINTER SO THEY'VE GOT TO HEAD DOWN SOUTH TO GET INSECTS.
Taviss asks, SO WHY DO THEY ALWAYS STOP HERE?
Kyle says, WELL, MIGRATION IS A PRETTY TIRING THING. SO, WHEN THEY'RE TRAVELLING, THEY HAVE TO STOP AND REFUEL, KIND OF LIKE A GAS STATION OR A PIT STOP.
[Whooshing]
In an animation, a grey bird flies towards a black and white road sign that reads, “Long Point Rest Stop.”
[Panting]
The grey bird says, OH, PHEW, I REALLY HAD TO USE THE BATHROOM.
[Whooshing]
In reality, Kyle says, THEY STOP HERE BECAUSE IT'S THE SHORTEST DISTANCE ACROSS LAKE ERIE. OVER THE YEARS, WE'VE OBSERVED OVER 400 SPECIES OF BIRDS, AND EVERY YEAR WE OBSERVE MILLIONS OF INDIVIDUALS.
Tavis says, MILLIONS?
Kyle says, MILLIONS.
[Whooshing]
In an animation, birds fill the screen.
[Popping, birds chirping]
[Whooshing, upbeat music plays]
In reality, Kyle says, THERE'S LOTS OF BIRDS HERE AT THE OBSERVATORY, SO WE NEED LOTS OF VOLUNTEERS. WANT TO SEE WHAT IT'S LIKE VOLUNTEERING WITH BIRDS CANADA?
Taviss says, YEAH!
Kyle says, ALL RIGHT, LET'S GO!
Taviss narrates, A DAY IN THE LIFE OF A BIRD RESEARCHER? SIGN ME UP!
Kyle and Taviss stand beside a rolled-up net between two metal poles.
Kyle says, OKAY, TAVISS, THE FIRST THING WE DO IN THE MORNING HERE AT THE OBSERVATORY IS SET UP THESE MIST NETS.
Taviss asks, WHAT'S A MIST NET?
Kyle says, A MIST NET IS A SPECIAL NET THAT'S USED ONLY BY SCIENTISTS IN ORDER TO CATCH BIRDS OR BATS.
Taviss asks, DOES IT HURT THEM?
Kyle says, NO, IT DOESN'T HURT THEM. IT DEFINITELY SURPRISES THEM WHEN THEY HIT INTO THE NET. BUT WE HAVE A LOT OF TRAINING AS RESEARCHERS HERE IN ORDER TO REMOVE THEM SAFELY AND EFFECTIVELY FROM THE NET.
Taviss says, LET'S SET IT UP THEN!
Kyle says, ALL RIGHT, YOU'LL NEED THIS.
Kyle gives Taviss a wooden pole with a hook near the end.
Taviss says, OH, THANKS.
Kyle hooks the edge of the net and lifts it higher on the metal pole.
Kyle says, FIRST THING WE'RE GONNA DO IS TAKE THAT LITTLE HOOK THAT'S ON THERE. PUT IT UNDERNEATH HERE, AND WE'RE GOING TO RAISE THIS ALL THE WAY UP TO THE TOP, OKAY? YEP, THERE WE GO.
[Metal rattling]
Taviss reaches up with her pole.
[Taviss grunting]
Taviss says, I'M TOO SHORT!
[Kyle laughing]
[Dinging]
Taviss narrates, CAN'T SAY I'M NOT TRYING. LOOK AT THAT FACE.
[Taviss grunting]
Taviss says, OOH, YOU HAVE TO BE TALL.
[Metal creaking]
Taviss secures the bottom of the mist net.
Taviss says, WOO-HOO!
Kyle says, PERFECT. THANK YOU. AND NOW, WE WALK.
Taviss and Kyle high-five.
[Happy music plays, birds sing]
Kyle says, SO, EVERY MORNING, AFTER WE HAVE THE MIST NET SET UP, WE TAKE AN HOUR-LONG WALK THROUGH THE WOODLOT. WE'RE LOOKING FOR BIRDS BUT WE'RE ALSO LISTENING FOR BIRDS. SOMETIMES, WE CAN HEAR A BIRD, BUT WE CAN'T SEE THEM.
A red-winged blackbird perches on a sapling trunk.
[Bird trilling]
Taviss says, WAIT, I HEARD ONE! WHAT KIND OF BIRD WAS THAT?
Kyle says, THAT WAS A RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD.
Taviss asks, HOW ON EARTH DO YOU REMEMBER ALL THE CALLS?
Kyle says, WELL, BIRDERS USE A FEW DIFFERENT THINGS TO REMEMBER. SO, FOR INSTANCE, A WHITE-THROATED SPARROW MIGHT SOUND LIKE, "OH SWEET CANADA-CANADA-CANADA." OR YOU MIGHT HAVE A CHICKADEE THAT, WHEN IT'S HAPPY, SAYS, "CHEESEBURGER!"
[Chickadee calls]
Kyle says, AND THEN WHEN IT'S UPSET, IT GOES, "CHICKADEE-DEE-DEE."
[Chickadee-dee-dee]
[Whooshing]
In an animation, a chickadee sits at a table beneath a patio umbrella.
The chickadee says, CHEESEBURGER!
[Whooshing]
A red cardinal puts a cheeseburger on the table.
