THE SONG SPARROW - Bird Protection Quebec

Bird Protection Quebec
THE SONG SPARROW
An aerial
view of the
Prévost
cliffs at the
southern
end of the
new Alfred
Kelly Nature
Reserve
Photo:
courtesy of
the Nature
Conservancy
of Canada
Keeping Land Safe for Birds
By Richard Gregson - Chair BPQ Sanctuaries Committee
Bird Protection Quebec (BPQ) has a long
tradition of acquiring and holding land as
sanctuaries for birds and other wildlife within
Quebec. We are the only bird-focused
organization in Quebec to do this and we are
conscious that the small parcels of land we own
are held in trust for nature and the future7his
is hugely important work that we, as a
conservation charity, are proud to be able to
engage in.
The Song Sparrow
The Newsletter of
Bird Protection
Quebec
Editor:
Jane Cormack
Vol: 53-4
1
Our first sanctuary was a small island (Île-auxPerroquets) in a bay off the lower north shore
just before the Quebec – Labrador border. We
acquired this island, with its rich diversity of
sea birds, including Atlantic Puffin, way back
in 1937. That acquisition set our feet on a long
path that culminated, just before Christmas in
the creation of the enormously important 459Contents
1 Keeping land safe for birds
2 President’s message
4 Conserver des terres pour les oiseaux
6 Winter bird course
7 Alfred Kelly
8 About Moulting
9 Feeding the Birds
hectare Alfred Kelly Nature Reserve in the hills
between Piedmont and Prévost about an hour
north of Montreal. This area, rich with forest,
lakes, cliffs, and a multitude of birds —
including 22 of the approximately 27 species of
raptors recorded in Quebec — provides
opportunities for lovers of wildlife to visit and
enjoy the bounty of nature that the area
contains. The new land lies immediately
adjacent to a small bird reserve we already own
just south of Piedmont, to which it is now
attached. As well as ensuring the conservation
of exceptional natural habitats and the
safeguard of species at risk, public access will
be maintained to allow for light recreational
activities and the discovery of nature.
Continued on page 3
10 Awards
11 Crossword
12 Parlons d'oiseaux/Bird Views
14 'HFHPEHU/HFWXUH5eport
15 Spring Speakers
16 The 75th Christmas Bird Count
18 Field trips
BIRD PROTECTION QUEBEC
Bird Protection Quebec is the
operational name of The
Province of Quebec
Society for the Protection
of Birds. - Established
January 4, 1917. Bird
Protection Quebec/
PQSPB is a registered
charity. All donations are
tax deductible.
Charity Registration # 11925 2161
RR0001.
Principal Officers
President - Jeff Harrison
Vice-Presidents - Richard Gregson &
Marie-Hélène Gauthier
Treasurer - Jean Harwood Gregson
Secretary - Jean Bacon
Newsletter Contacts
Newsletter Editor: Jane Cormack
[email protected]
Birdviews: Pierre Bannon
[email protected]
514-766-8767 after 7:00 PM
Contact BPQ:
[email protected]
Bird Protection Quebec
P.O. Box 43, Station B
Montreal QC H3B 3J5
Tel: 514-637-2141
Website and Membership
www.birdprotectionquebec.org
Email discussion group:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/
Songsparrow
The Song Sparrow ISSN 1710-3371
Legal Deposit: National Library and
Archives of Canada - Publication Mail
No. 40044323
2
The President’s Column
At a recent Board meeting, I signed a cheque made out to the Nature
Conservancy Quebec for $250,000 to assist with their purchase of about
1,000 acres of land in the Piedmont area north of Montreal. This signing
was the culmination of a considerable amount of work during the year by
our Finance and Sanctuaries Committees, and in particular Board
members Marie-Hélène Gauthier, Jean Harwood Gregson and Richard
Gregson. They spent countless hours reviewing legal documents,
developing a process for reaching Board agreement over the summer,
answering many questions raised by our Board, in particular reassuring
Board members about the financial implications of this donation, meeting
with NCC, and generally stick-handling this land purchase on our behalf.
The Board approved our commitment at the meeting on September 8.
This significant contribution is actually part of a commitment of
$350,000 that BPQ has made to the NCC. Additional payments of
$50,000 will be made in December 2011 and December 2012 subject to
certain conditions being met. Given the fact that the sum total of our
previous land purchases over the years has been about $400,000, this
financial commitment was not without considerable soul-searching within
the Board. After all, the great recession of 2008-09 was fresh in most
people's memories. Certainly BPQ investments were hit hard by the crisis
and there were worries about our ability to finance all our other activities,
such as our Research and Support Grants Programs. In the end, there was
near unanimous agreement that this purchase was important to assist
NCC's ecological land conservation work in Quebec; without our
assistance the acquisition may well have fallen through. I think it is fair to
say that BPQ is in rather a unique position in Quebec: a charitable
organization committed to land conservation with enough discretionary
money to make a difference.
