Re: Western Pacific Odyssey
Thanks Keith – It was more of a Heritage issue on board the boat as we were all blatantly lied to regarding the landing permissions that Heritage were supposed to have in advance and actually didn’t have at all. We subsequently found out that they just assumed we could land in the Caroline Islands and the Japanese Islands, neither of which had opened up after Covid for people landing directly from boats. The Covid case on board then became a perfect excuse but they never had the permissions to land in the first place! ? And we don’t generally go on group tours either - we always use local guides unless it involves a boat like the Galapagos, Amazon, Antarctica or this one when you have no choice. Otherwise we always bird on our own with a guide and driver - that gives us the flexibility to change the itinerary if we want to – birding in any group where people are talking or having difficulty getting on a bird is super-frustrating, especially if you’re forest birding and we learnt long ago not to do it! ? Thanks again. ? Derek ? ?
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From: [email protected] <[email protected]> On Behalf Of pat.mary.taylor
Sent: June 13, 2023 5:00 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [vanbcbirds] Western Pacific Odyssey? Hi Seems to me there were too many fingers in the pie. If Heritage had arranged the tour it would likely have fared better. Too bad that both companies have to pay the price of dissatisfied customers. The itinerary was fantastic and let’s hope that it can continue with more expertise. The two concerns that stand out as displeasing to me are the meeting arrangements to begin the trip and not having at least 7-8 guides to split the group into reasonable sizes. I can’t imagine trying to find a secretive ground species (like a pitta) with even 10 people………but that’s why I don’t take tours. Victoria BC
On Jun 13, 2023, at 4:02 PM, Derek Matthews <Derek@...> wrote:
? Thanks Paul and Dan, ? It was really disappointing and the way we have been treated by Heritage and Rockjumper has been unbelievable. It’s so short-sighted of companies to simply ignore customers complaints ??in the hope they’ll just go away. Between social media, chat groups, Google reviews and birding friends around the world, I’ve already had multiple people say they’ve heard similar things about Rockjumper and won’t be using them, so ultimately, the reputational risk will cost both companies far more money than standing behind your product with some honesty and integrity. ? We have heard from so many people on this tour, all of whom are outraged, and for some of them it was a trip of a lifetime! ? Thanks again. ? Derek ? ? ? Hi Derek, I forwarded your review to a couple of my birder friends who aren't on this list. (I expected you wouldn't mind that.)
|
Re: Western Pacific Odyssey
Hi
Seems to me there were too many fingers in the pie. If Heritage had arranged the tour it would likely have fared better. Too bad that both companies have to pay the price of dissatisfied customers. The itinerary was fantastic and let’s hope that it can continue with more expertise. The two concerns that stand out as displeasing to me are the meeting arrangements to begin the trip and not having at least 7-8 guides to split the group into reasonable sizes. I can’t imagine trying to find a secretive ground species (like a pitta) with even 10 people………but that’s why I don’t take tours.
Keith Taylor
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On Jun 13, 2023, at 4:02 PM, Derek Matthews <Derek@...> wrote:
? Thanks Paul and Dan, ? It was really disappointing and the way we have been treated by Heritage and Rockjumper has been unbelievable. It’s so short-sighted of companies to simply ignore customers complaints ??in the hope they’ll just go away. Between social media, chat groups, Google reviews and birding friends around the world, I’ve already had multiple people say they’ve heard similar things about Rockjumper and won’t be using them, so ultimately, the reputational risk will cost both companies far more money than standing behind your product with some honesty and integrity. ? We have heard from so many people on this tour, all of whom are outraged, and for some of them it was a trip of a lifetime! ? Thanks again. ? Derek ? ? ? Hi Derek, I forwarded your review to a couple of my birder friends who aren't on this list. (I expected you wouldn't mind that.)
|
Re: Western Pacific Odyssey
Thanks Paul and Dan, ? It was really disappointing and the way we have been treated by Heritage and Rockjumper has been unbelievable. It’s so short-sighted of companies to simply ignore customers complaints ??in the hope they’ll just go away. Between social media, chat groups, Google reviews and birding friends around the world, I’ve already had multiple people say they’ve heard similar things about Rockjumper and won’t be using them, so ultimately, the reputational risk will cost both companies far more money than standing behind your product with some honesty and integrity. ? We have heard from so many people on this tour, all of whom are outraged, and for some of them it was a trip of a lifetime! ? Thanks again. ? Derek ? ?
