A Conservation Action Plan for Bicknell's Thrush

Bicknell's Thrush ©T. Brant Ryder/
Vermont Center for Ecostudies

An international alliance of scientists, conservationists and governments plans to protect the Bicknell's Thrush (Catharus bicknelli) across its entire range from Canada to the Caribbean.

With a very small breeding population limited to eastern Canada and New England states, and a wintering population dependent on the mountain forests in a handful of Caribbean countries, Nature Canada believes we have a shared responsibility for this species' conservation.

We have already contributed, through an integrated conservation and development project, to on-the-ground conservation of Bicknell's Thrush wintering habitat in Macaya National Park in Haiti. And we continue to look for opportunities to engage communities in protecting this at-risk species.

Bird Studies Canada, our Canadian co-partner in BirdLife International, has been a key proponent of this project in Canada.

The International Bicknell's Thrush Conservation Group proposes to increase the global population of the species by 25% over the next 50 years, mostly by preventing further loss of its breeding and wintering habitats. The plan establishes specific conservation and research actions over the next 5 years, including:

• Partnering with timber companies and managers of public lands in North America to develop and implement practices that enhance Bicknell’s Thrush breeding habitat, which includes high-elevation forests of Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, New England and New York.
• Conducting scientific research to monitor and predict the impacts of climate change on Bicknell’s thrush habitat.
• Improving the protection of currently occupied winter habitat and develop management plans for key forested areas on Hispaniola, Cuba, Jamaica and Puerto Rico, including restoration of degraded habitats.
• Strengthening links with local partners in the Caribbean and expand funding for on-the-ground conservation projects throughout the winter range.

Bicknell's Thrush has one of the most restricted breeding ranges among the forest birds of North America. Its wintering range is likely to be equally or even more restricted. This medium-sized thrush was originally assessed in 1999 as a species of Special Concern in Canada and is now considered Threatened (COSEWIC).

The species faces range-wide habitat pressures, as it is vulnerable to ongoing and future planned management practices such as pre-commercial thinning in regenerating forests that reduces cover for nests and increases nest predation. Mountain-top wind energy projects on breeding grounds have also reduced the suitable high-elevation habitat for these birds in North America, while removal of forest on wintering grounds in the Greater Antilles has restricted the species almost exclusively to a handful of Important Bird Areas in that region.

For more information on A Conservation Action Plan for Bicknell's Thrush, read the full press release.

Piping Plovers at Sauble Beach - End of season

Piping Plover guardians Kim and Brendan Toews bring us a final update for the 2010 nesting season at Sauble Beach.

A sincere thank you goes to all the community members who volunteered this season as Piping Plover Guardians at Sauble Beach.

Sauble Beach will soon be empty of Piping Plovers, except for an occasional few passing through. They will all begin their migrations to the Gulf Coasts where they will feed in small flocks until next April, when we’ll be watching the beaches for their return. It is our hope that the Piping Plovers will survive to return to Sauble Beach in 2011. Until then...

17 July, 2010

We had many international visitors last year. One group from Buffalo, New York were so interested in the 2009 Sauble Beach Piping Plover Recovery Project that they returned again this season to help us out as guardians monitoring our birds. We really appreciate their continued support!

Nest 2 (M1 & F2): The male chased F1 from Nest 3 until she left the area. Chick tried to brood, but could only fit its head under the male's wing.

Four Sanderlings arrived on their fall migration and fed on the beach. Merlins seen in the area today.

Nest 3 (F1 & M5): Switch-overs continued every 90 minutes. Male observed limping when foraging south of nest area. Guardians will continue to monitor him.

18 July, 2010

Nest 2 (M1 & F2): Male was vocalizing a loud, persistent pipe. Guardians were alerted to this and observed two, possibly three merlins flying over to the east.

Nest 3 (F1 & M5): Male is having some difficulty walking. Guardians are monitoring the situation. The male is still feeding and incubating and we are watching for any signs that he is having trouble doing either. The male will soon be doing much of the chick rearing. Female was off of the scrape twice to chase the male from Nest 2 away from the area.

19 July, 2010

Many visitors today. Children bringing their parents by to see the plovers. It has been a great season, and beach visitors have been so helpful and supportive of the recovery project. We have had many positive comments on how helpful our guardians have been.

Nest 2 (M1 & F2): Chick observed taking two flights. One was very short and the other approximately 70 metres.

Nest 3 (F1 & M5): The male is mostly using one leg as the injured leg is hanging somewhat loosely. He is still able to forage and incubate. The male does use his injured leg a bit when entering the exclosure, but even shifting positions while on the scrape seems a bit difficult. Guardians will continue to watch him closely. The female was feeding north as far as the Nest 2 exclosure.

Sanderlings are still in the area.

20 July, 2010

Nest 2 (M1 & F2): The chick flew about 30 metres today. A Least Sandpiper arrived on the beach and has an injured leg that is not working well. The sandpiper remained close to the male. Everywhere that the male went the peep followed. Usually the male chases any other birds in the area, but he seemed content with the peep shadowing him.

Nest 3 (F1 & M5): Switch-overs still occurring and 4 were timed at 45 minutes apart. The male continues to struggle with getting inside of the exclosure, but is still foraging and incubating. Guardians are monitoring the male's behaviour. The female left the eggs at least three times this afternoon and evening to feed around the exclosure.

21 July, 2010

Nest 2 (M1 & F2): The male and chick fed and rested throughout the day. Several short flights were seen.

Nest 3 (F1 & M5): One of our guardians had a really good look at the male. This plover seems to have a thread dangling a bit from his injured leg/foot. The male and female are still incubating. The male sits much lower on the scrape. The female is more easily recognized now as she sits more upright.

22 July, 2010

Nest 2 (M1 & F2): Several short flights were taken by the chick today. The male and chick were observed feeding, resting and sunning themselves.

Nest 3 (F1 & M5): Officials from the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Canadian Wildlife Service were on site today. A fine line (fishing or perhaps from a kite) had wrapped around the male's leg. The line was removed, as was the lower colour band and an antibiotic ointment was applied to the wounded area. Officials are uncertain about the future of the male's leg/foot, but at least now he has a better chance of survival. Guardians will continue to monitor this plover and their monitoring focus will switch more to this nest now.

