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6 October 2006 
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Florida Ivory?

Courtesy Peter Hayman/BirdLife Rare Bird Club

26 September 2006 –Bird Studies Canada and the Society of Canadian Ornithologists’ Canadian online journal, Avian Conservation and Ecology first reported last week of further claims of Ivory-billed Woodpecker Campephilus principalis sightings – this time in Florida. Researchers from Auburn University and the University of Windsor reported 14 Ivory-billed Woodpeckers sightings in forest along the Choctawhatchee River in Florida’s panhandle between May 2005 and May 2006. All but three of the observations were “naked eye” only without optical aids, and no photographs of the woodpeckers were obtained. On two occasions, two birds were seen together. In addition, on 41 occasions the researchers heard sounds that matched historical descriptions of Ivory-billed Woodpeckers. Examples of each are available as supplementary supporting material and may be downloaded by clicking here.
  Last year, Ivory-billed Woodpeckers were reported in Arkansas. Prior to those reports, the last fully documented U.S. sighting was in Louisiana in 1944, and many believed the species extinct both in the U.S. and in Cuba, the only other country where it occurred.
“It would be wonderful to confirm that a viable population of Ivory-billed Woodpeckers exists, and we hope the search by the Auburn research team will lead to just that,” said Greg Butcher, Director of Bird Conservation for National Audubon Society, the U.S. BirdLife Partner. “This announcement is a reminder of why it is so essential that we protect bottomland forests, wetlands, and coastal habitats across the south-east, and these new sightings should reinvigorate efforts to find the bird in other portions of its historic range.”
  The journal, Avian Conservation and Ecology, was launched last year by Bird Studies Canada and the Society of Canadian Ornithologists. It makes reliable, peer-reviewed data available quickly online, an advantage for researchers and the public alike. To view the Journal or to subscribe click here.

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        NATIONAL

 

Introducing Phoenix, Spirit and Phyllis ....

6 October 2006 – Bird Studies Canada is pleased to introduce three new additions to Eagle Tracker. This year, four young Bald Eagles from Southern Ontario were fitted with satellite transmitters. Unfortunately, Gwayah (short for Gwayahkooshkawin - which means ‘balance’ in the Ojibway language), an eaglet from the Detroit River died in August despite extensive efforts by wildlife rehabilitators to save her life. The cause of death is being investigated.
  The journeys of the remaining three eaglets - one from Detroit River (Phoenix) and two from the Thousand Islands region of eastern Ontario (Spirit and Phyllis), may be tracked on-line using Eagle Tracker. Spirit and Phyllis have already traveled far from home. Phyllis made her way north to the James Bay coast. Spirit has been spending her time near Lac Ste-Pierre, Quebec – a widening of the St. Lawrence River between Sorel and Trois-Rivières, east of Montreal. The area is designated a UNESCO biosphere reserve and an Important Bird Area. Phoenix is proving to be more of a homebody and has not ventured very far from his nest site.
  Thanks to all our project partners and funders of Destination Eagle, including: Canadian Wildlife Service, Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, Essex County Field Naturalists Club, Frontenac Arch Biosphere Reserve, St. Lawrence Bald Eagle Working Group, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, Detroit River Canadian Cleanup, St. Lawrence Islands National Park, Parks Canada, Ontario Trillium Foundation, TD-Friends of Environment Foundation, Liquor Control Board of Ontario, Shell Environmental Fund, London Community Foundation, and many private donors. This project wouldn't have been possible without the tireless efforts of Phil Roberts and Bud Andress. And a special thank-you to all the landowners and volunteer nest monitors who help monitor the eagles and act as Bald Eagle ambassadors throughout Southern Ontario. For more information on Destination Eagle please contact Jody Allair (888-448-2473, ext. 207, raptor@bsc-eoc.org)
 

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Crown Marsh Report Available for Download

6 October 2006 – The Long Point Waterfowl and Wetlands Research Fund (LPWWRF) recently completed a report commissioned by the Long Point Waterfowlers’ Association titled: Long-term trends in waterfowl hunters, harvest, waterfowl use, and marsh habitat in the Crown Marsh, Long Point, Ontario. Data in this report provide the basis for preliminary discussion among scientists, marsh managers, and various user groups about potential habitat management options for the Crown Marsh. To find out more, please click here.

Bluebills are on the Wing

6 October 2006 – Lesser and Greater Scaup implanted with satellite transmitters by the Long Point Waterfowl and Wetlands Research Fund (LPWWRF) earlier this spring on the lower Great Lakes have begun their autumn migration. Many of the Lesser Scaup that spent the summer in eastern Canada are now staging on inland lakes near James Bay in northern Quebec. Greater and Lesser scaup that spent the summer in western North America currently are dispersed throughout the boreal and prairie parkland biomes and are generally making their way southeast back toward the Great Lakes region. Large numbers of scaup typically begin to congregate at major stopover sites on the lower Great Lakes during mid-October and peak numbers are observed during mid-November. So be sure to check  “Scaup Tracker” often over the next few months to see where the birds will appear next.

New LPWWRF Staff

2 October 2006 – The Long Point Waterfowl and Wetlands Research Fund (LPWWRF) has hired Ted Barney as a full-time biologist to assist with the Avian Energetics Lab, student and non-student based research, aerial waterfowl surveys, and other research and administrative tasks. In addition, Ted’s Masters Thesis work on agricultural waste grains and staging waterfowl at Long Point is nearly completed and will be defended this Fall 2006. We look forward to having someone with Ted's abilities working for LPWWRF.

Baillie Birdathon Winners Announced at Annual Members’ Meeting

24 September 2006 – Congratulations to the Baillie Birdathon prize winners announced at the Annual Members’ Meeting held at Bird Studies Canada headquarters. Special thanks goes to Eagle Eye Tours for providing the Grand Prize of an all inclusive 15-day guided tour of either Costa Rica, New Brunswick, or the High Arctic. David Allinson of Victoria, British Columbia was the lucky winner. David birds for the Rocky Point Bird Observatory and is a long time friend and supporter of BSC. Nikki Van Den Brock of Woodstock, Ontario was on hand to retrieve her prize of a pair of Eagle Optics 8 x 42 Platinum Series “Ranger” Binoculars. Nikki will be able to spot her next “lifer” with these. She birds for the Friends of Algoma East with her mother, whom Nikki credits for getting her involved in birding and the Baillie Birdathon. Twelve-year-old Connor Greenwood of Peterborough, Ontario will certainly be the talk of his Outdoors Club at Edmison Heights Public School as he came away the winner of the Eagle Optics Raven Spotting Scope and Radian GT Pro Tripod. Bruce Falls was also on hand to receive the PENTAX Canada 6 megapixel digital camera with 3 x optical zoom. José Gagnon of St-Léonard, Quebec won renowned Canadian Artist Chris Bacon's Limited Edition, elegantly framed print “Storm Watch”. For a complete list of Baillie Birdathon prize winners and the top ten birders and clubs, click here. To date over 359 Baillie Birdathon participants have submitted almost $180,000. Our heartfelt thanks go to all of the prize donors and participants who make the Baillie Birdathon such a success. There is still plenty of time to get your pledge money in. If you need assistance or would like more information, please contact Kris Dobney or Beth Wells at 1-888-448-2473.

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