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From: [email protected] <[email protected]> On Behalf Of Paul Clapham
Sent: June 12, 2023 9:39 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [vanbcbirds] Western Pacific Odyssey? Hi Derek, I forwarded your review to a couple of my birder friends who aren't on this list. (I expected you wouldn't mind that.)
|
Re: Western Pacific Odyssey
Derek.. read your report. Wow! It sounds like it was the Fyre Festival of birding. Well, maybe not quite that bad, but paying that kind of dough for less than the whole nine yards is harsh! Just too many birders and seems like not enough thought went into the organization and planning. Hopefully the negative feedback from yourself and others will help Rockjumper and Heritage tighten up on those aspects. It could and should be a spectacular trip! 70 birders @ $14,000 a pop is just shy of a million bucks in gross revenue, so I can see why they want to continue offering the tour.
The birds you did get though, were just fantastic! Not only would they all have been lifers for me, I never even heard of most of them! :D :D :D The albatross photos are so cool! Hey.. and you got New Zealand Storm Petrel! That was considered extinct for 150 years before it was rediscovered. How cool is that to see one of those?
Daniel Bastaja
danielbastaja@...
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On Jun 12, 2023, at 9:54 PM, Derek Matthews <Derek@...> wrote:
Hi Vanbirders,
We recently took the Western Pacific Odyssey tour with Heritage Expeditions which was a very expensive ($14,000 per person!) disaster and we wanted to at least warn other birders who may be considering this tour.
We booked the tour through ROCKJUMPER BIRDING TOURS, and although we had a Rockjumper itinerary not a Heritage itinerary, Rockjumper refused to do anything about any of our complaints and hid behind the fact that ‘they were only the agents’ and have told us that ‘we do intend to continue offering the 2024 cruise in its current form’! This is possible the most disturbing thing about the whole experience, and I would honestly tell anyone to consider the honesty, integrity, and accountability of a company like Rockjumper who are clearly not interested in their guest experience as long as they get their money! Needless to say, we will never use either Rockjumper or Heritage Expeditions again!
The trip report is here for anyone interested:
Derek<image003.png>
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
|
Re: Western Pacific Odyssey
Hi Derek,
I forwarded your review to a couple of my birder friends who aren't on this list. (I expected you wouldn't mind that.)
Paul
|
Hi Vanbirders, ? We recently took the Western Pacific Odyssey tour with Heritage Expeditions which was a very expensive ($14,000 per person!) disaster and we wanted to at least warn other birders who may be considering this tour. ? We booked the tour through ROCKJUMPER BIRDING TOURS, and although we had a Rockjumper itinerary not a Heritage itinerary, Rockjumper refused to do anything about any of our complaints and hid behind the fact that ‘they were only the agents’ and have told us that ‘we do intend to continue offering the 2024 cruise in its current form’! This is possible the most disturbing thing about the whole experience, and I would honestly tell anyone to consider the honesty, integrity, and accountability of a company like Rockjumper who are clearly not interested in their guest experience as long as they get their money! Needless to say, we will never use either Rockjumper or Heritage Expeditions again! ? The trip report is here for anyone interested: ? 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 |
? ?
|
Re: What Is Causing the Perplexing Decline of the American Kestrel?
When I inquired with O.W.L. few years ago as to whether they encouraged local participation in the kestrel nesting box program, as I recall they indicated concerns that the level of use of agri-chemicals in the region made this inadvisable.?
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On Jun 6, 2023, at 09:20, Pamela Zevit via groups.io <pamela.zevit@...> wrote:
?
This made the NY Times science reporting section as well. Not sure what the status is here in Canada, or regionally.
?
“While Bald Eagles, Peregrine Falcons, and other raptor species have rebounded in North America since the banning of DDT in the 1970s, American Kestrel numbers have continued to drop, plunging by an estimated 50 percent. Although the birds
are still common, the decrease has scientists worried. No one knows exactly what’s driving the losses or where the birds are running into trouble—making it difficult to figure out how to stop or reverse the trend.”
Pamela Zevit RPBio | Biodiversity Conservation Planner
<image001.png>
?
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).
?
<image002.png>
?
|
What Is Causing the Perplexing Decline of the American Kestrel?
This made the NY Times science reporting section as well. Not sure what the status is here in Canada, or regionally.
?
“While Bald Eagles, Peregrine Falcons, and other raptor species have rebounded in North America since the banning of DDT in the 1970s, American Kestrel numbers have continued to drop, plunging by an estimated 50 percent. Although the birds
are still common, the decrease has scientists worried. No one knows exactly what’s driving the losses or where the birds are running into trouble—making it difficult to figure out how to stop or reverse the trend.”
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).
?
?
|
Day time songbird migration
Hello,
I thought others would be interested to read this research: Cooper, N.W., Dossman, B.C., Berrigan, L.E. et al. . Mov Ecol 11, 24 (2023).