The red cardinal says, HERE YOU ARE, SIR.
[Whooshing]
The chickadee says, WOW! THE SERVICE HERE IS EXCEPTIONAL!
[Whooshing]
In reality, Taviss and Kyle walk on a dirt path.
[Upbeat music plays]
Taviss says, HEY! THERE'S SOMETHING IN THE NET!
Kyle says, OH, LOOK AT THAT. IT'S ONE OF MY FAVOURITES.
Taviss asks, HOW DO WE GET IT OUT SAFELY?
Taviss and Kyle crouch beside a grey bird caught in a mist net.
Kyle says, WELL, WHAT WE WANT TO DO IS WE'RE GOING TO GO DOWN AND JUST GRAB A LIGHT HOLD OF IT HERE. AND JUST TAKE OFF THE NETTING. SO, IT COMES OFF JUST LIKE A T-SHIRT. UP AND OVER ITS HEAD. AND THERE IT'S FREE.
Kyle removes the bird from the net and puts them in a small drawstring bag.
[Upbeat music plays]
Taviss asks, WAIT, WHY DO YOU PUT IT IN THE BAG?
Kyle says, WELL, THE BAG HELPS IT TO KEEP CALM, AND SOMETIMES WE HAVE TO CARRY AS MANY AS 50 OR MORE BIRDS BACK INTO THE LAB AT ONCE, SO IT'S MUCH EASIER TO CARRY A WHOLE LOT ON YOUR ARM LIKE THIS.
[Whooshing]
An animation shows a grey bird wearing a top hat standing beside a red bag.
The bird wearing a top hat says, FOR MY NEXT TRICK, I SHALL PULL A RABBIT FROM THIS BAG!
DRUMROLL PLEASE!
[Drumroll plays]
A second grey bird says, SURPRISE!
[Audience gasping]
The bird wearing a top hat says, MOM?
[Whooshing, upbeat music plays]
In reality, Taviss says, I'M SO EXCITED!
Kyle says, ALL RIGHT, HERE WE GO.
Kyle takes the small dark grey bird out of the bag.
Taviss says, OH, HE'S SO SMALL!
Kyle says, SO, THIS IS ONE OF MY FAVOURITE BIRDS. THIS IS A DARK-EYED JUNCO.
[Birds chirping]
Taviss repeats, DARK-EYED JUNCO?
Kyle says, YEAH. ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT JOBS OF A BIOLOGIST WITH LONG POINT BIRD OBSERVATORY AND BIRDS CANADA IS BANDING BIRDS. NOW, THESE BANDS HAVE A UNIQUE NINE-DIGIT NUMBER ON THEM. NO OTHER BIRD IN THE WORLD HAS IT.
Rows of small metal bands are stacked on wires hanging from pegs on a post.
Taviss asks, HOW ARE YOU GOING TO PUT IT ON?
Kyle says, I'M GOING TO PUT THE BAND RIGHT ON THE PLIERS HERE.
Taviss says, MM-HM.
Kyle says, WE OPEN IT UP JUST ENOUGH TO FIT AROUND THE TARSUS. WE'RE JUST GOING TO CLOSE IT RIGHT DOWN ALONG THE LEG THERE. YOU CAN SEE WHY IT'S CALLED A DARK-EYED JUNCO. THEY'VE GOT DARK BLACK EYES AND IT'S ALSO GOT THIS REALLY UNIQUE WHITE OUTER TAIL FEATHERS.
THIS BIRD WILL FLASH OUT THESE WHITE OUTER TAIL FEATHERS WHEN A PREDATOR'S AROUND, AND IT'LL LET EVERYBODY ELSE KNOW, HEY, WE BETTER BE ON OUR TOES AND LOOK OUT FOR THIS PREDATOR.
[Taviss chuckling]
Kyle says, AND IT DOES SEEM TO BE FLASHING ITS TAIL AT US, SO IT'S ABOUT TIME WE LET THIS GUY GO.
Taviss says, UH-HUH.
Taviss releases the dark-eyed junco. It flies into the side of Kyle’s hand, then flies away.
[Wings flapping]
[Whooshing]
Taviss asks, WHAT DO YOU LEARN FROM BANDING BIRDS?
Kyle explains, WE CAN LEARN ABOUT HOW LONG BIRDS LIVE IN THE WILD, WHERE BIRDS ARE MOVING TO DURING MIGRATION. WE CAN LEARN ABOUT POPULATION CHANGES AS WELL.
Overhead, birds migrate in a V-formation.
Taviss says, WOW, THAT'S AWESOME. A LOT OF INFO FOR A LITTLE BRACELET.
Kyle says, WE'RE OUT HERE EVERY DAY FOR SIX HOURS TO BAND BIRDS.
Taviss says, THAT'S LIKE A WHOLE SCHOOL DAY. WELL WE BETTER GET TO WORK THEN.
Kyle says, LET'S DO IT.
[Gongs bangs, reverberates]
Taviss narrates, IT'S TIME FOR: A LITTLE KNOWN BUT STILL TOTALLY TRUE AND AMAZING STORY.
Text reads, “A little known but still totally true and amazing story.”
[Typing, ding]
A man and a woman stand in front of a large screen showing cloud coverage.
