Alberta is a province with a vast range of habitats: boreal forest, the Rocky Mountains, aspen parkland, grasslands and short-grass prairie. For our vacation this summer, we decided to head for the grasslands. In particular, we wanted to visit a geological wonder tucked into the prairie – Dinosaur Provincial Park …
Canada’s federal government has been taken to court over their own endangered species legislation. A coalition of nature and environmental groups brought the suit against the federal government, charging they had failed to protect key habitat for endangered species in general, and the prairie-dwelling sage grouse in particular. Their argument …
We love posting good news on this blog. When you’re dealing with wildlife and wild spaces, good news items are few and far between. Today is one of the good days. The Waterfowl Breeding Population and Habitat Survey samples more than two million square miles of waterfowl habitat across the …
At a height of around 17 inches, pileated woodpeckers are the largest woodpeckers in North America (unless someone finds a live Ivory-billed). They are found in dense mature forests throughout Canada, and in the eastern half of the USA. Rarely seen, they are a birdwatchers delight when they are spotted. …
Can you name Canada’s National Bird? You may get a clue from our coins! Our national bird is the Common Loon, which also explains our loonies and toonies that the world loves to laugh about. And before you ask, no a baby loon is not called a loonie (or twins …
I am definitely a fan of sit birding. You find a nice birdy location – say the edge of a marsh or along a riverbank – and then (here’s where it gets technical) you sit. As in down. Get comfy. Sit in your carefully chosen perfect location and wait for …
Common grackles are one of those largely overlooked backyard birds. In spite of the fact they are classed as songbirds, they don’t have a pretty singing voice and aren’t small and colorful. At first glance, grackles are just plain black. Catch them in the sunlight however, and you’ll see iridescent …
Bird Studies Canada is excited to announce the launch of a new program: Ontario Swift Watch. Chimney Swifts, like many other aerial insectivores in North America, are experiencing strong population declines across their range. The Canadian Chimney Swift population has decreased 96% over the past 40 years, leading to their …
After a 30-year absence of breeding Piping Plovers, a pair successfully nested in Ontario in 2007, and four pairs of this endangered species nested in the province in 2008. Bird Studies Canada are pleased to announce that Piping Plovers are nesting in Ontario again this season. Nests have been established …
Join the British Columbia Breeding Bird Atlas team as they tour BC providing workshops, meeting with regional coordinators, doing atlas blitzes, and conducting point counts. Christopher Di Corrado will tour the Dease Lake/Telegraph Creek area from June 8-14, then proceed to Whitehorse (from where activities in some parts of remote …