Doubtless you are going to hear a lot more about the ecological
significance of this property which will be appropriately named after
BPQ's main benefactor as the “Alfred Kelly Nature Reserve”, absorbing
the two Kelly properties we own there. Certainly without the Kelly legacy
and the wise management of his donation, BPQ would never be in the
financial position we are in today.
I think that our involvement with the purchase of the Alf Kelly Sanctuary
represents an exciting new chapter in our history. While we have
previously contributed funds for the purchase of conservation lands
owned by others, the scale of this contribution is much more significant.
This time the purchase will not end our involvement, as two Board
members, Marie-Hélène Gauthier and Alain Goulet, will represent us on
the new board set up to manage the property. This direct involvement
with NCC, the most important conservation organization in Canada, will
be significant in raising public awareness of BPQ. Since we own
sanctuaries, and share ownership or have agreements on others with the
NCC, we are hoping that the synergism of this new level of partnership
will eventually benefit all our sanctuary operations.
Jeff Harrison
Tel: 514-486-4943
email: [email protected]
BIRD PROTECTION QUEBEC
The Alfred Kelly Nature reserve - continued
Of course, this is an enormous piece of land and far beyond the scope of BPQ’s finances to purchase by ourselves. We
were honoured to be approached by our friends at Nature Conservancy Canada (CNQ – Conservation de la Nature
Québec) and asked to join our resources with theirs and those of the federal and Quebec governments in making sure
that this vitally important piece of land be removed once and for all from the threat of property developers and made
off limits for hunting and all motorized vehicles (including snowmobiles).. As major partners in the creation of this
nature reserve, we will be working for many years to come, alongside NCC, the mayors of Piedmont and Prévost, and
a very active local group Comité regional pour la protection des falaises (CRPF) to turn this land into the Alfred Kelly
Nature Reserve –named in honour of our greatest benefactor, who lived in Piedmont and whose legacy to our charity
helped to make this possible. As members and supporters of Bird Protection Quebec, we can all be immensely proud
of this development. Let’s join together to develop its full potential for the pleasure of future generations of
naturalists. The NCC has granted BPQ a conservation servitude over the area that will guarantee the land is safe
forever.
The Nature Conservancy of Canada with its partners, including BPQ,
will continue to allow access to this new reserve, while remaining
mindful of the need to protect fragile habitats and promoting
activities compatible with its conservation mission. By 2013, a master
plan will be developed in collaboration with all of the local and
regional stakeholders. Thus, the site’s development will bring
together conservation, education and good management to create
something greater than the sum of its parts.
This area is rich with forest,
lakes, cliffs, and a multitude of
birds — including 22 of the
approximately 27 species of
raptors recorded in Quebec
On April 30, 2011, the CRPF will be holding an “open house” with the theme of Discovering Birds of Prey and
providing opportunities to learn about the reserve and to follow guided walks in the forest. Members of BPQ will be
there with an information booth and we look forward to seeing as many of you as possible — late April, what better
time to drive out into the countryside and start watching the birds again? Later in the spring — on a date to be
announced – one of our regular weekly birding field trips will visit the reserve and in company with an experienced
local guide we will wander the trails looking for some really good birds and taking the opportunity to discover as
individuals what we have been able to help to create. This is one field trip that no member of BPQ should miss.
So, what is this reserve like and what does it contain?
As you drive north from Montreal towards Mont Tremblant, you will see to the east an area of highland between the
two communities of Prévost and Piedmont. Just to the north of Prévost at the southern end of the new nature reserve
Partners in
Conservation
3
BIRD PROTECTION QUEBEC
The Alfred Kelly Nature Reserve - continued
is an extensive rocky cliff overlooking a small lake. In recent years, this cliff has been home to breeding Peregrine
Falcons and many of the trails into the forest start from this area. The second of the cliffs that make this region special
is a little smaller and lies south of Piedmont. This cliff has been in the possession of BPQ for the past quarter century.
We inherited the small nature reserve at its foot that was put together over many years by Alfred Kelly, about whom a
separate article appears in this edition of The Song Sparrow. This cliff rises sheer from a wooded area accessible from
the road and is home to Common Ravens amongst other species. During the winter snows, deer regularly seek out the
base of the Piedmont cliff, where they find good shelter from the worst of the weather. About halfway between the two
cliffs but at a higher elevation, you will find a moderate-sized area of lake and marsh that attracts many birds in
spring and summer and holds a fine selection of plant, amphibian, insect and reptile species characteristic of the
region. The bulk of the reserve beyond these cliffs and lakes is classic lower laurentian forest and simply teems with
life of all sorts.
The CRPF have created a couple of informative introductory videos that will introduce you to the reserve – you may
view them by following these two links
[http://youtu.be/_pL40BXSfGU ] [http://youtu.be/LdZmiNAiI2w ]
The Alfred Kelly Nature Reserve forms a superb counterpoint to the long-established BPQ reserve at Philipsburg
adjacent to the US border beside Lake Champlain. We hope that all members of BPQ will join in welcoming this new
territory into the ranks of protected sites in Quebec and will enjoy visiting and acquainting themselves with its
wildlife. We extend our thanks to all those members of the board of directors of BPQ who labored so hard during the
summer of 2010 to ensure that the NCC could finally realize their dream of saving this land for all time.