Best, Greg
Richmond
|
You’re absolutely right about that Pamela. The health and safety of their pets is what gets traction with cat owners. I know because more than one cat owner has told me that cats killing birds is natural.. just a part of nature... so I shouldn’t sweat it. Of course it is not really natural because the density of cats in the suburbs is probably about 50 times what it would be in the wild. Anyway, it would have been nice if the article had devoted a little more space to this as a good reason for keeping cats indoors. I think many catr owners just don't realize the scale of the problem.
Daniel Bastaja
danielbastaja@... <mailto:danielbastaja@...>
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On May 23, 2023, at 6:53 PM, Pamela Zevit via groups.io <pamela.zevit@...> wrote:
Yes, disappointing given the dearth of info the SCBC, Cats and Birds, Audubon and the ABC have done to raise awareness on this issue. Having said that it’s important to look at the context/perspective the article was written from. It’s about cat welfare and management from organizations focused on those aspects. I know from experience the cat health/safety/welfare aspect is felt to have better traction with cat owners than the wildlife threat aspect.
See research on this.
See
Whether that was what influenced the direction of this article, I can’t say. But it is a reality.
I co-presented at a previous Humane Canada conference on cat management with SCBC, BCSPCA and Elizabeth Gow (now with Environment and Climate Change Canada) who has researched the translational ecology aspect of feral and free-ranging cat management. I provided a perspective from Surrey, focused mainly on the crisis in abandoned, feral cats in the City, working in the biodiversity impact context as a factor, but also recognizing this is mainly a humane behaviour, societal issue.
Pamela Zevit RPBio | Biodiversity Conservation Planner
<image002.png> T 604.590.7254
Check out how we are conserving biodiversity in Surrey
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).
<image003.png> From: [email protected] <[email protected]> On Behalf Of Derek Matthews via groups.io
Sent: Tuesday, May 23, 2023 9:14 AM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [vanbcbirds] Cat article
Hi Dan,
And this is despite all the work done by the Stewardship Centre for BC () initiating two research projects to collect on-the-ground information about outdoor cats and birds using standardized methodology and computer models to produce population estimates and inform management plans for keeping cats and birds safe, and all the work we did at VARC last year () including offering a $1,000 prize for the person who built the best catio that allows cats to enjoy the outdoors without being able to roam freely injuring themselves or other wildlife.
I don’t know why we continue to debate the issue of free-roaming cats – they are not native animals and are a year-round threat not only to birds but to small animals such as bats, chipmunks, snakes, lizards and rodents, many of which are also threatened species.
The City of Calgary passed a by-law banning free-roaming cats, so it’s not that by-laws can’t be changed, it’s because there isn’t the political will and our politicians are afraid of upsetting cat owners – it’s madness!
Sorry to rant!
Derek<image001.png>
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
-----Original Message-----
From: [email protected] <[email protected]> On Behalf Of Daniel Bastaja
Sent: May 23, 2023 8:03 AM
To: Vanbirds <[email protected]>
Subject: [vanbcbirds] Cat article
An article in Vancouver Is Awesome about keeping cats indoors. What I found astounding is that the entire article is about the health and safety risks to the cats if they are left to wander and breed at will. There is only a single line about the impact domestic cats have on wildlife. It has been estimated that cats kill over 2 billion birds annually - bird populations that are already under immense pressure from habitat loss, pesticides, etc. - yet this PARAMOUNT reason for keeping cats indoors is afforded only 15 words in a 932 word article! Yet again, birds are an afterthought, or not thought of at all.
Daniel Bastaja
danielbastaja@...
|
Great Video!? Thanks for sharing.
Valerie
On 05/23/23 04:24 PM, "Derek Matthews" <Derek@...> wrote:And perhaps we could get adoption centres to ask people if they would watch this short (70 second) animated video we did in the interest of both Cats and Birds! ?
? Thanks! ? Derek ? ? Brilliant idea Valerie and a good place to start – thanks for sharing! ? Derek ? ? ? Of interest, my cousin was trying to adopt a cat in Richmond some years ago and she had to fill in a questionnaire which asked if the new pet would be an indoor or outdoor cat.? When she filled in "outdoor" they refused to let her adopt it.? I forget which shelter it was.? They said they would only let people who kept their pet indoors adopt a cat.?? ?
