Countries Across the Americas Unite to Save Grassland Birds

  

Male Sage Grouse.

(photo courtesy of Gary Seib of Nature Saskatchewan)

Yesterday, Nature Canada joined partners in Canada, USA, Ecuador, Brazil, Bolivia, Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay to develop an Americas-wide strategy to develop and support innovative initiatives to conserve and sustainably develop grasslands in the Western Hemisphere.

According to the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN), less than 10% of our natural grasslands remain intact. One of our board members, Bob Peart, is the lead on the IUCN’s temperate grasslands conservation initiative (whose great work you can read about here).

Working with ranchers and focusing on the most critical grassland areas is the focus of this newly developed alliance. Payment for ecological services and certified natural grass-fed beef are two initiatives being contemplated as strategies for working with producers to conserve imperilled grassroots. 

The State of Canada’s Birds report (forthcoming, this Thursday) identifies grasslands species (like Burrowing Owls and the Greater Sage Grouse) as the most threatened species in Canada.

It’s estimated that there are only 13 male Sage Grouse left in Alberta, with the province-wide population estimated at 30 birds, and only 42 males were counted at breeding grounds (called ‘leks’) in Saskatchewan in 2010. Scientists predict that the Sage Grouse could soon entirely disappear from Canada.

In contrast to the non-migratory Sage Grouse, many "Canadian" birds such as the Bobolink, Swainson's Hawk, Upland Sandpiper and Buff-breasted Sandpiper breed in Canada’s grasslands (during our summer) and migrate to grasslands in South America during non-breeding periods. This is why it’s essential to work with partners across the Western Hemisphere, from the Arctic to the tip of South America to protect the species that we share.

We’re very proud to bring together stakeholders and experts throughout the Americas to better safeguard one of the world’s most endangered ecosystems, and look forward to the rest of this year’s BirdLife International World Congress. 

Reflections on Birding workshop at Bruce Peninsula Bird Observatory’s Cabot Head Research Station

By Guest blogger Anthony Vanderheyden

On Friday, May 3^rd, my brother Matthew and I headed up to the Cabot Head Research Station on the Bruce Peninsula, to attend their Spring Birding weekend workshop. This is where we would spend the weekend birding in the Cabot Head Important Bird Area, observing bird banding at the Bruce Peninsula Bird Observatory’s migration monitoring station, learning all about the migration monitoring process, as well as learning more about my favourite birding locale; the Bruce Peninsula.

As we entered Grebe Lodge, we were greeted by Rod Steinacher and his wife Noreen, Marg (another participant in the weekend), station scientist Andrew, as well as three volunteers at the station. We began birding right away, in the hopes of hearing the local Great Horned Owl or Woodcocks. Just as we stepped out of the lodge, the owl flew right over us! That night we got both the owl and the woodcocks “peenting” distantly from the wetlands. We also had a few neat observations such as 3(!) Hoary Bats, a Bald Eagle on a nest, and a Wood Thrush.  Later at night, Ted Cheskey joined us after driving in from Ottawa, and we planned the itinerary for the weekend.

The real excitement began the next morning. On the 4^th we woke up before 6am and began to bird. However, most of the action was from the balcony of Grebe Lodge where we were staying. Everyone there was treated to spectacular views of Merlins hunting.  Merlin is a small dark falcon that specializes in tracking down, capturing and eating small birds.  It is extremely fast!  As some nocturnal migrants began to fly back to land after ending their night-long journey over the waters of Georgian Bay, a pair of Merlins sprang into action and picked the little songbirds out of mid-air as they struggled to make it back to the safety of land! It was an incredible spectacle. For the entire first two hours of dawn, they continued to fly about, plucking bird after bird from the Bay.   The most dramatic story was of a  White-throated Sparrow that was trying to evade a Merlin which we closing in on it.  The sparrow flew lower and lower and just as the Merlin was about to snag it, the sparrow nose-dived into the water.   The merlin veered away, and the sparrow managed to get airborne and continue its sprint towards the shore, right in front of us (about 50 metres out).  The Merlin circled back and made another attack which prompted the same response – a nose-dive into the water, now about 30 metres from shore.  Again the sparrow struggled from the water, obviously fatigued, but with the shoreline only a short flight away there was hope; . . . but the hope was quickly lost as the Merlin swooped in again, and neatly grabbed the sparrow that seemed to simply give up in the end. 