Conserver des terres pour les oiseaux
Par Richard Gregson, président comité des sanctuaires de POQ
Protection des Oiseaux du Québec (POQ) possède une longue tradition d’acquisition et de détention des terres en tant
que sanctuaires pour les oiseaux et autres animaux sauvages au Québec. Nous sommes le seul organisme orienté sur
les oiseaux qui a cette tradition et nous sommes conscients que les petites parcelles de terrains que nous possédons
sont détenues en fiducie pour la nature et pour l’avenir. Nous sommes très fiers d’être engagés dans ce travail
extrêmement important en tant qu’organisme de bienfaisance. Le tout premier sanctuaire que nous avons acquis est
une petite île (Île-aux-Perroquets) située dans une baie au large de la Basse Côte-Nord, avant la frontière Québec Labrador. Nous avons acquis cette île, avec sa diversité riche en oiseaux de mer dont le macareux, il y de cela très
longtemps, soit en 1937. Cette acquisition nous a mis sur la voie de conservation de plusieurs îles, marécages et forêts
ayant abouti juste avant Noël à la création de l’impressionnante Réserve Naturelle Alfred Kelly, cette dernière étant
d’une superficie de 459 hectares située dans les montagnes entre Piedmont et Prévost à environ une heure au nord de
Montréal. C’est une région riche en forêts, possédant une multitude d’oiseaux, lacs, falaises, 22 des quelques 27
espèces de rapaces enregistrées au Québec et qui représente d’excellentes occasions pour les amoureux de la nature de
visiter et de profiter de la générosité que la nature nous réserve. Ce nouveau territoire est immédiatement adjacent à
un petit sanctuaire d’oiseaux que nous possédons déjà, juste au sud de Piedmont. En plus d’assurer la conservation de
ces habitats naturels exceptionnels et la sauvegarde d’espèces en péril, l’accès au public sera maintenu pour des
activités récréatives légères et de découverte de la nature.
Bien sûr, l’acquisition de ce territoire énorme va bien au-delà de nos capacités financières. Nous sommes honorés
d’avoir été approchés par nos amis de Conservation de la Nature du Canada (CNC- région du Québec) afin de joindre
nos ressources à celles des gouvernements fédéral et du Québec pour assurer la protection de ce territoire
extraordinaire des menaces des promoteurs immobiliers et de le rendre inaccessible aux motoneigistes et aux
chasseurs. En tant que partenaires majeurs à la création de cette réserve naturelle, nous allons travailler pour
plusieurs années aux côtés de CNC, des maires de Piedmont et de Prévost et d’un groupe local très actif, le Comité
régional pour la protection des falaises (CRPF) afin de transformer ce territoire en la Réserve Naturelle Alfred Kelly –
nommée en l’honneur de notre grand bienfaiteur, qui a vécu à Piedmont et dont son legs à notre organisme de
bienfaisance a contribué à rendre le tout possible. En tant que membres et supporteurs de Protection des Oiseaux du
Québec, nous pouvons tous être très fiers de cette évolution et qu’ensemble nous travaillons au développement à son
4
BIRD PROTECTION QUEBEC
plein potentiel de ce site pour des générations futures de naturalistes. CNC a accordé à POQ une servitude de
conservation sur tout le territoire le mettant ainsi hors de danger pour toujours.
Conservation de la Nature du Canada et ses partenaires, incluant POQ, continueront à permettre l’accès à cette
nouvelle réserve, tout en restant conscients de la nécessité de protéger les habitats fragiles et de promouvoir ces
activités compatibles avec sa mission de conservation. Pour 2013, un plan directeur sera développé en collaboration
avec tous les acteurs locaux et régionaux. Ainsi, l’aménagement de se site rassemblera les objectifs de conservation,
d’éducation et de saine gestion.
Le 30 avril 2011, le CRPF organise une grande activité de type « portes ouvertes » afin de célébrer la journée de la
terre, sous le thème de « À la découverte des oiseaux de proie », en offrant la possibilité de s’informer sur la nouvelle
réserve naturelle et d’offrir des visites guidées de la forêt. Des membres de POQ seront sur place et nous nous
réjouissons de pouvoir vous revoir et de vous accueillir à notre stand d’informations. À la fin du mois d’avril, n’est-il
pas un excellent moment pour se rendre à la campagne et de recommencer à observer les oiseaux? Plus tard au
printemps, à une date qui vous sera ultérieurement communiquée, l’une de nos excursions hebdomadaires aura lieu à
cette réserve en compagnie d’une guide local expérimenté durant laquelle nous nous promèneront dans les sentiers à
la recherche d’oiseaux intéressants tout en profitant de l’occasion pour découvrir, en tant qu’individu, ce que nous
avons été en mesure d’aider à créer. Cette excursion est celle qu’aucun membre de POQ ne devrait manquer.
Alors, quelle est la description de ce territoire et que nous réserve-t-il?
