Re: Window films increase avoidance of collisions by birds but only when applied externally
Window strikes were a VARC focused project and we continue to work to get people to take action to make problematic windows safe. ? Window strikes are one of the top sources of human-caused bird mortality, despite being easily preventable and kill between16 to 42 million birds a year in Canada according to Govt of Canada stats. Glass can either reflect the natural surroundings or be transparent where bird habitat is visible on the other side like the many glass railings on decks in many homes. Because of the sheer number of windows in our structures, the toll on birds is enormous! ? You might think that applying bird-friendly solutions to all windows is necessary, but often, a small number of windows cause the majority of the collisions. ? Research has shown that birds will avoid glass window markers (dots, or vertical or horizontal stripes) but they must be spaced 5 cm apart across the entire glass surface. Markers should be at least 0.3 cm wide and should ALWAYS be placed on the outside surface of glass because strong reflections can overwhelm markers placed on the inside surface. We also know that individual bird silhouette decals don’t work as birds will collide adjacent to them – the covering must follow the 5 cm rule. The best DIY application we found was the one we used at our home on the north shore - the 3M strips of dots from Feather Friendly – you can purchase it locally from WBU stores and once you get the hang of it, it’s easy to apply – if I can do it, anyone can! ? So please check out our dedicated window strikes webpage and see how you can take immediate action – we even have a short video on the page showing how to apply the product with step by step instructions to follow: ? Thanks! ? Derek 
| Derek J. Matthews
Chairman, ?Director Communication
NABC Certified Trainer
Vancouver?Avian Research Centre
Registered Canadian Charity #82118 2656 RR0001
4115, East Braemar Road, North Vancouver, BC, V7K 3C9
T: (604) 218-1191
E: Derek@...
W: www.birdvancouver.com |
? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?
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From: [email protected] <[email protected]> On Behalf Of Pamela Zevit via groups.io
Sent: February 7, 2023 3:29 PM
To: Vancouver Birds list ([email protected]) <[email protected]>
Subject: [vanbcbirds] Window films increase avoidance of collisions by birds but only when applied externally? Related to Krista’s note today about bird strike deterrence, this recent open access paper provides some important information on implementing window treatments. ? Window films increase avoidance of collisions by birds but only when applied to external compared with internal surfaces of windows “We found consistent evidence that, when applied to the external surface of windows, the BirdShades product resulted in reduced likelihood of collision and there was marginal evidence of this effect with the Haverkamp film. Specifically, in our collision avoidance trials, BirdShades increased window avoidance by 47% and the Haverkamp increased avoidance by 39%. However, neither product was effective when the films were applied to the internal surface of windows. Hence, it is imperative that installers apply these products to exterior surfaces of windows to render their protective benefits and reduce the risk of daytime window collision.” ? Pamela Zevit RPBio | Biodiversity Conservation Planner
 ? T 604.590.7254
I am privileged to work on the shared traditional territories (tém:éxw) of the s?myám? (Semiahmoo), sq??c?iy?a?? (Katzie), K?ik?????m (Kwikwetlem), q??ɑ:n????n? (Kwantlen), Qiqéyt (Qayqayt), Sc??waθ?n (Tsawwassen) and x?m?θk??y??m (Musqueam). ? 
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Window films increase avoidance of collisions by birds but only when applied externally
Related to Krista’s note today about bird strike deterrence, this recent open access paper provides some important information on implementing window treatments.
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Window films increase avoidance of collisions by birds but only when applied to external compared with internal surfaces of windows
“We found consistent evidence that, when applied to the external surface of windows, the BirdShades product resulted in reduced likelihood of collision and there was marginal evidence of this effect with the Haverkamp film. Specifically,
in our collision avoidance trials, BirdShades increased window avoidance by 47% and the Haverkamp increased avoidance by 39%. However, neither product was effective when the films were applied to the internal surface of windows. Hence, it is imperative that
installers apply these products to exterior surfaces of windows to render their protective benefits and reduce the risk of daytime window collision.”
?
Pamela Zevit RPBio | Biodiversity Conservation Planner
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T 604.590.7254
I am privileged to work on the shared traditional territories (tém:éxw) of the s?myám? (Semiahmoo), sq??c?iy?a?? (Katzie), K?ik?????m (Kwikwetlem), q??ɑ:n????n? (Kwantlen),
Qiqéyt (Qayqayt), Sc??waθ?n (Tsawwassen) and x?m?θk??y??m (Musqueam).
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Re: Drivers of winter population cycles in the Varied Thrush (Ixoreus naevius)
Thanks Pamela!