23 July, 2010

Nest 2 (M1 & F2): Chick appears to be eating more and it is about the same size as the male. The female from Nest 3 was foraging with these birds most of the afternoon and evening.

Nest 3 (F1 & M5): The male had a thread removed on his non-injured leg and monofilament removed on his injured leg. He seems to have adjusted to his leg/foot problem and continued to incubate the eggs for more than 7 hours while the female was foraging with the Nest 2 male and chick. M1 seemed content to have this female close by, as he didn't chase her away when she approached like he had on previous occasions. Both birds from this nest were observed poking at and moving the eggs on the scrape when they readjust.

24 July, 2010

Nest 2 (M1 & F2): The chick is now able to fly proficiently. The chick will build up the strength and ability to migrate to the Gulf Coast for the fall and winter.

Nest 3 (F1 & M5): The nest has been abandoned. Neither plover was observed incubating the eggs today. The male was observed foraging south of the nest while the female was seen north of the nest. The eggs were clearly visible in the scrape and were collected by OMNR later on. Fox tracks were reported around the exclosure.

Thanks, Kim and Brendan, for all of your updates this year! This endangered species has definitely benefitted from the volunteer guardian program at Sauble Beach, and we've been excited to bring this on-the-ground news to our followers. We look forward to hearing more next year.

Read all of the 2010 Piping Plover updates from Sauble Beach:

• April 15-May 12, arrival
• May, nesting
• June 11-22, hatch
• June 23-30, chicks
• July 1-6, predators
• July 7-16, flight

New Discovery Made about Monarch Butterfly’s Incredible Journey

The Monarch Butterfly is one the most cherished and widely recognized insect species in the world. Its Latin name, Danaus plexippus, is inspired by the Greek myth of Danaus, king of Libya, in which Danaus and his fifty daughters (Danaides) fled to Greece to avoid marrying their cousins. The long, migratory journey of the Monarch butterfly is reminiscent of the daughters' flight. The Aztecs also believed that the adult Monarch butterflies were incarnations of their fallen warriors, as the monarchs portrayed the colors of their battles.

Researchers from the University of Guelph and Environment Canada have made a significant new discovery about “nature’s royalty” and their mysterious migration. They recently learned that some Monarch Butterflies produce offspring that don’t simply travel the thousands of kilometres each year between the Great Lakes Region and Mexico. At least some head east across the Appalachian Mountains en route to the eastern seaboard. According to Ryan Norris, professor of integrative biology at the University of Guelph and author of the study, “this explains why monarchs always appear later on the east coast than the interior.” He also noted that the butterflies who follow this migratory pattern have wider wingspans than others monarchs by a few centimetres. These findings were published in the journal, Biology Letters.

As the weather chills, the monarchs will begin their annual migration south to California and Mexico, a journey that represents up to 4,828 kilometres. When springtime arrives the monarchs will head back up north, and lay eggs along the way. But now we know that for some, the journey back will be a more difficult feat as they will have to pass through the treacherous mountains ranges of the Appalachians.

Under the Species at Risk Act (SARA) the Monarch Butterfly is listed as a species of “special concern”. This type of designation only requires that a management plan be prepared but it does not offer the Monarch adequate protection against its destruction, harassment, capture or the destruction of its habitat. In other words, I am saddened to say that no legal repercussions will come to you if you kill or hurt a Monarch Butterfly. Fortunately, Canada and Mexico signed a declaration creating the International Network of Monarch Butterfly Reserves. Three areas along the north shore of lakes Ontario and Erie have been designated as reserves—Long Point National Wildlife Area, Point Pelee National Park, and the Prince Edward Point National Wildlife Area.

You can attract these beautiful creatures to your backyard while protecting local ecosystems and encouraging biodiversity by planting a Monarch-Friendly Garden.

Piping Plovers at Sauble Beach - Flight!

Volunteer guardians Kim and Brendan Toews follow the Endangered Piping Plovers at Sauble Beach through July 7-16.

7 July, 2010

Great public interest in the plovers with many informational brochures taken.

Nest 2 (M1 & F2): Female wasn't seen today. Male stayed with the two chicks the rest of the day inside the perimeter or shoreline just in front. The chicks and male fed and rested often. One brooding attempt was noted; however, the chick was not successful in getting under the male's wing. The young are getting their primary wing feathers and were observed flapping their wings today. Guardians are watching for the chicks' first flight attempts. When they do occur, the plovers could go anywhere on the beach and may also fly south soon after.

Nest 3 (F1 & M5): The birds seemed to have settled and shift changes were seen twice by the guardians.

8 July, 2010

Nest 2 (M1 & F2): One chick seemed to be separated from the male and other chick. The chicks were beating their wings, but no flight attempts were observed.

A single male was chased away by M1 on the ground and in the air.

Nest 3 (F1 & M5): Fox seen in the area. Both plovers continued to incubate. We are still hopeful for a hatch in the next couple of weeks.

9 July, 2010

A special thank you to the Ontario Stewardship Rangers! Six young men and their leader spent all day with us monitoring both nests, conducting a beach survey for other birds and being good ambassadors for the program.

Nest 2 (M1 & F2): The chicks spent most of their day close to the perimeter of Nest 3. Day 18 and short flights were recorded by the guardians. The flights have occurred earlier than last year. Once flights occur we usually consider the birds fledged. The plovers could leave for their wintering grounds (the Gulf Coast) at any time.

Fox were observed on the beach again.

Nest 3 (F1 & M5): Continued action with the single male plover. He was chased by M5 over this area of the beach.

10 July, 2010

Nest 2 (M1 & F2): The male and chicks were foraging closer to the perimeter of Nest 3. Chicks foraged a greater distance from the male. Short flights were seen again today. The two chicks attempted to brood twice but were not successful.

Nest 3 (F1 & M5): Both birds were incubating regularly. Fox seen in the area.

Additional bird: The one single male is being chased by M1 and M5 several times a day.