Lorsque vous vous dirigez au Nord de Montréal en direction Mont Tremblant, vous remarquerez une région de terres
plus hautes entre les deux communautés de Prévost et de Piedmont. Juste au nord de Prévost, à l’extrémité sud de
cette nouvelle réserve sied une vaste falaise rocheuse surplombant un petit lac. Au cours des dernières années, cette
falaise a été un site de reproduction du faucon pèlerin et plusieurs sentiers menant à la forêt débutent à cet endroit.
La deuxième de ces falaises, créant un environnement très spécial, est plus petite et se situe au sud de Piedmont. Cette
dernière appartient à POQ depuis plus d’un quart de siècle suite au legs par Alfred Kelly de cette petite réserve
naturelle créée sur plusieurs années. Vous retrouverez un article sur Alfred Kelly dans cette édition du Song Sparrow.
Cette falaise s’élève à partir d’une zone boisée accessible depuis la route et qui abrite, entre autre, le Grand Corbeau.
Pendant les neiges d’hiver, des troupeaux de cerfs s’y regroupent régulièrement à sa base y retrouvant un bon abri
contre les intempéries. À mi-chemin entre les falaises, mais à une altitude plus élevée, vous y retrouverez un lac et une
zone humide de dimensions moyennes attirants plusieurs oiseaux au printemps et en été ainsi qu’une grande
sélection de plantes, d’amphibiens, d’insectes et de reptiles caractéristiques de cette région. Une grande partie de cette
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BIRD PROTECTION QUEBEC
La Réserve Naturelle Alfred Kelly réserve, au-delà des falaises et des lacs, est une forêt classique des Basses Laurentides et fourmille de vie de toutes
sortes.
Le CRPF a créé quelques vidéos de présentation informatifs qui vous initieront à la réserve. Vous pouvez les consulter
en suivant ces deux liens :
[http://youtu.be/_pL40BXSfGU ] [http://youtu.be/LdZmiNAiI2w ]
La Réserve Naturelle Alfred Kelly forme un contrepoint superbe à la réserve de Philipsburg depuis longtemps établie
par POQ et qui est située le long de la frontière américaine au bord du lac Champlain. Nous espérons que tous les
membres de POQ vont se joindre à nous en accueillant ce nouveau territoire parmi ceux des sites déjà protégés du
Québec et prendront plaisir à les visiter et à se familiariser avec sa faune. Nous adressons nous remerciements à tous
Peregrine Falcon
Iconic bird of the Alfred
Kelly Nature Reserve
Faucon Pèlerin
l'emblême aviaire de la
réserve Alfred Kelly
© Nature Conservancy of
Canada
Get ready for spring birding with the BPQ winter bird course
Don’t miss this opportunity to hone your birding skills. An excellent slate of presenters, each with expertise in their
particular subject, is eager to share their knowledge and skills. Space is limited so sign up soon.
Alain Goulet is Montreal’s authority on scopes, binoculars and other birding aids. For his hands-on workshop, he
will bring in a good selection of the latest equipment for us to play with. Even if you don’t plan to change your
current optics, this will be a great opportunity to see and try the latest types, and get expert advice on how best to
use them. Joël Coutu particularly loves helping less experienced birders to develop their spotting and ID skills, but
as those who have been on a field trip with him know, he has valuable tips which are also very useful for the more
experienced. Barbara Frei’s expertise in ornithology and her lively style promise that her presentation on the
extraordinary importance of food in so many aspects of birds’ lives will be informative, intriguing and entertaining
too. Two years ago, Betsy McFarlane gave a great interactive workshop, which helped even the least musical
participants to develop the ability to identify birds through song. Now this superb birder will provide participants
with yet another extremely practical skill, by teaching us how to use habitat to find birds.
Feb 9:
Feb 23:
Mar 9:
Mar 23:
6
Alain Goulet: Taking a Look at How We Look at Birds
Joël Coutu: The ABCs of Birdwatching
Barbara Frei: You Are What You Eat!
Betsy McFarlane: Seeing the Forest for the Trees
All lectures begin at 7.30 PM, at the Knox Crescent, Kensington and First Presbyterian Church in NDG. $15 per
lecture for BPQ members ($20 for non-members). To sign up for all (or some) of them, download more details and
the registration form from the BPQ website: http://goo.gl/O7xKd . For more information, contact Averill Craig:
514-484-6575, [email protected] , or Audrey Speck: 514-487-4032, [email protected]
BIRD PROTECTION QUEBEC
Alfred Kelly: Bird-loving Benefactor
By: Richard Gregson
You will all know by now about the new wildlife sanctuary in the hills between Piedmont and Prévost and the fact that
it has been named after Alfred Kelly. But just who was Alf Kelly and why is his name to be linked to this important
piece of land?
Alf Kelly was a long-time member of Bird Protection Quebec (or the Province of Quebec Society for the Protection of
Birds, as it was in his time) who involved himself quite heavily in the work of the society and was often observed on
the trails around our Philipsburg sanctuary keeping an eye on the birds,
managing nesting boxes and helping with management tasks.
