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Facebook Auction
Canadian wildlife artist Stuart Arnett is running a Facebook auction on our behalf starting today. 100% of the sale price for this lovely Barred Owl print will be donated by Stuart to Le Nichoir. It’s easy to participate. See more about Stuart, the print and the auction …
Putting out the welcome mat for early migrants
Southern Quebecers will soon be hearing chirps and flutters again, as spring approaches and the first of the migrating birds return from their long winter sojourn further south. Two songbirds to watch for in the coming weeks are the Song Sparrow and that sure sign of spring, the Red-winged Blackbird. Other birds, like the Ring-billed Gull and the Common Grackle, make their arrival in late February and March.
Why an early return
Migratory birds return to their breeding grounds as food supplies surge in springtime, touching down between mid-February and the end of May. Light, wind, and weather in particular influence the birds’ timing. With climate change leading to a warmer planet, recent studies have suggested that long-migrating birds are returning earlier than in the past. This year may be no exception, as Environment Canada expects warmer-than-normal temperatures in February.
Spotting early migrants
Red-winged Blackbirds are among the first to make the journey back to Canada, arriving as early as mid-February. You can easily spot the male by its black coat and distinctive red-streaked shoulders (epaulettes). The female, smaller in size, is more conspicuous with its brownish plumage, although the white streak on its breast may give it away. [Read More...][Lire la suite...]
Conference on the Effects of Oil on Wildlife
This past week I attended the 11th International Effects of Oil on Wildlife conference in New Orleans, Louisiana. This conference was attended by a variety of professionals including government agencies, wildlife rehabilitators, veterinarians, biologists, researchers and oil response companies. (Generous donations to Le Nichoir’s Staff Education Fund allowed me to participate).
With oil spills occurring more frequently around the globe, I attended this symposium to acquire a better understanding of what is required to respond to oil spills and to determine where Le Nichoir would fit in if and when a spill occurred in Quebec. Sadly, oil spills happen every day and it is likely that the Centre will participate in this type of response at some point.
2011 a Record-breaking Year for Le Nichoir
In 2011 Le Nichoir experienced the busiest year yet in its 17-year history, admitting a record 1728 birds for care and treatment. The Ring-billed Gull was by far the most common species we received, with 221 of them arriving from the SPCA of Montreal in June alone. In fact, June was our busiest month last year: that’s when we accepted a total of 658 birds.
The arrival of the Ring-billed Gulls in the summer prompted an unprecedented outpouring of support from the public. For several weeks, volunteers came to the Centre daily to help care for the Gulls while other volunteers built a new aviary to accommodate the injured birds. The new aviary, measuring 36ft by 12ft, will allow Le Nichoir to house aquatic birds in future emergency situations. [Read More...][Lire la suite...]