11 July, 2010 - Merlin Attack!

Nest 2 (M1 & F2): The two chicks and male foraged near Nest 3. When they fed along the shoreline the plovers ventured further south.

Two merlins flew overhead and one dropped down to the plovers. The male flew over the water and drew the merlin away from the chicks who were frozen flat to the sand. Ten to fifteen tense minutes passed, the male returned and both chicks brooded and piped softly under his wings. It is easily possible that a merlin could take an adult. In 2008, we lost our original 2007 Sauble Beach male due to a merlin attack. Fox in the area at the same time as the merlin.

Nest 3 (F1 & M5): Plovers continued to incubate. Guardians did not observe any reaction to the merlin attack.

Additional bird: The single male seems content to remain in this vicinity.

12 July, 2010
Heavy rain for most of the day so monitoring was both limited and difficult.

Nest 2 (M1 & F2): An adult fox was observed on the north end of the beach. Two chicks and the male foraged along the shoreline.

Nest 3 (F1 & M5): Plovers continued to incubate.

13 July, 2010

Nest 2 (M1 & F2): The male and two chicks flew a considerable distance down the beach.

Nest 3 (F1 & M5): Single bird rested inside the perimeter fencing, no aggressive behaviour was observed.

14 July, 2010

Many visitors including a Boy Scout troop from London, ON.

Nest 2 (M1 & F2): One of the chicks was having a bath. Single male feeding in the water by the chicks and was chased by M1 out over the lake. Herring Gull approached the chicks but the male flew in front of it and lured it away. The two chicks flew about 2 m to avoid the gull.

Nest 3 (F1 & M5): Two switch-overs observed about 3 hours apart.

Additional bird: A single male still in the area.

15 July, 2010

Nest 2 (M1 & F2): Chick missing overnight. Guardians are quite certain the plovers flew several hundred metres down the beach so it is possible this chick has left for the south.

The male and one chick seen today foraging near Nest 3. Late afternoon and evening, there was a big storm with high winds. After the big storm, the male and chick moved back inside the northern perimeter.

Nest 3 (F1 & M5): Female was on the scrape most of the day. Water approached the nest and may have covered the eggs. No bird was on the nest for about an hour. Female did return and a digging motion was observed. Perhaps removing washed up sand from the nest area. The female remained on the scrape later into the evening.

16 July, 2010

Nest 2 (M1 & F2): The male and chick were observed just north of the Nest 3 perimeter. The chick found a favourite clump of sand and rested all afternoon and well into the evening. The male visited the chick several times, but the chick did not move from this spot. The chick preened periodically, but no real feeding behaviour was observed.

Nest 3 (F1 & M5): Switch-overs are 90-100 minutes. This is faster than the 2-3 hour switch-overs observed 6 days ago. Times will shorten in preparation for the hatch.

Thanks for the wonderful update, Kim and Brendan. It sounds like the plovers are headed for a successful season.

Catch up on all of this year's Endangered Piping Plover updates:

• April 15-May 12, arrival
• May, nesting
• June 11-22, hatch
• June 23-30, chicks
• July 1-6, predators

Photo by Brendan Toews, btoewsphotos.zenfolio.com

Piping Plovers at Sauble Beach - Predators on the prowl

An update from volunteer Piping Plover Guardians Kim and Brendan Toews for July 1-6. Lots of action happened on the beach during this week!

1 July, 2010

We had numerous visitors on Canada Day.

Nest 2 (M1 & F2): The plovers were constantly on the move. Three chicks observed together while the fourth was often on its own feeding well away from the others. A fox was observed on the beach. The adult plovers did not react the first time the fox moved towards them, but the birds piped loudly when the fox approached them again later on. We hope that the plovers are able to continue to avoid this predator.

Nest 3 (F1 & M5): Switch overs were still occurring.

Additional Males: A couple of males were still in the area.

3 July, 2010

Guardians had 65 visitors in the morning and by afternoon there were 475 people counted between the 2 nests and many more beach-goers were arriving. Plovers kept within the perimeter fencing. The beach remained busy until the early morning hours.

Nest 2 (M1 & F2): Three chicks only! One chick missing, cause unknown. Possible predation by fox or merlin, as both of these natural predators have been seen in the area.

Nest 3 (F1 & M5): The pair continued to switch over.

4 July, 2010

Nest 2 (M1 & F2): Both adults inside the perimeter with the 3 chicks. This was observed a few times throughout the day. Other times the male and female switched duties. Male was observed displaying to the female. The female could depart for her wintering grounds within the week leaving the male to raise the chicks on his own.

The plovers stayed inside the perimeter area and moved north and to the shoreline all day. Brooding observed two or three times during the day. The chicks are growing rapidly and should be nearly full grown in another week. Chicks are beginning to flap their wings.

Merlin was seen in the area twice today.

Nest 3 (F1 & M5): The pair continued to incubate and switch over.

5 July, 2010

Nest 2 (M1 & F2): Only 2 chicks observed today, so presumably one chick was lost overnight. One chick is noticeably larger than the other, and the smaller one feeds some distance away from the others.

Adults gave a loud alarm call and a merlin flew through the area. Both adults were observed inside the perimeter with the chicks. The male faced the female again and flared his wings in an aggressive manner. The female should be leaving for the Gulf Coast any day now.

Nest 3 (F1 & M5): The female and male continue the incubating process.

6 July, 2010

Nest 2 (M1 & F2): The male and 2 chicks were observed resting in the wrack and feeding along the shore. The female was not seen all day. No predators seen today.

Nest 3 (F1 & M5): Less than 3 weeks for this hatch date.

Thanks once again, Kim and Brendan, for sharing this great experience with us!

Catch up on all of this year's Endangered Piping Plover updates:

• April 15-May 12, arrival
• May, nesting
• June 11-22, hatch
• June 23-30, chicks

Canada's Birds Feel the Impact of BP Oil Spill - Profile #4

This profile is the fourth in the series highlighting Canadian migratory species that may be in harm's way as they migrate through the Gulf of Mexico and the area affected by the BP oil spill this fall.

