2 April 2004
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North American Landbird Conservation Plan Published

31 March 2004 - Partners in Flight (PIF) has published its first North American Landbird Conservation Plan. It provides a continental assessment of vulnerability for 448 landbirds that breed in the United States or Canada, and highlights a set of Species of Continental Importance for conservation purposes. The Plan sets out population objectives for these species, classifies them according to conservation need, and identifies continental-scale monitoring and research needs. Conservation issues and recommendations are also set out for each of seven regions (avifaunal biomes) of North America. Species assessment work is proceeding in Mexico and the next version of the Plan is expected to include full treatment of Mexican landbirds. Co-authors come from Canada, United States, and Mexico, and include Bird Studies Canada's PIF Scientist Peter Blancher, President Michael Bradstreet, and Board Member Art Martell. Watch Latest News for an announcement about the Plan’s availability online.

YOU SAW A WHAT? A PAINTED DUCK?

30 March 2004 - Your eyes may not have deceived you. Biologists are currently marking individual scaup with one of four colours in hopes of learning more about the species' life cycle. Scaup populations, also called Bluebills, have suffered serious declines during recent decades, and researchers are asking the public to report observations of colour-marked scaup seen this spring. They need to know: the date of observation and approximate time of day; location (name of lake or wetland if known, distance and direction to the nearest town, county, and state/province); number and colour of marked scaup seen; sex of colour-marked scaup, if known; total number of scaup on the same lake or wetland; and, your name, address, and phone number so researchers can contact you for further information and send you a complimentary pen-ink scaup print. You may send in a report either by mail, fax, or e-mail - LSU Scaup Project, Room 310, RNR Bldg., Baton Rouge, LA 70803; Fax 225-578-4144; e-mail Scaup-Project@LSU.EDU.

North Americans Concerned About Feed
Contaminant, Aflatoxin

March 2004 - Aflatoxins are produced by fungi that are common and widespread in nature, Aspergillus parasiticus and A. flavus. These fungi grow most rapidly in humid environments and can grow on foods stored in damp conditions. Corn and peanuts are more likely affected than other foods commonly provided at feeders. David Bonter, of the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, has compiled some current information on the issue, which may be read in the upcoming, spring 2004, issue of BirdWatch Canada. The data say don't stop feeding! An estimated 40-60 million North Americans feed birds and have been doing so for decades. If aflatoxin-contaminated seeds were negatively affecting bird populations, there would be downward trends in counts of most common feeder visitors. The aflatoxin issue does provide an opportunity to stress the importance of providing a safe environment for birds. Click here for a list of Strategies to Improve the Safety and Health of Birds at Your Feeder and Tips on Protecting Your Feeder Birds.

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New Record Set for Corvid Tally in British Columbia

1 April 2004 - George Clulow, a member of Bird Studies Canada’s National Science Advisory Council, and three colleagues (Carlo Giovanella, Rob Lyske and Brian Scott) have set what they believe is a new Canadian record for the number of corvid (crows, jays, etc.) species seen in one day. They started out in the southern suburbs of Vancouver where they spotted a Western Scrub-Jay in Ladner and a Blue Jay in Richmond, both rarities in the area. Adding the more common Northwestern Crow and Common Raven was easy as they drove east into the Fraser Valley, where they added Steller's Jay. At 09:52 they added Gray Jay in Manning Park, then finished the Big Crow Day in Princeton with American Crow, Black-billed Magpie, and Clark's Nutcracker at 13:38, giving them a total of nine corvid species in one day. If anyone knows of a better crow tally than this, George would like to hear about it! Send your e-mail to generalinfo@bsc-eoc.org, with Corvid Tally in the subject line.

Canadian Wildlife Service & George Weston Limited
Fund New Ornithological E-Journal

30 March 2004 - Bird Studies Canada (BSC) and the Society of Canadian Ornithologists (SCO) have agreed to jointly initiate the publication of a refereed Canadian electronic journal, publishing high-quality scientific papers on bird conservation and ecology, with the support of the Canadian Wildlife Service. The journal will publish papers related to population biology, ecology, and conservation of birds. Its applied focus on North American bird research and monitoring will complement existing publications, and support the priorities of both BSC and SCO. The journal will be available free to BSC members and others through simultaneous, instantaneous distribution throughout the world. The Canadian Wildlife Service recently agreed to provide $35,000 in financial support to help initiate the journal, to match a $35,000 gift obtained by BSC from George Weston Limited in the fall of 2003. Watch Latest News for more information.

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Cry of the Loon Featured at National Cottage Show

29 March 2004 - The Canadian Lakes Loon Survey (CLLS) and Bird Studies Canada (BSC) were well received at the 2004 Cottage Life Show this past weekend. BSC staff Kathy Jones and Laura Thomson and volunteer Hugh McArthur spent the weekend at the Cottage Life Show in Toronto educating cottage and lake owners on loons and their conservation while at the same time introducing the CLLS and other BSC programs. It was estimated that more than 40,000 people visited the show over three days. Loon education seminars were full to overflowing and many people stopped at the booth to learn more about loons, pick up educational materials, purchase "birdie" stuff, and be introduced to BSC programs. Many people showed interest in participating in the Canadian Lakes Loon Survey as well as Project NestWatch and Project FeederWatch. The BSC booth was provided free of charge by the Cottage Show as part of their "Cry of the Loon" special feature exhibit and BSC thanks them for their support and for the opportunity to help educate lake users on the conservation of birds and their habitats. To read more about CLLS and how you can participate, click here.

