Bird News A study in a peer-reviewed journal shows annual bird mortality in the bitumen tailings ponds of northeastern Alberta greatly exceeds industry estimates. A team of Canadian scientists is conducting an initial assessment of contaminant concentrations in northern fulmars. The sighting of a great egret in Orillia, ON is …
I have clouds of house sparrows in my yard this time of year. When they converge on the feeders, they empty them in a matter of minutes. I’m tryng to walk the thin line of putting food out for the mourning doves and other (real) birds, while trying not to …
This is the second International Vulture Awareness Day. Although most people are unaware of it, Canada does have a resident vulture species, highly deserving of a feature on this blog. Turkey vultures Cathartes aura have been expanding their range northward in the last few years, and can now be seen …
Bird News Sea bird experts from around the world are meeting in Victoria, BC next week for the first World Sea Bird Conference, focusing on science, conservation and information sharing. The first-ever active sandhill crane nest discovered in New Brunswick this spring may indicate a northeastern expansion of the population. …
If you’re new to this blog and wondering why I posted a bird-less picture, read my Bird (?) Watching post from earlier this year!
Bird News A research project on Vancouver Island is working on the problem of estuarine marshes being damaged by expanding populations of Canada Geese. An innovative restoration technique for the Lewis’s woodpecker is underway in BC, with workers creating rot in the heart of healthy trees so the bird will …
I’ve never been overly fond of yellow. After spending an inordinate amount of time looking through pictures trying to identify little yellow birds, I am even less fond of it now. The last time we were at the lake, the trees and bushes were full of bright flashes of yellow. One …
Bird News Syncrude sentencing in the deaths of 1,800 ducks has been delayed until October so they can proceed with “creative sentencing discussions.” Mammal News A melanistic (all black) chipmunk has been found in Ontario. Photo here. An online petition is being circulated to save the black bears found guarding …