Sanderling

The Sanderling is one of the most widespread shorebirds in the world. This small, plump sandpiper can often be seen running along the coast in flocks. Sanderlings feed by probing the sand along the tideline with their bills, chasing after receding waves to pick up stranded crustaceans and molluscs.

An Arctic breeder, this species is common all along North American coasts during migration. Their spring migration, from late April through May, fell right at the start of the oil spill in the Gulf. Waves that formerly deposited food on the beach to fuel the rest of their journey instead deposited sticky slicks of oil that stained the birds a rusty orange.

For those individuals that did make it to their breeding habitat in the Arctic, the fall migration back south takes place through July and August for adults and lasts through August and September for juveniles. As the spill continues to spread away from its epicentre in the Gulf, more of the American coast that these birds will use as stop-overs on their journey to wintering habitats in Central and South America is becoming toxic.

Read more of Nature Canada's commentary on the Gulf oil spill.

Harper Government Approves Seismic Survey in Lancaster Sound

Despite strong opposition from High Arctic communities, Oceans North Canada, the Qikiqtani Inuit Association, Parks Canada and more than 11,000 Canadians, the Harper Government has decided to proceed with the seismic testing in Lancaster Sound - a proposed National Marine Conservation Area - this summer. The seismic ship is on its way NOW!

This is very disappointing news for a number of reasons:

1) Plans to establish this NMCA have been ongoing for 30 years;
2) These surveys provide information on oil & gas deposits which will eventually entice industry to gear up for exploration and production in the Arctic. A spill similar to that in the Gulf of Mexico would have devastating consequences on the region's fragile ecosystems and wildlife; and
3) No consideration was given to the Inuit communities who are opposed to offshore oil drilling in the area, and whose livelihoods depend on the natural wealth of this area.


Voice your opposition by signing this letter to Prime Minister Harper!

Lancaster Sound is located between Devon Island and Baffin Island in Nunavut, Canada and is home to a large variety of wildlife such as belugas, bowhead whales and harp seals. The region around Lancaster Sound includes bays, inlets and ice fields surrounded by high cliffs and spectacular fjords that stretch from Ellesmere Island to the Gulf of Boothia in the south, to the waters surrounding Cornwallis Island to the west.

This area has one of the highest concentrations of polar bears in the Canadian Arctic. Twenty Important Bird Areas are found inside or adjacent to the proposed protected area, providing essential habitat for large colonies of snow geese, ivory gulls, arctic terns and thick-billed murres. Protected areas like the one proposed at Lancaster Sound conserve some of our most important natural spaces, providing Canada and the world with clean air and water, abundant wildlife populations, and healthy communities and ecosystems.

Oil Spill in Michigan Threatens Birds, Fish

It's becoming a wearying -- and worrying -- refrain. For (at least) the third time this year, an oil pipeline has burst, birds and fish are being killed, water is being fouled, and local residents are asking, How could this happen?

The site this time: Battle Creek, Michigan, where a pipeline belonging to Calgary-based energy giant Enbridge Inc has leaked at least three million litres of oil into the Kalamazoo River.

The pipeline, which normally carries about 30 million litres of crude oil a day from Griffith, Ind., to Sarnia, Ontario, sprung a leak on Monday, but cleanup crews didn't begin work until Wednesday. Once again, initial estimates from the company of the amount of oil spilling from the pipeline were lower than reality, and once again townspeople were left surprised that a pipeline was so close to one of the state's major waterways. From the Associated Press:

"I just can't believe they allowed that to happen, and they're not equipped to handle it," said Owen Smith, 53, of Galesburg.

Sound familiar?

This is just the latest in a string of spills that have been reported this year. All of these spills, particularlythe tragedy unfolding in the Gulf of Mexico, serve as a reminder that oil production is never safe for the environment or for the communities along our coasts and waterways. Oil in the water is dangerous for fisheries, wildlife and ecosystems no matter where it happens.

This spill, harmful though it is to the area's wildlife and people, is at least smaller in scale than the BP spill. Check out how much of Ontario would be covered by the Gulf of Mexico spill!

Piping Plovers at Sauble Beach - Learning to be a plover

The nesting season for Endangered Piping Plovers is almost done at Sauble Beach, but if you've been following the updates from volunteer guardians Kim and Brendan Toews (April 15 - May 12, May nest update, June 11-22) we'll be finishing the saga this week.

23 June, 2010

Nest 2 (M1 & F2): All 4 chicks brooded regularly, but for very short periods of time, perhaps due to the mild temperatures. A Ring-billed Gull got too close to the chicks. The female piped and the chicks froze, then she flew directly at the gull and landed right at its feet. The male flew in and both adults took on the gull in a furious display of flying and pecking. The gull soon left the area.

The chicks foraged up to 60 metres away from the perimeter and to the water's edge. Adults moved the chicks by running to different locations. Chicks caught up, fed and brooded when cool. Adult birds moved again and the process was repeated.

The male's shifts are much shorter than the female's - on average 15 minutes vs 32 minutes.

Nest 3 (F1 & M5): Please note that M3 (male from Nest 3) is not the new mate of F1 as previously reported. Leg band combinations have been confirmed. We do indeed have a new male, M5 with F1. The female was observed standing over the scrape and then later on sitting in it.

25 June, 2010

We were fortunate to have a visit from two Grade 2 classes. The classes were split into three groups. One of our guardians read the Piping Plover story, Ahmed and the Nest of Sands; a second guardian showed the students an abandoned scrape and had them act out plover behaviours; and a third guardian told the students about many other interesting Piping Plover facts. These Grade 2 classes had a great time!

Nest 2 (M1 & F2): Switchovers occurred approximately every 45-60 minutes with the female taking the longer shift. Four chicks feeding well south of perimeter. One chick foraged along the shoreline while moving towards the beach-going public. Female piped, the chick stopped and moved towards her.

26 June, 2010

Nest 2 (M1 & F2): Four chicks foraged along the shoreline during the rain. Adults chased a crow from the area. Later on an alarm call was given by the adults and the chicks froze. No predator was observed at the time. Much later, a merlin flew over the area and into the dunes behind Nest 1. The female watched the merlin, but did not sound an alarm. Both adults remained close to the chicks. One adult seemed to be drawing people and predators (gulls) away, while the other set up an area to brood the chicks. Guardians have observed this behaviour over other years.

