IBA Caretakers: People Protecting Birds Across Canada – British Columbia

Across Canada, Canadians are engaging their communities to protect birds and their habitats by becoming Important Bird Area Caretakers.

As a Caretaker, they are part of the Important Bird Areas Caretaker Network, a nationwide initiative involving volunteers who watch over and protect natural spaces that are vitally important for breeding, migrating, staging and wintering birds.

Ted Cheskey, Nature Canada’s manager of bird conservation, recently met with Caretakers from British Columbia, Alberta and Saskatchewan.

In this blog series, we follow Ted as he makes his way back east and discovers the many ways Important Bird Area Caretakers are making a difference on the ground to protect our birds.

Picking up where the last post left off, Ted pays a visit to the southern Okanagan Valley of British Columbia where he speaks with Doreen Olsen, an Important Bird Area Caretaker for White Lake IBA.

People join the IBA Caretaker Network for a wide range of reasons. For many, a love of birds and wild spaces in their communities drew them to the network and inspired them to become Caretakers. In this video, Doug Brown, a bird bander at Vaseux Lake Bird Observatory in south Okanagan Valley, briefly explains why he was motivated to become a Caretaker for Osoyoos Oxbows IBA.

Conservation of Important Bird Areas is a cornerstone of effective bird conservation in Canada and around the world. Caretakers – the eyes, ears and feet on the ground – make this important work possible. As a Caretaker, they channel their passion for nature and protecting birds by monitoring  birds, assessing habitats, and conducting conservation activities at Important Bird Areas. To date, there are Caretakers in every province in Canada.

Do you want to protect your local birds and habitat? Consider becoming an Important Bird Area Caretaker!

You can find out more about becoming a Caretaker and explore Important Bird Areas in Canada at ibacanada.ca

Next week, we’ll hear two Caretakers in Alberta talk about what makes the Important Bird Areas that they care for so special. Stay tuned!

Are you new to this blog series? Read the latest news on IBA Caretakers and watch more one-on-one interviews with Caretakers.

My Reflections on the Release of the "Birds at Risk" Report

For over a year, I have worked with colleagues with National Resources Defence Council and Boreal Songbird Initiative on writing the Birds at Risk: The Importance of Canada’s Boreal Wetlands and Waterways.

It is good to see it out in the public forum. Though I’ve lived most of the my life in southern Canada, I have spent considerable time in the boreal region, first as a Park Naturalist on Lake Superior, and afterwards as an atlasser for the Atlas of Breeding Birds of Ontario – both in the early 1980s, and between 2001 and 2005, with the Quebec Breeding Bird Atlas in 1987, and a range of other trips both related to work and pleasure.

I’ve learned that canoeing is the only viable means of getting around in the summer, that in the Hudson Bay lowlands, even with gloves, long sleeves and a bug net over my head, 64 black flies can bite me under my watch band in one day, that there can still be ice along some of the rivers in late June, and most importantly that the vast forests and river systems are not uninhabited, but rather part of the homelands of First Nations peoples. The bugs, the rapids and the sudden changes in temperature do not scare me . . . but the red tinted water escaping from the mine tailings empoundment, the sickly smell of herbicides from aerial spraying and the distant din of machines do.

I am one of those auditory birders – though I enjoy seeing birds, I love hearing them and find great satisfaction in knowing their voices. The sound scape of the boreal wetlands is unequal for drama and beauty. The Common Loon’s song is at the top of the most emotive and haunting sounds on earth. Add to this the melodic flute-like refrains of Hermit Thrushes, a cheery chorus of White-throated Sparrow, the staccato explosiveness of a Connecticut Warbler’s song, and the emphatic “Whip-three-beers” of the threatened Olive-sided Flycatcher, and you have, in my view, the perfect symphony.

Sadly, members of the orchestra are dropping out as pressures to exploit the rich resources of the boreal accelerate destruction and change, and climate change tightens its grip on these northern biomes.

As manager of bird conservation programs for Nature Canada, I know that part of our mission is to be a voice for nature, including the species that are being silenced. We hope that the messages from this report will be discussed, debated and inform decisions related to this precious biome. This is our chance as a country to make a difference for our children, and their children with our largest ecological contribution to the earth’s health, our boreal forest.

The Big Year: Birders and Non-Birders Give Their Two Cents

It’s the movie the birding community had hotly anticipated all year.

Now, a few weeks after opening night, The Big Year is garnering praise from some groups and light disapproval from others. 

Starring Hollywood’s three funny men, Steve Martin, Owen Wilson, and Jack Black, it’s about three guys vying to spot the most birds in one 12-month period.

Their quest takes them across North America, testing their bird spotting prowess while rocking the boat with their loved ones.

Based on the novel by Mark Obmascik, The Big Year: A Tale of Man, Nature, and Fowl Obsession, the movie is filmed in British Columbia and directed by David Frankel, with many Canadian bird experts serving as advisors on the film. We have collected an assortment of reviews from bird blogs, to the mainstream media, to bird enthusiasts at Nature Canada to give you a snap shot of what is being said about this comedy of birds and men.