Taviss narrates, ONCE UPON A TIME, NOT LONG AGO, PEOPLE WERE WATCHING THE WEATHER RADAR, SO, YOU KNOW, THEY COULD TELL THE WEATHER...
[Static flickering, upbeat music plays]
Taviss narrates, WHEN SUDDENLY SOMETHING APPEARED ON THE RADAR OVER LONG POINT. IT WAS...
A swirling red, green, and blue vortex appears on the weather radar.
[Slide whistle]
Taviss narrates, A DONUT?
A pink donut with sprinkles appears.
Taviss narrates, NO, NOT THAT KIND OF DONUT.
[Whooshing]
On the radar screen, a white donut-like ring appears.
Taviss narrates, A RADAR DONUT. THIS DONUT IS ACTUALLY ALL BIRDS.
IT'S MADE OF OVER 500,000 SWALLOWS THAT TOOK FLIGHT OUT OF LONG POINT AT THE EXACT SAME TIME. ISN'T THAT AMAZING?
The flock of swallows fills the sky.
[Swallows chirping]
Taviss narrates, IT'S TIME FOR: A LITTLE KNOWN BUT STILL TOTALLY TRUE AND AMAZING STORY.
Text reads, “A little known but still totally true and amazing story.”
[Typing, ding]
[Whooshing]
Kyle holds a sparrow with a white throat and small yellow markings by their eyes.
Taviss says, SO CUTE!
Kyle says, THIS IS ONE OF THE MOST COMMON BIRDS THAT WE BAND HERE. THIS IS THE WHITE-THROATED SPARROW. AND, SEE, THIS ONE'S A RECAPTURE SO WE DON'T NEED TO PUT A BAND ON IT BUT WE CAN LEARN A LOT OF INFORMATION ABOUT THE BAND THAT IT ALREADY HAS ON IT.
Taviss release the white-throated sparrow.
[Wings flapping, chirping]
Kyle opens another drawstring bag and takes out a bird.
Kyle says, HERE WE GO. ALL RIGHT.
Taviss asks, AWW. WHAT KIND OF BIRD IS THAT?
Kyle says, WELL, DO YOU HAVE A GUESS?
Taviss says, UMMM... A WOODPECKER?
Kyle says, IT IS A WOODPECKER. THIS IS CALLED A DOWNY WOODPECKER. SO, IT DOESN'T HAVE A BAND, SO LET'S GET A BAND ON IT. SO, THIS BAND WILL NOW BE ON THIS BIRD FOR THE REST OF ITS LIFE. AND, HOPEFULLY, WE'LL CATCH IT AGAIN TO LEARN A LITTLE BIT ABOUT ITS MOVEMENTS OR HOW LONG THEY LIVE FOR.
Kyle puts a band on the downy woodpecker’s leg.
[Chirping]
Taviss says, THAT'S SO COOL.
Kyle puts the woodpecker on Taviss’s hand and lifts his. The woodpecker takes off.
[Wings fluttering, bird twittering]
Taviss says, BYE!
Kyle holds a black-capped chickadee.
Kyle says, THIS IS A BLACK-CAPPED CHICKADEE.
Taviss says, CHEESEBURGER.
Kyle says, SO, IT ALREADY HAS A BAND SO WE DON'T HAVE TO PUT A BAND ON IT.
Taviss and Kyle release the chickadee.
[Wings flapping]
Taviss says, BYE!
Kyle opens the next bag.
Kyle says, OH, EXCELLENT. WE HAVE A MALE CARDINAL.
[Taviss chuckling]
Taviss says, IT LOOKS LIKE IT HAS A MOHAWK.
[Kyle laughing]
Taviss says, IT DOES.
[Whooshing, rock music plays]
In an animation, a red cardinal dances between two speakers.
The cardinal shouts, ROCK AND ROLL!
[Whooshing]
[Upbeat music plays]
In reality, Taviss says, THICK HAIR, BRO. I LIKE THIS ONE.
Kyle says, ME TOO.
Kyle releases the male cardinal.
[Wings fluttering, whooshing]
Kyle says, SO, THIS TIME, WE HAVE A FEMALE CARDINAL.
Kyle takes a brown cardinal out of a bag.
Taviss asks, OH, WHY DOES IT LOOK SO DIFFERENT?
[Cardinal chirping]
Kyle says, WELL, IN A LOT OF SPECIES, MALES HAVE TO LOOK QUITE BRIGHT IN ORDER TO ATTRACT A FEMALE MATE. AND THEN THE FEMALES ARE USUALLY A LITTLE BIT DULLER SO THAT THEY CAN HIDE AND CAMOUFLAGE IN THE FOREST.
Both count, ONE, TWO, THREE.
Taviss says, BLAST OFF!
Kyle releases the cardinal.
[Wings flapping]
[Drumsticks beating, rock music plays]
Text reads, “The Fun Factor.”
Taviss says, IT'S TIME FOR ME TO FLY LIKE THE BIRDS. I'M GOING ZIPLINING! LONG POINT ECO-ADVENTURES IS THE SPOT FOR ADVENTURE AROUND HERE.
Taviss puts on a harness and helmet.
[Clicking, rustling]
A man with long blond hair wears his beige ball cap backwards.