Web Mapping Gets Boost from CISE

25 March 2004 – The Canadian Information System for the Environment (CISE) has committed $30,000 to support the implementation of Web Mapping Services (WMS) at Bird Studies Canada (BSC). This cutting edge technology allows the publication of geographic data to the web in an open, non-proprietary format, so that web servers can communicate map information back and forth regardless of the web mapping software employed. CISE is attempting to foster the adoption of WMS standards throughout the federal government and selected NGO partners such as BSC. BSC will publish several of its bird monitoring datasets as WMS layers so that they can be used by conservation practitioners right across the country. BSC’s own web mapping portal can be found by clicking here.

Canada's Great Basin Landbird Conservation Plan

19 March 2004 - The Partners in Flight BC/Yukon Regional Working Group and National Working Group have announced that Canada's Great Basin Landbird Conservation Plan has been completed. The plan is one of the first of its kind in Canada - please click here to download a copy from the website.  If anyone would like a hard copy of the report, they can contact Andy Bezener at 250-490-8246 or bezgrove@telus.net.

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You Know it’s Spring When LPBO Sightings Begin

1 April 2004 - Long Point Bird Observatory's (LPBO’s) migration monitoring program will be in full swing at Old Cut, ON, 5 April. The observatory’s two remote stations, Breakwater and the Tip, will be open by mid April. Check out all of the weekly sightings on the Sightings Board, updated weekly with highlights from LPBO and the surrounding areas. The first update will be posted soon, but here is a brief summary: Fox Sparrows have arrived at Old Cut, along with Eastern Phoebes as of 1 April; Tundra Swans seem to have dispersed from the Long Point area. Good numbers of Slate-coloured Juncos and American Robins have been moving through Old Cut, along with other seasonally expected species such as Brown Creepers and Golden-crowned Kinglets.
  This year the volunteer group, the Friends of Long Point, will be at at Old Cut and can answer those burning questions about Long Point. As well, check out the new, on-site store for all of your LPBO and Bird Studies Canada "swag."

Hooded Warblers Doing Well in Southern Ontario

31 March 2004 - In 2003, in partnership with the Hooded Warbler/Acadian Flycatcher Recovery Team, Bird Studies Canada (BSC) intensively monitored the Hooded Warbler population in St. Williams Forest. The long-term objectives of the St.Williams Hooded Warbler research project are to monitor annual productivity, predation rates, parasitism rates, and return rates of banded birds, and to collect information on nest site characteristics and habitat selection. By collecting this information, BSC and the recovery team hopes to further understanding of the factors affecting Hooded Warbler productivity and survival rates, which will assist in their conservation and protection in Canada. To read a summary of the 2003 breeding season, please click here to download the most recent report prepared by BSC’s Bird Population Biologist, Debbie Badzinski.

Funds Awarded to BSC Atlantic Canada’s
High Elevation Landbird Program

30 March 2004 - The Endangered Species Recovery Fund, a joint program of the World Wildlife Fund and Environment Canada, has awarded Bird Studies Canada (BSC) Atlantic Region $15,000 towards the High Elevation Landbird Program (HELP) in 2004. HELP is a monitoring, research, and stewardship program which focuses on Bicknell's Thrush, a Species of Special Concern and high conservation priority. The core activity of HELP is an annual monitoring survey of Bicknell's Thrush habitat throughout northern New Brunswick and the Cape Breton Highlands that is conducted by volunteers and BSC field staff. In addition to the annual survey, BSC-Atlantic is collaborating with Dalhousie University and forestry company, UPM-Kymmene, on a detailed study of the impact of silviculture practices on Bicknell's Thrush habitat. For more information about HELP, click here.

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Ontario Nocturnal Owl Survey Window has Opened

30 March 2004 - A reminder to participants in the Ontario Nocturnal Owl Survey that the 1 April marks the beginning of this year’s Survey. The Survey is run during a single evening throughout the month of April, so mark those calendars! Be sure to return data to us by 15 May, even if few owls were reported. This year we are celebrating the 10th anniversary of the Survey, which has been generously supported by Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources' Wildlife Assessment Program (WAP) over the years. Over 250 routes are surveyed by volunteers across the province. A big thank you to all of our dedicated volunteers! Click here to read about this important work.

Registration for Québec's Marsh Monitoring Program
Proves Popular

30 March 2004 - Catherine Poussart, Bird Studies Canada's Marsh Monitoring Program (MMP) Coordinator in Québec, has reported that nearly 40 volunteers have registered to conduct surveys in Québec. This is the first year of surveys in the province. Birders interested in participating can contact Catherine at (418) 649-6062 or by e-mail at catherine.poussart@ec.gc.ca.

Ontario Barn Owl Recovery Team Meets at
Bird Studies Canada

30 March 2004 - The Ontario Barn Owl Recovery Team met at Bird Studies Canada. Recent sightings, education and outreach, nest box monitoring, grasslands restoration, and the Searching for Short-eared Owls program that was initiated this past winter were discussed. The eastern population of Barn Owls are Endangered in Canada. For more information on the Barn Owl Recovery Program, click here.

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