I read this study with great interest, but after reviewing the details, I see it as just a first step in understanding these dynamics.? The resolution of the data sources used in this analysis are quite coarse.? They used Christmas Bird Count to estimate numbers in winter, but excluded counts conducted in coastal BC and in Alaska, and considered only average winter temperature and overall rainfall.? Their analysis does not have the resolution to examine the effects of winter storms (for which the signal may be diluted by looking only at averages) on populations and/or redistribution patterns, e.g., movements from higher elevations to low elevation areas, or from more northerly overwintering sites to southern urban/suburban areas in search of food, and where they are more likely to be detected.
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In addition, to test influence of winter food conditions, they restricted their analysis to the acorn crop in California (understandable since food resources are difficult to quantify across the entire wintering range for a species that is somewhat flexible), while acknowledging that the main diet of Varied Thrush in winter consists of fruits, berries, and nuts (including acorns) – not to mention bird feeders - ?in winter.?
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For breeding, mean temperature and rainfall for the Canadian breeding range was estimated using gridded data (anomalies from 30 year means).? They did not include the Alaskan breeding range, which I also see as highly problematic.?
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I’m perplexed by their statement that “Varied Thrush is a boreal forest species…”. ?While we know that they breed in western boreal and hemi-boreal forest, most will agree that an additional critical component of their breeding habitat includes coastal forests.
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Again, I applaud the authors for writing a very interesting paper, but in my view, the jury is still out on factors that regulate Varied Thrush populations and patterns of distribution across their breeding and wintering range.?
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On a related note, locally at least, this species is particularly vulnerable to collision mortality, even when accounting for relative abundance among species:
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Photo: Kerry Kenwood for Environment and Climate Change Canada
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Please do what you can to treat your glass at home.???and??have great information on how to do so effectively.??
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Best,
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Krista De Groot
(Vancouver)
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Krista De Groot (she/her/elle)
Urban Ecology Research Coordinator
Wildlife Research Division
Science and Technology Branch
Environment and Climate Change Canada
e-mail: krista.degroot@...
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Krista De Groot (she/her/elle)
Coordonnatrice de la recherche en écologie urbaine
Division de la recherche sur la faune
Direction générale des sciences et de la technologie
Environnement et changement climatique Canada
adresse de courriel: krista.degroot@...
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Drivers of winter population cycles in the Varied Thrush (Ixoreus naevius)
Interesting study.
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Drivers of winter population cycles in the Varied Thrush (Ixoreus naevius)
Authors: Walter D. Koenig https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6207-1427 wdkoenig@... and Johannes M.H. Knops https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9647-9209AUTHORS INFO & AFFILIATIONS
Publication: Canadian Journal of Zoology
9 June 2022
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“Analyses supported the importance of breeding season conditions, particularly breeding season rainfall, with more birds wintering following wetter years. No support was found for the hypotheses that winter conditions, neither the acorn
crop nor winter weather, correlate with winter abundance patterns. For this forest species, year-to-year differences in winter abundance patterns are apparently not driven by the “pull” of winter food supply or winter conditions, but by environmental factors
during the prior breeding season that presumably affect reproductive success and subsequent population size.”
Pamela Zevit RPBio | Biodiversity Conservation Planner
?
T 604.590.7254
I am privileged to work on the shared traditional territories (tém:éxw) of the s?myám? (Semiahmoo), sq??c?iy?a?? (Katzie), K?ik?????m (Kwikwetlem), q??ɑ:n????n? (Kwantlen),
Qiqéyt (Qayqayt), Sc??waθ?n (Tsawwassen) and x?m?θk??y??m (Musqueam).
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Re: On the whimsical side of birding ...
Eric is absolutely correct in that I had not considered a 'white pigeon perched on a white object', and he offers some droll and interesting discussion, ending with?a "White Rock white rock white Rock Pigeon". ?That could use a few commas? ?I would like to suggest one minor correction: natural granite is not white, and that big rock on White Rock beach is in fact white-washed. ?So the expression would become "White Rock, white-washed rock, white Rock Pigeon".
Interesting way the fish-heads view capitalization. ?I say Birders win this one.
Meanwhile, ANY Rock Sandpiper found by the big white-washed rock on White Rock beach would make it onto the RBA.
Carlo
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WEBINAR: Kinglet Calyptura - The Lost Jewel of the Atlantic Forest by Guy Kirwan
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From: "Laura Kammermeier, The Cornell Lab of Ornithology" <noreply-cornellbirds@...>
Date: February 2, 2023 at 12:54:35 PM PST
To: colinclasen@...
