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12 October 2007 
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BSC and Eagle-Eye Tours Offer Exclusive Trip to Belize

Keel-billed Toucan Photo courtesy Eagle-Eye Tours

12 October 2007 – Together with Eagle-Eye Tours, Bird Studies Canada is pleased to offer an exclusive tour for BSC members to Belize. Join leader Richard Knapton and other BSC members on this trip to a tropical birding paradise for a chance to see the Jabiru, the Yucatan Parrot, the Ocellated Turkey, the Orange-breasted Falcon, and many more! The tour is planned around Crooked Tree, Hidden Valley, and Tikal. The dates are February 1-10, 2008, and the fee is $3175 (CDN) from Belize City. For more information, contact Eagle-Eye Tours at 1-800-373-5678, email travel@eagle-eye.com, or visit their website.

Conservationists Protect Birds from Illegal Hunting in Spain

11 October 2007 – Thanks to bird lovers around the world, including BirdLife International and its partners, an attempt to legalize a banned hunting method in Spain has been withdrawn.
   In September, it was reported that the Catalan government was trying to legalize the practice of luring birds to branches covered in glue – a method banned by European law because it is non-selective and difficult to control. Visit the BirdLife International website
   Yesterday, it was announced that the Catalan government has withdrawn its decree. The public is still invited to sign the online petition, to show opposition for hunting with glue and "filat" net-trap hunting. Visit the campaign website to learn more.

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        NATIONAL

 

IBAs Included in Canada’s Two Newest UNESCO Biosphere Reserves

12 October 2007 – Thousands of hectares of critical bird habitat are now part of two new biosphere reserves in Canada. In September, the United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) added Manicouagan Uapishka in Québec and Fundy, New Brunswick to its World Network of Biosphere Reserves. These two reserves contain all or part of at least five internationally recognized Important Bird Areas (IBAs). UNESCO also approved a considerable expansion of Frontenac Arch Biosphere Reserve near Kingston, Ontario.
   Nature Canada and Bird Studies Canada are the Canadian co-partners in BirdLife International, a global alliance of conservation organizations working for the world’s birds and people. In 2001, Bird Studies Canada and Nature Canada coordinated the identification of 597 IBAs in Canada using internationally agreed-upon scientific criteria, and following a widespread public consultation process. The IBAs located inside Canada’s two new biosphere reserves provide critical habitat for approximately a dozen globally, continentally, and nationally significant bird species. Select this link for more details.

Wild Species 2005 Report Now Available

12 October 2007 – Wild Species reports are released every five years by the Canadian Endangered Species Conservation Council. The newest report, Wild Species 2005, has just been released, and can be downloaded in English or French from the Wild Species website. The report provides general status assessments for over 7500 wild species in Canada, using results from provincial, territorial, and federal monitoring efforts.

The 2007 Canadian Lakes Loon Survey Season is Complete

4 October 2007 – The 2007 season of the Canadian Lakes Loon Survey has now ended. BSC would like to thank this year’s participants for their time and participation. If you have already returned data or have entered your data online – thank you. If you still have data to submit, please send them in as early as possible or enter your data online.

Matching Gift Programs Help Increase the Impact of Donations

1 October 2007 – Bird Studies Canada (BSC) is grateful for the generosity of our members and donors. As a donor to BSC, you may be able to increase the impact of your donation by asking your employer to match your gift. Many corporations match dollar for dollar or a percentage of an employee’s contribution to a registered charity. Enquire with your human resources department to find out more about their "Matching Gift Program" or "Employee Giving Program." For more information, contact Rosie Kirton at rkirton@bsc-eoc.org.

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Visit BSC Booth at Québec City Environmental Gathering This Weekend

12 October 2007 – Environmental issues have become highly visible in the news. Although Canadian citizens are increasingly aware of how their daily actions affect the environment, there’s always something new to be learned. To inform the public on environmental questions, a group of volunteers in the Québec City area is hosting an environmental gathering, le Carrefour TerraTerre, on October 12-14. This 3-day event, on the theme of "I understand, I act," will include the presentation of 10 films, more than 20 talks, and many workshops and forums. The public is also invited to visit the exhibition room where 80 booths will be set up, including one from BSC tended by Catherine Poussart, BSC’s Québec Projects Coordinator. People who want to attend can visit the Carrefour TerraTerre website (French only).  Admission is free and all activities are being held at the Campus Notre-Dame-de-Foy in Saint-Augustin-de-Desmaures.

