Archives

10 February 2006 
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New Bird Species Discovered in Papua "Eden"

Photo Courtesy of Bruce Beehler, Conservation International

7 February 2006, BirdLife International - An expedition to one of Asia=s most isolated jungles in the mist-shrouded Foya Mountains of western New Guinea (Irian Jaya) has discovered a host of new species, giant flowers, and rare wildlife.
  The December 2005 expedition by a team of U.S., Indonesian, and Australian scientists led by Conservation International (CI) found dozens of new species including frogs, butterflies, plants, and what is thought to be the first new bird from the island of New Guinea in more than 60 years. "It=s as close to the Garden of Eden as you=re going to find on Earth," marvelled CI's Bruce Beehler, co-leader of the expedition.
  The new species of honeyeater, yet to be described, has a bright orange face-patch with a pendant wattle under each eye. To learn more, click here.

 Hunting Decimates Greenland's Seabirds

26 January 2006, BirdLife International - A new study published in the journal of the Danish Ornithological Society (DOF, BirdLife in Denmark) documents that birds in west Greenland have undergone a severe decline within the last 100 years. Shockingly, one formerly common breeding species, the Thick-billed Murre, can no longer be found.
  The survey was carried out in the Uummannaq area of Greenland - 12,000 km2 bordered by the Greenland Ice Cap to the east and Baffin Bay to the west. In this intricate system of fjords, bays, and islands, Tom Cade and Kurt and Bill Burnham of the Peregrine Fund revisited more than 207 sites to count the birds and compare the findings with those of the Danish doctor and ornithologist, Alfred Bertelsen, almost 100 years before.
  The results were significant. Eight species that were common 100 years ago have seen major declines. The most dramatic is that of the Thick-billed Murre (also known as Brunnich's Guillemot), whose numbers have fallen from 500,000 pairs in eight colonies to none.
  Many of the populations affected spend part of their life cycle in Canada.  The Canadian government has raised concerns with the governments in Denmark and Greenland. For more information, click here.

 Marsh Monitoring Workshop Offered in Michigan

8 February 2006 - The Great Lakes Commission and Bird Studies Canada, with the support of the St. Clair River Binational Public Advisory Council, are looking for outdoor adventurers to be trained as amphibian and/or bird monitors (no prior experience necessary) for wetland areas in the St. Clair River regions of Michigan. The session is being held on 25 February  2006, 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. at Pine River Nature Center, Goodells, MI .  Anyone interested in attending should contact John Hummer by e-mail at jhummer@glc.org, or phone 734-971-9135.  Financial support for this project is provided by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Great Lakes National Program Office.

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Bird Count Countdown!

8 February 2006 - The 9th annual Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC) is just around the corner! The event takes place 17-20 February and everyone can participate, at any age or skill level. You can count birds in your backyard, in a park, or on public lands. This year's theme is to "Count birds with a buddy!" The idea is to share your love of birding with someone who is new to the pastime.
  The Great Backyard Bird Count, a partnership project between Audubon and the Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology, provides valuable data on a continent-wide scale about where the birds are and in what numbers. This year features some exciting contests - certificates will be awarded to the states, provinces, and localities sending in the most checklists in the U.S. and in Canada.  A photo contest is also planned.  For more information about the GBBC, click here. 

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Toronto Adopts Guidelines to Prevent Bird Collisions

2 February 2006 - City Council unanimously adopted a resolution on 31 January that will protect migratory birds through controlling light from buildings, public education, and bird rescue.  For all new buildings in Toronto, the resolution specifies "that the needs of migratory birds be incorporated into the Site Plan Review process with respect to facilities for lighting, including floodlighting, glass, and other bird-friendly design features."
  Councillor Glenn De Baeremaeker states "This is a historic day - The City of Toronto, instead of having 10,000 birds killed downtown each year, is working toward saving 10,000 birds.  That's a magnificent thing for the City to do."
  The Fatal Light Awareness Program (FLAP) , a Toronto-based charitable organization, has been working to address the issue of bird collisions with structures since 1993.  It was the first organization of its kind in the world; similar organizations have since sprung up in Chicago and New York.
  "FLAP has dreamed of this day.  Finally, through policy, a city has recognized the need to address the tragedy of bird collisions with its buildings and is setting an example for other cities around the world to take action." says Michael Mesure of FLAP.  To view the full report, click here.  
  Bird Studies Canada has sent a letter of congratulations to the Mayor and Council of Toronto.  

Atlantic Industries Limited Sponsors Maritimes Breeding Bird Atlas

 8 February 2006 - Atlantic Industries Limited (AIL) of Dorchester, New Brunswick, a manufacturer of high quality, durable, corrugated steel culverts, bridges, tunnels, stream enclosures, and other engineered products, has made a generous financial contribution to the second Maritimes Breeding Bird Atlas. Company President Mike Wilson recently pledged $20,000 per year to the project for the next six years.
  "I believe the Atlas is a sound conservation project that will benefit many Maritime communities of interest," he said.  "These include school children, naturalist clubs, birdwatchers, government wildlife agencies, private industry, university researchers, and of course, the birds themselves."
  "We are immensely grateful to Mr. Wilson and to AIL for this landmark example of corporate environmental citizenship," said Dr. Richard Elliot, chair of the Atlas Steering Committee.  The Maritimes Breeding Bird Atlas is a partnership project of Bird Studies Canada, the Canadian Wildlife Service of Environment Canada, the Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia governments, and the naturalist community. The second Atlas is already underway and interested participants can obtain information and register online through the Atlas website by clicking here, or by phone, toll-free, at 1-888-5ATLAS5.