Alfred lived in Montreal but spent most of his time in his other home on the
outskirts of Piedmont, where he enjoyed close interactions with the wildlife,
and especially the birds, of the region. Just down the road from his cottage lie
the Piedmont cliffs, a site to which he was particularly attracted and a piece of
land very vulnerable to cottage sprawl. In order to protect this land from
development, he gradually purchased and stitched together a number of small
parcels of land which included the greater part of the Piedmont cliff and the
forest at its base and thereby created a small private nature sanctuary of his
own.
On his death a little over a quarter century ago, Alfred bequeathed his
Piedmont sanctuary and the cliffs to BPQ, together with a sizeable sum of
money to be used for the purposes of the society. It is primarily as a result of
Alfred’s generous legacy and vision, and subsequent good investment that we
were able at the end of 2010 to contribute significantly to the preservation of
this magnificent and important new nature reserve and to link the land we
already owned in the area to that now being acquired by Nature Conservancy
Canada (NCC). As a consequence of Alfred Kelly’s foresight and generosity, we
can look forward to a long and productive partnership with NCC in developing the Alfred Kelly Nature Reserve for the
wildlife that live there and for the benefit of our own and future generations.
Alfred Kelly – un bienfaiteur amoureux des oiseaux
Vous êtes maintenant sûrement au courant de l’existence de la nouvelle réserve naturelle située dans les montagnes
entre Piedmont et Prévost et du fait qu’elle ait été nommée après Alfred Kelly. Mais en fait, qui est Alfred Kelly et
pourquoi son nom est-il lié à cet important territoire?
Alfred Kelly a été un membre de longue date de Protection des Oiseaux du Québec (ou alors connu sous La Société
Québécoise de Protection des Oiseaux) qui s’est très fortement impliqué dans les travaux de la société et qui était
souvent vu dans les sentiers de notre sanctuaire de Philipsburg, gardant un œil sur les oiseaux, la gestion des nichoirs
et aidant dans les tâches de gestion.
Alfred vécut à Montréal, mais a passé la plupart de son temps à sa maison située en périphérie de Piedmont, où il
apprécia ses interactions étroites avec la faune et surtout les oiseaux de la région. Juste en bas de la rue de son chalet
se trouve les falaises de Piedmont, un site qui l’attirait particulièrement et qui était un territoire très vulnérable à la
densification de chalets. Afin de protéger ce terrain d’un développement potentiel, il a progressivement fait
l’acquisition d’un certain nombre de petites parcelles de terrain qui comprend la plus grande partie de la falaise de
Piedmont.et de la forêt à sa base et a ainsi créé sa propre réserve naturelle privée.
7
À sa mort, il y a un peu plus d'un quart de siècle, Alfred a légué son sanctuaire de Piedmont et ses falaises à BPQ, avec
une somme considérable d'argent pour être utilisée aux fins de la société. Il est principalement en raison de son legs
généreux et de sa vision que POQ a été en mesure de contribuer de manière significative à la préservation de cette
nouvelle importante et magnifique réserve naturelle et de relier les terres que nous possédons dans le domaine
maintenant acquis par Conservation de la Nature du Canada (CNC). Nous nous réjouissons de ce partenariat à long
terme avec CNC dans le développement de la réserve naturelle Alfred Kelly pour la faune qui y vit et pour le bénéfice
de nos générations actuelles et futures.
BIRD PROTECTION QUEBEC
Everything You Wanted to Know About
Moulting (but were Afraid to Ask)
By Gay Gruner
In the bird world, January 1 is the arbitrary birthday for all species. This birthday parallels a change in the banding
codes that are used at MBO and other banding stations. A bird in its first year is aged hatch-year (HY) in fall, but as of
January 1 becomes second-year (SY), and later,
in its second fall, an after-hatch year (AHY).The
codes explain themselves, but how has the bird
changed?
When a bird fledges, it is in juvenile plumage,
characterized by loose fluffy feathers. Sometime
between July and September this bird undergoes
a “preformative moult” (equivalent to the term
“first prebasic molt” in Pyle, 1997). In most
species, this is a partial moult that includes body
feathers and usually some wing coverts (typically
the lesser and median coverts and some to all of
the greater coverts). However, flight feathers
(primary coverts, primaries, secondaries and
rectrices) are typically not replaced.
Preformative moult results in formative
plumage; generally some juvenile feathers are
retained and moult limits are visible between or
Slate-colored Junco - hatch-year male wing
within feather tracts. A bird that has undergone
a preformative moult is aged HY in the summer
and fall, but SY in the following spring (remember the arbitrary birthday?).
A second-year or older bird will undergo a complete moult following the breeding season, again usually between July
and September. This is called the “prebasic moult” (equivalent to the term “adult prebasic moult” in Pyle, 1997) and
occurs annually. This is a complete moult and for most species includes all body and flight feathers. Replacement of
flight feathers follows a sequence and is symmetrical: the same pattern of moult is evident on each wing. Prebasic
moult results in definitive basic plumage; generally there is no contrast in colour or condition between or within
feather tracts. A bird that has undergone a prebasic moult is aged AHY in the fall or after-second-year (ASY) in the
spring (back to the birthday). It is possible to age some species as third-year, after-third-year, and so on, but mostly
this is limited to larger birds that do not moult completely each year.
