Birds Canada Science Critical for Great Lakes Coastal Wetland Bird Conservation

Why Great Lakes coastal wetlands? And why now? 

Marshes along the shores of the Great Lakes (i.e., coastal wetlands) are globally-renowned for birds. Of the 10 Ramsar Wetlands of International Importance within the Great Lakes watershed, nine are coastal wetlands due in large part to significant populations of migratory birds, including iconic birding hotspots like Point Pelee and Long Point. Coastal wetlands are dynamic environments and require regular, natural changes to remain healthy. High-quality bird habitat is created and maintained  by waves, drifting ice, fluctuating lake levels, and sediment transport, all of which are much more pronounced in coastal wetlands due to the large size of the adjacent lakes. These processes prevent wetlands from becoming stagnant, overgrown, or uniform, creating a dynamic mix of habitats that supports a greater diversity of birds. 

Unfortunately, the value of coastal wetlands is often overlooked resulting in 50–90% loss depending on the region. The remaining coastal wetlands face increasing threats, such as pollution, invasive species, urban sprawl, and the compounding effects of climate change. However, despite the challenges, these unique ecosystems support sizable populations of birds and other wildlife that need our help to thrive. 

The wetland restoration work will:  

1. Control non-native invasive Common Reed or Phragmites, which wetland birds avoid; 
2. Convert large dense mats of vegetation into several smaller patches separated by pools of open water, which marsh birds love; 
3. Reinforce protective barrier beaches and dikes to shield fragile marsh bird habitat from damage or destruction during ultra-extreme weather, such as record-high winds during record-high lake levels, which is expected to happen more often in the future with further climate change; and 
4. Various other actions to benefit birds and other wildlife. 

Birds Canada science was critical in at least two ways for our partners and collaborators to secure this recent landmark funding to carry out this important on-the-ground work. First, they used data from our Great Lakes Marsh Monitoring Program, available through our open-data platform NatureCounts, to pinpoint where key wetland bird species occur, particularly species of conservation concern like Least Bittern and King Rail. This ensured that the restoration work occurs where it is needed the most. Second, they used science-based recommendations published by Birds Canada staff and our valued co-authors, and made possible by our Long Point Waterfowl and Wetlands Research Program, to justify and guide their wetland restoration techniques. This ensured that the restoration work is done in ways that benefit wetland birds the most. 

From our partners and collaborators 

“Birds Canada’s Great Lakes Marsh Monitoring Program has been extremely helpful for documenting the effectiveness of our coastal wetland restoration work to date, and for making the case to continue and expand this important work, particularly for Species at Risk” 

—Tÿs Theijsmeijer, Royal Botanical Gardens’ Senior Director of Ecosystem Stewardship Programs and Policy 

“Information from Birds Canada’s Great Lakes Marsh Monitoring Program, along with Birds Canada’s associated research and guidance documents, have been extremely valuable to us for demonstrating the ecological importance of our coastal wetlands and helping guide our restoration priorities” 

—Dan Moore, Central Lake Ontario Conservation Authority’s Senior Ecologist, Environmental Monitoring and Ecosystem Science 

“Data from Birds Canada’s Great Lakes Marsh Monitoring Program and recommendations from Birds Canada’s scientific publications were instrumental in helping us with successful funding applications by showing that our coastal wetland restoration projects provide critical habitat to increase biodiversity of a suite of wetland bird species in addition to waterfowl, including those at risk” 

—Craig Berga, Ducks Unlimited Canada’s Head of Conservation Programs, Ontario 

A big thank you! 

We simply could not have accomplished all of this without the valued effort of our volunteer surveyors, so thank you very much to each of you for your dedicated support of, and participation in, the Great Lakes Marsh Monitoring Program. Birds Canada’s wetland bird conservation work has also benefited immensely from ongoing financial support, for which the following have been essential: Environment and Climate Change Canada, Wildlife Habitat Canada (primarily from funds generated by the purchase of Canadian Wildlife Habitat Conservation Stamps by waterfowl hunters), Ducks Unlimited Canada, Black Duck Joint Venture, Eastern Habitat Joint Venture, and private donors. We have also benefited from dozens and dozens of other supporters over the years for which we are truly grateful. 

How you can help 

• Donate to Birds Canada here, so we can make even more progress on restoring wetlands for birds 
• Learn to identify wetland birds in the Great Lakes by watching free educational videos from Birds Canada’s Great Lakes MarshWatch: the more you know, the more we can work together to help birds 
• Participate in Birds Canada’s Great Lakes Marsh Monitoring Program, or any of our other Marsh Monitoring Programs in southern British Columbia, southern Quebec, or the Maritimes here 
• Purchase a Canadian Wildlife Habitat Conservation Stamp, which goes to Wildlife Habitat Canada, a national charity that provides funding for wetland restoration projects that benefit migratory birds throughout the Great Lakes and across Canada here (we think the paperless stamp option makes a great gift!)
• If you’re a landowner with a suitable property, consider restoring your own wetland for birds with help and guidance from Ducks Unlimited Canada here 
• Every marsh bird matters: your voice makes a difference, so please speak up and send a powerful message for conserving wetland birds and their habitats