Nest 3 (F1 & M5): Male was sitting on the scrape with the female inside the perimeter fencing.

27 June, 2010

Nest 2 (M1 & F2): The young fed and moved all over the beach. Lots of rain, therefore the chicks brood a bit more often. Crows and gulls in the area. The adults switched over approximately every hour. An additional plover in the area, but it was chased off by the adults.

Nest 3 (F1 & M5): Fox in the area, but it did not pay attention to the plover nest. Incubating may have begun at this nest. The female and male switched over every 2 hours and took similar amounts of time incubating. The adults stayed on the scrape during heavy rainfall.

Additional bird: One single male on the beach.

28 June, 2010

Nest 2 (M1 & F2): Cool temperatures, fog, wind and high waves. Chicks spent more time brooding than feeding. Both adults brooded chicks which was the first time this year that this particular behaviour was observed.

Nest 3 (F1 & M5): High winds and waves have affected the shoreline. Waves moved close to the scrape, but stopped short of covering it. The pair continued to incubate. One bird fed along the shoreline and the other sat on the scrape.

29 June, 2010

Nest 2 (M1 & F2): High winds, but the plovers seemed to be fine.

Canadian Wildlife Service and the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources brought in a team of experts to band the chicks. They did it quickly in order to minimize the stress on these young plovers. All 4 chicks were banded successfully. The leg band combination is yet to be confirmed, but guardians reported: upper left metal, lower left dark blue, upper right orange. Band colours used are determined by the master banders and are unique to each nest of chicks. Each chick in the nest is banded the same. Should any of these chicks be seen in future years they'll be easily identified as hatched in 2010 at Sauble Beach, north nest. In Michigan, the adult birds are often captured and another leg band is added so they can be identified as individuals. They do not do that here because of the small number of Piping Plovers in Ontario.

Nest 3 (F1 & M5): This pair selected an area to nest close to the surf, yet high enough to be mostly dry after the last two days of rain and high winds. Many perimeter fence posts were washed out, but will be replaced soon. Both female and male incubated and fed along the shoreline during their off-nest times.

30 June, 2010

Nest 2 (M1 & F2): Chicks fed further away from the adults. The chicks are big enough that when all are brooding together the adult's toes barely touch the sand.

Nest 3 (F1 & M5):Perimeter fencing was repaired. This pair continued to switch over and incubate.

Thanks for contibuing to provide these great updates, Kim and Brendan! We look forward to sharing the next ones with our readers.

Photo by Brendan Toews, btoewsphotos.zenfolio.com

Winning Artwork of Robert Bateman Art Contest New WHC Stamp

The painting entitled “Going Deeper “ by Bethany Harris age 18 from Calgary, Alberta will be featured on Wildlife Habitat Canada's 2011 Canadian Youth Wildlife Habitat Conservation Stamp to be sold nationally in 2011. Proceeds of the inaugural stamp’s sale will fund youth-driven wildlife conservation projects.

Bethany Harris has always been passionate about art and the environment and seeks to convey a positive and relevant message in her paintings. As a keen horse rider and photographer, her artwork reflects the diverse wildlife, landscape, and cultural heritage that surrounds her in rural Southern Alberta.

Congratulations to Bethany for her beautiful portrayal of our iconic Canadian Moose!

For a complete list of all Get to Know winners please follow this link.

Clean up Efforts in the Gulf are Harmful to Birds and their Habitats

Mike Parr and Bob Johns of the American Bird Conservancy (ABC) carried out a six day field survey from July 1 – July 6 2010 to assess the impacts of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill on the Gulf of Mexico. The areas surveyed were Barataria Bay, Mississippi Delta’s South Pass and Breton Island. Upon completion of their survey they issued a report which concluded that many clean up efforts were harmful to birds and their habitats. The report also includes five key recommendations that ABC believes should be additional urgent priorities.

The five recommendations made by ABC are:

1) The use of more effective boom to protect bird colonies. Numerous instances were observed where boom was in complete disarray, including being washed up on shore.
2) The employment of better fencing and other measures to protect sensitive beach nesting areas and to reduce disturbance to birds. Clean-up crews were clearly unaware in several instances of the negative impacts they were causing to birds and their habitat.
3) The deployment of adequately sized and equipped oil skimmers close to the coast with improved real-time oil reports to eliminate oil before it reaches the beaches and marshlands. ABC observed an instance of a substantial heavy oil slick about half a mile offshore while cleanup vessels were operating in very mildly oiled waters about one mile away – apparently unaware.
4) The creation of a staging and recovery area for heavily oiled birds close to the coast. With the moving of the existing facility to a location about 70 miles away, some sort of near-shore facility is needed.
5) The restoration of eroded island habitat for nesting birds. Breton Island, for example, is a fraction of its original size, is an important bird habitat and is in desperate need of rebuilding.

For more explanations on the five recommendations and a list of birds the surveyors encountered during their field survey please read the full report. Although they felt the impacts on birds were not as significant as they could be, they raised concerns that if heavy oil made it to beaches, the impact on migrant shorebirds (set to arrive soon) and waterfowl (arriving in fall), would significantly increase. They identified the following birds, which are also found in Canada during their breeding or wintering seasons, as being at risk of heavily oiled beaches:

- Common Loon
- Northern Gannets
- Double-crested Cormorants
- Common Goldeneye
- Bufflehead
- Red-breasted Merganser
- Herring Gull
- Common Tern

In a bright spot of good news, they reported that no beaches were yet heavily oiled and bird cleaning efforts were going well.

ABC’s survey goes to show that the management of such oil spills is no easy task and requires a great deal of commitment, coordination and professional manpower. This is an important lesson to be added to Canada’s offshore drilling knowledge.

Photo: Bufflehead by Vladimir Morozov

Canada's Birds Feel the Impact of BP Oil Spill - Profile #3

This is the third bird profile in the series highlighting species that may be at risk from the BP oil spill during their fall migration from Canada through the Gulf of Mexico.