The blond-haired man says, SAFETY CHECK DONE. LET'S RIDE.
A woman pushes Taviss on the zip line.
[Mechanism rasping, Taviss screaming gleefully]
Taviss screams, THIS IS SO FUN! WOO!!
Taviss walks across a rope bridge and zip lines.
[Metal zipping]
Tavis shouts, I'M FLYING LIKE A BIIIRD!
[Giggling]
Taviss shouts, I'M DOING IT! I'M DOING IT!
[Metal zipping]
Taviss moves down a line to the ground. The blond-haired man fist-bumps her.
The blond-haired man says, NICE.
[Rock music fades out]
Taviss and Kyle walk through the forest.
Taviss says, IT'S A GOOD THING THAT BIRDS HAVE LONG POINT TO STOP AT BEFORE FLYING OVER THE WHOLE LAKE. THEY'RE SO SMALL.
Kyle says, THAT'S RIGHT. WE'RE REALLY FORTUNATE THAT LONG POINT IS PROTECTED. BUT BIRDS RELY ON FORESTS THROUGHOUT THEIR JOURNEY, AND WHEN WE REMOVE A FOREST, IT CAN HAVE MAJOR IMPACTS ON THESE BIRDS THAT ARE USED TO STOPPING THERE DURING MIGRATION.
[Bird calling nearby]
Taviss says, WAIT, I HEAR SOMETHING.
[Gentle pastoral music plays]
Kyle says, YEAH, IT'S ABOUT TIME.
Hundreds of birds take flight.
[Many birds calling distantly]
Kyle and Tavis walk up the stairs to a lookout tower. Taviss watches the birds through binoculars.
Taviss says, OH, YEAH, THERE WE GO!
Kyle says, THESE ARE RED-WINGED BLACKBIRDS AND COMMON GRACKLES, TAVISS. THEY'RE ALL HEADING OUT INTO THE MARSH TO GO TO BED OR ROOST FOR THE NIGHT.
Taviss says, THERE'S SO MANY OF THEM.
Kyle says, WE ONLY EVER GET TO SEE THIS MANY DURING MIGRATION, SO IT'S QUITE SPECTACULAR.
Taviss says, TOTALLY SPECTACULAR.
[Many birds calling distantly]
[Whooshing]
Taviss narrates, MIGRATORY BIRDS RELY ON FORESTS.
Flashbacks show birds filling the sky and the lighthouse on the spit.
Taviss narrates, THE FORESTS OF LONG POINT ARE THE LAST PLACE MIGRATING BIRDS CAN STOP BEFORE THEY JOURNEY OVER LAKE ERIE.
A DAY IN THE LIFE OF A BIRDS CANADA RESEARCHER MEANS EARLY MORNINGS, LOTS OF LISTENING, AND BIRD BANDING. THEY DO THE WORK SO HUMANS CAN KEEP A WATCHFUL EYE ON THESE MARVELLOUS MIGRATING BIRDS.
[Uplifting music plays]
Taviss says, THE SECRET IS OUT. LONG POINT IS THE ULTIMATE FOREST PIT STOP!
[Inspiring plays]
Text reads, “Secrets of the Forest is grateful to work in the traditional territories of many different First Nations. We acknowledge their stewardship of these lands since time immemorial and our responsibility to ensure it is never forgotten.”
End credits. Directed by Melissa Peters. Created by Melissa Peters, Raj Panikkar, Christopher Szarka. Written by Melissa Peters. Produced by Raj Panikkar, Christopher Szarka. Featuring Taviss Paula Millington Edwards with Kyle Cameron. Logos: Fifth Ground Entertainment, T.V.O. Kids.
TVO Kids and Fifth Ground Entertainment, Original.
[Child giggles, joyful music plays, pop]
Text over video footage of a forest reads, “T.V.O. kids presents.”
A flock of birds flies in circles. Beneath a tree, Taviss, a ten-year-old girl, pushes a branch away from her face. Her dark brown braided hair is tucked behind a brown bandana. She wears a white and yellow striped jacket and a blue shirt.
[Birds chirping, gentle music plays]
Taviss narrates, EVERY FALL...BIRDS OF CANADA'S NORTHERN BOREAL FOREST START A LONG JOURNEY SOUTH IN SEARCH OF WARMER WEATHER. THEY SOMETIMES FLY FOR HOURS AND HOURS AT A TIME WITH NO PLACE TO REST. THAT IS, UNTIL THEY HIT THIS WORLD-CLASS PIT STOP.
[Upbeat music plays]
A spit has a red and white lighthouse.
Taviss says, LET'S GO SEE IT!
[Whooshing]
Taviss runs on a dirt path lined with trees on both sides.
Title: Secrets of the Forest.
A drawing beside the title shows a girl sitting on green tree roots. She holds a magnifying glass and gazes towards the title.
Taviss narrates, OUR SECRET BRINGS US TO THE LAND OF THE ATTAWANDARON, HAUDENOSAUNEE AND ANISHINAABE PEOPLES.
