Bird Studies
Canada
Main Page

6 November 2009 
Download a Printable PDF Version  

 

BirdLife’s Marine IBA Program Reaches Canada

4 November 2009 – After four years of intense work, SPEA (BirdLife in Portugal) has published the Portuguese Inventory of Marine Important Bird Areas (IBAs). In addition to coastal Marine IBAs, this inventory includes pure offshore areas identified for highly pelagic seabirds such as shearwaters. SPEA is working with the Portuguese central government, and the regions of Madeira and Azores, to have the 17 Marine IBAs classified as Special Protected Areas, which could result in most of the IBAs being legally protected next year. Because this publication contains a detailed description of the methods used, and a Marine IBA designation step-by-step protocol, it is especially relevant for BirdLife Partners involved in Marine IBA Projects. Learn more on the BirdLife International website.
   BirdLife’s expansion of the Marine IBA Program has reached the northeast Pacific. Bird Studies Canada’s BC Program Manager Pete Davidson is part of a technical committee reviewing data layers to identify a preliminary suite of Marine IBAs from Baja, Mexico to Barrow, Alaska, encompassing the California and Alaska Current systems. A significant number of marine IBAs are already designated in BC, but this work will fill gaps in the pelagic regions.
   In late October, the technical committee met at Point Reyes Bird Observatory Conservation Science headquarters in California, with representatives of: Bird Studies Canada; Audubons Alaska, California, Oregon, and Washington; PRBO; Pronatura (BirdLife in Mexico); the U.S. Geological Survey; and Environment Canada’s Canadian Wildlife Service. The group aims to have a draft suite of Marine IBAs identified in time for the 2010 World Seabird Conference in Victoria.

IUCN Red List Update

3 November 2009 – The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the world’s oldest and largest global environmental network, has released its latest update of the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Of the 47,677 assessed species, the 2009 update shows that 17,291 are threatened with extinction. This includes 12% of all known birds. Of the world’s 9998 bird species, 137 are Extinct or Extinct in the Wild, with 192 Critically Endangered, 362 Endangered, and 669 Vulnerable.
   BirdLife International is the Red List Authority for birds. The latest BirdLife evaluation of the world’s birds did include some good news stories. For example, effective conservation efforts have resulted in three species being downlisted from Critically Endangered to Endangered, to reflect a lower level of threat: Lear’s Macaw (Brazil), Chatham Petrel (New Zealand), and Mauritius Fody (Mauritius).
   Visit the BirdLife International website for more information about the 2009 update of the IUCN Red List for birds.

Birds in Ecuador

26 October 2009 – Ecuador has one of the world’s richest assemblages of avifauna, with over 1600 species inhabiting this relatively small country. During a five-month visit to Ecuador, Canadian nature photographer Glenn Bartley (whose images are frequently featured in BirdWatch Canada) photographed many of Ecuador’s beautiful birds in their natural habitats. The book Birds in Ecuador is the product of this wonderful photographic journey.
   Glenn is a nature lover, conservationist, and long-time Bird Studies Canada supporter. For this project, Glenn’s commitment to conservation has extended beyond international borders as he seeks to raise money for habitat and avian conservation in Ecuador, in collaboration with The Mindo Cloudforest Foundation (MCF). MCF, an Ecuadorian non-profit conservation group with members from five countries, specializes in linking birding tourism to habitat conservation. MCF’s bird sanctuaries are in or near three designated Important Bird Areas in northwestern Ecuador.
   50% of all proceeds from Birds in Ecuador will go directly to the Mindo Cloudforest Foundation. Visit Glenn Bartley’s website for more information, or to order your copy.

 Return to Top of Page

 

VII^th National CMMN Meeting

 Photo: Wally Rendell

3 November 2009 – Six staff members from Bird Studies Canada’s national headquarters and Québec offices were among 40 participants in the recent VII^th National Meeting of the Canadian Migration Monitoring Network - Réseau canadien de surveillance des migrations (CMMN-RCSM). This biennial meeting of the network stations and partners was hosted by l’Observatoire d’oiseaux de Tadoussac at the Explos-Nature facilities in Les Bergeronnes, Québec from October 22-26, 2009.
   Representatives of 14 member stations and three associated stations from across Canada participated in the meeting, along with Environment Canada staff, graduate students, the CMMN-RCSM Steering Committee, and other network supporters. Established in 1998, membership in the network has expanded to include more than 20 independent migration monitoring and research stations. The CMMN-RCSM is a collaborative initiative among these member stations, Bird Studies Canada, and the Canadian Wildlife Service.
   Among the highlights of the meeting were talks by Lynn Miller, Keith Hobson, and François Gagnon. The participants also discussed the use of the visual counts technique for evaluating population trends. Finally, during a special presentation, the important contribution that Dr. David Hussell has made to migration monitoring was acknowledged.
   Information on the member stations is available on the BSC website. Select this link to explore CMMN-RCSM population trends and seasonal graphs. For more information, contact Audrey Heagy, CMMN Secretariat (aheagy@birdscanada.org; 1-888-448-2473 ext. 166).