Yellow Rail (Special Concern)


Small, with buff, yellow and black plumage that mimics the tall grasses it hides in, the Yellow Rail breeds in isolated pockets across Canada's boreal forest. This marshbird, the second-smallest rail in North America, is rarely seen and quite secretive, but depends on the coastal wetlands in the Gulf of Mexico during the winter.

If oil begins to accumulate in the marshes along the Gulf coast, recovery would be difficult or impossible since so little is known about this species.

Read more of Nature Canada's commentary on the Gulf oil spill.


Photo by Dominic Sherony

Protect Canada's "Pocket Desert"!

The desert grasslands of the South Okanagan are home to over one-third of British Columbia's endangered species and other species at risk, including the bighorn sheep.

As the human population in the South Okanagan rapidly increases, the bighorn sheep's home is under growing threat by suburban sprawl and agricultural expansion. The time to act is now.

Help Us Establish a South Okanagan-Similkameen National Park Reserve!

Fact: There are more species at risk in the South Okanagan-Similkameen Valley than in any other part of BC, including white-headed woodpeckers, burrowing owls, badgers, tiger salamanders, spadefoot toads, pallid bats, spotted bats, flammulated owls, scorpions, and great basin spadefoot toads.

Fact: The South Okanagan-Similkameen Valley contains part of the Interior Dry Plateau Natural Region, also known as Canada's "pocket desert", one of the most endangered habitats in the country. The valley is all that connects the dry landscapes of BC's interior with the desert lands of the United States, allowing species to migrate north and south.

Fact: A national park would permanently protect 5 Important Bird Areas, each of which is home to at-risk bird species and other endangered plant and animal species.

Help protect Canada's only desert ecosystem. Ask the Canadian Government to create a National Park in the South Okanagan-Similkameen Valley.

Robert Bateman Get to Know Art, Writing and Photography Contest Winner Profile #6

Sophie Hoye Pacholek, winner in the writing category of the 2010 Get to Know Contest, is a first grader from Calgary, Alberta. Sophie is very fortunate to be surrounded by nature and wildlife. She lives near the Glenmore Reservoir and the Weaselhead Natural Area. At only six years of age Sophie is already very passionate about nature. She loves to write, draw, sing, and dance. She also loves to go hiking and canoeing.

Below is an excerpt of Sophie’s writing entry.

Red Squirrels (The Red Squirrel)
By Sophie Hoye Pacholek

The red squirrels habitat is in my backyard and forests. It's fun to watch them scatter around the willow trunk, twitching their tails up and down. I named them Cheeky and Squeaky because they are bold and chirpy.

For a complete list of all Get to Know winners please follow this link.

In the Climate Debate, We Don't Need More Science, We Need More PR

Leading up to the recent G20 summit in Toronto Prime Minister Harper called climate change talks a "sideshow" and cancelled the gathering of environment ministers that normally precedes the meeting.

Back in January, Americans ranked global warming dead last among public priorities (just as they did in 2009). Now, that public opinion cooling trend has spread elsewhere. Just 42 percent of Germans are concerned about climate change, down from 62 percent in 2006. In Australia, only 53 percent still consider it an urgent issue, down from 75 percent in 2007. Newsweek Magazine has relegated climate change to being "just one policy priority among many" and "just another flavor of grubby interest politics".

For climate scientists, and the NGOs who advocate bold, decisive action to address the climate crisis, these are frustrating times.

Distressingly, many people in the green movement are tempted to spend time casting blame for the apparent rise in skepticism over global warming -- it's the climate change deniers and their blogs, it's the big oil lobby, it's journalists bent on providing "both sides" of the issue, it's an ignorant public that refuses to listen to the facts.

But assigning blame is a waste of time.

As Erin Biba argued in a recent Wired Magazine column, what climate scientists need isn't someone to blame, and it isn't more science. It's better PR.

This isn't a message scientists necessarily like to hear. Biba writes:

This kind of talk can be unsettling to scientists. “Scientists hate the word spin. They get bent out of shape by the concept that they should frame their message,” says Jennifer Ouellette, director of the Science and Entertainment Exchange, a National Academy of Sciences program that helps connect the entertainment industry with technical consultants. “They feel that the facts should speak for themselves. They’re not wrong; they’re just not realistic.”

Facts alone rarely convince people outside academe. Messages need to be personal, and whether we like it or not, arguments that appeal to a person's basic self-serving nature are more effective. It's not enough to say "Eat your vegetables, they're good for you." Instead you need to answer questions like What's in it for me? How do I benefit? We need to frame the issue in terms that say if we do something (invest in clean energy, say, or adopt conservation) we'll be richer and happier than we are today.

It's all the more important that the climatology community seek the expertise of PR professionals at a time when every crackpot theorist has the power to sway opinion by simply typing away in some basement. The days are long gone when spending years studying a subject, earning an advanced degree and becoming an expert in your field automatically granted you some credibility and trust. A strong anti-establishment current against experts, primarily attacking their basic motivations ("they're just saying that to get grant money") has seriously eroded public trust in traditional centres of authority.

And in the end, scientists must turn to the PR professionals because, as Chris Mooney writes in the Washington Post:

as much as the public misunderstands science, scientists misunderstand the public. In particular, they often fail to realize that a more scientifically informed public is not necessarily a public that will more frequently side with scientists...

Experts aren't wrong in thinking that Americans don't know much about science, but given how little they themselves often know about the public, they should be careful not to throw stones. Rather than simply crusading against ignorance, the defenders of science should also work closely with social scientists and specialists in public opinion to determine how to defuse controversies by addressing their fundamental causes.

In other words, we don't need more facts. We need better storytellers.

Another Fake Lake?

Mining company Taseko plans to reclassify two interior BC waterbodies, Fish Lake and Little Fish Lake, as tailings impoundment areas (toxic waste dump sites!) and create an artificial lake as compensation for the resulting loss of fish habitat. However, a recently released report from the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency reviewing the Project stated "that the Project would result in significant adverse environmental effects," calling into question Taseko's plans.

