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22 August 2008 
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More Good News for Kirtland’s Warblers

21 August 2008 – With a population numbering about 1700 breeding pairs, the Kirtland’s Warbler is one of North America’s most endangered songbirds. The core of its population is restricted to a fairly small area of suitable Jack pine habitat in lower Michigan, where intensive management and recovery efforts have been underway for several decades. These efforts are paying off as evidenced by substantial population increases locally. Success is also being signaled by the recent discovery of small but significant breeding populations in at least two new sites in Wisconsin and eastern Ontario. This summer, Wisconsin biologists reported the first successful nesting for the state, following the discovery of a small population there last year; select this link to read their news release. Meanwhile, birds returned again this year to nest successfully at CFB Petawawa, Ontario, following last year’s first documented nesting for Canada. Perhaps even more amazingly, one of the three Canadian birds had been originally banded in February 2007, while on its wintering grounds in the Bahamas! Visit the Canadian Forces website for more information.

New Species Discovered in Gabon

15 August 2008 – An article in Zootaxa announces a new species of African forest robin, Stiphrornis pyrrholaemus, the Olive-backed Forest Robin. The male is characterized by a bright orange chin, throat, and breast, creamy yellow belly, olive green back and rump, and gray flanks. Genetic testing confirmed that this small bird is a unique species. The bird was discovered in the tropical rainforests of Central Africa by scientists from the Smithsonian Institution who were doing biodiversity surveys of the forests of Gabon between 2001-2003. To read the full article and view images, select this link to download the paper in pdf format. 

BSC Participates in Major Ornithological Conference

11 August 2008 – More than 900 people flocked to the recent joint conference of the American Ornithologists’ Union, the Cooper Ornithological Society, and the Society of Canadian Ornithologists to learn about the latest developments and research in the field of avian ecology. Among the attendees were six BSC staff members and several past and present members of BSC’s Board of Directors and National Scientific Advisory Council.
   Andrew Couturier co-chaired the symposium “Using Breeding Bird Atlases to Enhance Conservation,” presented a paper focussing on the value and application of atlas abundance data to biodiversity conservation, and co-chaired the NORAC (North American Atlas Committee) pre-conference workshop. At the workshop, BSC staff from atlas projects in the Maritimes, Ontario, and British Columbia gave presentations and highlighted the many ways in which BSC is contributing to atlas development in Canada and beyond. In the poster sessions, Debbie Badzinski presented results of her research into nest site characteristics and nest survival in Hooded Warblers in Norfolk County, Ontario. Finally, data from BSC’s British Columbia Coastal Waterbird Survey figured prominently in a poster presented by Holly Middleton of Simon Fraser University concerning winter distribution patterns of eagles and waterbirds in the Strait of Georgia.
   Visit the conference website to view details of the scientific program and conference sessions, or to download conference abstracts as a printable PDF file.

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Members Encouraged to ‘Go Green’ by Renewing Online

22 August 2008 – Are you looking for a more convenient and environmentally friendly way to renew your membership? ‘Go Green’ and renew online on our website. By renewing online, you can help us reduce the amount of paper we use, and the amount we spend on postage and printing costs… allowing your conservation dollars to go even farther! Thank you for supporting the environment, and Bird Studies Canada.

Manitoba Government Supports Golden-winged Warbler Study

20 August 2008 – Bird Studies Canada is thrilled to announce that we have been awarded $25,000 from the Sustainable Development Innovations Fund, from the Manitoba Minister of Conservation, to support surveys for Golden-winged Warblers in Manitoba. The study was initiated this year to collect information on the bird’s distribution and habitat associations in the northwestern part of its breeding range. Watch for a feature article on the Golden-winged Warbler surveys and results in the upcoming fall issue of BirdWatch Canada.
   The Sustainable Development Innovations Fund (SDIF) provides funding for the development, implementation, and promotion of environmental innovation and sustainable development projects. This SDIF grant represents the first time Bird Studies Canada has received support from the Government of Manitoba. We are grateful for their support, and very pleased about this exciting new partnership.