To further complicate matters, many species
undergo a prealternate moult prior to the
prebasic moult. This moult often takes place on
the wintering grounds, although some species
will still be moulting during spring migration.
This moult includes body feathers and
sometimes flight feathers and results in what is
often called “breeding” plumage.
The above is a very simple framework of moult
strategies. If you are interested in learning more
about moult and seeing examples in the hand,
become a volunteer at MBO! If you can’t come in
person, MBO’s Photo Library http://
www.migrationresearch.org/mbo/id/
idlibrary.html is an excellent resource.
Slate-colored Junco - after hatch-year male wing
Ref: Pyle, P. 1997. Identification Guide to North
American Birds, Part 1. Slate Creek Press, Bolinas, CA.
8
Photographs by Marcel Gahbauer
BIRD PROTECTION QUEBEC
Editors Note: I received the following from long-time BPQ member Steve Charlton, a bit of a different slant, however, on a
familiar topic –
Feeding The Birds
I had the occasion recently to attend a “western-style” funeral, a ritual too well known to many of us. The deceased
was lying peacefully, appearing asleep, surrounded by flowers and also by grieving friends and relatives, who were
slowly coming to grips with the reality of the situation. As I stood viewing the body, with organ music playing in the
background, I pondered some of the fundamental mysteries of life – what now? Where are we going next?
I remember doing a research paper in university on suicide, and I remember writing that in some Inuit communities,
rather than causing a burden to their families, when the time comes, an older member of the family will just walk out
into the snow and disappear. I don’t know the frequency with which this happens, but the family is not burdened with
disposing of the body.
In most cultures, however, death, and disposing of the body, is a religious ritual. Being an airline employee, and one
of those many people who love to travel and who are therefore exposed to cultures of different areas of the world, I
became interested in the ritual of “sky burial” a few years ago, as our small tour group approached an area in Tibet
where this practice was carried out. We were not allowed to stop, or visit, but I am in close contact with someone who
was allowed to witness this unique event. I will share with you what I have learned.
Rather than feeling squeamish about the whole thing, please be aware that many religions teach that the body is
simply a temporary place in which the soul resides, before it moves on. Most Tibetans are Buddhists and therefore
believe in bhava, loosely translated as “rebirth.” Once the spirit has left the body, the previous “temple,” now old and
worn-out, has served its purpose. In some cases around the world, the body is actually “preserved,” and we are all
familiar with the elaborate embalming procedures carried out in ancient Egypt, but most often it is deliberately, but
respectfully, discarded. In many cultures, including our own, the body is simply buried, but increasingly here, and
common elsewhere, it is ceremoniously cremated – it serves no more purpose.
In Tibet, firewood is scarce (most of Tibet is above the treeline), so cremation was never a practical choice. The
countryside is rocky, and in many cases is solidified with permafrost, so digging a proper grave has also not been an
option. Whereas covering the body with rocks might potentially have been chosen as a solution, and this is actually
the choice deployed elsewhere, the Tibetans chose a different approach, “sky burial” ! feeding the body to the birds.
This practice, called jhator (literally “giving alms to the birds”), is seen as an act of generosity on behalf of the
deceased, providing food to other living creatures, who also possess souls.
Here’s what I was told, by someone who was allowed to witness this ceremony first-hand - the ritual actually starts
the day before, with chants, religious readings, and visits by friends and family. The jhator itself, a solemn and
respectful operation, occurs the next morning, as the sun rises, and is attended only by immediate family – foreigners
are not allowed to witness the proceedings. The ritual is conducted by a lama (i.e. monk), who is aided by rogyapas,
one or two men (rarely women) who actually dismember the body. The burning of juniper incense and chanting
draws the birds (mostly Griffon Vultures, Gyps fulvus, but also a few hawks and ravens), which assemble on the rocks
nearby, waiting to be summoned. The vultures are considered to be dakinis, present in both the Buddhist and Hindu
religions, and called valkyries in ancient Norse mythology basically highly-revered female figures at an advanced
stage of enlightenment. If the more-hungry vultures approach too closely, they are driven off by sticks, until their
time comes.
The rogyapas go about their business according to a procedure defined in a 12th-century Buddhist document, Bardo
Thondol, referred to as “The Book of The Dead.” This involves placing the body on a large flat rock, unwrapping it
from its white linens, and cutting it into its respective components. “Sky burial” is sometimes referred to as “ritual
dissection.”. To Westerners, details of the jhator (not given here) may seem gruesome, as are details of the Egyptian
embalming procedures (the brain is extracted through the nose and the entrails are saved in a jar – remember?), but
apparently it is carried out with solemn reverence. The family often sits nearby, but not usually in sight of the body.
Not surprisingly, photographs are considered offensive, even exploitive, and are (normally) forbidden.