Une rencontre fructueuse du RCSM

Photo: David Okines

3 novembre 2009 – Six employés de l’administration centrale d’Études d’Oiseaux Canada et de son bureau à Québec étaient parmi une quarantaine de personnes d’un peu partout au pays qui ont participé récemment à la VII^e édition de la rencontre nationale du Réseau canadien de surveillance des migrations - Canadian Migration Monitoring Network (RCSM-CMMN). Cette rencontre biennale des membres et des partenaires du réseau a été accueillie par l’Observatoire d’oiseaux de Tadoussac, au siège social d’Explos-Nature, aux Bergeronnes, au Québec, du 22 au 26 octobre dernier.
   Cette rencontre a réuni : des représentants de 14 stations du réseau et de trois stations associées, ainsi que des membres du comité de direction du RCSM-CMMN, des employés d’Environnement Canada, des étudiants de deuxième et de troisième cycle ainsi que d’autres personnes intéressées par les travaux du Réseau. Le réseau est une initiative conjointe de ces stations, d’ÉOC et du Service canadien de la faune d’Environnement Canada. Il a été créé en 1998 et regroupe maintenant plus de vingt stations indépendantes effectuant la surveillance ou la recherche liée à la migration d’oiseaux.
   Parmi les points forts de la rencontre, mentionnons les présentations de Lynn Miller, de Keith Hobson et de François Gagnon. De plus, les participants ont discuté de l’utilisation des relevés visuels pour évaluer les tendances des populations. Finalement, le Réseau a souligné la contribution exceptionnelle de David Hussell à l’avancement des connaissances liées à la surveillance des migrations d’oiseaux.
   Pour obtenir plus d’information concernant les stations du Réseau, visitez le site Web d’ÉOC. Si vous souhaitez en apprendre davantage sur les tendances des populations ou la phénologie des migrations à chacune des stations, visitez le lien suivant. Pour plus d’information, communiquez avec Audrey Heagy du secrétariat du RCSM-CMMN (aheagy@oiseauxcanada.org.org; 1-888-448-2473 poste 166).

Reminder: D.H. Speirs Award

27 October 2009 – Nominations will be accepted until December 31, 2009 for the Doris Huestis Speirs Award, presented annually by the Society of Canadian Ornithologists (SCO) to an individual who has made outstanding lifetime contributions to Canadian ornithology. For more information on the award and previous winners, visit the SCO website.
    To nominate a candidate, provide the award committee Chair with the nominee’s name, and information describing the nature and scope of the nominee’s contributions and impact in Canadian ornithology. This could include efforts to advance conservation, science, and/or public education. Nominations may be sent to Dr. Marty Leonard, Department of Biology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, B3H 4J1; Phone: (902) 494-3540; Fax: (902) 494-1123; email mleonard@dal.ca.

Return to Top of Pagee

 

BSC at Cottage Life Show This Weekend

5 November 2009 – Bird Studies Canada is participating in the Fall Cottage Life Show this weekend – November 6-8 – at the International Centre, 6900 Airport Road, Mississauga, ON. We will be highlighting Project FeederWatch, the Canadian Lakes Loon Survey, and other volunteer opportunities in Ontario’s cottage country. If you are at the show, stop by booth 731-33 to say hi to BSC staff and learn more about BSC’s citizen science programs. Visit the Cottage Life website for more information about the Fall Show.