Starting with those who gave the movie two thumbs up:

“I went to opening night in Penticton, a town in the south Okanagan of British Columbia, with about 45 other birders.  Many of us wore our binoculars and used them in the movie.  This added much to the ambiance.  I enjoyed the movie.  It was fun, the acting was pretty good, and birders were portrayed as real people.  Many of the scenes were filmed in the Okanagan and Vancouver area – knowing this added to my enjoyment.  Though not a great movie, I doubt anyone was expecting that, it was a good movie that is definitely worth a night out at the local theatre.”

-    Ted Cheskey, Nature Canada bird conservation manager

"This film offered up life lessons learned through birding, using characters that were authentic and diverse, not the stereotypes I feared I’d see on screen: Young, old, rich, not-so-rich, men and women brought together by a shared interest. As much about male bonding as it is about birding, the film left me smiling."

-    Chris Sutton, Nature Canada director of communications

“…bird watching isn’t often treated kindly (or accurately) in movies, and mistakes are so common that sometimes it seems like Hollywood actually tries to get the facts wrong. So it was with pleasure, surprise, and great admiration for the director and stars that I came away from the movie satisfied, intrigued, amused, and even touched by what I’d seen.”
-    Round Robin, The Cornell Blog of Ornithology

In this Youtube clip, BC birding authority Dick Cannings of Bird Studies Canada shares his first impressions of the movie after seeing it with 35 members of the Canadian Migration Monitoring Network in a small theatre in Penticton BC. Cannings was an advisor to some of the scenes in the Okanagan, and one of his books appeared in the film.

“We were all in agreement—it gets two thumbs up! The movie is pretty upfront with their intentions from the very first screen: The Big Year is based on a true story…just the facts have been changed… in its simplest form, it was also a great story that made us admire birds, embrace nature and appreciate the little things in life. It also made all of us proud to be associated with such a great group of people—birders.”

-    By the Editors of Birds &Blooms

For many of us, Nature works like a bank;  it's where we go to get 'that special feeling' when we have the time.  For birders, however, Nature works a little differently. Yes, The Big Year is a bird movie about birders birding - but it's also a thoroughly entertaining portrayal of our manic, tragic, funny and obsessive relationship with the Nature.  Go see it!

- Peter Cummings, Clearance & Production Resources for The Big Year & Director of BC Ecological Agricultural Trust Society


And from Twitter, these tweets caught my attention

@AKbirder Got2 see #TheBigYear :) What a sweet movie. I giggled 2think of past group-birdathons & feverish excitement 2sight the most birds

- deephil11 12:21am via Twitter for iPhone 

The Big Year was a great little movie, really fun to watch and terrific scenery and music. #TheBigYear

- coopiemom Oct 24, 7:39pm via Twitter for iPad

And from the Nature Canada Facebook page:

“I really liked it and think it will be great publicity for birding...especially to see the passion people can have for it. I imagine people were expecting mayhem with the 3 stars and they were funny without being over the top.”

-    Helene Van Doninck

Lastly, there were a few who thought the movie was neither funny, nor accurate:

“The Big Year was alright.  It was neither horrible nor outstanding, neither fully factual nor completely made-up, neither completely engaging nor totally alienating.  I would give it a solid “B-” as a birder…What didn’t I like?  I didn’t like all the things the movie got wrong. Who can focus entirely on a movie and suspend their disbelief when what they are watching is riddled with errors?  Sure, some are done in an attempt to get laughs or for plot purposes but the movie would have been much better if it were more accurate.”

-    By Corey on 10,000 Birds

"As a non-birder, my initial interest in this film came from the promise of comedic relief from some of the greats. I also thought that I maybe able to educate myself in the world of bird watching, at least understand a little better the allure for so many.  While I did learn (about a bird size amount) about the wild world of birding and a few new bird names, I left feeling cheated on both the comedic humor side and the informative side of the film. However, if I were to take one message away from this film, it would be that the world of competitive birding is not for the weak hearted nor is it a laughing matter. This is serious business and I would not want to get in their way. In all I would have to say that if you are a real life birder – you may spend most of your time pointing out the inaccuracies of this film, if you are a fan of the many talented actors in the film, this night not be one to add to your own ‘Big Year’ of funny films.

- Cheri Dawn, development officer, corporate and foundation gifts

“[the Big Year] is more interested in warm and fuzzy life lessons than exploiting the slapstick opportunities inherent in chasing small creatures through inhospitable terrains. The result is an offence-free, mild entertainment in which everyone from cast to scriptwriter seems to be winging it.”

-    Liam Lacey, the Globe and Mail

What did you think of the Big Year? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

Show the love on National Tree Day - Give a leafy friend a hug!

Hi Folks!

How many trees have you seen since you woke up today? Did you wish any of them a happy National Tree Day? What about a happy National Forest Week? Dig you hug any of those trees??

Don't worry if these questions take you by surprise, since 2011 is the debut year for Canada's National Tree Day celebrations, spearheaded by the Tree Canada Foundation, which focus on the "great benefits that trees provide us - clean air, wildlife habitat, reducing energy demand and connecting with nature". Nature Canada's celebrations today include our Hug A Tree Photo Contest, which we're asking all of our supporters to enter for their chance to win!

