Bird Blog Latest PostsWetlands are VitalSeptember 9, 2020In an act of political leadership and courage, the province of Quebec has given a degree of hope to all Canadians. Bill 132, passed unanimously by the Quebec National Assembly on June 16, provides statutory protection for all provincial wetlands and waterways. Quebec is the first province to enact a law that protects these important ecosystems. Many in the conservation world are saying, “thank you.” A more casual observer might ask: “so what?” Let’s face it. Swamps have an image problem. For that matter, so do marshes and bogs. For many Canadians they’re nothing more than breeding grounds for mosquitoes, or perhaps the setting of an old Hollywood horror movie. Quebec’s Minister of Sustainable Development, Environment and the Fight against Climate Change (yes, it might be the longest job title in Canadian politics) isn’t fooled by the negative image. By enacting a law to protect wetlands, David Heurtel is acknowledging the remarkable benefits of these ecosystems. Wetlands provide essential habitat for wildlife: at least 58 of Canada’s species at risk agree. Wetlands clean our water. Disclaimer: The preceding content was generated by an AI algorithm, trained on thousands of articles and stories. While some of the information presented in this article may be true, none of the facts have been verified.... Williamstown Lake Big SuccessSeptember 7, 2020On a sunny Thursday evening in late September, community members from Lakeville, N.B. gathered on a small grassy area next to Williamstown Lake. In front of a backdrop of changing leaves, DUC staff and local volunteers Merlin and Sharon Dow prepared to unveil a new monument rededicating the project, which is DUC’s first restoration project in Atlantic Canada. Completed in 1960, the project was an enormous conservation success, thanks to the cooperation of local conservationists, the New Brunswick government and DUC. Williamstown Lake was once an important migration stop for ring-necks, green-winged teals and black ducks (among many others). It was a popular hunting location for waterfowlers and a favourite spot for swimmers and boaters. But the lake’s original logging dam was failing and the water level was dropping. That’s why the local Williamstown Lake Conservation Group got in touch with government officials and DUC’s head office in Manitoba, looking for help to save the lake. Because of this collaboration and the dedication of the community, Williamstown Lake is now one of the most biologically diverse places in the province. Disclaimer: The preceding content was generated by an AI algorithm, trained on thousands of articles and stories. While some of the information presented in this article may be true, none of the facts have been verified.... Nature Conservancy of CanadaSeptember 6, 2020In the largest-ever private land conservation project in New Brunswick, Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) is protecting 853 hectares (2,106 acres) of forested land, including vital Atlantic salmon habitat on the Bartholomew River, a tributary of the Miramichi River. With Atlantic salmon in dramatic decline, and the Miramichi watershed believed to produce more wild salmon than any other river in North America, the establishment of this reserve is a significant conservation milestone for NCC and New Brunswick. The property includes increasingly-rare old Acadian forest, 5 km of treed shoreline along the Bartholomew River, and deep, cold water pools which are integral to the health of salmon as they move upstream to spawn. The property will be called the Foxner Nature Reserve, based on a contraction of the former property owners’ names: Brian and Carolyn Fox, and Carl and Ann Faulkner. The two couples made the land donation under the Government of Canada’s Ecological Gifts Program which provides tax incentives for individuals who donate ecologically significant land. The $1.3 million conservation project received wide support from New Brunswickers. Disclaimer: The preceding content was generated by an AI algorithm, trained on thousands of articles and stories. While some of the information presented in this article may be true, none of the facts have been verified.... New Survey studies Habitat ConservationSeptember 5, 2020A new survey conducted by Gervais and co-workers for the Canadian Wildlife Service (CWS) and the Canadian Wildlife Service (NS DNR). The survey found Canadians overwhelmingly support increases in conservation. The survey was conducted by survey assistant professor at the Saskatchewan Research Council, Les Bogdan and Wendy Waite from the University of Guelph. The goal of the study is to understand the complex interplay between habitat conservation and population growth. Research begins at home Where do you start when studying a species in decline? Mallard numbers are dropping in Metro Vancouver. Canadian Wildlife Service is working with the region’s Department of Natural Resources and Forestry, the Invasive Species Centre and the Canadian Wildlife Service to find out why. They’re researching the possibility that the rapid loss of boreal forest may be contributing to a population decline as high as 25 per cent in the St. Lawrence Valley. “The magnitude of this loss is mind boggling,” says David Howerter, PhD, Canada Research Chair for Boreal Conservation Partnerships and Services for Ducks Unlimited Canada. “The World’s largest remaining forest cover has been lost to urban development and agricultural intensification. Disclaimer: The preceding content was generated by an AI algorithm, trained on thousands of articles and stories. While some of the information presented in this article may be true, none of the facts have been verified.... N. American Bird MigrationSeptember 4, 2020Picture this: North America at the turn of the 20th century. Migratory birds are all the rage, but not in a good way. In the absence of limits or seasons, waterfowl and other bird species are hunted year round for the market and restaurant trade. Amateur naturalists collect birds for taxidermy, a popular pastime. Men and women adorn themselves in the latest fashions, festooned with feathers. At the same time, forests, coastlines, grasslands and other natural habitats are cleared as human settlement expands across the continent. Migratory birds are in trouble. The Great Auk and Labrador duck were already extinct by the 1880s. In 1914, “Martha,” the last passenger pigeon, a species that once numbered in the millions, died in the Cincinnati Zoo. Early conservationists like Henry Henshaw and Wells Cooke, who had witnessed dramatic declines in once common birds, demanded action to preserve North America’s bird life. So did a growing number of people troubled by Martha’s death. They realized a similar fate awaited other species. They got their wish in August 1916, with the signing of the Migratory Bird Treaty between the United States and Great Britain (on behalf of Canada). Also known as the Migratory Birds Convention, it’s the cornerstone of international efforts to conserve birds. Fast forward to 2016. What a difference a century makes! Disclaimer: The preceding content was