The pieces are then placed in a central area for the vultures, which voraciously fight for food, just as we see in pictures
from Africa. When the birds have stripped the bones, these are then smashed into pulp using a stone mallet, mixed
with barley meal, and left for the smaller birds. At the end of the day, nothing is left.
9
BIRD PROTECTION QUEBEC
It should be noted that the ritual itself is elaborate and expensive, and many commoners have no choice but to leave
the body whole, intact, to be eaten as-is, without the ritual (as the Zoroastrians do), but the whole concept is still
considered honourable and “correct.”
As human beings, facing our own transient mortality is difficult. But as travellers, we are fortunate to have the
opportunity to learn about other cultures, other beliefs, and day-to-day life (and death) of other human beings. Travel
provides unparalleled opportunities to learn. “Sky burial” may not be a topic to discuss with your grandchildren
around the dinner table, but you have to admit it certainly is another interesting facet of this fascinating world we live
in.
And for those of you who think such a practice is disgusting, when we compare their way versus ours, which is better
– to feed the birds today….…or the worms tomorrow?
Steve Charton is well known to long-time BPQ members. He co-taught "Montreal Birds" with Peter Mitchell
and has presented several Monday lectures. In the '90s, he contributed numerous articles on bird humour
and trivia to The Song Sparrow under the noms de plume Ani Landers and WC.Fieldsparrow, while
becoming the first Quebecer and second Canadian to attain an ABA list of over 700 birds. He enjoys travel
and has now visited 80 countries. He continues to challenge us with his crossword puzzles.
ANNUAL BIRD PROTECTION QUEBEC AWARDS
BPQ is entirely dependent on our volunteer membership for our operations.
The role of the Awards Committee is to recognize and reward outstanding BPQ member achievement as well as
related achievements by members of the public or public groups.
The nomination forms and instructions were sent out with hard copies of the December issue of The Song Sparrow.
You can download your copy on the BPQ website. Look under "Miscellaneous" and then "Service Awards" in the
navigation bar. The site also provides a description of each award and a list of past winners.
Note that current Board members are excluded from receiving awards. Please ensure that you provide us with your
name and telephone number on the form.
Mail or email your nomination form so that it is received by Tuesday March 1, 2011 to:
Bird Protection Quebec Awards Committee
c/o Jeff Harrison
150 Wolseley Avenue North
Montreal West, QC H4X 1V9
Email: [email protected]
New & Returning Members
A very warm welcome to new and returning members Paul Campbell of Westmount and Nancy Montgomery of
Montreal. We look forward to meeting you on our field trips and monthly meetings, and hope you will attend our
winter lecture series!
Board of Directors and Officers of BPQ:
Jeff Harrison (President), Richard Gregson (First VicePresident), Marie-Hélène Gauthier (Second Vice3resident), Jean
Harwood Gregson (Treasurer), Jean Bacon (Secretary), Martin Bowman, Jean Demers, Alain Goulet, Wayne Grubert, Sheldon
Harvey, Lance Laviolette, Gay McDougall, Barbara MacDuff, Ronald Mudd, David Mulholland, Patrick Asch, Audrey Speck,
Barbara Frei, Jane Cormack, Jean-Emmanuel Arsenault, Jim Murray, Nicholas Acheson, Sarah Marteinson
Honorary Vice Presidents (non-voting): Peter Mitchell, Felix Hilton, Mabel McIntosh, Robert Carswell
10
BIRD PROTECTION QUEBEC
BirdWords
By Steve Charlton
29 Coniferous finch (6)
30 Speckled (6)
31 Common component of mixed bird
seed (6)
32 Conservation club founded in San
Francisco in 1862 (6)
Down
2 This bird island in Georgia forms a
palindrome (6)
3 Scissor-tailed Flycatcher is this state's
bird (abbr.) (4)
5 In the s.w. US, a type of woodpecker as
well as a venomous reptile (4)
6 Buteo lagopus: (2nd word) (6)
Across
1 Diving motions (6)
4 A group of geese (6)
9 Type of toe eaten by many birds (6)
8 Shorebirds (6)
10 Sterninae type from California (11)
13 Bufflehead: Bucephala _______ (7)
11 The conclusion “birds evolved from small
carnivorous dinosaurs” was made 150 years ago by
_______ Huxley, after his studies of fossils of
Archaeopteryx (5)
14 Nesting material for some birds (4)
12 Small owl with brown eyes (11)
16 Anchor to which a bird's wing muscles attach,
thereby allowing flight (4)
15 Mergansers with rusty heads (7)
12 Means of bird travel (6)
17 Galapagos-breeding storm-petrel, rare off California
coast (11)
16 Sparrowhawk (7)
20 Grasshopper (6)
18 The Black-capped Chickadee is this state's bird (5)
21 Low-flying sea goose (5)
19 Type of blackbird sought-after on Île Bizard field
trips (5)
22 Meadowlark habitats (6)
23 Smallest of our loons (11)
25 Pigeon sounds (4)
26 Nesting habitat of 23-across (4)
27 Southwestern cowbird (7)
11
7 The capacity of most birds to detect ____ is poorly
developed (6)
23 Ross's Goose: Chen _____ (6)
24 Anhinga (6)
27 Beak (4)
28 Rock Pigeon was once called this (4)
BIRD PROTECTION QUEBEC
Le Comité de communications recherche des gens pour traduire des textes
de l’anglais vers le français.
