News

For the Birds ...Top

From Alyssa McCauley:

Based on the soaring success of last year’s first annual “For the Birds” Toronto Botanical Garden fundraiser ... the journey continues! One of the most important components of this project is the juried Birdhouse Design Competition, 1 March to 12 June.

Ramara Township Bird SurveyTop

From Kristen Field:

Please help The Couchiching Conservancy monitor grassland birds in Ramara Township at your convenience between 28 May 28 and 14 June 14 2010. Once this project is complete, the grassland bird population results found in Ramara Township will be compared to those found immediately to the west in the Carden Plain Important Bird Area in 2000 and 2008 studies. This is a very important step in conservation planning for both Ramara and Carden Townships. Please follow the link to the RGBM volunteer request for more information on the project, and contact Kristen Field for more details or to get involved.

Carden Alvar Point CountsTop

From Dan Bone:

On May 29th and June 12th, 2010, the Ontario Field Ornithologists, the Toronto Ornithological Club and the Couchiching Conservancy will be conducting the 6th annual point counts of the Cameron and Windmill Ranches on the Carden Alvar. Birders have a rare opportunity to visit unique, prime alvar grassland habitat usually closed to the public. These point counts offer an opportunity to see many provincially rare species; the alvar is home to a population of Loggerhead Shrikes, and last year we recorded a Henslow’s Sparrow.

A report on the analysis of the point count data will be available soon.

Birders of all skill levels are encouraged to participate. Point counts are conducted in parties of 3 or 4, mixing experienced point counters with those who want to learn.

To learn more about Cameron Ranch visit : http://www.couchconservancy.ca/cameronranch.htm.

Contact Dan Bone or call (705) 887-4691 for more details.

Grassland Bird Survey (GBS) for 2010Top

From Katherine Robbins:

I would like to advertise our Grassland Bird Survey (GBS) for 2010. The GBS was piloted last year with great success and is being run again this year with a few changes to the survey protocol. This project is a joint effort between Wildlife Preservation Canada, Bird Studies Canada and the Canadian Wildlife Services. We are seeking keen birders to survey in areas across Ontario and would like your support to help recruit volunteers. The main goal of the project is to locate Loggerhead Shrike and incidentally, a suite of grassland bird species in Ontario mainly on habitat that has been previously identified through associated recovery activities.

The State of the Birds ReportTop

From the Cornell Lab of Ornithology:

“For Release: March 19, 2009. Secretary Salazar Releases Study Showing Widespread Declines in Bird Populations, Highlights Role of Partnerships in Conservation Washington, D.C. – Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar today released the first ever comprehensive report on bird populations in the United States, showing that nearly a third of the nation’s 800 bird species are endangered, threatened or in significant decline due to habitat loss, invasive species, and other threats.”

“At the same time, the report highlights examples, including many species of waterfowl, where habitat restoration and conservation have reversed previous declines, offering hope that it is not too late to take action to save declining populations.”

Their website contains an online version of the report and a superb video as well as information about how you can help.