I started National Tree Day thinking about the innumerable ways that trees (and forests) benefit me and my family each day. For example, we have 16 species* of trees and woody shrubs in our small Ottawa yard, which offer us shade, improve our air quality and attract lots of birds and insects to our backyard. I also have several beautifully handcrafted pieces of wood furniture in my home. Those items represent a market for value-added forest products that can be a big incentive for ecologically and economically sustainable forest management, including things like Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification of forests. Plus, markets for non-timber forest products are growing in Canada and elsewhere, which makes me think of how much I love wild blueberries and cranberries! Not to mention Canada's amazing forest protected areas!

I've also been thinking about how important trees and forests (such as the Boreal forest) are to many of the migrating birds we're watching head south right now, as well as other wildlife that rely on forests seasonally and year-round. Just think of all the bird species that use trees for nesting, from Woodpecker species to Great Blue Herons!

And having spent time as a kid in 'working forests' with my then-silviculturist father, I can't overlook the importance of trees and forests to many communities across this vast country. The Canadian Forest Service reports that the forest industry - in all of its forms - is the "largest non-urban employer in the country".

In closing, there's really not a better time to kick-off Canada's National Tree Day celebrations than the 2011 United Nations International Year of Forests. Here are some quick facts about global forests from the UN's International Year of Forests (IYF) website:

• Forests are home to 80% of Earth's terrestrial biodiversity
• Forests are central to the livelihoods of over 1.6 billion people worldwide
• Forests cover 31% of the Earth's total land area

For more on what Nature Canada is doing for the IYF, check out our website and our interactive map of Canada's forests. And don't forget to enter our Hug A Tree Photo Contest for your chance to win!

Have a wonderful National Tree Day, and a thoughtful National Forest Week!

All photos by A. MacDonald

* No, not all of these are native species, but I'm working to increase the proportion that are native over time.

Foundations for Sustainable Livelihoods in Cuba's Turquino-La Bayamesa

Turquino, Sierra Maestra-photo by CNAP

Nature Canada believes in a flyways approach to the conservation of migratory birds. To that end, for the past two years, we have supported integrated conservation and development efforts by our BirdLife partners in key Caribbean biodiversity areas where "Canadian" migratory birds, like the Bicknell's Thrush, spend the winter.

You've read about our successes in Haiti's Macaya and in the Dominican Republic's Jaragua-Bahoruco-Enriquillo. In Cuba, our partner, the National Protected Areas Commission (Comisión Nacional de Áreas Protegidas-CNAP) has also been working to establish ecotourism, tree nurseries and agroforestry plots in an area that was once as critical to the Cuban revolution as it is today to biodiversity. Find out what we're accomplishing.

This work is supported by the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA).

Much Still Unknown About Gulf Spill Effects on Birds

Yesterday I participated in a webinar put on by the US Fish and Wildlife Service and the Canadian Wildlife Service on the impacts of the Gulf oil spill on migratory birds. The presenter, a scientist from the fisheries and wildlife branch of the Natural Resource Damage Assessment (NRDA) Department, described the complex assessment process and touched on some of the results of ongoing work.


The bottom line is that there is still a considerable amount of oil not accounted for, and that beneath the silts and muds in many of the coastal wetlands in Louisiana, and beneath the sand of beaches, are several layers of oil and tar in the substrate.

Some of the coastal mangrove islands with bird colonies have been impacted; mangroves have died and birds are forced to nest on the ground, only a metre of so above sea level, exposing their nests to inundation risk. There is still evidence of some light oiling of Pelicans.

The impact on oiled birds, particularly migratory birds, appears less than it potentially was – about 8 thousand birds were observed/ recovered oiled or found dead, representing some fraction, perhaps 10%, of the total killed. Laughing Gull, Brown Pelican, (Gulf Coast breeders), Northern Gannet (Canada – Atlantic coast), and Roseate Tern were the most affected species identified.

It is common to see an oily sheen on the water, and there is concern of storms in the Gulf stirring up the sediment and exposing the oil again in the marshes.

Information on toxicology is embargoed, as are many other specific details due to litigation around damages. This may be the case for many, many years. The last fisheries have opened recently, but there is still concern about what people are eating. Every type of study imaginable is underway, but again, with no information forthcoming (e.g. toxicology, ecology). Some partial payment from BP for damages has been made, and the Coastal states have each received large sums which are being dispersed to a range of organizations.

Much more information is available on the NRDA website – though, as I mentioned, many details and results are embargoed.

It's also worthwhile to check out the USFWS Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill website that keeps on tally of birds and wildlife impacted, which is revised from time to time. It breaks down the species found.

Birding in Gatineau on International Migratory Bird Day

Last weekend I went birding. Not for long as the weather in Gatineau was wet and cool. However, life outside goes on. Last weekend was also a celebration of migratory birds across the Americas - International Migratory Bird Day. I head out for a short walk in Gatineau Park to experience the birds and talk about how I feel as a birder. Join me on my walk, learn about "pishing," and see what happens.