A sign reads, “Welcome to the Long Point World Biosphere Reserve. www.LongPointBiosphere.com”
[Birds chirping, upbeat music plays quietly]
Taviss narrates, TODAY, THIS SPECIAL AREA IS NOW PART OF THE LONG POINT WORLD BIOSPHERE PROTECTED REGION. STRETCHING KILOMETRES OUT INTO GREAT LAKE ERIE IS A NARROW STRIP OF LAND CALLED A SPIT. WHEN BIRDS TRAVEL SOUTH FOR WINTER, LONG POINT IS A MUCH-NEEDED REST STOP ON THEIR LONG MIGRATION HIGHWAY.
Seagulls take off from the spit.
Kyle Cameron wears a ball cap over his curly brown hair. He wears a green vest and a beige sweater. Kyle peers through his binoculars.
[Chiming]
Taviss narrates, MEET KYLE CAMERON. HE IS A BIOLOGIST WITH BIRDS CANADA WHO WORKS AT THE LONG POINT BIRD OBSERVATORY. HE KNOWS SO MUCH ABOUT BIRDS, I'M STOKED TO MEET HIM!
Kyle says, HEY, TAVISS.
Taviss says, HEY!
Kyle says, WELCOME TO LONG POINT BIRD OBSERVATORY.
Taviss says, I'M SO EXCITED TO BE HERE.
Kyle says, LONG POINT'S A SPECIAL PLACE. YOU KNOW HOW BIRDS MIGRATE?
Taviss says, YEAH, THEY GO SOUTH FOR WINTER BECAUSE IT'S WARMER, RIGHT?
Kyle says, THAT'S RIGHT. BECAUSE IT'S WARMER AND, YOU KNOW, A LOT OF BIRDS EAT INSECTS.
Taviss says, YEP.
[Birds chirping]
Kyle says, THERE'S NOT VERY MANY INSECTS AROUND HERE IN THE WINTER SO THEY'VE GOT TO HEAD DOWN SOUTH TO GET INSECTS.
Taviss asks, SO WHY DO THEY ALWAYS STOP HERE?
Kyle says, WELL, MIGRATION IS A PRETTY TIRING THING. SO, WHEN THEY'RE TRAVELLING, THEY HAVE TO STOP AND REFUEL, KIND OF LIKE A GAS STATION OR A PIT STOP.
[Whooshing]
In an animation, a grey bird flies towards a black and white road sign that reads, “Long Point Rest Stop.”
[Panting]
The grey bird says, OH, PHEW, I REALLY HAD TO USE THE BATHROOM.
[Whooshing]
In reality, Kyle says, THEY STOP HERE BECAUSE IT'S THE SHORTEST DISTANCE ACROSS LAKE ERIE. OVER THE YEARS, WE'VE OBSERVED OVER 400 SPECIES OF BIRDS, AND EVERY YEAR WE OBSERVE MILLIONS OF INDIVIDUALS.
Tavis says, MILLIONS?
Kyle says, MILLIONS.
[Whooshing]
In an animation, birds fill the screen.
[Popping, birds chirping]
[Whooshing, upbeat music plays]
In reality, Kyle says, THERE'S LOTS OF BIRDS HERE AT THE OBSERVATORY, SO WE NEED LOTS OF VOLUNTEERS. WANT TO SEE WHAT IT'S LIKE VOLUNTEERING WITH BIRDS CANADA?
Taviss says, YEAH!
Kyle says, ALL RIGHT, LET'S GO!
Taviss narrates, A DAY IN THE LIFE OF A BIRD RESEARCHER? SIGN ME UP!
Kyle and Taviss stand beside a rolled-up net between two metal poles.
Kyle says, OKAY, TAVISS, THE FIRST THING WE DO IN THE MORNING HERE AT THE OBSERVATORY IS SET UP THESE MIST NETS.
Taviss asks, WHAT'S A MIST NET?
Kyle says, A MIST NET IS A SPECIAL NET THAT'S USED ONLY BY SCIENTISTS IN ORDER TO CATCH BIRDS OR BATS.
Taviss asks, DOES IT HURT THEM?
Kyle says, NO, IT DOESN'T HURT THEM. IT DEFINITELY SURPRISES THEM WHEN THEY HIT INTO THE NET. BUT WE HAVE A LOT OF TRAINING AS RESEARCHERS HERE IN ORDER TO REMOVE THEM SAFELY AND EFFECTIVELY FROM THE NET.
Taviss says, LET'S SET IT UP THEN!
Kyle says, ALL RIGHT, YOU'LL NEED THIS.
Kyle gives Taviss a wooden pole with a hook near the end.
Taviss says, OH, THANKS.
Kyle hooks the edge of the net and lifts it higher on the metal pole.
Kyle says, FIRST THING WE'RE GONNA DO IS TAKE THAT LITTLE HOOK THAT'S ON THERE. PUT IT UNDERNEATH HERE, AND WE'RE GOING TO RAISE THIS ALL THE WAY UP TO THE TOP, OKAY? YEP, THERE WE GO.
[Metal rattling]
Taviss reaches up with her pole.
[Taviss grunting]
Taviss says, I'M TOO SHORT!
[Kyle laughing]
[Dinging]
Taviss narrates, CAN'T SAY I'M NOT TRYING. LOOK AT THAT FACE.
[Taviss grunting]
Taviss says, OOH, YOU HAVE TO BE TALL.
[Metal creaking]
Taviss secures the bottom of the mist net.
Taviss says, WOO-HOO!