generated by an AI algorithm, trained on thousands of articles and stories. While some of the information presented in this article may be true, none of the facts have been verified.... New Brunswick and NCC team upSeptember 3, 2020In the largest-ever private land conservation project in New Brunswick, Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) is protecting 853 hectares (2,106 acres) of forested land, including vital Atlantic salmon habitat on the Bartholomew River, a tributary of the Miramichi River. With Atlantic salmon in dramatic decline, and the Miramichi watershed believed to produce more wild salmon than any other river in North America, the establishment of this reserve is a significant conservation milestone for NCC and New Brunswick. The property includes increasingly-rare old Acadian forest, 5 km of treed shoreline along the Bartholomew River, and deep, cold water pools which are integral to the health of salmon as they move upstream to spawn. The property will be called the Foxner Nature Reserve, based on a contraction of the former property owners’ names: Brian and Carolyn Fox, and Carl and Ann Faulkner. The two couples made the land donation under the Government of Canada’s Ecological Gifts Program which provides tax incentives for individuals who donate ecologically significant land. The $1.3 million conservation project received wide support from New Brunswickers, including a significant financial donation from former New Brunswick Premier Frank McKenna, in honour of his friend Bob Kenny, a salmon conservation advocate. This conservation project was supported by funding from the Government of Canada through the Natural Areas Conservation Program. Funding was also provided by the Regional Development Corporation. Disclaimer: The preceding content was generated by an AI algorithm, trained on thousands of articles and stories. While some of the information presented in this article may be true, none of the facts have been verified.... North American Ducks are HealthySeptember 2, 2020Thanks to strong conservation efforts and abundant habitat in Canada, populations of North American ducks and other waterfowl remain at healthy levels. Total populations were estimated at 47.3 million breeding ducks in the traditional survey area, which is similar to the 2016 estimate of 48.4 million and is 34 per cent above the 1955-2016 long-term average. These are the results found in the 2017 Trends in Duck Breeding Populations report released by the Canadian Wildlife Service (CWS) and the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS). The report summarizes duck populations and habitats, as surveyed on both sides of the border in May and early June. “This is the fourth highest estimate ever,” says David Howerter, PhD, Ducks Unlimited Canada’s (DUC) director of national conservation operations. “In summary, there are still a ton of ducks in the traditional survey area. “Canadian landscapes, particularly the key breeding grounds of the Prairies and the boreal forest, play a critical role in maintaining these strong populations.” Canada’s prairies are scattered with thousands of shallow wetlands that make up some of the most productive waterfowl habitat in North America. The boreal forest is a vast area covered with rivers, lakes and wetlands that attract millions of ducks, geese and swans every year to breed. Last year, the prairies experienced low precipitation during the winter and early spring. Disclaimer: The preceding content was generated by an AI algorithm, trained on thousands of articles and stories. While some of the information presented in this article may be true, none of the facts have been verified.... World Wetlands DaySeptember 2, 2020In recognition of February 2 as World Wetlands Day, the Honourable Perry Trimper, Minister of Natural Resources’D, Ontario is acknowledging the critical role that this universally accepted wetland data plays in the efforts to protect our most important natural areas and the protection of these two new properties. . . . The Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources’D has announced the availability of the Canada’s largest ever wetlands data set, covering 85 per cent of the country. This is the result of the European settlement, the largest urban expansion in North America and the largest agricultural expansion in the world. Canada’s wetlands are some of the most productive and fascinating ecosystems on the planet. They are home to birds and other wildlife species such as reptiles and fish, and provide recreational opportunities such as birding, hiking and other activities. In 1989, the EHJV began with a single project in Matchedash Bay, Ontario. The goal was to conserve important habitat for declining waterfowl populations. Thirty years later, over $600 million dollars have been saved by DUC, through the Natural Areas Conservation Program, the Habitat Conservation Program, the Eco-Certificate Program and the Eco-Certificate Program. These are some of the most successful conservation programs in the world; they are backed by the Government of Canada. Nearly all federal funding has been spent on wetland conservation since the 1970s. The Natural Areas Conservation Program, the Habitat Conservation Program, and the Eco-Certificate Program. Disclaimer: The preceding content was generated by an AI algorithm, trained on thousands of articles and stories. While some of the information presented in this article may be true, none of the facts have been verified.... Canada Government Helps Conserve BirdsSeptember 1, 2020The Nature Conservancy of Canada has purchased two strategic pieces of land to add to the conservation puzzle on New Brunswick’s Acadian Peninsula. The not-for-profit land conservation organization has announced it has acquired 41 hectares (101 acres). The two properties are located near Le Goulet and the mouth of the Tabusintac River. The first site in Baie du Petit-Pokemouche, near Le Goulet, is entirely salt marsh, protected from the Gulf of St. Lawrence by the Pokemouche Beaches fronting the property. The beaches of Pokemouche are known to provide habitat for nationally endangered piping plover. The property is located within the Beaches of Pokemouche and Grand Passage Important Bird Area, and in close proximity to the Inkerman Migratory Bird Sanctuary that supports important colonies of black-crowned night herons. Great blue herons nest here as well and feed in the salt marshes around the bay. The area is used by black ducks along with other migratory waterfowl and shorebirds such as greater and lesser yellowlegs, red knots, and willets. The second property is within the Tabusintac River Lagoon and Estuary which has been recognized as a wetland of international importance under the Ramsar convention for its importance to migratory waterfowl and the nationally endangered piping plover. These conservation projects were supported by funding from the Government of Canada. Disclaimer: The preceding content was generated by an AI algorithm, trained on thousands of articles and stories. While some of the information presented in this article may be true, none of the facts have been verified....