2009 Chimney Swift Monitoring Draws to a Close

4 November 2009 – The southward migration of Chimney Swifts from Ontario appears to be complete, marking the end of the first full season of monitoring under BSC’s new program, Ontario SwiftWatch. This inaugural season resulted in monitoring activities in 12 communities across southern Ontario, with many new nesting and roosting chimneys discovered along the way. The information gathered through Ontario SwiftWatch will be integral to developing conservation and stewardship initiatives for this Species at Risk. Our gratitude goes out to all the volunteers who participated, and we look forward to next season!
   If you are in the London area and have an interest in Chimney Swifts, BSC invites you to attend a potluck to mark the end of another monitoring season in London. The event will be held on Thursday, November 12, from 5:30-8:30 p.m. in the Martha Bishop Community Room, Landon Branch, London Public Library. At this meeting, we will discuss outcomes of 2009 chimney monitoring, future plans, changes in Chimney Swift status and protection, and more. The goal is to learn what’s going on with swifts in London and across the province, share stories and experiences, and talk about what we can do for these birds in the future.
   If you are interested in attending, or would like more information about Ontario SwiftWatch, contact Hazel Wheeler (1-888-448-2473 ext.165, hwheeler@birdscanada.org).

Strong Interest in BC IBA Presentation Series

4 November 2009 – Throughout the summer and fall of 2009, the British Columbia Important Bird Area team has been delivering presentations about the program. These IBA outreach sessions were led by Krista Englund and Anne Murray (BC Nature) and Pete Davidson and Karen Barry (Bird Studies Canada), and were funded by a Mountain Equipment Co-op grant secured by BC Nature. The goal of the presentations was to raise awareness about the IBA program and build partnerships to strengthen stewardship and protection at these sites, since only about one quarter of the total area of BC’s IBAs is currently afforded some form of protection or conservation status.
   The sessions have drawn more than 200 staff from 18 agencies and organizations responsible for land and resource management in the province. Typically only 30-40% of attendees at any given session were previously aware of IBAs. Their response has been extremely positive, with a high level of interest shown in the program’s renaissance. Many representatives are following up and supporting the program by integrating IBA information into planning initiatives, assisting with signage, providing data, and requesting that additional sessions be held with other groups.

Fraser River Valley Bald Eagle Festival

28 October 2009 – The highly-anticipated Fraser River Valley Bald Eagle Festival occurs annually over the third weekend of November (21-22) and works with 15 individual sites to offer a wide variety of activities and adventures from Mission to Chilliwack. The area hosts North America’s third-largest population of over-wintering Bald Eagles, arriving to feast on the remains of salmon spawning in the Harrison and Fraser Rivers. Well over 1000 of these majestic birds have been counted perched high in the cottonwood trees and soaring overhead searching for their next meal.
   2009 festival highlights include excellent opportunities to view eagles and other local wildlife; expert speakers; environmental presentations and a “Green Expo”; historic and ancient aboriginal sites; jetboat eco-tours; walking tours; live raptors; vendors; and meals. The festivities go rain or shine, so dressing for the weather is recommended.
   The organizers of the Fraser Valley Bald Eagle Festival are the IBA Caretaker committee for the Chehalis River Estuary Important Bird Area, designated for its globally significant populations of Trumpeter Swans and Bald Eagles.

BSC Tracking Short-eared Owls This Winter: Sightings Needed!

28 October 2009 – Bird Studies Canada is entering its seventh season of Short-eared Owl monitoring in Ontario. North American and European researchers are working together to learn more about this poorly-understood species, which appears to be declining across its global range and is classified as a species of Special Concern in Canada.
   Bird Studies Canada has been using satellite and radio telemetry to track large- and small-scale movements of Short-eared Owls in Canada for two seasons. With funding from TD Friends of the Environment and Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources – Species at Risk Stewardship Program, BSC will continue the program this winter. Birders are asked to report any sightings of Short-eared Owls this winter; please include the date, location, time, number of owls seen, and the type of habitat in which they were observed.
   If you would like to report a sighting, or if you’re interested in volunteering to monitor known roost sites across southern Ontario (or know of a site that hosts wintering Short-eared Owls), please contact Hazel Wheeler, 1-888-448-2473 ext.165, hwheeler@birdscanada.org.
   Data from this study will allow the determination of seasonal habitats occupied by the owl, and identify important breeding and wintering sites. Updates on our satellite-tracked owls are available through our Owl Tracker.

  Return to Top of Page

To subscribe or unsubscribe to Latest News, follow this link.

If you receive duplicates of this email, or if you do not wish to receive it, contact BirdStudiesCanada@birdscanada.org.
For questions about the news items or for media inquiries, please email esecord@birdscanada.org.

Ce courriel a été envoyé depuis l'adresse BirdStudiesCanada@oiseauxcanada.org. Si vous recevez plus d'une copie de ce message, ou si vous voulez que l'on retire votre nom de la liste d'envoi, veuillez communiquer avec nous. Nous nous excusons du fait que ce message ne soit pas disponible en français.