Kyle says, PERFECT. THANK YOU. AND NOW, WE WALK.
Taviss and Kyle high-five.
[Happy music plays, birds sing]
Kyle says, SO, EVERY MORNING, AFTER WE HAVE THE MIST NET SET UP, WE TAKE AN HOUR-LONG WALK THROUGH THE WOODLOT. WE'RE LOOKING FOR BIRDS BUT WE'RE ALSO LISTENING FOR BIRDS. SOMETIMES, WE CAN HEAR A BIRD, BUT WE CAN'T SEE THEM.
A red-winged blackbird perches on a sapling trunk.
[Bird trilling]
Taviss says, WAIT, I HEARD ONE! WHAT KIND OF BIRD WAS THAT?
Kyle says, THAT WAS A RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD.
Taviss asks, HOW ON EARTH DO YOU REMEMBER ALL THE CALLS?
Kyle says, WELL, BIRDERS USE A FEW DIFFERENT THINGS TO REMEMBER. SO, FOR INSTANCE, A WHITE-THROATED SPARROW MIGHT SOUND LIKE, "OH SWEET CANADA-CANADA-CANADA." OR YOU MIGHT HAVE A CHICKADEE THAT, WHEN IT'S HAPPY, SAYS, "CHEESEBURGER!"
[Chickadee calls]
Kyle says, AND THEN WHEN IT'S UPSET, IT GOES, "CHICKADEE-DEE-DEE."
[Chickadee-dee-dee]
[Whooshing]
In an animation, a chickadee sits at a table beneath a patio umbrella.
The chickadee says, CHEESEBURGER!
[Whooshing]
A red cardinal puts a cheeseburger on the table.
The red cardinal says, HERE YOU ARE, SIR.
[Whooshing]
The chickadee says, WOW! THE SERVICE HERE IS EXCEPTIONAL!
[Whooshing]
In reality, Taviss and Kyle walk on a dirt path.
[Upbeat music plays]
Taviss says, HEY! THERE'S SOMETHING IN THE NET!
Kyle says, OH, LOOK AT THAT. IT'S ONE OF MY FAVOURITES.
Taviss asks, HOW DO WE GET IT OUT SAFELY?
Taviss and Kyle crouch beside a grey bird caught in a mist net.
Kyle says, WELL, WHAT WE WANT TO DO IS WE'RE GOING TO GO DOWN AND JUST GRAB A LIGHT HOLD OF IT HERE. AND JUST TAKE OFF THE NETTING. SO, IT COMES OFF JUST LIKE A T-SHIRT. UP AND OVER ITS HEAD. AND THERE IT'S FREE.
Kyle removes the bird from the net and puts them in a small drawstring bag.
[Upbeat music plays]
Taviss asks, WAIT, WHY DO YOU PUT IT IN THE BAG?
Kyle says, WELL, THE BAG HELPS IT TO KEEP CALM, AND SOMETIMES WE HAVE TO CARRY AS MANY AS 50 OR MORE BIRDS BACK INTO THE LAB AT ONCE, SO IT'S MUCH EASIER TO CARRY A WHOLE LOT ON YOUR ARM LIKE THIS.
[Whooshing]
An animation shows a grey bird wearing a top hat standing beside a red bag.
The bird wearing a top hat says, FOR MY NEXT TRICK, I SHALL PULL A RABBIT FROM THIS BAG!
DRUMROLL PLEASE!
[Drumroll plays]
A second grey bird says, SURPRISE!
[Audience gasping]
The bird wearing a top hat says, MOM?
[Whooshing, upbeat music plays]
In reality, Taviss says, I'M SO EXCITED!
Kyle says, ALL RIGHT, HERE WE GO.
Kyle takes the small dark grey bird out of the bag.
Taviss says, OH, HE'S SO SMALL!
Kyle says, SO, THIS IS ONE OF MY FAVOURITE BIRDS. THIS IS A DARK-EYED JUNCO.
[Birds chirping]
Taviss repeats, DARK-EYED JUNCO?
Kyle says, YEAH. ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT JOBS OF A BIOLOGIST WITH LONG POINT BIRD OBSERVATORY AND BIRDS CANADA IS BANDING BIRDS. NOW, THESE BANDS HAVE A UNIQUE NINE-DIGIT NUMBER ON THEM. NO OTHER BIRD IN THE WORLD HAS IT.
Rows of small metal bands are stacked on wires hanging from pegs on a post.
Taviss asks, HOW ARE YOU GOING TO PUT IT ON?
Kyle says, I'M GOING TO PUT THE BAND RIGHT ON THE PLIERS HERE.
Taviss says, MM-HM.
Kyle says, WE OPEN IT UP JUST ENOUGH TO FIT AROUND THE TARSUS. WE'RE JUST GOING TO CLOSE IT RIGHT DOWN ALONG THE LEG THERE. YOU CAN SEE WHY IT'S CALLED A DARK-EYED JUNCO. THEY'VE GOT DARK BLACK EYES AND IT'S ALSO GOT THIS REALLY UNIQUE WHITE OUTER TAIL FEATHERS.
THIS BIRD WILL FLASH OUT THESE WHITE OUTER TAIL FEATHERS WHEN A PREDATOR'S AROUND, AND IT'LL LET EVERYBODY ELSE KNOW, HEY, WE BETTER BE ON OUR TOES AND LOOK OUT FOR THIS PREDATOR.
