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20 February 2009 
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Speedy Songbirds

Purple Martin Photo: Ron Ridout

13 February 2009 – A new study published in Science Vol. 323, no. 5916 announces surprising discoveries about songbird migration. York University biology professor Bridget Stutchbury and her team mounted dime-sized geolocator ‘backpacks’ on 14 Wood Thrushes and 20 Purple Martins breeding in Pennsylvania in 2007. They were then able to track the birds’ fall migration to South America, and their spring 2008 journey back to North America, before retrieving the geolocators from five Wood Thrushes and two Purple Martins last summer.
   Data from the geolocators indicated that songbirds can fly in excess of 500 km per day – three times faster than previously estimated. As well, the study revealed astonishingly rapid long-distance movements during spring migration; the birds’ overall migration rate was two to six times more rapid in spring than in fall. To learn more, visit the York University website.
   The paper has been received with enthusiasm, and many bird researchers, including Bird Studies Canada scientists, will be using this technology for future studies.

Birds and Climate Report

10 February 2009 – The National Audubon Society has released a new report on the winter distribution and movements of birds in North America. According to report co-author and Audubon Director of Bird Conservation Greg Butcher, 58% of the 305 widespread bird species that winter on the continent have shifted significantly north since 1966. The newest analysis reveals that bird movements are evidence of a short-term response to climate change.
   Bird Studies Canada is partnered with Audubon through BirdLife International. The Birds and Climate Change report is based on information collected through the Christmas Bird Count. As the coordinator of Christmas Bird Counts in Canada, Bird Studies Canada and our volunteers provided critical data for this research. Citizen science programs are an extremely important tool for monitoring, and collecting data for analysis and to guide conservation action.
   Report details and other resources are available on the Audubon website.

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BSC Announces Birdathon Guest Birder Team

20 February 2009 – With spring just around the corner, Bird Studies Canada is excited to announce that our 2009 Baillie Birdathon Guest Birder team is a group of five prominent Manitoba birders. Cal Cuthbert, Ken De Smet, Rudolf Koes, Peter Taylor, and Adam Walleyn will be attempting to break Canada’s Big Day record of 214 species. If you would like to sponsor the efforts of the Manitoba All-Stars or a BSC staff person, please visit the Baillie Birdathon Donation web page.
   The Baillie Birdathon is a fantastic way to get out and enjoy the wonder of spring migration, while raising valuable funds to support bird research and conservation. All Birdathon participants receive an exclusive Baillie Birdathon t-shirt simply for registering. This year’s shirt was illustrated by our 2009 Guest Artist, Chris Bacon. Participants also have great chances of winning some fabulous prizes! For more information about the Baillie Birdathon, or to download a participant kit, select this link.

LGL Supports Bird Research and Conservation

17 February 2009 – Bird Studies Canada has recently received an $11,000 donation from long-time supporter LGL Limited. We gratefully acknowledge LGL for their generous ongoing sponsorship of our programs. As one of North America’s leading ecological research companies, LGL conducts benchmark environmental studies and provides biological consulting services for the public and private sectors. Learn more on the LGL website.

Call for Nominations: Jamie Smith Award

9 February 2009 – The Society of Canadian Ornithologists is seeking nominations for The Jamie Smith Memorial Award for Mentoring in Ornithology. This award honours established ornithologists who have displayed excellence in mentoring a new generation of professional or amateur biologists. Select this link for details concerning nominations. The deadline for submission of nominations is March 20, 2009. Nominations should be emailed to Ken Otter, Chair, Jamie Smith Memorial Mentoring Award Committee, at otterk@unbc.ca.

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LCBO Employees Go Bald to Help Eagles

Photo: Bob French

18 February 2009 – Two employees of LCBO Store 181 in Delhi, Ontario recently had their heads shaved to raise money for Bird Studies Canada’s “Destination Eagle” program. Manager Bill Peat and Customer Service Representative Josephine Winrow raised more than $2000 through their efforts, and the LCBO Natural Heritage fund matched the donations, bringing the total to $4000. This money will be used to sponsor the purchase of a satellite transmitter that will help us track the movements of juvenile eagles hatched in southern Ontario for up to five years. “We are naming our bird ‘Delhi’ to show our appreciation for the donations made by our customers,” said Bill Peat. Visit our online Eagle Tracker to view recent movements of the birds studied through this satellite telemetry program.

BC-Yukon Nocturnal Owl Survey News

7 February 2009 – Just in time for the 2009 survey season, the BC-Yukon Nocturnal Owl Survey newsletter for 2008 is out. In 2008, 85 participants did 93 owl surveys along 89 routes across British Columbia and Yukon. The participants detected 177 owls, well down from last year’s total of 287 owls.
   The newsletter includes news and notes, results from the 2008 Nocturnal Owl Survey and from special Flammulated Owl surveys that were done in the southern Interior in May and June, and also shows some owl trends from 2000-2008. Select this link to download the newsletter in pdf format.

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