On 05/23/23 09:58 AM, "Derek Matthews" <Derek@...> wrote:
It still begs the question that if Calgary can change a by-law to ban free roaming cats why can’t other jurisdictions? All of the research has been done – there is no question that having free-roaming cats is neither good for the cat or other animals! Derek ? Yes, disappointing given the dearth of info the SCBC, Cats and Birds, Audubon and the ABC have done to raise awareness on this issue. Having said that it’s important to look at the context/perspective the article was written from. It’s about cat welfare and management from organizations focused on those aspects. I know from experience the cat health/safety/welfare aspect is felt to have better traction with cat owners than the wildlife threat aspect. See research on this. See ? Whether that was what influenced the direction of this article, I can’t say. But it is a reality. ? I co-presented at a previous Humane Canada conference on cat management with SCBC, BCSPCA and Elizabeth Gow (now with Environment and Climate Change Canada) who has researched the of feral and free-ranging cat management. I provided a perspective from Surrey, focused mainly on the crisis in abandoned, feral cats in the City, working in the biodiversity impact context as a factor, but also recognizing this is mainly a humane behaviour, societal issue. 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). ? ? ? Hi Dan, And this is despite all the work done by the Stewardship Centre for BC () initiating two research projects to collect on-the-ground information about outdoor cats and birds? using standardized methodology and computer models to produce population estimates and inform management plans for keeping cats and birds safe, and all the work we did at VARC last year () including offering a $1,000 prize for the person who built the best catio that allows cats to enjoy the outdoors without being able to roam freely injuring themselves or other wildlife. I don’t know why we continue to debate the issue of free-roaming cats – they are not native animals and are a year-round threat not only to birds but to small animals such as bats, chipmunks, snakes, lizards and rodents, many of which are also threatened species. The City of Calgary passed a by-law banning free-roaming cats, so it’s not that by-laws can’t be changed, it’s because there isn’t the political will and our politicians are afraid of upsetting cat owners – it’s madness! Sorry to rant! 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:
W: |
? ? -----Original Message-----
From: [email protected] <[email protected]> On Behalf Of Daniel Bastaja
Sent: May 23, 2023 8:03 AM
To: Vanbirds <[email protected]>
Subject: [vanbcbirds] Cat article ? An article in Vancouver Is Awesome about keeping cats indoors. What I found astounding is that the entire article is about the health and safety risks to the cats if they are left to wander and breed at will. There is only a single line about the impact domestic cats have on wildlife. It has been estimated that cats kill over 2 billion birds annually - bird populations that are already under immense pressure from habitat loss, pesticides, etc.? -? yet this PARAMOUNT reason for keeping cats indoors is afforded only 15 words in a 932 word article! Yet again, birds are an afterthought, or not thought of at all. ? ? Daniel Bastaja danielbastaja@... ? ? ? ? |
--
Cheers,
Val Fuller,
Ladner, B. C.
|
--
Cheers,
Val Fuller,
Ladner, B. C.
|
And perhaps we could get adoption centres to ask people if they would watch this short (70 second) animated video we did in the interest of both Cats and Birds! ?
? Thanks! ? Derek ?
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From: [email protected] <[email protected]> On Behalf Of Derek Matthews
Sent: May 23, 2023 3:24 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [vanbcbirds] Cat article? Brilliant idea Valerie and a good place to start – thanks for sharing! ? Derek ? ? ? Of interest, my cousin was trying to adopt a cat in Richmond some years ago and she had to fill in a questionnaire which asked if the new pet would be an indoor or outdoor cat.? When she filled in "outdoor" they refused to let her adopt it.? I forget which shelter it was.? They said they would only let people who kept their pet indoors adopt a cat.?? ?