Subject: WEBINAR: Kinglet Calyptura - The Lost Jewel of the Atlantic Forest by Guy Kirwan
Reply-To: noreply-cornellbirds@...
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Tracing a lost and enigmatic species in museum collections
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Re: On the whimsical side of birding ...
In his erudite article "Capitals Please!" Carlo has pointed out that a "white Rock Pigeon" is a white morph Columba livia, whereas a "White Rock pigeon" is a Columba(sp) seen in White Rock Village.
He has unfortunately not considered the "white rock pigeon", which is a Columba(sp) perched on a white granitic object. ?
Now if the "white rock pigeon" is identified as to species it could become a "white rock Rock Pigeon".? And if it is a white morph C.livia on the granitic object it would become a "white rock white Rock Pigeon".? Further if that was observed in White Rock Village, we have a "White Rock white rock white Rock Pigeon".
In working on environmental reports I have encountered problems where the ornithologist stated that bird names must be capitalized, whereas the ichthyologist insisted that fish names must be in lower case.? (Presumably a bc sucker would be a species of Catostomus, whereas a BC sucker would be someone in a local casino.) ?
Now try constructing a succinct sentence describing the observation of an albinistic Rock Sandpiper pecking at the sun-bleached carcass of a rock cod seen on a white granitic object in White Rock Village, and see if you can drive your editor screaming out of the building. ??
Eric Tull
Sidney
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Re: On the whimsical side of birding ...
Perry: Touché! ?
Excellent comment, superbly exemplifying the spirit of this topic. ?
Good to hear that a local firm is eager to jump in to service the birders. ?I admit however to being a bit chuffed at not being able to take advantge of their product, as I fall short of the minimum parameter by about two feet.
Carlo, still in Cloverdale
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Hi Vanbirders, ? I have attached the VARC Events flyer for 2023. These include both Bird ID and Bird Monitoring and Banding Workshops, monthly Guided Bird Walks, VARC Open Houses at the banding station, Bird Friendly Gardens and Drawing Birds events among others. ? Please be kind enough to forward this to anyone who may be interested. ? Thanks! ? Derek 
| Derek J. Matthews
Chairman, ?Director Communication
NABC Certified Trainer
Vancouver?Avian Research Centre
Registered Canadian Charity #82118 2656 RR0001
4115, East Braemar Road, North Vancouver, BC, V7K 3C9
T: (604) 218-1191
E: Derek@...
W: www.birdvancouver.com |
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Re: On the whimsical side of birding ...
? Thanks for the great post, to be enjoyed with coffee on a dreary morning.
I am pleased to advise that Cotton Carrier have agreed to develop a version of their excellent G3 chest harness to fit the “GioPov MagiScope”! ?
Field testing however has determined that users must be a minimum 7’3” to utilize it. Their marketing team is reaching out to birding NBA players. An optional side clip is of course available for the Coke scope.? Perry EdwardsNorth Vancouver?
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On Jan 31, 2023, at 10:30, rokman39 <cgio@...> wrote:
? Readers of this list may recall that about two months ago I posted a link to a?blog I had written entitled in which I summarized the?remarkable changes that have occurred in the birding scene over the last two?decades.??Whilst assembling the contents of that blog, I was reminded of some?frivolous, tongue-in-cheek articles I had prepared over time, spoofing aspects?of the birding scene.??Some were posted to the precursor of this site, which is?no longer accessible.??As a service to the birding community, I have compiled?these quirky offerings into a single blog .??Click?on titles if you are interested in viewing.
Carlo in Cloverdale
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Nature Vancouver also has occasional birding trips, I think they are quite suited for entry-level birders.
Hi and welcome!
Some resources I find helpful are Merlin and eBird
Merlin is a phone app that's great for bird identification. It can make a good guess identifying birds from a photo, sound recording, or from asking you 5 questions. It can also display info on birds, including photos, sounds, range maps and short descriptions. My favorite way to use it is to display a list of birds that I'm likely to see in my area today. To do that, from the app home page: * click 'Explore Birds' * click the little three lines triangle in the top right * click 'filter by' and select 'likely birds' * set the location to wherever you are * set the day to 'today' * sort - 'Most Likely' and 'by family - most likely' are both good options * browse!
eBird is how I track all the birds I've seen. It's a citizen science birdwatching project where a lot of folks submit their sightings. This means you can explore and see what other folks have seen, and look for locations where lots of birds are found. If you submit to eBird it will track your lifelist and can suggest birds you haven't seen that year, as well as help ornithologists do their jobs.
