Skagit Bird Blitz – May 9 – 11, 2014 (Further information in Spring Magazine)
Deadline to apply for Rene Savenye Scholarship by May 30, 2013
Robson Bird Blitz – June 6-8. Please contact Gail Ross – for further information or to sign on.
Manning Park Bird Blitz – June 20 – 22, 2014 – please visit Hope Mountain Centre for further information
FGM 2014 – Hosted by the Shuswap Naturalists – September 25 – 28, 2014. Salmon & Shorebirds – Incredible Journe! y Registration will be in the Summer Magazine
AGM 2014 – Victoria, BC – your hosts Victoria Natural History Society and the Rocky Point Bird Observatory
“Registration for ‘Coastal Connections’ the Annual General Meeting of BC Nature to be held in Victoria May 1 – 4, 2014, hosted by the Rocky Point Bird Observatory and the Victoria Natural History Society – Link here .
There will be a wide range of interesting talks, inspiring field trips, a banquet, and lots of opportunities to meet like-minded naturalists. Don’t miss it!” Please note: There are some outings that have been altered or closed due to them being “Full” – some events have also been cancelled due to lack of sign up but all have replacement outings etc.
Issue 41
Date April 2014
Spring is Coming
CAMPS 2014
Updates Tofino and Nicola Valley Camps are full with a waiting list. Wells Gray Park – The Alpine Trek is Full (Thank you!) but there is still space available for the Wells Gray Camp – 23 spots remain. Please contact Kamloops Naturalists – to reserve your spot.
Vancouver City Bird competition
Vote for your favourite City Bird
Six popular Vancouver birds that live here all year are competing for your vote to be honoured as this year’s official City Bird. The winning bird will be used in promotional material for Bird Week in 2015.
Get your vote in by May 10. Voting starts April 13. – Link Here
Interesting Sites and articles
You Daily Chuckle – “Falcon Nest” – link The Squamish Environment Society has a new program underway. Our own CSI ! For far too long, we have noted the many local environmental groups working parallel or in their own silos. This ‘CSI’ is an strategy to bring the varied interests under one roof to do some networking and celebration of some interesting projects. The poster provides the approach and details. Link Here
Management of Karst Resource Features on Northern Vancouver Island Link Here
For the love of bees and butterflies – Great backyard ideas Link Here
BC Breeding Bird Atlas in Final Phase
We are in the final publication phase of the first-ever BC Breeding Bird Atlas! The critical data you collected will now be transformed into maps, summaries and analyses, and interactive web-tools designed to advance conservation through improved landscape management, policy and planning, and strategic informed advocacy. Were hoping you can help for this last push to completion. The 2014 Birdathon could make all the difference!The BSC BC Programs office is birding and raising funds for the BC Atlas. Won’t you consider joining our team? For information on what you can do and how to register, please visit: this Link
About Town
The new edition of David Sibley’s The Sibley Guide to Birds. David Sibley will be speaking at VPL’s (Vancouver Public Library main branch at 7:30 PM on April 29th.Renowned Orca Researchers,ERICH HOYT AND PAUL SPONG, speak on Saturna Island – May 3, 2014
Saturday, May 3 1:00 – 2:00 pm Paul Spong
2:15 – 3:45 pm Erich Hoyt
4:00 – 5:00 pm Q+A panel of Orca Researchers
Saturna Recreation Centre
$10 pre-register for tickets, 18 years and under are free co-sponsored by the Saturna Island Boat Club For further information – Please visit: Link
First Nations issue decision to Canada on Enbridge: NO
Thank you so much for joining the thousands of Canadians who have committed to standing with First Nations to protect the land, the water and our communities from the Enbridge pipelines and tankers project. Last week, we communicated this message of solidarity to federal government officials at an all-clans gathering of the Yinka Dene Alliance. Listening to the powerful words of our people –hereditary and elected leaders, elders, children, youth and other community members –I have never felt more confident that this risky project will never be built. Check out this video of some of the highlights of the day.
Assistance needed with the Study of Loons
Common Loons are returning to their territories on inland lakes. Do you spend at least one day a month in summer (June-August) on a Canadian lake where loons breed? If so, you could help monitor loons and lake health for Bird Studies Canada’s Canadian Lakes Loon Survey.