On 05/23/23 09:58 AM, "Derek Matthews" <Derek@...> wrote:
It still begs the question that if Calgary can change a by-law to ban free roaming cats why can’t other jurisdictions? All of the research has been done – there is no question that having free-roaming cats is neither good for the cat or other animals! ? Derek ? ? ? Yes, disappointing given the dearth of info the SCBC, Cats and Birds, Audubon and the ABC have done to raise awareness on this issue. Having said that it’s important to look at the context/perspective the article was written from. It’s about cat welfare and management from organizations focused on those aspects. I know from experience the cat health/safety/welfare aspect is felt to have better traction with cat owners than the wildlife threat aspect. See research on this. See ? Whether that was what influenced the direction of this article, I can’t say. But it is a reality. ? I co-presented at a previous Humane Canada conference on cat management with SCBC, BCSPCA and Elizabeth Gow (now with Environment and Climate Change Canada) who has researched the of feral and free-ranging cat management. I provided a perspective from Surrey, focused mainly on the crisis in abandoned, feral cats in the City, working in the biodiversity impact context as a factor, but also recognizing this is mainly a humane behaviour, societal issue. 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). ? ? ? ? Hi Dan, ? And this is despite all the work done by the Stewardship Centre for BC () initiating two research projects to collect on-the-ground information about outdoor cats and birds? using standardized methodology and computer models to produce population estimates and inform management plans for keeping cats and birds safe, and all the work we did at VARC last year () including offering a $1,000 prize for the person who built the best catio that allows cats to enjoy the outdoors without being able to roam freely injuring themselves or other wildlife. ? I don’t know why we continue to debate the issue of free-roaming cats – they are not native animals and are a year-round threat not only to birds but to small animals such as bats, chipmunks, snakes, lizards and rodents, many of which are also threatened species. ? The City of Calgary passed a by-law banning free-roaming cats, so it’s not that by-laws can’t be changed, it’s because there isn’t the political will and our politicians are afraid of upsetting cat owners – it’s madness! ? Sorry to rant! ? 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:
W: |
? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? -----Original Message-----
From: [email protected] <[email protected]> On Behalf Of Daniel Bastaja
Sent: May 23, 2023 8:03 AM
To: Vanbirds <[email protected]>
Subject: [vanbcbirds] Cat article ? An article in Vancouver Is Awesome about keeping cats indoors. What I found astounding is that the entire article is about the health and safety risks to the cats if they are left to wander and breed at will. There is only a single line about the impact domestic cats have on wildlife. It has been estimated that cats kill over 2 billion birds annually - bird populations that are already under immense pressure from habitat loss, pesticides, etc.? -? yet this PARAMOUNT reason for keeping cats indoors is afforded only 15 words in a 932 word article! Yet again, birds are an afterthought, or not thought of at all. ? ? Daniel Bastaja danielbastaja@... ? ? ? ? |
--
Cheers,
Val Fuller,
Ladner, B. C.
|
Brilliant idea Valeria and a good place to start – thanks for sharing! ? Derek ? ?
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From: [email protected] <[email protected]> On Behalf Of ValerieFuller
Sent: May 23, 2023 2:06 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [vanbcbirds] Cat article? Of interest, my cousin was trying to adopt a cat in Richmond some years ago and she had to fill in a questionnaire which asked if the new pet would be an indoor or outdoor cat.? When she filled in "outdoor" they refused to let her adopt it.? I forget which shelter it was.? They said they would only let people who kept their pet indoors adopt a cat.?? ?
On 05/23/23 09:58 AM, "Derek Matthews" <Derek@...> wrote:
It still begs the question that if Calgary can change a by-law to ban free roaming cats why can’t other jurisdictions? All of the research has been done – there is no question that having free-roaming cats is neither good for the cat or other animals! ? Derek ? ? ? Yes, disappointing given the dearth of info the SCBC, Cats and Birds, Audubon and the ABC have done to raise awareness on this issue. Having said that it’s important to look at the context/perspective the article was written from. It’s about cat welfare and management from organizations focused on those aspects. I know from experience the cat health/safety/welfare aspect is felt to have better traction with cat owners than the wildlife threat aspect. See research on this. See ? Whether that was what influenced the direction of this article, I can’t say. But it is a reality. ? I co-presented at a previous Humane Canada conference on cat management with SCBC, BCSPCA and Elizabeth Gow (now with Environment and Climate Change Canada) who has researched the of feral and free-ranging cat management. I provided a perspective from Surrey, focused mainly on the crisis in abandoned, feral cats in the City, working in the biodiversity impact context as a factor, but also recognizing this is mainly a humane behaviour, societal issue. 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). ? ? ? Hi Dan, ? And this is despite all the work done by the Stewardship Centre for BC () initiating two research projects to collect on-the-ground information about outdoor cats and birds? using standardized methodology and computer models to produce population estimates and inform management plans for keeping cats and birds safe, and all the work we did at VARC last year () including offering a $1,000 prize for the person who built the best catio that allows cats to enjoy the outdoors without being able to roam freely injuring themselves or other wildlife. ? I don’t know why we continue to debate the issue of free-roaming cats – they are not native animals and are a year-round threat not only to birds but to small animals such as bats, chipmunks, snakes, lizards and rodents, many of which are also threatened species. ? The City of Calgary passed a by-law banning free-roaming cats, so it’s not that by-laws can’t be changed, it’s because there isn’t the political will and our politicians are afraid of upsetting cat owners – it’s madness! ? Sorry to rant! ? 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:
W: |
? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? -----Original Message-----
From: [email protected] <[email protected]> On Behalf Of Daniel Bastaja
Sent: May 23, 2023 8:03 AM
To: Vanbirds <[email protected]>
Subject: [vanbcbirds] Cat article ? An article in Vancouver Is Awesome about keeping cats indoors. What I found astounding is that the entire article is about the health and safety risks to the cats if they are left to wander and breed at will. There is only a single line about the impact domestic cats have on wildlife. It has been estimated that cats kill over 2 billion birds annually - bird populations that are already under immense pressure from habitat loss, pesticides, etc.? -? yet this PARAMOUNT reason for keeping cats indoors is afforded only 15 words in a 932 word article! Yet again, birds are an afterthought, or not thought of at all. ? ? Daniel Bastaja danielbastaja@... ? ? ? ? |
--
Cheers,
Val Fuller,
Ladner, B. C.
