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26 September 2008 
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Report on the World’s Birds Highlights North American Declines

Photo: Ron Ridout

22 September 2008 – Common birds are in decline across the world, providing evidence of a rapid deterioration in the global environment that is affecting all life on Earth – including human life, according to a report released this week at BirdLife International’s World Conference in Buenos Aires.
   The State of the World’s Birds publication and website highlight population declines of more than 50% over the last 40 years for 20 of North America’s most common bird species. These include boreal breeders (such as Evening Grosbeak, Greater Scaup, and Boreal Chickadee) and numerous grassland species (Eastern Meadowlark, Loggerhead Shrike, Field Sparrow, and Grasshopper Sparrow). The story is the same for birds migrating between North American and Latin America. Over half (57%) of neotropical migrants monitored on their breeding grounds have suffered from population declines over the last four decades, including migratory species such as the Chimney Swift, Bobolink, and Canada Warbler.
   The report identifies many key global threats, including human-induced climate change, the intensification of industrial-scale agriculture and fishing, the spread of invasive species, logging, and the replacement of natural forest with monocultural plantations. “Though there is much we still need to learn about what is driving the declines, loss and degradation of habitat are usually implicated,” according to Jon McCracken, Bird Studies Canada’s Director of National Programs.
   Large-scale public participation in monitoring and habitat stewardship is integral to the conservation of North American birds. “Through Bird Studies Canada programs such as the Christmas Bird Count and Project FeederWatch, volunteer ‘Citizen Scientists’ play a vital role in gathering information about bird population status and trends. Their findings help researchers understand how changes in our landscape are affecting birds and biodiversity,” said McCracken.

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BSC's Ron Ridout Publishes Book of Photographs

26 September 2008 – We’ve admired his photos in BirdWatch Canada for many years, and now at last, BSC’s Ron Ridout has assembled his portfolio in a brand new book. With Captivated by Birds, Ron explores his love of birds and presents us with a compilation of his very best images from the past few years. Each is a portrait of the subject in its natural environment, providing us with an intimate view that we seldom experience.
   In the 90 photographs within, Ron’s strong sense of design and colour lead the viewer to look at the commonplace in a new way and discover facets of these wondrous creatures that we may not have known before. Through the text accompanying the photographs, he often lends some insight into his artistic process, and provides the reader with a myriad of facts about the natural history of the subjects that are nearest his heart.
   Ron has captured the beauty and mystery of familiar and rare species near his home, and an array of birds found on explorations of Hudson Bay and Florida. We’re sure you will be captivated by his work!

BSC is very pleased to be able to exclusively offer Captivated by Birds through our bookstore. Visit our online bookstore or call us at 1-888-448-2473 to order your copy today.

Remembering Walter Siemens

26 September 2008 – Walter Siemens was born on November 21, 1947 in Altona, Manitoba. Walter graduated from the University of Manitoba with a degree in agriculture and succeeded in several different careers including building, real estate, and operating a hotel with his brother Albert. He enjoyed many outdoor activities such as traveling and fishing. Especially in his later years, Walter fostered a deep appreciation for birds and nature. He extended this appreciation to activities such as erecting Purple Martin houses. Sadly, Walter passed away in September 2006 at his home in the rural municipality of Taché, Manitoba. He is fondly remembered not only by his family and friends, but also in the wonderful legacy that is the Walter Siemens Memorial Fund, which has made Bird Studies Canada’s Golden-winged Warbler Project possible.

 

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Dick Cannings to Speak in Calgary

22 September 2008 – BSC staff member Dick Cannings will speak to the Calgary Bird Study Group on October 1. His talk, entitled “The World Needs More Birders,” will be held at 7:30 p.m. in Room 211, BioSciences Building, University of Calgary. Doors open at 7:00 p.m.

Prothonotary Warbler Surprises BC Birders

Photo: Bob McKay

22 September 2008 – An endangered warbler was netted at the Vaseux Lake Bird Observatory on August 28, thousands of kilometres outside its normal range. Bander Doug Brown was surprised but delighted to find the adult male Prothonotary Warbler in the net, since Vaseux Lake is in the south Okanagan Valley, a long way from the bird’s usual breeding range in southern Ontario. The Prothonotary Warbler is listed as Endangered in Canada because of its small and declining population and continued habitat loss. This is the sixth record of the species in British Columbia.
   You can read more about the Prothonotary Warbler on the BSC website. Vaseux Lake Bird Observatory is a member of the Canadian Migration Monitoring Network.

Long Point Waterfowl News

19 September 2008 – The Long Point Waterfowl and Wetlands Research Fund has changed its name to Long Point Waterfowl (LPW). Administered by Bird Studies Canada, LPW is a non-profit, non-government organization dedicated to waterfowl- and wetland-related research, conservation, and training.
   LPW has just released its third annual newsletter. Within the 2008 issue you will find articles about LPW’s ongoing staff and student research projects, an update about the LPW Research and Education Centre, and an announcement about LPW co-hosting the 5^th North American Duck Symposium. Select this link for more information about LPW and to download the newsletter.

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