For three decades, our volunteers have supported loon and lake conservation by reporting on loon chick survival. Our 30-year report outlines key program findings.
This iconic species is facing significant threats. The Canadian Lakes Loon Survey supports lake stewards by providing materials such as conservation tips and articles, nesting platform instructions, and signs that can be posted in areas where loons nest.
Survey participants are needed for 2014. Visit our lake activity map to view survey locations. To join, please register as a Bird Studies Canada member and opt into the loon survey. Active members can sign up by emailing Kathy Jones ().
Enbridge – Kinder Morgan Updates
Oral Hearings Quietly Vanish From Kinder Morgan Trans Mountain Pipeline Review. Read Article Link Enbridge loses the Kitimat plebiscite on Northern Gateway – Can Northern Gateway continue without social license? Link
Should oil pipelines in B.C. be subject to a referendum? Article Here
Humpback whale losing ‘threatened’ status amid Northern Gateway concerns – Article Here If you think we are biased – please read on Link Here or this link
To celebrate our 60th anniversary we invite you to come for a guided stroll on the Courtenay Riverway Heritage Walk with a member of Comox Valley Nature on April 24, 10 am -noon. Learn about the history of this area, including how the former sewage lagoon has become one of the most popular walking spots in the Comox Valley. Check out the restoration work that has replaced invasive plant species and added more native plants, shrubs and trees that is being done by Comox Valley Nature in partnership with the City of Courtenay. Hear why invasive plant species are so damaging to the ecosystems. Enjoy the view from the "lookout" over the estuary and be reminded how important the estuary is to the web of life.REGISTRATION required on our events page cvnature.ca/events An easy 1 km walk on a wheelchair accessible paved path. Dress for the weather and bring a water bottle Sorry, no dogs. This event is free, but donations are welcome.For more information, add your name to a wait list or to cancel your reservation email: . ... See MoreSee Less
To celebrate our 60th anniversary Comox Valley Nature is offering this opportunity to get together with knowledgeable birders to share skills and learn more about birding in the Comox Valley.This outing is designed for beginners, but birders of all levels are welcome. Experienced birders will help with identifying species, equipment, useful apps, and field guides. Both CVN members and the public are welcome on this walk at the Courtenay Airpark which will be on a wide smooth pathway for about 2km round trip. Bring binoculars if you have them. Dress for the weather. Warm clothing necessary – it’s often windy there! Please leave pets at home.Register through our events page at This event is free. Donations welcome.#birding#comoxvalley#iba#courtenay airpark ... See MoreSee Less
To celebrate our 60th anniversary we offer this opportunity to learn more about Garry oaks in the Comox Valley.Vanier Nature Park is home to a small grove of Garry oak trees which is being stewarded by Comox Valley Nature. These oaks are at the northern extent of their range, and are a remnant of a culturally modified ecosystem that once covered 160 square kilometres in the Comox ValleyThis walk will be lead by Geologist Bob Hauser and Forester Terry Lewis. They have spent many hours in the park removing invasive holly. Terry and Bob will look at the work in progress in the grove and share their unique perspective on this forest, with a focus on soil science and tree species.The Vanier Nature Park project is being co-managed by Comox Valley Nature and the City of Courtenay with funding from the City of Courtenay, BC Nature and the Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation. Registration required through The walk is partially on level ground with some gentle to moderate uphill walking on a forest trail that has some uneven footing. No dogs please.For more information, to add your name to a wait list or to cancel your reservation, email: Details of the meeting place will be sent to registrants. Please be at the meeting spot at least 10 minutes before the walk starts to sign in. ... See MoreSee Less
To celebrate our 60th anniversary we invite you to come for a guided stroll on the Courtenay Riverway Heritage Walk with a member of Comox Valley Nature on April 24, 10 am -noon. Learn about the history of this area, including how the former sewage lagoon has become one of the most popular walking spots in the Comox Valley. Check out the restoration work that has replaced invasive plant species and added more native plants, shrubs and trees that is being done by Comox Valley Nature in partnership with the City of Courtenay. Hear why invasive plant species are so damaging to the ecosystems. Enjoy the view from the "lookout" over the estuary and be reminded how important the estuary is to the web of life.