International Migratory Bird Day (IMBD) celebrates the 350 species that migrate between countries in the Americas. Canada likely holds the record for the country with the most migratory birds. It is estimated that every fall, 90% of our birds leave the country, the great majority heading south. Terns and shorebirds tend to go the farthest. The Hudsonian Godwit, for example, flies from its subarctic and arctic breeding grounds to Tierra del Fuego in Chile. Many songbirds also fly long distances to South America. Purple Martins end up in Sao Paulo State in Brazil. Bobolink's non-breeding destination is the pampas of Argentina, Bolivia, Paraguay, Uraguay and Brazil. Blackpoll Warblers and Common Nighthawks make it to Brazil, and Venezuala. Veery, Swainson's Thrush and Gray-cheeked Thrush also go to South America, as do several Flycatchers, Scarlet Tanager, and the iconic Canada Warbler. American Redstarts and Chestnut-sided Warblers spend their "winters" in Central America with many other Warbler species, Vireos, Yellow-bellied and Least Flycatchers, Orioles, and Whip-poor-will.

Many species other than songbirds and shorebirds also have impressive migrations, including Peregrine Falcon, Osprey, Swainson's Hawk, Blue-winged Teal and Green Heron. Over one billion Canadian-born birds over-winter in the continental United States, including some of our commonest species such as most blackbird and sparrows including the White-throated and White-crowned Sparrows, and most waterfowl.

Take a moment to think about this. For some long-lived species, this migration would take them to the moon over the course of their lifetimes. In addition to the amazing ecological services that they provide to all of the countries of their passages, these birds wow people with their beauty and their song. Birds inspire me for all of these reasons. They bring me happiness, and make me feel connected to nature.

So fellow Canadians, get out and enjoy these most inspiring members of creation in the next week or so, and always remember to respect their lives and the rest of nature in your daily decisions.

What Are You Doing for International Migratory Bird Day?

Tomorrow is International Migratory Bird Day (IMBD) in North America. To help you make the most of the annual spring return of our feathered friends, we’ve come up with 12 tips to help beginner birders .

Don’t miss this great chance to learn more about the migratory bird species that are coming home to your area!

12 Bird Watching Tips for Beginners:

Tip #1 - Keep Your Eyes on the Bird

When you spot a bird, try to keep it in your line of sight for as long as possible. If you are using binoculars, practice bringing them up to your face while keeping your eyes on the bird. This can be harder than it sounds! Try practicing on other objects first if you’re having trouble.

Tip #2 – Know What to Look For

Once you have focused on a bird, look for:

• facial markings
• bill characteristics
• leg length and colour
• wing span
• tail shape
• flight patterns
• overall size and shape
• feeding habits

Tip #3 – Listen for Bird Calls

Listening for bird calls is one of the best ways to locate a bird. Keep your ears tuned to your surroundings and let your curiosity lead you to discover new bird sounds. Birding isn’t always just about seeing birds – it’s about enjoying them with all your senses! Visit Dendroica to listen to songs and see photos of birds in your area.

Tip #4 – Get to Know Your Local Birds and Their Habitat

There are many free resources on birds and birding – online and at your public library – which can enrich your birding experience. By learning more about bird species in your area, you can narrow the list of birds you might come across.

Tip #5 – Start in Your Yard

Watching birds in your yard is a fun, easy way to start birding. Luckily for us, many popular song birds visit backyard feeders and birdbaths. Having trees and bushes, as well as a bird feeder and bird bath, will make it more likely that birds will flock to your yard.

Tip #6 – Make Your Yard Bird-Friendly

You can take it one step further by consciously making your backyard bird-friendly. This doesn’t have to be expensive or time-consuming. Following simple “best practices”, such as planting native plants and providing a water source, can go a long way toward bringing birds to your yard. For more tips check out our 12 Ways to Make Your Backyard Bird-Friendly.


Tip #7 – Join a Bird Walk

Meet fellow birders by joining a bird walk or start your own with your birding buddies! Bird walks are a fun way for birders of all levels to get together and share their experience and knowledge. Don’t know where to look for local bird walks? A good place to start is by contacting your local bird watching organization or naturalist club. If you live in Canada, you can find a naturalist club through the Canadian Naturalist Network.

Tip #8 – Use a Field Guide

With its pictures and descriptions of birds, field guides can help you identify birds more easily. They come loaded with profiles for common birds in adult- and child-friendly formats.

Tip #9 – Know When to Look

Learning about the birds in your area will help you decide when to go birding. Some birds are only visible during certain times of the day. For example, songbirds are easier to see two to three hours after dawn, or just before sunset. Knowing when your local birds are feeding and active will make it more likely that you will spot them. As many birds migrate south during the winter, knowing what season or time of year they appear in your area is another factor to consider.

Tip #10 – Keep a Birding Diary

You might want to keep a bird checklist to record the birds you see every time you go birding, whether on vacation or just taking a walk through your local park. Contribute to bird conservation by sharing your bird checklist with eBird – as a citizen scientist, your data will help experts at the National Audubon Society and the Cornell Lab of Ornithology understand the distribution of birds in the western hemisphere and beyond.

Tip # 11 – Be a Responsible Birder

When you are out birding, it’s important to leave the area – and the birds and their young – undisturbed. Approach birds, their nests, eggs and habitat quietly and discreetly. Try not to disturb them when they are feeding. Birds can also go places where you may not be welcomed – please respect private property. But birds will often come to you, at home in your yard, or on a walk through nature. You don’t have to get in your car to go birding!