One specific adverse effect of reclassifying Teztan Biny (Fish Lake) and Y'anah Biny (Little Fish Lake) into tailings impoundment areas is "the destruction of approximately 90,000 rainbow trout" which is "an important food source (for First Nations) when salmon populations are low." The creation of the replacement lake, called Prosperity Lake, would not "adequately mitigate the losses of the fishing and recreational experience at Teztan Biny (Fish Lake)," the Panel found.

The Tsilhqot'in First Nation, local community, and environmental groups are strongly opposed to the Project for numerous reasons.

The creation of tailings impoundment areas out of pristine Canadian lakes and rivers has received more attention as industry further exploits the Metal Mining Effluent Regulations, Schedule 2 "loophole" of the federal Fisheries Act. Some lakes that were destined to perpetual toxicity are being spared, such as Bamoos Lake in northern Ontario. Others require long legal battles and strong public support with an unpredictable end, such as Sandy Pond, in Newfoundland.

The plaintiff in that case, the Sandy Pond Alliance (including Council of Canadians, the Sierra Club of Canada, the Newfoundland and Labrador Natural History Society, MiningWatch Canada, and others) is arguing that "it is illegal for the federal government to allow the dumping of mining waste into Canadian lakes and rivers." The Alliance hopes to put an end to the practice of converting Canadian lakes into mining waste dumps once and for all.

If they succeed, Taseko will have to explore other waste management options around the Prosperity Lake Project. MiningWatch Canada has more information and details on how to send a letter to the Prime Minister, the Minister of the Environment and your MP to deny approval to this damaging project.

This blog post was contributed by Nature Canada volunteer Stefan Kohut. Thanks for the update, Stefan!

Photo: Highland Valley Copper Tailings Dam by Gord McKenna/Flickr

Celebrating our Nature Guardians

Every day, remarkable people and organizations inspire us through their accomplishments — whether big or small they are always doing their very best to protect nature and wildlife. They do what they can to ensure that nature as we know it today will be there for our children to experience.

Every year, Nature Canada takes the time to recognize our Nature Guardians through our Award and Scholarship Program. This year we had the pleasure to introduce two new awards, the Charles Labatiuk Volunteer Award and the Charles Labatiuk Scholarship Award. Our other awards include the Douglas H. Pimlott Award, the Volunteer Award and the Affiliate Award.

This year’s recipient of the Douglas H. Pimlott Award is Jackie Waddell. Jackie is the Executive Director of Island Nature Trust, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to the protection and management of Natural Areas on Prince Edward Island (Canada). Over the last 23 years Jackie has made significant contributions to nature conservation in Prince Edward Island (PEI) and throughout the region.

Through her work with Island Nature Trust, Jackie has reached hundreds of landowners on PEI with information about the importance of private stewardship, helped thousands of school children appreciate the local wildlife and habitat, contributed to endangered species protection in Atlantic Canada, and assisted land trust across the country. Jackie’s tireless contributions have helped make Island Nature Trust the leading conservation group on PEI and she continues to have a significant impact on land protection in the province.

Jackie also recently participated with representatives from Quebec, Prince-Edward-Island, New-Brunswick, Nova-Scotia and New-Foundland and Labrador in the first Important Bird Area (IBA) Caretakers workshop in the Atlantic region supported by Wildlife Habitat Canada, Environment Canada, and TransCanada Corporation. The workshop focused on strengthening the foundation for the IBA program in the Atlantic region with an emphasis on wetland habitats. As part of the workshop attendees participated in the breeding bird census and visited several wetlands and coastal IBAs in Cascumpec Bay and Alberton Harbour.

Our next award is the Affiliate Award. The affiliate award recognizes a partner organization’s conservation efforts and its implementation. This year’s winner is BC Nature. The staff and volunteers of BC Nature are passionate, tireless advocates for nature. Their long term dedication to protect British Columbia’s Important Bird Areas (IBA) has made a difference in some of Canada’s greatest biodiversity hotspots and has served as a model for others to follow.

The Volunteer Award has been bestowed to Tony Dean, a retired public servant who contributed many volunteer hours to assist Nature Canada in matters related to human resource management. The end results allowed Nature Canada to effectively restructure itself and streamline its work.

And last but not least, the Charles Labatiuk Scholarship Award, an award that recognizes outstanding commitment to the preservation of nature. The first recipient of the Charles Labatiuk Scholarship Award is Jeff Howard. Jeff has been involved in conservation projects in his native area since the age of eight. He has compiled several hundred hours of community service and is actively involved in various naturalist groups and programs. As a member of the Brereton Field Naturalist clubs Jeff started the “Get the Lead Out Program” to educate anglers about using lead-free tackle. Other projects spearheaded by Jeff include erecting signs regarding loon conservation and turtle crossings.

At the ripe age of 18 Jeff has already won numerous awards, including the Watershed Hero Award from the Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority for the past three years.

Thank you once again to this year’s winners for always being the first to volunteer your time and energy not for the credit but for the results and for choosing to take up the call to protect, engage and advocate on behalf of nature. Congratulations to the dedicated nature lovers who inspire us all through their example.

Care to pay for an oil spill?

Does the BP Gulf spill have you wondering who would pay for the economic and environmental damages in case of an off-shore spill in Canada?

Will Amos from Ecojustice has figured it out: Canadian taxpayers.

Learn why and what could be done to change this.

Canada's Birds Feel the Impact of BP Oil Spill - Profile #2

This profile is the second in a series highlighting some of Canada's migratory species that may be affected by the BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.

Roseate Tern (Endangered)

The Roseate Tern is similar in appearance to several other species of tern, with its black cap and long forked tail, but has a distinctive chi-vik or ki-rik call. This species feeds by plunge-diving, dropping into the water from heights of up to 12 metres to catch small fish.

These terns pass through the Gulf of Mexico, heading north in April to breeding sites in Nova Scotia and coastal New England, and south in September to wintering grounds in South America. If oil remains on the water when their fall migration begins, the birds are at risk of becoming oiled and ingesting oil as they try to feed. Even if the surface effects of the spill have been cleaned up, they may still be at risk from eating contaminated fish.