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Bicknell's Thrush Declining in Core Range

8 February 2006 - A recent study by the Vermont Institute of Natural Science (VINS) and the U.S. Forest Service has found a 7% decline in Bicknell's Thrushes detected on survey routes in New Hampshire's White Mountain National Forest between 1993 and 2003. The White Mountains constitute 30% of the global breeding range of the Bicknell's Thrush, which is currently listed as a Species of Special Concern in Canada. Bird Studies Canada monitors the Bicknell's Thrush in New Brunswick and Nova Scotia through the High Elevation Landbird Program (HELP).
  For more information on U.S. declines, see the VINS newsletter by clicking here. For more information on HELP, click here

Volunteer Opportunities Available at LPBO

Photo: Stuart Mackenzie

 4 February 2 006 - Every year, the Long Point Bird Observatory (LPBO) welcomes the participation of about 100 volunteers from around the world. They help with the spring and fall migration monitoring program, Tree Swallow research project, and breeding bird census on Long Point.  The opportunity to volunteer at LPBO is an incredible way to gain valuable ornithological field experience, engage in a rewarding team effort with like-minded individuals, and experience the rush of migration at the oldest bird observatory in North America.  If you are interested in learning more about volunteer opportunities at LPBO, click here or contact Stuart Mackenzie, Long Point Bird Observatory Landbird Programs Coordinator, at lpbo@bsc-eoc.org. If you are interested in learning about other bird observatories across Canada through the Canadian Migration Monitoring Network, click here.

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LPWWRF Funded to Conduct Loon Research

Photo: Steve Timmermans

 7 February 200606 - During fall 2005, the Long Point Waterfowl and Wetlands Research Fund (LPWWRF) and Canadian Wildlife Service researchers collected about 300 dead Common Loons after a suspected Botulism Type E die-off at Long Point, Lake Erie.  These birds will provide the collaborating researchers with a unique opportunity to study contaminant burdens, lead artifact (and fishing tackle) ingestion, and body condition in loons during migration on Lake Erie.  LPWWRF recently received a generous $10,000 contribution from the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters toward this research.  The Avian Energetics Laboratory at Bird Studies Canada is currently examining the digestive tract of these birds  and conducting dissections to assess body condition and contaminant burdens.  Preliminary results of artifact ingestion and body condition will be available later this winter.  

Hen House Project Underway

7 February 2006 - LPWWRF recently initiated a research project to determine the feasibility of using artificial nesting structures or "hen houses" to bolster Mallard production in the lower Great Lakes region of southern Ontario.  This research is being conducted in collaboration with the Pennsylvania Game Commission (PGC).  LPWWRF and PGC researchers have started placing 200 hen houses in suitable wetlands on their respective sides of Lake Erie.  Researchers will be monitoring the hen houses periodically throughout the Mallard breeding season to determine usage rates and nest success rates.  Ultimately, data collected over the next few years will be used to ascertain whether these structures are a cost-effective and feasible management tool that can be used by landowners and wildlife managers to increase Mallard production in the lower Great Lake region.
  Generous financial and logistical support has been received from the Flyway Foundation, Pennsylvania Game Commission, Delta Waterfowl, Bayou Club, and the Northwest Pennsylvania Duck Hunters' Association. Preliminary results on hen house occupancy rates should be available shortly after the Mallard breeding season.

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Bald Eagles Benefit from TD-Friends of the Environment

 8 February 2006 - TD-Friends of the Environment (TD-FOEF), Kingston Chapter, has donated $5000 to the Destination Eagle program in 2006-07.  The funds will be used to support research on a bird hatched within the Lake Ontario basin in 2006. TD-FOEF has sponsored other birds currently monitored through Bird Studies Canada=s Eagle Tracker. Both Tilson and Dominion were tagged in June 2005 with the financial assistance of TD-FOEF, southern Ontario Chapters, with the London, Tillsonburg, and Delhi chapters providing the most financial support.

 Regal Disappears from Eagle Tracker

8 February 2006 - Regal, a satellite-tracked eagle, was last reported on her way from the Thousand Islands to the Adirondacks on 14 January 2006.  Banded and fitted with a satellite transmitter in June 2005, Regal was one of the project's more sedentary birds and was often viewed perching and hunting in her natal area until her first major foray into the unknown in January. Bud Andress of Parks Canada searched for Regal for several days using telemetry technology.  Unfortunately, she has yet to be located.   Regal was sponsored by:  B. Andress, B. & L. Buckwald, J. Gurney, Kingston Field Naturalists, G. McBride, J. Medcalf, D. Rawlinson, St. Lawrence Islands National Park of Canada, K. & J. Stewart, and Thousand Islands Association (TIA). 
  The Thousand Island community is pleased with the results of Destination Eagle to date and plans to continue support in  2006 by equipping upwards of two eagles with satellite transmitters.  To learn more about the Destination Eagle program and the whereabouts of other tracked eagles, click here.

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