Behind Jack Custer's Concession 7 Road Home is 12 acres of forest, marshes, streams and meadows. With a modified golf course, Custer would bring curious visitors throughout the land, stopping every now and then when a bird is sighted."There's a family of ducks right there," said Custer, pointing to the birds as they walk across a path reminiscent of the image of The Beatles' Abbey Road album cover. "If you be quiet for a minute, you can hear some swallows. It's really peaceful out here. I can spend all day out here."

For seven years, Custer has operated his bird sanctuary, a place he considers a home away from home for the many birds that inhabit his lands. The sanctuary is truly a labour of love for Custer, who built it to share his love of birds with visitors.

Besides the rich, natural landscape, the bird sanctuary includes a small museum with information on various birds and a look out tower in the forest with a view of a large pond.

Custer said of the different birds that frequent the sanctuary throughout the year, gold finches, sparrows and sanderlings are the most sighted.

"We also get the occasional owl in the winter and a lot of ducks in the fall," Custer said. "To attract different birds you have to feed them accordingly. There is different feed for various birds. The key is to have variety. It gives visitors a lot to see."

The upkeep for the sanctuary is costly at times. Custer relies on donation boxes throughout the property to help pay for bird feed and other materials.

A recent $300 donation from the Shaw Festival helped Custer construct a sign in front of his home to promote the sanctuary.

Custer said he hopes to one day turn the sanctuary into a bird education centre for visitors."I'd like to educate people on what I've learned about birds," Custer said. "We have regular visitors and it's been great. I take pride when they visit."

Jack Custer's Bird Sanctuary is located at 1064 Niagara Stone Road. Admission to the facility is free.

For more information, call Custer at 905-684-3583.