Tip #12 - Have Fun!

Canadian and American IBA Programs Have Much in Common - An Interview with John Cecil, National Audubon

As a follow-up to Mara Kerry's post on the National Important Bird Areas meeting in Port Rowan last week, Ted Cheskey, manager of bird conservation, shares his thoughts on the meeting and speaks with John Cecil of National Audubon about the Canadian and American IBA Programs.



IBA Canada partners have been working hard to engage volunteers – called IBA Caretakers – to care for and be the "eyes, ears and feet on the ground" for Canada's IBAs. These volunteers were a focus of the National IBA meeting in Port Rowan last week. Between presentations on monitoring protocols for IBA Caretakers, and animated discussions on habitat definitions, John Cecil, Manager of the Important Bird Area Program with National Audubon sat down with me to discuss his impressions of the Canadian program and the potential of collaborating more closely on bird conservation.

John was a very welcomed full participant in the two-day workshop, held at the spectacular Bird Studies Canada headquarters in Port Rowan, Ontario. He provided us with a good overview of the IBA program history in the USA. We compared notes on challenges and opportunties, and came away feeling motivated to share more – we have much in common with our American IBA colleagues.

We had scheduled the workshop for late April, to avoid the "field season", for many of the participants from across Canada, but still take advantage of migration in this internationally famous World Biosphere Reserve and Globally significant IBA.

I really wanted to interview John outside, but Mother Nature had the last word, throwing high winds and rain at us for most of the workshop, allowing us to happily toil inside without regrets. For the interview, we were able to find a quiet spot in the excellent BSC library to chat for a few minutes.

There were some brief moments during the workshop when the weather was more accommodating. We went on a brief trip on the trail to a lookout over Long Point Bay, and saw thousands, perhaps even tens of thousands of ducks, Ruddys, Scaup, Redheads, Canvasback, Buffleheads, Mergansers, Coots, and many more species, all milling about in the bay. The build up in late April was a sign that things were still frozen much further north, where most of these birds breed. Somehow they know this. . . .

Moments like these - being fascinated and inspired by the birds and habitats like Long Point, or sharing and learning from colleagues - are what motivate us to protect our IBAs, and the birds that depend upon them and the surrounding landscapes and habitats.

Workshop attendees, including Ted Cheskey (front row, second from left), Ian Davidson, Nature Canada's executive director (front row, third from left), and Mara Kerry, Nature Canada's director of conservation (back row, 8th from left)

Leaders Celebrate a Decade of Conservation Efforts as U.S. Bird Protection Law Turns Ten



Ruby-throated hummingbird

 As millions of birds wing their way back to North America this spring, leaders in the conservation movement are gathering tonight in Washington D.C. to celebrate the passage of a key American wildlife law ten years ago.

For 10 years, the Neotropical Migratory Bird Conservation Act has catalyzed bird conservation in the Americas with the investment of $125 million through an innovative public-private partnership that triples every dollar taxpayers invest by matching government grants three-to-one with private dollars.

In the process, the legislation has energized local, on-the-ground conservation and habitat restoration initiatives throughout the Western hemisphere, including Canada.

The passage of this act has had a hugely positive impact on bird conservation efforts throughout the hemisphere. From breeding grounds in Canada, to wintering sites in the south, and all points in between, projects supported by this law are helping us understand what is happening to bird populations and take coordinated action to preserve entire species.

Our executive director, Ian Davidson is joining ambassadors from several western hemispheric nations and leaders in bird conservation at the D.C celebration event, held at the Hall of the Americas. The event is hosted by the National Audubon Society and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation.

From disappearing marshlands along the Gulf Coast, to pesticides and pollution along major flyways, migrating birds like Red Knots, Swainson’s Hawks and Ruby-throated Hummingbirds face an arduous journey in search of healthy habitat. More than one third of all Neotropical species are in decline. Since its passage in 2000, the Neotropical Migratory Bird Conservation Act has helped protect more than 3 million acres of vital bird habitat.

In Canada, funding from the act helped community stewardship of local bird habitat at Important Bird Areas (IBAs), with the launch of the Canadian Important Bird Areas Caretaker Network. Initiated by BC Nature, and now operating in seven provinces, Caretakers are matched to specific IBAs to monitor birds, assess habitats, and conduct conservation activities.

Since 2007, funding from the act has also helped Nature Canada to work with its BirdLife International partner in Haiti, Haitian Audubon Society, to conserve rare forest habitat of migratory bird populations like the Bicknell's Thrush.

The project is located in the community of Formon, on the edge of Macaya National Park, an important wintering habitat for the Bicknell’s Thrush, a secretive and threatened songbird that breeds in Atlantic Canada. Threats to the songbird, which has declined in Maritime Canada (Nova Scotia and New Brunswick) by 15% annually over the last two decades, include atmospheric pollution, climate change and loss or degradation of its forest habitats.
Community residents are provided an incentive – children attend school for free if their parents agree to stop cutting down the forest and help with reforestation – to adopt sustainable forest management practices which relieve pressure on important habitat for migratory birds. Over 80% of the parents have agreed, and for the second year in a row, the school has offered hope for 300 girls and boys.