Read more of Nature Canada's commentary on the Gulf oil spill.

How will you connect to nature this Parks Day?

Do you remember your first experience of true wilderness? The first time you really grasped the panoplies of form, function and wonder that embody E.O. Wilson's now ubiquitous term "biodiversity"?

The first time you felt a connection to nature?

The first time you heard nothing but nature's chorus all around you?

There's something very special in each of these experiences. Something sublime. Maybe a sense that you were in just the right place at just the right time, and that you experienced something truly unique. But how do you get to that place at just that time?

I was lucky during my youth and grew up with an expansive wilderness literally in my backyard. I recall experiencing new aspects of nature on a regular basis, connecting to nature, exploring nature from dawn to dusk. But mine is not everyone's experience. Despite Canada being a 'wilderness nation', most of our population resides in urban areas.

So if you're one of the roughly 27 million Canadians living in an urban area, how do you connect to nature? First, you find the right place. Second, you find the right time. Nature Canada's suggestions?

Where: Canada's national parks, national marine conservation areas or any other protected natural area in your province or territory.

When: Canada's Parks Day, Saturday July 17th, 2010.

Canada's parks and other protected areas are an ever-expanding showcase of this country's natural splendour from sea to sea to sea. And they're yours to enjoy whenever you want to connect to nature! But given where you live and the fact that parks tend to be wild, you'll probably have to travel. Ah, but road-trips are always fun - why not create a nature-themed playlist for the drive! Parks Day is our chance to celebrate parks and other protected areas every year, and it helps us remember why conserving and connecting to nature is so vital.

Canada's national parks system, as one example of a protected areas network, aims to protect a representative portion of each of 39 terrestrial natural regions across the country. The national parks system is complemented by the federal marine protected areas strategy, which aims to protect a portion of each of 29 marine natural regions in Canada's territorial waters. So you've got a great chance to see for yourself some representative examples¹ of Canada's wild species, their habitats and the broader land- or seascapes that support them - protected forever.

Ideally, parks and other protected areas should be large enough to protect a full suite of ecosystem processes, such as water and nutrient cycling. Areas should be well-connected across land- and seascapes, encompassing multiple ecosystem types and adequate habitat for populations of wide-ranging species - especially those requiring several ecosystem types throughout their life cycles. A recent report by the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society looks at how well Canada's existing protected areas meet these and other conservation objectives.

In addition to protecting wildlife and ecosystem processes, parks and other protected areas provide good baselines against which scientists can assess the impacts of human activities and other disturbances on non-protected landscapes over time. In fact, my own M.Sc. (Biology) research used this approach.

I've had some of my most memorable natural experiences in Canada's parks and protected areas: witnessing Common Loons and Red-breasted Mergansers drift silently across the lakes of Kejimkujik National Park & National Historic Site in Nova Scotia; standing mere feet away from an adult bull moose in Ontario's Algonquin Provincial Park; observing the eerie yet peaceful silence of the Rockies in winter at Waterton Lakes National Park in Alberta. I hope for more experiences like these as I continue to visit protected areas with my family over time.

What memorable natural experiences have you had in parks or other protected areas? Comment below or connect to our Nature Explorers on-line community to share your experience with others.

Don't forget that Parks Day 2010 is also a celebration of Banff National Park's 125th anniversary and the International Year of Biodiversity. Make 2010 your personal year of biodiversity. Give yourself a biodiversity challenge or take our biodiversity pledge. Why not learn ten new things about nature in your region and share what you know with ten other people? Or participate in an outdoor expedition this summer, such as a bird watching trip, to connect with nature? And why not do these things in a park or other protected area...?

Happy Parks Day 2010!
-Alex

Photo 1: La Mauricie National Park, Québec (A. MacDonald)
Photo 2: White-tailed deer, Kejimkujik National Park, Nova Scotia (A. MacDonald)
Figure 1: Map of Canada's parks and other protected areas (Data from the Atlas of Canada and the World Database on Protected Areas)


¹National Parks have been officially established in over 70% of the terrestrial natural regions to date, with new parks in the planning stages in all but 5 of the remaining regions. Progress on national marine conservation areas is improving over time, notably with the recent addition of the Gwaii Haanas National Marine Conservation Area Reserve, and we look forward to several other marine natural regions receiving official protection soon.

Climate Change Accountability Stalled in Senate, Faces Opposition from Chamber of Commerce

What could be more iconic than a summer road trip? Time for sun, sightseeing and… smog? That's right - we're deep into the hazy days of summer, and climate change is still on our minds.

Bill C-311, the only piece of climate change legislation currently under consideration in Canada, may be stalled in the Senate for the rest of the summer. As reported in The Globe and Mail, the Bill has been adjourned in the name of Conservative Senator Richard Neufeld and cannot move forward until he speaks to it.

The Bill was introduced in the House of Commons by NDP MP Bruce Hyer and is being supported in the Senate by Liberal Senator Grant Mitchell.

This Bill has been passed in the House of Commons not once, but twice. It was originally introduced as Bill C-377 by the NDP in 2008; the Bill died when an election was called in the Fall of 2008. In its most recent form, Bill C-311 passed third reading in the House by a majority of MPs representing almost 2/3 of the Canadian population.

In addition to the legislative delays that Bill C-311 has faced, another challenge is looming after the National Post reported that the Canadian Chamber of Commerce is calling on its members to lobby the Senate to kill the Bill. Their argument: requiring a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to climate change is a threat to Canada's economic competitiveness.

Supporters of the Bill point out that there are many lucrative opportunities in a new green economy that can only be achieved if we take action now to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions. The Bill also contains provisions to modify the ambitious targets of a 25% reduction below 1990 levels by 2020 and an 80% reduction by 2050.

Concerned Canadians have constantly raised their voices demanding strong action from our government on climate change. We recognize that if we continue down the road we're on, it's leading to a dead end.

Nature Canada hopes the Senate will pass the bill and allow Canada to start catching up!

Photo by confidence, comely/Flickr