Important information/links

From the latest Bird Studies Canada Newsletter:


Another Bird Species at Risk in Canada

3 May 2010 – The Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) has recommended that Bobolink be added to Canada’s list of species at risk. Last assessed by COSEWIC 10 years ago, it was also recommended that the status of Lewis’s Woodpecker be upgraded from Special Concern to Threatened, owing to population declines stemming from ongoing loss and degradation of its forest habitat. Two species (Whooping Crane and Acadian Flycatcher) were reconfirmed as Endangered, while Sprague’s Pipit was reconfirmed as Threatened, and Flammulated Owl was reconfirmed as Special Concern.
Over 25% of the Bobolink’s breeding range is in Canada. It met COSEWIC’s criteria for Threatened status owing to significant population declines (88% since 1968) that are due to habitat loss and degradation, high levels of nest failure resulting from increasingly intensive agricultural operations, and threats faced on its wintering grounds in South America. A familiar species across eastern North America, the Bobolink joins a lengthy and growing list of other birds, plants, insects, and other wildlife that are designated as at risk and that depend on grassland habitats.
Jon McCracken, BSC’s Director of National Programs, co-chairs COSEWIC’s Birds Specialist Subcommittee. “The addition of a hitherto common species like the Bobolink is particularly worrisome, but perhaps should come as no great surprise. As with nearly every other grassland species in North America, the declines are widespread and severe.”
Select this link to read COSEWIC’s press release. More detailed information about all the species assessed at the COSEWIC meeting, including plants, insects, mollusks, amphibians, fishes, birds, and mammals, can be found on the COSEWIC website.


Aerial Insectivores – Ontario Sightings Wanted

19 May 2010 – As a first step in identifying factors behind the significant range contractions and population declines of aerial insectivores observed during the Ontario Breeding Bird Atlas, Bird Studies Canada is developing research projects targeting three species of concern: Bank Swallow, Chimney Swift, and Whip-poor-will. To increase our understanding of the current distribution and abundance of these species in Ontario, and to identify their habitat needs, we are compiling reports of breeding locations from anywhere in Ontario.
Report Bank Swallow colonies online through the Ontario Bank Swallow Project on the Nature Counts website or contact Myles Falconer, mfalconer@birdscanada.org. Report Chimney Swifts entering a chimney or other structure through the Ontario Chimney Swift Project or contact Elisabeth van Stam, evanstam@birdscanada.org. Report observations of singing Whip-poor-wills to the Ontario Whip-poor-will Project or contact Audrey Heagy, aheagy@birdscanada.org.
More information, and additional resources such as observation forms and online reporting tools, will be posted on these project websites as they become available. In the meantime, keep track of sightings (date and location), and consider reporting all your bird records through eBird Canada.


Marking of Eastern Loggerhead Shrikes

19 May 2010 – Loggerhead Shrikes are declining across much of their range. In Canada, the Eastern subspecies is critically endangered, with less than 35 pairs found in 2009. The majority now breed in Ontario, where a captive breeding program has been releasing about 100 shrikes annually since 2006.
To maximize chances of spotting these shrikes after release, Wildlife Preservation Canada is colouring the breast of the birds, which will be released from May-August. An extensive area of their breast or belly may be coloured green, blue, or purple. All released birds, and a large proportion of the wild population, are also colour banded.
If you see a shrike with a coloured breast and/or wearing bands, please report it to Wildlife Preservation Canada at jessica@wildlifepreservation.ca or 519-836-9314. Please include details about specific location (GPS coordinates are ideal, but not essential) and any colours (breast and/or bands).
Bird Studies Canada serves on the scientific committee of the Loggerhead Shrike recovery team.