The true significance of legislation like the Neotropical Migratory Bird Conservation Act is that it encourages cross-border conservation efforts -- which, for migratory birds, is the only truly effective means of saving species. It's an act that deserves continued support.

Supporting Communities and Conservation in the Dominican Republic

Children take a tour of a nursery in Oviedo

After visiting Formon near Macaya National Park in Haiti last week, our director of conservation, Mara Kerry, has spent the last few days visiting our partner, Grupo Jaragua, in the Dominican Republic.

Grupo Jaragua is working to promote sustainable livelihoods with the support of Nature Canada and the Canadian International Development Agency, just like our Haitian partner, Haiti Audubon Society, is doing in Haiti. As Canadian co-partners in BirdLife International, we are committed to working across borders for birds and people.

Grupo Jaragua’s work is centered on the community of Oviedo in southwestern Dominican Republic, and is aimed at improving the lives of people in the community while ensuring the conservation of the Jaragua-Bahoruco-Enriquillo Biosphere Reserve.

The Reserve is critically important for many endemic species of plants, birds and other animals in the Caribbean. The Bicknell's Thrush – an at-risk bird species facing habitat loss across its range – spends the winter in the Reserve, and many more migratory birds depend on the forests of Haiti and the Dominican Republic as safe wintering grounds and stop-over sites.

Here's what Mara had to say about her visit:

Upon my arrival in Oviedo, I was met by a large group including staff, volunteers and members of the local mothers', children's and livestock producers' groups. Many of the volunteers were the beneficiaries of the summer camps for children that Grupo Jaragua has been running in the area for years. As young adults, they are determined to make a difference and advance sustainable development and conservation.

One young man testified that he used to hunt wild animals and plants in the Jaragua-Bahoruco-Enriquillo Biosphere Reserve. Since participating in the workshops of Grupo Jaragua, he has changed his behavior – he has stopped hunting. He understands the unique value of the plants and animals in the region and that some are endangered and is now trying to influence his own family stop hunting. He would like his uncles in particular to stop hunting and learn to care for the forests and its animals. Another young man was inspired by the workshops to go to university to study biology so that he can contribute to his country's growth towards sustainability.

Grupo Jaragua has also been instrumental in building tree nurseries in Oviedo. I had the chance to pay them a visit – they’re really cool!

A volunteer inspects the trees inside a tree nursery in Oviedo.

The nurseries only use native plants. Grupo Jaragua is piloting several agroforestry plots with some of these native species, which also have an economic value to the community.

A volunteer waters a seedling planted as part of an agroforestry project in Oviedo.

Here’s the plan for these pilot projects: in the canopy there will be trees that can provide fuel for cooking, fruit, and wood for crafts and furniture. The really neat thing about this is that these resources can be harvested from just the branches – the tree does not need to be cut down.

In the understory, there will be trees that provide food, such as fruit, for the community. One tree in particular produces a berry that the people of Oviedo use to make the local wine which can be sold for a good price. Another is a shrub-like plant whose leaves can be used to make tea and the bark to make a perfume that is popular here and in Haiti. In addition, a local indigenous species of oregano can be grown along with crops like yuca and sweet potato.

Five families in the area are experimenting with agroforestry practices on their own land. And they haven’t stopped there – they are also experimenting with "live fences" that can produce food for animals (goats and cattle) in a sustainable manner.

Grupo Jaragua has also helped build the community centre where it hosts workshops on sustainable resource use and climate change adaptation practices. These workshops are open to everyone in the community, and as a result, more people know more about climate change, birds conservation and agroforestry. The building itself is wonderful and the main hall is used by the community for everything from the workshops to local weddings, birthdays and even funerals. In addition, the centre provides a source of income. The cabins can be rented out to visitors, technical experts and for other community events.

I’m very encouraged by what I’ve seen during my visit. The people of Oviedo have really embraced the idea of integrating sustainable practices into their daily lives and we’re thrilled to be part of that change. This would not be possible without the work of our partner, Grupo Jaragua. We are very proud to support this work. Projects in communities like Oviedo are making a tangible difference to people’s lives and it is our hope that they will continue to receive the support they need to build a better future.

Promoting Sustainable Livelihoods in Haiti’s Macaya National Park

Haitian children attend a school rebuilt by Nature Canada and its Partners

Nature Canada’s Director of Conservation, Mara Kerry, is on the Caribbean Island of Hispaniola this week to pay a visit to Nature Canada's conservation and development projects in Haiti and the Dominican Republic.

We've been working with our BirdLife partner in Haiti, Haitian Audubon Society, on an integrated conservation and development project supported by the Canadian International Development Agency.

One of our projects has involved rebuilding the local school in Formon, hiring teachers and providing free education to the children of parents who adopt sustainable forest management practices.

Mara took the time to send us this video clip of her visit to Formon, in which the children thank Audubon and Nature Canada.



The community of Formon is on the edge of Macaya National Park, an important wintering habitat for Canadian migratory birds like the Bicknell’s Thrush, a secretive and threatened songbird that breeds in Atlantic Canada. Threats to the songbird, which has declined in Maritime Canada (Nova Scotia and New Brunswick) by 15% annually over the last two decades, include atmospheric pollution, climate change and loss or degradation of its forest habitats.

