While she’s no stranger to the wonder of birds, Michelle Schreder participated in her first Birdathon last year and completed a high-energy “big day” in Alberta. We caught up with Michelle to hear about her experience, her top Birdathon moments, and some advice for anyone thinking about joining the fun this year.
Atlassing is more than just birdwatching—it’s an adventure into some of the wildest and most beautiful places in Canada. To mark the final year of data collection for both the Ontario and Newfoundland Atlas, we have identified ten hotspots to not only highlight the beauty of the work, but to call out for more volunteers in order to meet coverage goals. With this, come on a journey with us, to ten of the top places to Atlas in Ontario and Newfoundland.
The 28th Annual Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC) was a massive success, with bird enthusiasts across Canada and around the world coming together to share their sightings. From backyard feeders to heading out in extreme winter temperatures, people across Canada proved once again that our passion for birds knows no bounds.
Creating an ideal space for birds begins with food, water, and shelter. Planting species that attract insects and pollinators, along with other plants that provide nectar, fruit and seeds throughout the year, is an excellent way to offer a variety of food options for birds during migration while also helping resident birds that keep you company year-round. From warblers, hummingbirds, woodpeckers to American Goldfinches – get ready to get planting and birding!
In Canada, mid-to-late summer may seem like a slow point in the backyard birding calendar. And it’s true for many species – but not hummingbirds. Feeding hummingbirds is very popular across Canada. And why wouldn’t you want to attract these amazing little fireballs to your backyard? For those who are interested in attracting hummingbirds, or who feed them already, here are a few tips and tricks to consider.
Many people across Canada await the warm, summer months to enjoy camping trips or garden projects, but summer wildfires are becoming an increasing threat and challenge to many people and communities, as well as to birds and wildlife. While wildfires are a natural process in some regions, including the Boreal, climate change is driving an increase in their number, extent, and intensity, impacting people, communities and also wildlife.
This spring, Birds Canada was proud to not only be invited back to both Cree territory along the shores of Weeneebeg (James Bay) and Nunatsiavut in northern Labrador, but also for the first time to NunatuKavut in southern Labrador, to install new Motus Wildlife Tracking System stations. This work integrates two major five-year initiatives that Birds Canada is embarking on: Science in the North and Motus on the Move.
The birds are back – and that means right across the country, Birds Canada staff and thousands of volunteers are hard at work on dozens of bird conservation, monitoring, and outreach initiatives. Our President and CEO Patrick Nadeau was eager to join in on the fun, so he packed his bags for a road trip from Ottawa to the Maritimes. Here’s a recap of his grand adventure!
As we celebrate Jody’s 20 years with Birds Canada, we honour how he has made a difference to bird conservation every day, not only for the birds, but for the people he has inspired to get outside and appreciate birds!
If you use the NatureCounts app to collect citizen science data, you’re sure to notice some changes when you head into the field this spring! A new version of the app was recently released, and it brings a host of improvements and new features.
