{"id":2385,"date":"2013-07-16T10:30:43","date_gmt":"2013-07-16T14:30:43","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/traceyarial.com\/blog\/?p=2385"},"modified":"2013-07-16T10:30:43","modified_gmt":"2013-07-16T14:30:43","slug":"citizen-birding","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/traceyarial.com\/blog\/en\/citizen-birding\/","title":{"rendered":"Guest Post: Van Waffle Encourages Citizen Birding"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"nuthatch\"<\/a>
White-breasted nuthatch<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Of all wild creatures, birds particularly draw people\u2019s affection and interest. Few can observe a Baltimore oriole\u2019s vivid passage or hear the long-awaited spring song of a red-winged blackbird without pleasure.<\/p>\n

While a popular hobby, birding also lets people to participate as citizen scientists. As a birder I can help understand and protect our natural environment.<\/p>\n

Birds act as valuable indicators of ecosystem health for several reasons: they are diverse, well-adapted to practically all of Earth\u2019s habitats, play key roles in the food chain as predators and foragers, and are visible, audible and readily identified by sight and sound.<\/p>\n

Here are three vital volunteer programs:<\/p>\n

Canadian Lakes Loon Survey<\/b><\/h2>\n

This month the Canadian Lakes Loon Survey released a report on three decades of data collected on the common loon. The results showed a disturbing decline linked to mercury poisoning and acid rain, and suggested the population of Canada\u2019s iconic bird may be approaching a breaking point. Some 3,200 participants collected data on 450 lakes across the country by noting how many breeding pairs successfully raised young to six weeks of age.<\/p>\n

For information or to volunteer, contact the program page on Bird Studies Canada\u2019s website: http:\/\/www.bsc-eoc.org\/volunteer\/clls\/<\/a><\/p>\n

SwiftWatch<\/b><\/h2>\n

This provides a chance for city dwellers in Ontario and the Maritimes to get involved. The program\u2019s subject is the chimney swift, which nests in urban chimneys but is rapidly declining for reasons poorly understood.<\/p>\n

I participated in SwiftWatch in Guelph, Ontario, by monitoring a chimney one evening a week in summer 2011. Find more information and my account of the experience on my blog: http:\/\/www.vanwaffle.com\/2012\/07\/19\/chimney-swifts-cities-provide-essential-habitat\/<\/a><\/p>\n

Chimney swift monitoring projects are also organized through some local Audubon Societies in the United States. Here is the volunteer page for Ontario SwiftWatch: http:\/\/www.bsc-eoc.org\/research\/speciesatrisk\/chsw\/index.jsp<\/a><\/p>\n

International Breeding Bird Survey<\/b><\/h2>\n

Perhaps one of the most rigorous volunteer research programs in the world, the International Breeding Bird Survey is coordinated jointly by the United States Geological Survey and the Canadian Wildlife Service. Candidates must be able to accurately identify all bird species in an area and intend to conduct the survey on the same site for several years.<\/p>\n

They collect data along the same route one day each spring. People currently run 500 routes in Canada and 2,300 in the United States. More Canadian volunteers are needed, especially for those able to conduct routes in northerly regions. Information is available from Environment Canada: http:\/\/www.ec.gc.ca\/reom-mbs\/<\/a><\/p>\n

Experience with the survey<\/h3>\n

I began running a route near Algonquin Provincial Park in 2000 and have done so ever since. It has become my way of celebrating Summer Solstice and my favourite day of the year. Read more on my blog: http:\/\/www.vanwaffle.com\/2012\/06\/28\/breeding-bird-survey-is-a-rich-ritual\/<\/a><\/p>\n

Familiarizing myself with the vocalizations of dozens of bird species was hard. Every year it is a fresh and satisfying challenge. In the process I contribute to science.<\/p>\n

State of Canada’s Birds report<\/h3>\n

The Breeding Bird Survey adds much to our knowledge of how bird populations are changing over the years. It was vital to the State of Canada\u2019s Birds report released last year: http:\/\/www.stateofcanadasbirds.org\/<\/a><\/p>\n

Volunteer with Bird Studies Canada<\/h3>\n

These are a few ways to join as a bird research volunteer. Bird Studies Canada is just one agency that organizes programs. Their volunteer pages list programs according to skill level and region: http:\/\/www.bsc-eoc.org\/volunteer\/<\/a><\/p>\n

Citizen ornithology has been a rewarding experience for me and I encourage others to get involved.<\/p>\n