|
Of interest, my cousin was trying to adopt a cat in Richmond some years ago and she had to fill in a questionnaire which asked if the new pet would be an indoor or outdoor cat.? When she filled in "outdoor" they refused to let her adopt it.? I forget which shelter it was.? They said they would only let people who kept their pet indoors adopt a cat.??
Good Idea.
On 05/23/23 09:58 AM, "Derek Matthews" <Derek@...> wrote:
--
Cheers,
Val Fuller,
Ladner, B. C.
|
It still begs the question that if Calgary can change a by-law to ban free roaming cats why can’t other jurisdictions? All of the research has been done – there is no question that having free-roaming cats is neither good for the cat or other animals! ? Derek ? ?
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From: [email protected] <[email protected]> On Behalf Of Pamela Zevit via groups.io
Sent: May 23, 2023 9:54 AM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [vanbcbirds] Cat article? Yes, disappointing given the dearth of info the SCBC, Cats and Birds, Audubon and the ABC have done to raise awareness on this issue. Having said that it’s important to look at the context/perspective the article was written from. It’s about cat welfare and management from organizations focused on those aspects. I know from experience the cat health/safety/welfare aspect is felt to have better traction with cat owners than the wildlife threat aspect. See research on this. See ? Whether that was what influenced the direction of this article, I can’t say. But it is a reality. ? I co-presented at a previous Humane Canada conference on cat management with SCBC, BCSPCA and Elizabeth Gow (now with Environment and Climate Change Canada) who has researched the of feral and free-ranging cat management. I provided a perspective from Surrey, focused mainly on the crisis in abandoned, feral cats in the City, working in the biodiversity impact context as a factor, but also recognizing this is mainly a humane behaviour, societal issue. 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). ? 
? ? Hi Dan, ? And this is despite all the work done by the Stewardship Centre for BC () initiating two research projects to collect on-the-ground information about outdoor cats and birds? using standardized methodology and computer models to produce population estimates and inform management plans for keeping cats and birds safe, and all the work we did at VARC last year () including offering a $1,000 prize for the person who built the best catio that allows cats to enjoy the outdoors without being able to roam freely injuring themselves or other wildlife. ? I don’t know why we continue to debate the issue of free-roaming cats – they are not native animals and are a year-round threat not only to birds but to small animals such as bats, chipmunks, snakes, lizards and rodents, many of which are also threatened species. ? The City of Calgary passed a by-law banning free-roaming cats, so it’s not that by-laws can’t be changed, it’s because there isn’t the political will and our politicians are afraid of upsetting cat owners – it’s madness! ? Sorry to rant! ? 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:
W: |
? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? -----Original Message-----
From: [email protected] <[email protected]> On Behalf Of Daniel Bastaja
Sent: May 23, 2023 8:03 AM
To: Vanbirds <[email protected]>
Subject: [vanbcbirds] Cat article ? An article in Vancouver Is Awesome about keeping cats indoors. What I found astounding is that the entire article is about the health and safety risks to the cats if they are left to wander and breed at will. There is only a single line about the impact domestic cats have on wildlife. It has been estimated that cats kill over 2 billion birds annually - bird populations that are already under immense pressure from habitat loss, pesticides, etc.? -? yet this PARAMOUNT reason for keeping cats indoors is afforded only 15 words in a 932 word article! Yet again, birds are an afterthought, or not thought of at all. ? ? Daniel Bastaja danielbastaja@... ? ? ? ?
|
Yes, disappointing given the dearth of info the SCBC, Cats and Birds, Audubon and the ABC have done to raise awareness on this issue. Having said that it’s important to look at the context/perspective the article was written from. It’s
about cat welfare and management from organizations focused on those aspects.
I know from experience the cat health/safety/welfare aspect is felt to have better traction with cat owners than the wildlife threat aspect.
See research on this.
See
?
Whether that was what influenced the direction of this article, I can’t say. But it is a reality.
?
I co-presented at a previous Humane Canada conference on cat management with SCBC, BCSPCA and Elizabeth Gow (now with Environment and Climate Change Canada) who has researched the
of feral and free-ranging cat management. I provided a perspective from Surrey, focused mainly on the crisis in abandoned, feral cats in the City,
working in the biodiversity impact context as a factor, but also recognizing this is mainly a humane behaviour, societal issue.