 Nashville Warbler flying over: photo by Matt Vanderheyden

Other highlights from the day included a massive northward movement of Common Loons (278), a large kettle of Broad-winged Hawks above Middle Bluff (about 300), a flyover Upland Sandpiper, as well as many other migrants.

Northern Mockingbird displaying - Dyer's Bay : photo by Matt Vanderheyden

Later in the day we added Clay-coloured Sparrow to the day’s list, along with a rare Northern Mockingbird, both in the town of Dyer’s Bay. From the dock we could see Red-necked Grebes and very photogenic Horned Grebes.

Around nightfall, the entire group trekked out to Crane Lake Road, in search of owls. However, in my opinion, the owls were not the highlight. After dark, the fields and marshes of Crane Lake awoke with bird life. Snipes, Woodcocks, Cranes, Whip-poor-wills, an Upland Sandpiper, Great Horned Owls, an Eastern Screech-Owl, a Towhee, a Thrasher, and an American Bittern were all calling at once. I’ve never heard so many birds at night before!

Me releasing a Hermit Thrush:  photo by Matt Vanderheyden

During our final day, we remained at the station. We had a lot of great birds such as a Philadelphia Vireo that literally flew up to the banding station window, a late Common Redpoll, along with many more migrant songbirds. At around noon we said goodbye, and headed home after a great weekend. I learned a lot from this weekend as well as from the people I met. I also learned a lot about the Northern Bruce that even I didn’t know. I am really excited to return here in the summer to see what breeding birds there are to discover, as well as survey the area for Species at Risk.

Thanks to everyone at the station for the fantastic weekend!

Bedford Biofuels’ Kenyan Plantation in an Important Bird Area Goes Belly Up

Northern Carmine Bee-eater by Michel Laplace-Toulouse

Bedford Biofuels, a biofuels company based in Edmonton, Alberta, appears to have closed its doors on its Jatropha biofuel plantation in Kenya that occupies a globally recognized Important Bird Area.

Just this week, we received word from our partner, Nature Kenya, about the apparent closure of the plantation and the bankruptcy of Bedford Biofuels. On a recent trip to the plantation, Francis Kagema, Conservation Programmes Field Coordinator for Nature Kenya Coast Region, made the following observation.

“Previously, the area was under satellite surveillance and one needed consent from Canada to have a look at the most important crop Jatropha carcus. Today herds and flocks of livestock are enjoying the cleared field. Hundreds of animals today were observed grazing among the 3 feet tall jatropha bushes.”

Nature Kenya along with support from Nature Canada and other BirdLife partners, helped shed light on the impact of a plantation in a globally important bird area in Kenya which resulted in Bedford Biofuels being unable to advance the Jatropha biofuel plantation in this biologically important area.

In 2011, we brought you the alarming news from our Kenyan partners that opposition to the plantation had been met with death threats. More recently, media coverage in Canada has focused on disgruntled investors in Bedford Biofuels who have sought help from the Alberta Securities Commission without much success.

With the plantation closed, the various rare, vulnerable, migratory and threatened species including the Southern Banded Snake Eagle, Malindi Pipit Malindi Pipit, and Endangered Basra Reed-warbler have one less issue to deal with!

Act Now to Save Ostrander Point

Eastern Whip-poor-will is threatened by the proposed wind energy plant.