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Young Ornithologists Complete 2008 Workshop

Photo: Stu Mackenzie

21 August 2008 – Every year, Long Point Bird Observatory (LPBO) opens its doors to six of Canada’s elite young ornithologists, and together we explore the wilds of the Long Point region. The program had its start in the 1970s, and has operated continuously since 1994 as the Doug Tarry Young Ornithologists’ Workshop (YOW), thanks to the generosity and foresight of the late Doug Tarry. This year’s YOWs were Sarah Dobney (ON), Erica Holland (BC), Jeremiah Kennedy (BC), Jeremy Pauzé (QC), Christopher Stephens (BC), and Brendan Toews (ON). They arrived at Long Point on August 1 for a comprehensive and hands-on 10-day introduction to the study of ornithology. LPBO staff led a variety of excursions, presentations, and ornithological, scientific, and natural history activities related to bird banding and migration monitoring, population monitoring, ageing and sexing techniques, bird taxonomy, breeding bird surveys, and preparing museum specimens.
   As always, the workshop is supported by BSC’s Doug Tarry Natural History Fund. Visit our website for more information on the YOW and other Long Point Bird Observatory programs or contact the Landbird Programs Coordinator at lpbo@birdscanada.org or (519) 586-3531 ext. 162.

BSC Hosts Workshop for Elementary School Teachers

19 August 2008 – On Tuesday, August 19, Bird Studies Canada and Long Point Bird Observatory hosted their first teacher summer institute. The full-day workshop was coordinated by Education Specialist Jennifer Miner. Activities included a bird banding workshop led by Stu Mackenzie and Hugh McArthur, a session on Project FeederWatch with Kerrie Wilcox, and an introduction to eBird Canada and the “Eagles in the Classroom” program by Jody Allair. The teachers took away a wealth of knowledge to share with their schools and students in the coming year.
   BSC and LPBO will offer a second spring season of educational programming for school groups in 2009. For more information, email esecord@birdscanada.org.

Pomquet Youth Give Beach Sign a Fresh Look

Photo: Claudia Millan

18 August 2008 – Pomquet Beach Provincial Park, a traditional nesting beach for Endangered Piping Plovers in Nova Scotia, is designated as an Important Bird Area. The neighbouring Acadian community of Pomquet has played a key role as local stewards of the beach and Piping Plovers. In 2005, day camp youth from Société Acadienne de Ste Croix created a large, colourful sign at the beach entrance depicting Piping Plovers.
   It had been three years since the sign had been painted, and the community agreed that a new look was needed. Now, thanks to the creativity of local kids and community partnerships, the kids have finished their work and the sign is ready to be placed back at the entrance to Pomquet Beach for future beachgoers to appreciate and learn about Piping Plovers and the beach ecosystem. This project was made possible through support by the NS Department of Natural Resources, the Government of Canada Habitat Stewardship Program for Species at Risk, and Heritage Canada.

Les Jeunes de Pomquet Retouchent une Affiche Artistique

18 août 2008 – Le Parc Provinciale de la Plage de Pomquet est un site de nidification traditionnel pour le Pluvier Siffleur qui a été désigné comme une Zone importante pour la conservation des oiseaux au Canada (ZICO). La communauté Acadienne de Pomquet joue un rôle essentiel dans l’intendance de la plage et de ses Pluviers Siffleurs. En 2005, le camp de jour de la Société Acadienne de Ste Croix a créé une large affiche très colorée pour l’entrée du Parc qui représentent les Pluviers Siffleurs dans leur habitat. Pendant trois ans l’affiche a salué les gens qui visitent la plage de Pomquet, et cette année, la communauté Acadienne a décidé qu’une petite dose de créativité ranimera l’affiche. Alors, avec de nouvelles perceptions et beaucoup d’enthousiasme, les enfants de la communauté on pu finir leur création! Maintenant, l’affiche est prêt à reprendre sa place à l’entrer de la plage de Pomquet pour que les gens de la région et d’ailleurs puisse apprendre sur le sujet des Pluviers Siffleurs et leur écosystème pour les prochaines saisons à suivre. Ce projet a été supporté par le Département des Ressources Naturels de la NÉ, le Programme d’Intendance de l’Habitat des Espèces en Périls et Patrimoine Canada.

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