[Taviss chuckling]
Kyle says, AND IT DOES SEEM TO BE FLASHING ITS TAIL AT US, SO IT'S ABOUT TIME WE LET THIS GUY GO.
Taviss says, UH-HUH.
Taviss releases the dark-eyed junco. It flies into the side of Kyle’s hand, then flies away.
[Wings flapping]
[Whooshing]
Taviss asks, WHAT DO YOU LEARN FROM BANDING BIRDS?
Kyle explains, WE CAN LEARN ABOUT HOW LONG BIRDS LIVE IN THE WILD, WHERE BIRDS ARE MOVING TO DURING MIGRATION. WE CAN LEARN ABOUT POPULATION CHANGES AS WELL.
Overhead, birds migrate in a V-formation.
Taviss says, WOW, THAT'S AWESOME. A LOT OF INFO FOR A LITTLE BRACELET.
Kyle says, WE'RE OUT HERE EVERY DAY FOR SIX HOURS TO BAND BIRDS.
Taviss says, THAT'S LIKE A WHOLE SCHOOL DAY. WELL WE BETTER GET TO WORK THEN.
Kyle says, LET'S DO IT.
[Gongs bangs, reverberates]
Taviss narrates, IT'S TIME FOR: A LITTLE KNOWN BUT STILL TOTALLY TRUE AND AMAZING STORY.
Text reads, “A little known but still totally true and amazing story.”
[Typing, ding]
A man and a woman stand in front of a large screen showing cloud coverage.
Taviss narrates, ONCE UPON A TIME, NOT LONG AGO, PEOPLE WERE WATCHING THE WEATHER RADAR, SO, YOU KNOW, THEY COULD TELL THE WEATHER...
[Static flickering, upbeat music plays]
Taviss narrates, WHEN SUDDENLY SOMETHING APPEARED ON THE RADAR OVER LONG POINT. IT WAS...
A swirling red, green, and blue vortex appears on the weather radar.
[Slide whistle]
Taviss narrates, A DONUT?
A pink donut with sprinkles appears.
Taviss narrates, NO, NOT THAT KIND OF DONUT.
[Whooshing]
On the radar screen, a white donut-like ring appears.
Taviss narrates, A RADAR DONUT. THIS DONUT IS ACTUALLY ALL BIRDS.
IT'S MADE OF OVER 500,000 SWALLOWS THAT TOOK FLIGHT OUT OF LONG POINT AT THE EXACT SAME TIME. ISN'T THAT AMAZING?
The flock of swallows fills the sky.
[Swallows chirping]
Taviss narrates, IT'S TIME FOR: A LITTLE KNOWN BUT STILL TOTALLY TRUE AND AMAZING STORY.
Text reads, “A little known but still totally true and amazing story.”
[Typing, ding]
[Whooshing]
Kyle holds a sparrow with a white throat and small yellow markings by their eyes.
Taviss says, SO CUTE!
Kyle says, THIS IS ONE OF THE MOST COMMON BIRDS THAT WE BAND HERE. THIS IS THE WHITE-THROATED SPARROW. AND, SEE, THIS ONE'S A RECAPTURE SO WE DON'T NEED TO PUT A BAND ON IT BUT WE CAN LEARN A LOT OF INFORMATION ABOUT THE BAND THAT IT ALREADY HAS ON IT.
Taviss release the white-throated sparrow.
[Wings flapping, chirping]
Kyle opens another drawstring bag and takes out a bird.
Kyle says, HERE WE GO. ALL RIGHT.
Taviss asks, AWW. WHAT KIND OF BIRD IS THAT?
Kyle says, WELL, DO YOU HAVE A GUESS?
Taviss says, UMMM... A WOODPECKER?
Kyle says, IT IS A WOODPECKER. THIS IS CALLED A DOWNY WOODPECKER. SO, IT DOESN'T HAVE A BAND, SO LET'S GET A BAND ON IT. SO, THIS BAND WILL NOW BE ON THIS BIRD FOR THE REST OF ITS LIFE. AND, HOPEFULLY, WE'LL CATCH IT AGAIN TO LEARN A LITTLE BIT ABOUT ITS MOVEMENTS OR HOW LONG THEY LIVE FOR.
Kyle puts a band on the downy woodpecker’s leg.
[Chirping]
Taviss says, THAT'S SO COOL.
Kyle puts the woodpecker on Taviss’s hand and lifts his. The woodpecker takes off.
[Wings fluttering, bird twittering]
Taviss says, BYE!
Kyle holds a black-capped chickadee.
Kyle says, THIS IS A BLACK-CAPPED CHICKADEE.
Taviss says, CHEESEBURGER.
Kyle says, SO, IT ALREADY HAS A BAND SO WE DON'T HAVE TO PUT A BAND ON IT.
Taviss and Kyle release the chickadee.
[Wings flapping]
Taviss says, BYE!
Kyle opens the next bag.
Kyle says, OH, EXCELLENT. WE HAVE A MALE CARDINAL.
[Taviss chuckling]
Taviss says, IT LOOKS LIKE IT HAS A MOHAWK.