The Appeal of the Ontario Government’s Approval of a Renewable Energy Permit to build a nine turbine industrial wind energy plant within the Ostrander Point Crown Land Block within terrestrial part of the Prince Edward County South Shore Important Bird Area is nearing a decision.  Ted Cheskey, Manager of Bird Conservation Programs with Nature Canada testified independently as an expert witness at the request of the PECFN.  Natalie Smith, one of the lawyers working on behalf of the Appellant, the Prince Edward County Field Naturalists (PECFN), has provided the following update on the hearing, for which a judgement is scheduled for rendering in July.  We encourage you to generously support the campaign fund of the PECFN by visiting their campaign website at http://www.saveostranderpoint.org/

“May 9, 2013 marked the end of a two-month long hearing before the Environmental Review Tribunal in a case dealing with an appeal of a Renewable Energy Approval (REA) granted to Gilead Power (the Approval Holder) to construct and operate a 9-wind turbine generator in one of Ontario’s most ecologically sensitive locations - Ostrander Point. Ostrander Point lies in the heart of the South Shore Important Bird Area, is rich in biodiversity, and provides suitable habitat for several species of concern, both resident and migratory. 

The Appellant, the Prince Edward County Field Naturalists (PECFN), called nine witnesses to give expert opinion evidence on “serious and irreversible harm to plant life, animal life or the natural environment”, the legal threshold that must be satisfied under the Ontario Environmental Protection Act. The Appellant’s experts provided detailed accounts of the manifold negative consequences the Project will have on birds, bats, Blanding’s turtles (a threatened species), Monarch butterflies (a species of special concern), and a rare and globally imperiled ecosystem known as alvar.  The authority responsible for granting the REA, the Director, Ministry of the Environment, called four witnesses to give evidence on the relevant regulatory requirements and how they were ostensibly discharged in the present case. The Approval Holder called four witnesses from Stantec, the consulting company contracted to carry out environmental surveys at the Project Site, and seven expert witnesses to challenge the Appellant’s assertion of serious and irreversible harm that will ensue if the Project goes ahead as approved.

At the present time, the Appellant, Director and the Approval Holder are scheduled to make their oral closing submissions on June 6, 2013 at the Sophiasburg Town Hall in Demorestville. Written submissions are also due at this time. In weighing the evidence presented before it, the Tribunal must determine whether the Project will cause, on a balance of probabilities, serious and irreversible harm to plant life, animal life or the natural environment. In other words, the Tribunal must be persuaded that serious and irreversible harm is more likely to occur than not as a result of the Project (known as the civil standard of proof). The Tribunal must render a decision on or before July 3, 2013. The Parties, as well as many concerned members of the public, will be in eager anticipation of the outcome, an outcome that will be legally precedent setting due to the novel nature of the case. “

A Voice for Nature

As a youngster growing up in a small town in New Brunswick, life was a big adventure. Often Marilyn would walk her dog along the St. John River shoreline observing critters here and there. This special time shaped her later love of nature. 

As a mother of two young daughters she volunteered as the local chapter Brownie leader and inspired many young girls with nature experiences as well.  She considers herself fortunate to have camped in many of the provincial parks all across Ontario, with the Pinery and Charleston Lake as favorites.  She’s also hiked along the Bruce Peninsula, close to her home. For many decades, she’s been a member of her local naturalist club enjoying many outings offered and continuing to grow her nature knowledge.  First as part of the North Halton Peel Field Naturalists’ and now, for over a decade with the Saugeen Field Naturalists. 

Marilyn notes that she’s observed changes in the natural world which she believes are the effects of climate change.  Water levels reduced in her local watershed, a decrease in the number of pollinators observed to name a few.   She believes we all need to think about the environment with a long term viewpoint.  “Naturalists need to get even more active and involved in the issues, we all have to do more and reflect on how to make sure our actions will endure forever.” 

She’s convinced that Nature Canada represents her views and speaks on her behalf, acting as a voice for nature.  That’s why she chose to make a gift in her Will to support Nature Canada’s future conservation and education efforts.