Van Waffle, bachelor of science in wildlife biology, is a freelance journalist based in Guelph, Ontario. His work has also appeared in <\/i>Edible Toronto and <\/i>Gluten-Free Living. At Speed River Journal (<\/i>www.vanwaffle.com<\/i><\/a>), he blogs about urban nature, local food and environmental issues.<\/i><\/strong><\/h5>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Of all wild creatures, birds particularly draw people\u2019s affection and interest. Few can observe a Baltimore oriole\u2019s vivid passage or hear the long-awaited spring song of a red-winged blackbird without pleasure. While a popular hobby, birding also lets people to participate as citizen scientists. As a birder I can help understand and protect our natural […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_wp_convertkit_post_meta":{"form":"-1","landing_page":"0","tag":"0","restrict_content":"0"},"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2385","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-journalism","post-wrapper","thrv_wrapper"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p2buQs-Ct","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":17163,"url":"https:\/\/traceyarial.com\/blog\/en\/bird-by-bird\/","url_meta":{"origin":2385,"position":0},"title":"Bird by Bird","author":"Tracey Arial","date":"March 20, 2016","format":false,"excerpt":"Lamott, Anne. Bird by Bird. Some Instructions on Writing and Life. New York: Anchor Books, 1994.","rel":"","context":"In "Notable Nonfiction"","block_context":{"text":"Notable Nonfiction","link":"https:\/\/traceyarial.com\/blog\/en\/category\/writing\/notable-nonfiction\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":569,"url":"https:\/\/traceyarial.com\/blog\/en\/native-friendship-centre-of-montreal\/","url_meta":{"origin":2385,"position":1},"title":"Bike Ride across Canada for Native Friendship Centre of Montreal","author":"Tracey Arial","date":"June 7, 2012","format":false,"excerpt":"Gordon Bird, who is also known as Circle Dancing Eagle, is currently biking across Canada on behalf of the Native Friendship Centre of Montreal. The organization\u2019s elected vice-president left Montreal on May 23 and has now reached West Vancouver, British Columbia.* \u201cI am hoping to bring awareness to the situation\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Island Report"","block_context":{"text":"Island Report","link":"https:\/\/traceyarial.com\/blog\/en\/category\/canada\/island-report\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":16889,"url":"https:\/\/traceyarial.com\/blog\/en\/permaculture-garden-design\/","url_meta":{"origin":2385,"position":2},"title":"Permaculture Garden Design","author":"Tracey Arial","date":"January 20, 2016","format":false,"excerpt":"As a certified permaculture designer, I can help you create an edible landscape near your home that takes into account climate and environmental factors. As a gardener with more than 20 years of growing experience in a shady, sunny and windy, locale, you can also hire me to help you\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Gardening"","block_context":{"text":"Gardening","link":"https:\/\/traceyarial.com\/blog\/en\/category\/seasonal-living\/gardening\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":16111,"url":"https:\/\/traceyarial.com\/blog\/en\/agglomeration-land-use-development-plan\/","url_meta":{"origin":2385,"position":3},"title":"Agglomeration Land Use and Development Plan","author":"Tracey Arial","date":"November 17, 2014","format":false,"excerpt":"Today, I joined Sonja Susjnar to comment on the AgglomerationLand Use and Development Plan consultation now being heard by members of the similarly-named commission. There are many other compelling\u00a0memorandums and comments by other Island of Montreal citizens to read as well. I only listed the first 12 of my 16\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Island Report"","block_context":{"text":"Island Report","link":"https:\/\/traceyarial.com\/blog\/en\/category\/canada\/island-report\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Schema Consultation","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/traceyarial.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/SAD-Cover-Image5-550x425.jpg?fit=550%2C425&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/traceyarial.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/SAD-Cover-Image5-550x425.jpg?fit=550%2C425&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/traceyarial.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/SAD-Cover-Image5-550x425.jpg?fit=550%2C425&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":1503,"url":"https:\/\/traceyarial.com\/blog\/en\/no-citizens-objected-to-three-bylaw-modifications-by-lasalle-city-council\/","url_meta":{"origin":2385,"position":4},"title":"No Citizens Objected to Three Bylaw Modifications by LaSalle City Council","author":"Tracey Arial","date":"March 5, 2013","format":false,"excerpt":"Citizens in LaSalle were presented with three different bylaw approvals last month. The first two were financial bylaws, and as such, they faced automatic registers for referendums at Borough Hall. According to Pierre Dupuis, the spokesman for the borough, no one signed either register, so the loan requests are now\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "LaSalle"","block_context":{"text":"LaSalle","link":"https:\/\/traceyarial.com\/blog\/en\/category\/canada\/lasalleposts\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":15818,"url":"https:\/\/traceyarial.com\/blog\/en\/laval_50th_anniversary\/","url_meta":{"origin":2385,"position":5},"title":"Laval urges citizens to participate in 50th anniversary","author":"Tracey Arial","date":"June 28, 2014","format":false,"excerpt":"Councillors have set up a million dollar contest for citizens who want to get involved in the City of Laval\u2019s fiftieth anniversary on August 6, 2015. La Corporation des c\u00e9l\u00e9brations 2015 Created The funds are included in the $1,875,000 that councillors assigned to La Corporation des c\u00e9l\u00e9brations 2015 during their\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Hundred Mile Circle"","block_context":{"text":"Hundred Mile Circle","link":"https:\/\/traceyarial.com\/blog\/en\/category\/canada\/hundredmilecircle\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/traceyarial.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2385","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/traceyarial.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/traceyarial.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/traceyarial.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/traceyarial.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2385"}],"version-history":[{"count":12,"href":"https:\/\/traceyarial.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2385\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2398,"href":"https:\/\/traceyarial.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2385\/revisions\/2398"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/traceyarial.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2385"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/traceyarial.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2385"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/traceyarial.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2385"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}