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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Show quoted text
From: [email protected] <[email protected]>
On Behalf Of Derek Matthews via groups.io
Sent: Tuesday, May 23, 2023 9:14 AM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [vanbcbirds] Cat article
?
Hi Dan,
?
And this is despite all the work done by the Stewardship Centre for BC ()
initiating two research projects to collect on-the-ground information about outdoor cats and birds? using standardized methodology and computer models to produce population estimates and inform management plans for keeping cats and birds safe, and all the
work we did at VARC last year () including offering a $1,000 prize for the person who built the best catio that allows cats to enjoy the outdoors without
being able to roam freely injuring themselves or other wildlife.
?
I don’t know why we continue to debate the issue of free-roaming cats – they are not native animals and are a year-round threat not only to birds
but to small animals such as bats, chipmunks, snakes, lizards and rodents, many of which are also threatened species.
?
The City of Calgary passed a by-law banning free-roaming cats, so it’s not that by-laws can’t be changed, it’s because there isn’t the political
will and our politicians are afraid of upsetting cat owners – it’s madness!
?
Sorry to rant!
?
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:
W:
|
?
?
?
?
?
?
?
?
?
?
?
-----Original Message-----
From: [email protected] <[email protected]> On Behalf Of Daniel Bastaja
Sent: May 23, 2023 8:03 AM
To: Vanbirds <[email protected]>
Subject: [vanbcbirds] Cat article
?
An article in Vancouver Is Awesome about keeping cats indoors. What I found astounding is that the entire article is about the health and safety risks to the cats if they are left to wander and breed at will. There is only a single line
about the impact domestic cats have on wildlife. It has been estimated that cats kill over 2 billion birds annually - bird populations that are already under immense pressure from habitat loss, pesticides, etc.? -? yet this PARAMOUNT reason for keeping cats
indoors is afforded only 15 words in a 932 word article! Yet again, birds are an afterthought, or not thought of at all.
?
?
Daniel Bastaja
danielbastaja@...
?
?
?
?
|
Hi Dan, ? And this is despite all the work done by the Stewardship Centre for BC () initiating two research projects to collect on-the-ground information about outdoor cats and birds? using standardized methodology and computer models to produce population estimates and inform management plans for keeping cats and birds safe, and all the work we did at VARC last year () including offering a $1,000 prize for the person who built the best catio that allows cats to enjoy the outdoors without being able to roam freely injuring themselves or other wildlife. ? I don’t know why we continue to debate the issue of free-roaming cats – they are not native animals and are a year-round threat not only to birds but to small animals such as bats, chipmunks, snakes, lizards and rodents, many of which are also threatened species. ? The City of Calgary passed a by-law banning free-roaming cats, so it’s not that by-laws can’t be changed, it’s because there isn’t the political will and our politicians are afraid of upsetting cat owners – it’s madness! ? Sorry to rant! ? 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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Show quoted text
-----Original Message-----
From: [email protected] <[email protected]> On Behalf Of Daniel Bastaja
Sent: May 23, 2023 8:03 AM
To: Vanbirds <[email protected]>
Subject: [vanbcbirds] Cat article ? An article in Vancouver Is Awesome about keeping cats indoors. What I found astounding is that the entire article is about the health and safety risks to the cats if they are left to wander and breed at will. There is only a single line about the impact domestic cats have on wildlife. It has been estimated that cats kill over 2 billion birds annually - bird populations that are already under immense pressure from habitat loss, pesticides, etc.? -? yet this PARAMOUNT reason for keeping cats indoors is afforded only 15 words in a 932 word article! Yet again, birds are an afterthought, or not thought of at all. ? ? Daniel Bastaja danielbastaja@... ? ? ?
|
An article in Vancouver Is Awesome about keeping cats indoors. What I found astounding is that the entire article is about the health and safety risks to the cats if they are left to wander and breed at will. There is only a single line about the impact domestic cats have on wildlife. It has been estimated that cats kill over 2 billion birds annually - bird populations that are already under immense pressure from habitat loss, pesticides, etc. - yet this PARAMOUNT reason for keeping cats indoors is afforded only 15 words in a 932 word article! Yet again, birds are an afterthought, or not thought of at all.
Daniel Bastaja
danielbastaja@...
|
Re: LAZULI BUNTING has arrived at Colony Farm!!
Hi everyone,
Attached is a photo of my first-of-year male LAZULI BUNTING at Colony Farm this morning.
Colin Clasen
Coquitlam, BC
|
Re: Birding New Zealand to Japan!