Marilyn has also acted in her own backyard, securing an easement on the class 1 wetland on her 17 acre property, protecting it from future development.  “It’s a beautiful place and I hear the ducks, geese, toads and frogs throughout the wetland. It is wonderful to know this little piece is protected for them.”

Tofino Wah-nah-jus Hilth-hoo-is Mudflats – Celebrating a Vital Link in a Chain of Sites for Migratory Birds

Tofino Mudflats by Tofino Photography

Each year, Vancouver Island’s small coastal community of Tofino attracts thousands of tourists from around the world who seek out its idyllic beaches and wilderness experiences. It is also a critical stop-over site for tens of thousands of shorebirds working their way up the west coast to their breeding grounds in the Yukon, Alaska and parts of eastern Russia. Each year, the townspeople of Tofino celebrate the arrival of these shorebirds and organize events to raise awareness of the site’s importance to people - residents and visitors alike.

For the past two years, biologists at the Canadian Wildlife Service have been working with the Mayor of Tofino, Parks Canada and First Nations representatives to designate Tofino (Wah-nah-jus Hilth-hoo-is) as a Western Hemisphere Shorebird Reserve Network – these are globally important bird areas that protect migratory shorebirds as they hopscotch their way up and down the coast on migration. WHRSN (pronounced “wizern”) recognizes that shorebird reliance on productive stop-over sites like Tofino make them vulnerable to environmental change. Removing one link in a chain of sites could have dire consequences for shorebirds species that depend on an intact and functioning chain of sites along an entire flyway.

The key to the success of WHSRN to date has been its insistence on securing agreements of all landowners or managers of a site – and for Tofino, this meant securing First Nation, federal government and municipality input. On May 3rd, representatives from all three parties met on the mudflats of Tofino and agreed to the designation of Tofino Mudflats as the 89th WHSRN site (and only the second one in British Columbia). www.whsrn.org

Saving the World's Birds - Nature Canada Welcomes the BirdLife International World Congress in June

Whooping Crane by Ryan Hagerty

Nature Canada is proud to be one of the supporting partners of the World Conservation Congress hosted every four years by BirdLife International. BirdLife is the largest civil society organization of its kind dedicated to bird and biodiversity conservation on the planet. With partners in over 110 countries on every continent and a membership in excess of 5 million individuals, BirdLife is shaping the global agenda on species and habitat conservation with a particular focus on engaging with people. The Important Bird Areas program is helping target conservation activities at over 10,000 sites and in recent years, its Preventing Extinctions program is successfully pairing donors with conservation practioners at key sites for the world’s most endangered species. Nature Canada, together with its BirdLife Co-partner, Bird Studies Canada, coordinate the Important Bird Areas program in Canada and have over the last decade, brought conservation to the ground at over 200 sites through an active national stewardship program. We expect as many as 500 representatives from over 100 countries to join in the five day celebratory event and delegates will have an opportunity to share their experiences and chart new directions for bird conservation worldwide. BirdLife’s Rare Bird Club Co-Presidents, Margaret Atwood and Graeme Gibson, along with Her Imperial Highness, Princess Takamado, will join the event and welcome Congress delegates to Canada. One of the key outputs from the Congress will be the launch of the State of Worlds Birds which will highlight the successes and challenges of conserving the world’s nearly 10,000 bird species. Robert Bateman will provide an original painting of a Whooping Crane for the conservation auction in recognition of a truly successful effort by Canadian scientists to bring back from the brink of extinction, one of Canada’s most enigmatic and threatened species. We are proud to have received significant support from the donor community in Canada including outstanding sponsorship from Environment Canada, Gosling Foundation, TD Friends of the Environment, Parks Canada, Rio Tinto, and our friends in the conservation world, Ducks Unlimited Canada and the Nature Conservancy of Canada.