[Kyle laughing]
Taviss says, IT DOES.
[Whooshing, rock music plays]
In an animation, a red cardinal dances between two speakers.
The cardinal shouts, ROCK AND ROLL!
[Whooshing]
[Upbeat music plays]
In reality, Taviss says, THICK HAIR, BRO. I LIKE THIS ONE.
Kyle says, ME TOO.
Kyle releases the male cardinal.
[Wings fluttering, whooshing]
Kyle says, SO, THIS TIME, WE HAVE A FEMALE CARDINAL.
Kyle takes a brown cardinal out of a bag.
Taviss asks, OH, WHY DOES IT LOOK SO DIFFERENT?
[Cardinal chirping]
Kyle says, WELL, IN A LOT OF SPECIES, MALES HAVE TO LOOK QUITE BRIGHT IN ORDER TO ATTRACT A FEMALE MATE. AND THEN THE FEMALES ARE USUALLY A LITTLE BIT DULLER SO THAT THEY CAN HIDE AND CAMOUFLAGE IN THE FOREST.
Both count, ONE, TWO, THREE.
Taviss says, BLAST OFF!
Kyle releases the cardinal.
[Wings flapping]
[Drumsticks beating, rock music plays]
Text reads, “The Fun Factor.”
Taviss says, IT'S TIME FOR ME TO FLY LIKE THE BIRDS. I'M GOING ZIPLINING! LONG POINT ECO-ADVENTURES IS THE SPOT FOR ADVENTURE AROUND HERE.
Taviss puts on a harness and helmet.
[Clicking, rustling]
A man with long blond hair wears his beige ball cap backwards.
The blond-haired man says, SAFETY CHECK DONE. LET'S RIDE.
A woman pushes Taviss on the zip line.
[Mechanism rasping, Taviss screaming gleefully]
Taviss screams, THIS IS SO FUN! WOO!!
Taviss walks across a rope bridge and zip lines.
[Metal zipping]
Tavis shouts, I'M FLYING LIKE A BIIIRD!
[Giggling]
Taviss shouts, I'M DOING IT! I'M DOING IT!
[Metal zipping]
Taviss moves down a line to the ground. The blond-haired man fist-bumps her.
The blond-haired man says, NICE.
[Rock music fades out]
Taviss and Kyle walk through the forest.
Taviss says, IT'S A GOOD THING THAT BIRDS HAVE LONG POINT TO STOP AT BEFORE FLYING OVER THE WHOLE LAKE. THEY'RE SO SMALL.
Kyle says, THAT'S RIGHT. WE'RE REALLY FORTUNATE THAT LONG POINT IS PROTECTED. BUT BIRDS RELY ON FORESTS THROUGHOUT THEIR JOURNEY, AND WHEN WE REMOVE A FOREST, IT CAN HAVE MAJOR IMPACTS ON THESE BIRDS THAT ARE USED TO STOPPING THERE DURING MIGRATION.
[Bird calling nearby]
Taviss says, WAIT, I HEAR SOMETHING.
[Gentle pastoral music plays]
Kyle says, YEAH, IT'S ABOUT TIME.
Hundreds of birds take flight.
[Many birds calling distantly]
Kyle and Tavis walk up the stairs to a lookout tower. Taviss watches the birds through binoculars.
Taviss says, OH, YEAH, THERE WE GO!
Kyle says, THESE ARE RED-WINGED BLACKBIRDS AND COMMON GRACKLES, TAVISS. THEY'RE ALL HEADING OUT INTO THE MARSH TO GO TO BED OR ROOST FOR THE NIGHT.
Taviss says, THERE'S SO MANY OF THEM.
Kyle says, WE ONLY EVER GET TO SEE THIS MANY DURING MIGRATION, SO IT'S QUITE SPECTACULAR.
Taviss says, TOTALLY SPECTACULAR.
[Many birds calling distantly]
[Whooshing]
Taviss narrates, MIGRATORY BIRDS RELY ON FORESTS.
Flashbacks show birds filling the sky and the lighthouse on the spit.
Taviss narrates, THE FORESTS OF LONG POINT ARE THE LAST PLACE MIGRATING BIRDS CAN STOP BEFORE THEY JOURNEY OVER LAKE ERIE.
A DAY IN THE LIFE OF A BIRDS CANADA RESEARCHER MEANS EARLY MORNINGS, LOTS OF LISTENING, AND BIRD BANDING. THEY DO THE WORK SO HUMANS CAN KEEP A WATCHFUL EYE ON THESE MARVELLOUS MIGRATING BIRDS.
[Uplifting music plays]
Taviss says, THE SECRET IS OUT. LONG POINT IS THE ULTIMATE FOREST PIT STOP!
[Inspiring plays]
Text reads, “Secrets of the Forest is grateful to work in the traditional territories of many different First Nations. We acknowledge their stewardship of these lands since time immemorial and our responsibility to ensure it is never forgotten.”
End credits. Directed by Melissa Peters. Created by Melissa Peters, Raj Panikkar, Christopher Szarka. Written by Melissa Peters. Produced by Raj Panikkar, Christopher Szarka. Featuring Taviss Paula Millington Edwards with Kyle Cameron. Logos: Fifth Ground Entertainment, T.V.O. Kids.
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