For local community, has some resources. In particular, it includes a link to Discord, which is a chat app where many of us are active and discuss sightings, post photos, and ask for ID help. The Stanley Park Ecology Society runs a bunch of events, including monthly in person bird walks e.g.
Good luck, and hope to see you out birding! Holly Becker Vancouver
Hi all,?
My names Callum and I've recently joined the group, so please let me know if this post isn't allowed.
I'm looking for advice on where to start birding. I have no prior experience other than trying to identify local birds on my walks (with varying success), but I have such an appreciation of birds and would love to learn all about these beautiful animals.?
Can anyone recommend groups/tours that go birding in the Vancouver area? Any advice is appreciated!?
Thanks,?
Callum.?
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On the whimsical side of birding ...
Readers of this list may recall that about two months ago I posted a link to a?blog I had written entitled in which I summarized the?remarkable changes that have occurred in the birding scene over the last two?decades.??Whilst assembling the contents of that blog, I was reminded of some?frivolous, tongue-in-cheek articles I had prepared over time, spoofing aspects?of the birding scene.??Some were posted to the precursor of this site, which is?no longer accessible.??As a service to the birding community, I have compiled?these quirky offerings into a single blog .??Click?on titles if you are interested in viewing.
Carlo in Cloverdale
|
Hi and welcome!
Some resources I find helpful are Merlin and eBird
Merlin is a phone app that's great for bird identification. It can make a good guess identifying birds from a photo, sound recording, or from asking you 5 questions. It can also display info on birds, including photos, sounds, range maps and short descriptions. My favorite way to use it is to display a list of birds that I'm likely to see in my area today. To do that, from the app home page: * click 'Explore Birds' * click the little three lines triangle in the top right * click 'filter by' and select 'likely birds' * set the location to wherever you are * set the day to 'today' * sort - 'Most Likely' and 'by family - most likely' are both good options * browse!
eBird is how I track all the birds I've seen. It's a citizen science birdwatching project where a lot of folks submit their sightings. This means you can explore and see what other folks have seen, and look for locations where lots of birds are found. If you submit to eBird it will track your lifelist and can suggest birds you haven't seen that year, as well as help ornithologists do their jobs.
For local community, has some resources. In particular, it includes a link to Discord, which is a chat app where many of us are active and discuss sightings, post photos, and ask for ID help. The Stanley Park Ecology Society runs a bunch of events, including monthly in person bird walks e.g.
Good luck, and hope to see you out birding! Holly Becker Vancouver
Hi all,?
My names Callum and I've recently joined the group, so please let me know if this post isn't allowed.
I'm looking for advice on where to start birding. I have no prior experience other than trying to identify local birds on my walks (with varying success), but I have such an appreciation of birds and would love to learn all about these beautiful animals.?
Can anyone recommend groups/tours that go birding in the Vancouver area? Any advice is appreciated!?
Thanks,?
Callum.?
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The BC Birding Discord server is also a good resource for meeting people, discussing IDs, getting locations tips, and similar. It's linked from? and then a link to "BC Birds on Discord".
-Dale Floer Burnaby
Hi all,?
My names Callum and I've recently joined the group, so please let me know if this post isn't allowed.
I'm looking for advice on where to start birding. I have no prior experience other than trying to identify local birds on my walks (with varying success), but I have such an appreciation of birds and would love to learn all about these beautiful animals.?
Can anyone recommend groups/tours that go birding in the Vancouver area? Any advice is appreciated!?
Thanks,?
Callum.?
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Hi Callum. ? If you live on the south side of Vancouver, you might look into the Delta Naturalists. ? They have a 'casual birding’ outing of about 3 hours each week for groups of up to 15 people. ?Some of the participants are very knowledgeable ?and the casual emphasis means nobody gets too bent out of shape by a beginner. ??
Here is a link to their website: ? ?
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Hi all,?
My names Callum and I've recently joined the group, so please let me know if this post isn't allowed.
I'm looking for advice on where to start birding. I have no prior experience other than trying to identify local birds on my walks (with varying success), but I have such an appreciation of birds and would love to learn all about these beautiful animals.?
Can anyone recommend groups/tours that go birding in the Vancouver area? Any advice is appreciated!?
Thanks,?
Callum.?
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Hi Derek,
?
Thanks for the info below!
This is a great cause and I’m definitely interested in the workshops.
?
Thanks for your reply,
Callum.
?