The project provides an incentive – children attend school for free if their parents agree to stop cutting down the forest and help with reforestation – for the community to adopt sustainable forest management practices which relieve pressure on important habitat for migratory birds. Over 80% of the parents have agreed, and for second year in a row, the school has offered hope for 300 girls and boys.  

Our work is also supporting projects that help bring water to the community, freeing up hours of daily excursions to collect water, which is mostly done by girls in the community.



In addition, four tree nurseries have been established for agroforestry and reforestation of areas of the Macaya National Park that have been degraded. The park is one of few small patches of forest remaining in Haiti. The forest plays a critical role in supporting the surrounding communities – the forest provides clean water and clean air, prevents erosion and helps mitigate the impacts of climate change.

Supported by BirdLife and Neotropical Migratory Bird Conservation Act (NMBCA) grants, these projects improve the lives of the people of Formon while protecting and conserving Haitian forests and migratory birds. They are part of a coordinated effort to conserve areas across a bird's entire hemispheric range - the only truly effective way to conserve migratory bird populations like the Bicknell's Thrush.

We will be hearing from Mara as she visits the Dominican Republic next week, so stay tuned!

Road Bypass Relieves Pressure on New Brunswick Important Bird Area

Semipalmated Sandpiper

Great news for the Semipalmated Sandpipers and other migrant shorebirds that frequent New Brunswick's Bay of Fundy: a bypass route that redirects traffic around the Johnson's Mills Western Hemispheric Shorebird Reserve Network (WHSRN) site has recently been completed. The 2.3-kilometre (1.4 mile) diversion will reduce traffic and create a buffer zone for the sensitive area, which includes vital habitat for roosting and feeding migrant shorebirds.

From the Moncton Times and Transcript:

JOHNSON'S MILLS - An ecological wildlife refuge in Johnson's Mills has been preserved as the result of rerouting of Route 935 along Shepody Bay, the innermost arm of the Bay of Fundy...

...The relocation takes traffic from the buffer zone that is crucial to the ecological integrity of Shepody Bay. It also eliminates repeated stabilization efforts along the eroding shoreline that has seen the road moved back a number of times over the years.

The reserve is an area of nutrient-rich mudflats and roosting beaches that attract millions of migrating shorebirds every summer. The birds, in turn, attract bird watchers and other tourists from all over the world. Route 935 takes these visitors to the mudflats.

The federal government contributed $810,000 under the Infrastructure Stimulus Fund to support the initiative. The provincial government provided a matching contribution of $810,000 through the 2009-10 and 2010-11 capital budgets of the Department of Transportation for the balance of the project's cost.

The road bypass not only benefits the WSHRN site, but the the Dorchester Cape and Grand Anse Important Bird Area.

Dorchester Cape is a rocky cape that extends into the bay, and Grand Anse is an area of sand and gravel beaches situated along the eastern coast of Shepody Bay, in eastern New Brunswick. It is adjoined by a large ledge of intertidal mud flats, known as Bucks Flats. Grand Anse is within the town of Johnsons Mills. The Semipalmated Sandpiper is by far the most abundant shorebird in the Bay of Fundy during fall migration, with up to 200,000 birds recorded at the roost site during peak migration. Dorchester Cape is also extremely important for migrating Dunlin, as well as numerous other shorebird species, including Short-billed Dowitchers, Least Sandpipers, Red Knots, and White-rumped Sandpipers.

Oil Now Out of Sight, Out of Mind?

An oil slick on the Gulf of Mexico, June 12, 2010
Photo by Deepwater Horizon Response/flickr

After the Deepwater Horizon oil well began spewing millions of litres of oil into the Gulf of Mexico earlier this year, governments, scientists, and coastal communities braced for what was expected to be a long and arduous clean-up effort. As attempts to stop the flow of oil failed repeatedly, the spill eventually grew to become the worst ecological disaster to hit American shores. The oil recovery effort was expected to continue for a very long time.

Then, in early August, the U.S. Government published a report claiming that much of the oil was contained or cleaned up because, for the most part, the ocean's surface was "clean." Unfortunately, that prognosis proved too optimistic.

In the past month several reports and studies appear to show that oil from the BP blowout is still present. A report released in mid-August by the Georgia Sea Grant and the University of Georgia stated that "up to 79 percent of the oil released into the Gulf of Mexico from the Deepwater Horizon well has not been recovered and remains a threat to the ecosystem."

Scientists at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) discovered an oil plume that spanned roughly 35 kilometres in length, reached heights of 200 metres and was 2 kilometres wide. This oil plume lingers more than 900 metres below the ocean's surface and is believed will remain for months; however the environmental repercussions will be felt for years.

Following this latest discovery, it was revealed that more oil was present at the bottom of the seafloor up to depths of over 1,200 metres. Scientists discovered that a substantial layer of oil sediments rests on the bottom of the seafloor stretching several kilometres in all directions.

Samantha Joye, a professor at the Department of Marine Sciences at the University of Georgia, set sail on August 21 to better understand where the 750 million plus litres of oil went and she now has a pretty good idea. "It's showing up in samples of the seafloor, between the well site and the coast. I've collected literally hundreds of sediment cores from the Gulf of Mexico." The oil sediments covering the seafloor are about two inches thick and in some samples they found tar balls, dead shrimp, worms and other invertebrates.

