we made the paper!

Couple on quest to protect bobolinks

It’s unfortunate the bobolink can’t read.

Otherwise, it would see the writing on the wall and make the necessary migration adjustment.

As it is, within the next decade, with the extension of the James Snow Parkway and other designated development, the songbird’s nesting space in the tall grasses of the expansive farmlands between Milton and Oakville could be wiped out.

The area of particular concern is a stretch of Britannia Road from Regional Road 25 to Fourth Line, and Britannia from Fourth Line to the end of Lower Base Line and back up Fifth Line.

“Their status was changed to threatened in 2010 because their population has declined and one of the major reasons is the loss of habitat,” says Jennifer Brink, who along with husband David has been watching the bobolink for several springs as the bird descends upon farmland surrounding the couple’s rural Fourth Line home.

More than one-quarter of the bobolink’s breeding grounds are in Canada but its numbers have dramatically declined over the past 40 years, rendering it threatened under the Ministry of Natural Resources Endangered Species Act (ESA). Dependent on grasslands for breeding, its habitat is being destroyed by land clearing and hay mowing (which inadvertently destroys the nests), according to the ministry’s bobolink fact sheet.

Visible on fenceposts and seen swooping low across the tall grasses along Lower Base Line, the bobolink has one of the longest songbird migrations, covering about 20,000 km per round trip. The male looks like it’s tuxedo-clad, with black underneath and a white back, and a distinct bubbly song.

“We have learned that the fields where we observe the bobolinks are slated for future development and the James Snow Parkway extension will have a direct impact on their nesting grounds. We have been emailing everyone under the sun,” says Jennifer.

The Brinks have contacted every level of government and a myriad of conservation groups in an effort to bring awareness to the issue and determine what efforts are underway to ensure the conservation of the bobolink. As well, they’re participating in surveys to track the bird’s numbers.

“This year we have been tripping over them,” she says.

In their research, the Brinks discovered within an initial environmental assessment study conducted in 1999 by the Town of Milton from Hwy. 407 to Hwy. 401, a team was sent to conduct bird observations in late summer when the bobolink’s breeding season was long over.

“A breeding bird survey has to be done in breeding season,” says Jennifer.

Another study, however, will be required by Halton Region for the proposed James Snow extension from Britannia to Hwy. 407 as the existing study is out of date, according to information the Brinks received from the Region.

They were also told the Region is conducting an environmental assessment study on Britannia from Tremaine to Hwy. 407 to widen Britannia from two to four lanes and their concerns would be included as part of this process.

The couple’s limited success in obtaining definitive answers have left them feeling frustrated, she says. “We get, ‘Thank you for your report.’ We don’t hear much about what’s going to be done.”

According to Conservation Halton’s Watershed Management Services Director Bob Edmondson, a recovery strategy hasn’t yet been determined but a monitoring program is in place.

Conservation Halton (CH) conducted surveys until the end of July. “It’s a difficult problem,” comments Edmondson, explaining that because the bobolink nests low in farmers’ fields, any conservation project will impact farming operations, which could lead to a potentially significant conflict.

A master plan proposed by CH would set aside a significant tract of land bounded by Hwy. 407, Bronte Road and Sixteen Mile Creek, which would be reverted to prairie grass in an effort to re-create the bobolink habitat.

“This is a longer term plan and as we can get finances in place, part of that plan is we’re looking at reverting 50 hectares back into grassland,” says Edmondson.

When you’re looking at developments, one of the hardest things to protect is the open lands, which are usually the first to go, he says.

According to ministry statistics gleaned from its website, an estimated 10,000 to 30,000 farmers and rural landowners may have the bobolink on their lands.

Recognizing that the protection of the bobolink has created uncertainty among farmers and rural landowners, the government is proposing a three-year transition period during which farmers can continue their current agricultural practices while a long-term solution to bobolink recovery is developed, states a proposed amendment to Ontario Regulation 242/08 of the ESA with respect to the bobolink.

“The successful recovery of bobolinks will require the support and participation of the agricultural community,” the proposal continues.

In the meantime, the Brinks continue their quest to raise awareness of the bobolink’s plight.

“Unless something is done, it will just be another name on the endangered species list. It’s just sad,” says Jennifer.