Visitez le kiosque d’ÉOC à un rassemblement environnemental qui a lieu en fin de semaine à Québec

Le 12 octobre 2007 – Les questions environnementales sont continuellement rapportées dans les médias et même si la population canadienne est de plus en plus consciente de l’impact de ses gestes quotidiens sur l’environnement, il y a toujours de nouveaux éléments à apprendre. Dans l’objectif de sensibiliser et d’informer le public à une multitude de questions environnementales, un groupe de citoyens bénévoles de la grande région de Québec organise un rassemblement environnemental, le Carrefour TerraTerre, du 12 au 14 octobre. Cet événement répartit sur trois jours a pour thPme « Je comprends, j’agis », et comprendra le visionnement de dix films, plus de 20 conférences, et plusieurs ateliers et tables rondes. Le public pourra également obtenir de l’information reliée B l’environnement en visitant la salle d’exposants où près de 80 kiosques seront dressés, incluant celui d’Études d’Oiseaux Canada tenu par Catherine Poussart, coordonnatrice des projets pour le Québec. Les personnes intéressées peuvent consulter le site internet du Carrefour TerraTerre. L’entrée est gratuite et toutes les activitées ont lieu sur le Campus Notre-Dame-de-Foy (Saint-Augustin-de-Desmaures).

The Atlas of Breeding Birds of Alberta Has Arrived

12 October 2007 – After seven years of extensive fieldwork and data analysis, The Atlas of Breeding Birds of Alberta: A Second Look is now available. This high-quality publication from the Federation of Alberta Naturalists details the distribution, status, and preferred habitats of more than 270 species of birds nesting in the province. You can purchase your own copy of this comprehensive, full colour, hardcover book online here.

BSC’s Jody Allair to Give Bald Eagle Talk in Niagara Falls, Oct. 17

12 October 2007 – Jody Allair, BSC’s Project Biologist and Outreach Coordinator, will speak at a meeting of the Niagara Falls Nature Club next Wednesday. His presentation topic will be Bald Eagles in Southern Ontario. The meeting will take place at the Niagara Falls Public Library on October 17 at 7:30 p.m. All are welcome and admission is free.

Marsh Monitoring Program Volunteers Needed in Sudbury and North Bay

10 October 2007 – Bird Studies Canada is seeking volunteers to be trained as amphibian and/or bird monitors for wetland areas in Sudbury, North Bay, and surrounding regions. No prior experience is necessary. Interested nature lovers can attend Marsh Monitoring Program (MMP) Information and Orientation Sessions on Saturday, November 3, 8:30-3:00 at Science North (INCO Cavern), or on Sunday November 4, 9:00-3:00 p.m. at the North Bay-Mattawa Conservation Authority Office. Returning participants are also welcome to attend, to meet program staff and refresh their survey technique.
   These presentations will provide information about the MMP, its survey protocols, and how the collected data are used. Volunteers will also be formally registered and assigned a monitoring route. Participants are invited to attend a marsh walk following the training session (12:45, bring your own bagged lunch).
   Financial support for this session has been provided by the TD Friends of the Environment Foundation. This event is free but participants must pre-register prior to Thursday, October 25 by contacting Kathy Jones at aqsurvey@bsc-eoc.org, or 1-888-448-2473 ext. 212.

Fall is Here and Scaup are on the Move

10 October 2007 – Many of the scaup tracked by the Long Point Waterfowl & Wetlands Research Fund (LPWWRF) are beginning their southward migrations. The monitoring of scaup migration through the use of satellite transmitters is a major component of LPWWRF’s scaup research. Lesser Scaup have arrived south on major staging areas in Manitoba, and Greater Scaup are beginning to stage in traditional areas in the Northwest Territories and northern Québec. Check out the "Scaup Tracker"  on our website for continued updates on fall scaup migration.

More Finches Expected this Winter at Feeders in Central and Eastern Canada

5 October 2007 – Ron Pittaway’s annual Winter Finch Forecast is available on the Ontario Field Ornithologists website. Birders in eastern North America will be keeping on eye on various finch species in the months to come, to see whether his predictions turn out to be as accurate as they were last winter. In 2006-07, participants in Project FeederWatch observed lower numbers of winter finches at feeders in central and eastern Canada, a result of bumper cone crops that reduced the number of boreal finches moving south. More moderate seed production is likely to affect the movements of winter bird populations in 2007-08. Stay tuned to Latest News for developments, or register for Project FeederWatch to help us monitor these trends!

BSC Welcomes Education Specialist Jennifer Miner

28 September 2007 – BSC is pleased to welcome Jennifer Miner of Gaspereau, Nova Scotia to our Port Rowan headquarters. Thanks to support from the Imperial Oil Foundation and Ontario Power Generation, Jennifer joins us for the 2007-08 school year. As Science Education Specialist, she is conducting curriculum research and helping to develop an enhanced environmental education program for the Long Point Bird Observatory.
   Jennifer holds Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Education degrees from Acadia University, and is currently working on a Masters of Education in Curriculum Studies. She has worked as a teacher, and has volunteered and been employed in various field research positions. We are already benefiting from her expertise and look forward to offering more formal curriculum-based products and services in the future.

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