Florida's Department of Environmental Protection reports on its website that "beaches in Northwest Florida will continue to receive isolated impacts, mainly scattered tar balls, in the coming months."

As reported in our June newsletter, nearly five million Canadian migratory birds are making their way south, many of which will be passing through the waters of the Gulf of Mexico.

So far, it's unclear just how many birds have died or been injured in the spill, and some environmental groups have voiced scepticism about official tallies. A U.S. Fish and Wildlife report, issued in response to a freedom of information request, listed only 4,676 affected birds as of September 14th. It was quickly determined, however, that the figures were up to 60 percent incomplete.

It's widely accepted that it will take months if not years before scientists are able to produce a true picture of the effects of the BP spill. In the meantime, we need to ensure that this type of tragedy is not repeated in Canada. Take action now and send a letter to the Canadian government to place a temporary moratorium on new off-shore drilling projects as was done in the U.S. immediately following the Gulf of Mexico disaster.

UPDATE - Version française - Your thoughts on the state of Environment Canada's protected areas?

Hello Readers! Bonjours lecteurs!

Yesterday I posted information about a survey that Nature Canada is conducting to determine naturalists' and nature enthusiasts' views on the condition/state of Environment Canada's protected areas.

To be more specific, I posted information on the English version of this survey.

Mais, veuillez noter qu'il y a aussi une version française du sondage disponible içi.

Once again, the French version of Nature Canada's survey is available here.

Thanks for your interest! Merci infiniment de votre intérêt!

Your thoughts on the state of Environment Canada's protected areas?

Hello Readers!

Have you ever visited one of Canada's National Wildlife Areas or Migratory Bird Sanctuaries?

These sites make up Environment Canada's network of protected areas and complement our national parks system and provincial/territorial protected areas networks from coast to coast, to coast. Eventually, Marine Wildlife Areas will also make up Environment Canada's network, with the Scott Islands off of northern Vancouver Island slated as the first addition in 2012.

Regardless of how you answer the above question, Nature Canada would like to know your views on National Wildlife Areas and Migratory Bird Sanctuaries. In fact, we're in the process of conducting of survey of naturalists and nature enthusiasts across Canada (and beyond) to better understand their views on the condition/state of these areas.

Simply follow this link if you'd like to participate in the survey. Time to complete the survey shouldn't exceed 25 minutes and will vary depending on your level of familiarity with Environment Canada's protected areas.

Nature Canada will use the results of this survey to inform a formal report on the state of Canada's National Wildlife Areas and Migratory Bird Sanctuaries (to be completed this fall). The report will build on previous work we've done on this theme, including Conserving Wildlife on a Shoestring Budget (2002) and Wildlife In Crisis (2004).

Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions about the survey and/or Nature Canada's protected areas program.

Photo 1 - A. Teucher, CFB Suffield National Wildlife Area

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

Ontario government posts initial policy for Offshore wind facilities – a significant move in the right direction

On June 25, the Ontario government posted a discussion paper to inform proposed regulations to govern the development of offshore wind facilities in Ontario on the Environmental Registry. There is a 60 day comment period – extending over much of the summer. The basic tenant of the discussion paper is imposition of a five kilometre exclusion zone from the shoreline of the Great Lakes and other inland lakes such as Lakes Simcoe, St. Clair, Nipigon and Lake of the Woods. The exclusion zone would also apply to large islands. In addition, wind energy proponents would have to conduct site-specific studies to assess potential impacts and implement measures to mitigate any potential impact to ecological features.

While the devil is always in the details, a five kilometre exclusion zone should exclude wind facilities from the most significant areas for birds and wildlife on the Great Lakes on other lakes in Ontario. Nature Canada and Ontario Nature have been advocating exclusion of wind facilities from Important Bird Areas, (IBA) and migratory corridors. Most IBAs on the Great Lakes and other Lakes in Ontario would be protected within this five kilometre exclusion zone. The near-shore and coastlines also tend to be the most significant area for migrating and feeding birds. There are some areas beyond the five kilometre buffer that are important for birds or which might fall within a migratory corridor, but in general, those areas will be well known, and exceptional (e.g. Pelee archipelago in Lake Erie, Three Sister Islands Lake of the Woods, islands in extreme Eastern Lake Ontario). The requirements for site-specific assessments should pick these areas up. That said, an effort needs to be made to map migratory corridors as soon as possible before proposals get the green light.

Much less understood is how offshore facilities could impact bat populations. Highly technically challenging issues of monitoring impacts and mitigating threats that could occur when weather conditions conspire with a particularly heavy migration movement – (e.g. – low ceiling forces migrants into lower flight paths through turbine blads) need to be addressed if we are to have confidence that offshore wind facilities are not inflicting an impact on specific populations of wildilife. Also the complex assessment of cumulative effects of numerous offshore and on-shore projects in Canada and the United States must be considered and factored into approvals of specific projects.

Nature Canada will carefully assess this policy and provide detailed comments to the government of Ontario. That said, the first impression is that this is a positive move that should protect wildlife, particularly birds, from the potential damaging impacts of wind facilities.