Derek,
Thank you for sharing your trip.? Wanted to point out one thing about Japan, and, expecting not much has changed in this regard after having?lived there for many years, is that the honesty and integrity is extremely high, and why your bad and bins and camera?were all there safe and sound for you to retrieve.? Probably nowhere on the planet can you find such a similarity.
Years ago I had lost a small pouch in a mall that had my airline tickets, over 30,000 Yen, my Drivers License, International Drivers License, and a few other things of value.? Back tracked thru the mall once realizing it was missing (probably a good 30-45 minutes) and a shop owner saw me and could tell I was frantic. He helped me look all?over and asked many shop owners, to no avail.? Then we went over to the Police station there in the mall, and as I walked up the gentleman?began smiling.? Could tell it wasn't just the polite smile, but different.? Told him what I lost, and he asked me my name.? Then just below him bent down and pulled up my pouch, with Everything there untouched!
Jealous of your trip.? Been all over Okinawa, thru Kyushu, Honshu, and my favorite Hokkaido.? But never got down to Aguni Island and others.? Wished I had.
Monte Taylor
On Fri, May 19, 2023 at 11:15?AM Derek Matthews < Derek@...> wrote: We’ve just finished a long 10-week birding trip which took us from New Zealand to Japan via New Caledonia, the Solomon Islands, Norfolk Island, Ishigaki, Okinawa, Amami Oshima, Honshu, Sado and Hokkaido. We’re compiling the list total with all the various splits which has become increasingly complicated these days but we did ok for new species, not as many as we had anticipated, but that seems to be the battle cry around the world these days with guides saying there simply aren’t the numbers of birds there were even a decade ago! ? Some highlights and lowlights! ? Highlights: ? 1. New Zealand Storm Petrel - It was thought extinct and rediscovered in 2003 by my mate Sav Saville who’s a guide in NZ (runs Wrybill tours) - fascinating story about its rediscovery here:? 2. Visiting the breeding colony of Short-tailed Albatross on Torishima – They were driven to the brink of extinction by harvesters seeking albatross down feathers. Something like 1 kg of down is needed for a single futon, but only 10 to 20 grams can be taken from a single albatross. Nearly 100 birds needed to be killed to get enough down for one futon and we heard a report of one harvester with 8 TONS of down – an unimaginable number of albatrosses must have been slaughtered (we really are a despicable species!) and after the second world war the Short-tailed Albatross was declared extinct but a small number of young birds were at sea and in 1947 returned to breed on Torishima. A small colony was created which has grown to something like 4,000+ individuals – another fascinating story about its survival:? 3. Spotlighting for owls in Japan and getting 5 life owl species on a trip including Blakiston’s Fish Owl, a bird which has been high on my wish list for such a long time and we had stunning views as one came to a pool to hunt. Wow! What a stunning bird – I was beside myself! 4. Red-crowned Crane – another species very slowly recovering from near extinction! ? People have often said “don’t you ever get lowlights on these trips” and of course you do. Birding travel is very different from vacation travel and there’s times on every trip when you say to yourselves “we must be absolutely barking mad” or “what a stupid hobby this is!” and this trip was no exception! ? Lowlights: ? 1. Both of us getting quite sick which is such a pain when you have guides booked and are getting up at unearthly hours and trudging through forests all day and night when all you want to do is lie down and go to sleep! 2. Dipping on Copper Pheasant – an iconic bird we so wanted to see. We were in Karuizawa, Nagano, with a guide and spent 2 full days searching the forest for hour after hour from dawn to dusk and nothing, and this was when I was really sick! Ouch! 3. Leaving my backpack (with bins, camera and laptop) on a bullet train heading for Tokyo at 300 kph when we changed trains and were heading in the opposite direction leaving me without bins for 2 days and then having to change our plans to travel back to Tokyo to retrieve it! Panic! 4. Turning up at the car rental counter with my Canadian driver’s license, passport AND International driving permit only to be told it was the wrong IDP and not being able to rent a car! (There are a lot of laws, rules and inflexibility in Japan!) ? Having said all of that, there were some amazing birds and birding experiences and Japanese people are wonderful. Japan is definitely a very different culture with almost no English spoken anywhere which makes any communication almost impossible, especially in rural areas, so it is not a country you can turn up in to bird without some serious thought and planning in advance. ? It’s going to take some time to compile the trip report which we will post on our birding website () with information on the itinerary, accommodations, guides and bird lists etc., and, as always, we’ll be happy to help and provide more information and advice for anyone thinking of planning a trip there. ? Happy birding! ? 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:
W: |
? ?
|
Derek Matthews
pat.mary.taylor
Pamela Zevit