Sent from for Windows
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From: Derek Matthews
Sent: 16 January 2023 12:25
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [vanbcbirds] New to birding
?
Hi Callum and welcome to birding!
?
VARC offers a virtual Bird ID Workshop that we will be hosting again this spring and also guided bird walks with local experts. I would
suggest doing the workshop first if you are a complete beginner because I know you will learn a massive amount, and then sign up for regular bird walks – both links below:
?
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?
Hope this helps!
?
Derek
?
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Derek J. Matthews
Chairman, ?Director Communication
NABC Certified Trainer
Vancouver?Avian Research Centre
Registered Canadian Charity #82118 2656 RR0001
4115, East Braemar Road, North Vancouver, BC, V7K 3C9
T: (604) 218-1191
E: Derek@...
W: www.birdvancouver.com
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Hi all,?
My names Callum and I've recently joined the group, so please let me know if this post isn't allowed.
I'm looking for advice on where to start birding. I have no prior experience other than trying to identify local birds on my walks (with varying success), but I have such an appreciation of birds and would love to learn all about these beautiful animals.?
Can anyone recommend groups/tours that go birding in the Vancouver area? Any advice is appreciated!?
Thanks,?
Callum.?
|
Hi Callum and welcome to birding! ? VARC offers a virtual Bird ID Workshop that we will be hosting again this spring and also guided bird walks with local experts. I would suggest doing the workshop first if you are a complete beginner because I know you will learn a massive amount, and then sign up for regular bird walks – both links below: ?
?
? Hope this helps! ? Derek ? 
| Derek J. Matthews
Chairman, ?Director Communication
NABC Certified Trainer
Vancouver?Avian Research Centre
Registered Canadian Charity #82118 2656 RR0001
4115, East Braemar Road, North Vancouver, BC, V7K 3C9
T: (604) 218-1191
E: Derek@...
W: www.birdvancouver.com |
? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?
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From: [email protected] <[email protected]> On Behalf Of Callum
Sent: January 16, 2023 11:09 AM
To: [email protected]
Subject: [vanbcbirds] New to birding? Hi all,?
My names Callum and I've recently joined the group, so please let me know if this post isn't allowed.
I'm looking for advice on where to start birding. I have no prior experience other than trying to identify local birds on my walks (with varying success), but I have such an appreciation of birds and would love to learn all about these beautiful animals.?
Can anyone recommend groups/tours that go birding in the Vancouver area? Any advice is appreciated!?
Thanks,?
Callum.?
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Good morning Callum and welcome!
Due to ongoing COVID precautions and continuing reports of COVID infections and hospitalizations (including a new variant), most group birding field trips have understandably been stopped.
However, one of the best sources of general information on WHERE to go birding, is Nature Vancouver's "The Birder's Guide to Vancouver". Its available at various stores, including Wild Birds Unlimited in Vancouver and North Vancouver, the Backyard Bird Center in Port Moody, in book stores like Chapters, or online directly from the publisher:?
Regards,
Colin Clasen
Coquitlam, BC
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Hi all,?
My names Callum and I've recently joined the group, so please let me know if this post isn't allowed.
I'm looking for advice on where to start birding. I have no prior experience other than trying to identify local birds on my walks (with varying success), but I have such an appreciation of birds and would love to learn all about these beautiful animals.?
Can anyone recommend groups/tours that go birding in the Vancouver area? Any advice is appreciated!?
Thanks,?
Callum.?
|
Re: Tofino Pelagic Trip: April 8, 2023
I am interested! ** Sabine Jessen
NatureEye Photography? +1-604-657-2813
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On Jan 11, 2023, at 12:01 PM, Gavin McKinnon <gmckinnonbird@...> wrote:
? Hey Everyone, I am hoping to organize a second boat to accompany an already full boat for a pelagic birding trip out of Tofino with The Whale Centre on April 8, 2023 (with the backup weather dates on the 7th and 9th). The boat leaves Tofino at 7:30 am so please arrive by at least 7:00 am. We can expect to be back in Tofino by approximately?2:30 pm. We are currently looking for 8 more participants to fill the remaining spaces.
The cost for the trip is $317 including tax per person and will be paid upon arrival at The Whale Centre. Previous trips on similar dates in recent years have produced sightings of Parakeet Auklet and even rare albatrosses such as Laysan and Short-tailed, in addition to the expected pelagic species. If you're interested in joining us, or have any?questions, please send me an email at gmckinnonbird@....
Good birding,?
--
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Derek Matthews
Pamela Zevit