Si vous voulez joindre notre équipe de traducteurs et traductrices, n’hésitez
pas à nous contacter à [email protected]
PARLONS D’OISEAUX
Un bilan des observations intéressantes à Montréal et à travers la province
par Pierre Bannon
Mi-novembre 2010 au début janvier 2011
Cygne siffleur: 8 oiseaux en vol à Ormstown 20 nov (Y. Pilon). Sarcelle d’hiver: une à Rivière-du-Loup, 1 jan (M.
Beaulieu). Fuligule à dos blanc: un oiseau signalé à Deschênes, 4-6 déc (D. Toussaint, R. Vanasse). Fuligule à tête
rouge: une femelle à Valleyfield, 27 déc (S. Denault, P. Côté). Arlequin plongeur: un mâle à l’île des Soeurs, 17 déc +
(P. Bannon). Macreuse brune: une à Dorion, 2 jan (B. Barnhurst, M. McIntosh). Lagopède des saules: des oiseaux se
sont déplacés vers le sud jusqu’à Chibougamau et au lac Saint-Jean, l’un atteignant Saint-Fulgence, 16 déc (C.
Cormier). Dindon sauvage: l’espèce semble coloniser les Laurentides. Des oiseaux signalés à Saint-Faustin, Val-desLacs et à 20 km au NE de Saint-Sauveur. Plongeon huard: 8 oiseaux à Georgeville, 8 jan (B. Turgeon). Grèbe à bec
bigarré: un à Les Cèdres, 2 jan (B. Barnhurst, M. McIntosh). Héron garde-boeuf: un à Drummondville, 5 déc, une
nouvelle date record pour la province (H. Leclerc). Pygargue à tête blanche: très présent dans Lanaudière et les
Laurentides, ex : 18 à Saint-Didace, 20 déc (B. Dugas, fide R. Piché) et 4 à Lac Tremblant, 30 déc (G. Gauthier). Buse
à épaulettes: des oiseaux à Gatineau, 11 déc + (J. Soucie), et à Saint-Hubert, 29 déc (F. Vaillancourt, I. LangloisVaillancourt). Petite Buse: un imm. photographié à Repentigny, 11-12 déc (S. Favreau) et un autre vu à Gatineau, 14
déc (R. Dubois). Ces présences fournissent de nouvelles dates record pour la province. Aigle royal: des oiseaux vus à
Saint-Didace, 20 déc (B. Dugas, fide R. Piché) et à Luskville, 30 déc (R. Dubois).
Foulque d’Amérique: un à Côteau-du-Lac, 2 jan (S. Marcoux). Vanneau huppé: un oiseau photographié à Sept-Îles, 26
nov-3 déc, le premier depuis plus de 40 ans (B. Duchesne, C. Couture). Pluvier kildir: un à Baie-Saint-Paul, 9 déc (J.
Bernier et al.). Chevalier grivelé: un à Matane, 2 déc, une nouvelle date record pour la province (L. Fradette). Grand
Chevalier: un oiseau tardif à Maria, 3 déc (C. Lamarre). Bécasseau maubèche: un oiseau tardif à Hopetown, 1 déc (M.
Chiasson, J. Saint-Pierre, R. & B. Lanteigne). Mouette de Sabine: un juv. à Les Escoumins, 16 déc, fournit une
nouvelle date record pour la province par plus d’un mois (R. Pintiaux). Mouette pygmée: une observée aux îles de la
Madeleine, 24 déc, établit une nouvelle date record pour la province (C. Roy). Mouette atricille: une à Lévis 5 déc (J.
Laporte).
Nyctale de Tengmalm: une en déc à Laval (pl. ob.). Colibri d’Anna: l’oiseau présent à Val-d’Espoir depuis la fin de sept
a été aperçu pour la dernière fois le 24 déc (fide P. Poulin). Martin-pêcheur d’Amérique: un à Sainte-Marthe-sur-leLac, 2 jan (JC. Charbonneau). Pic à ventre roux: 10 oiseaux signalés pendant la période, un nombre au-dessus de la
normale.
Troglodyte de Caroline: une vingtaine d’oiseaux signalés durant la période. Troglodyte des forêts: en plus grand
nombre qu’habituellement en déc; un oiseau était encore très au nord à Sept-Îles 4 jan (JF. Laporte). Roitelet à
couronne rubis: des oiseaux à Sainte-Catherine le 18 déc (RON de Montréal) et à Maple Grove 2 jan (D. Ouellette).
Merlebleu de l’Est: 4 mentions totalisant 9 oiseaux en déc. Solitaire de Townsend: un à Sept-Îles, 9 déc (C. Couture).
Grive solitaire: des oiseaux à Charlesbourg, 14 déc + (G. La Rue) et à Rivière-des-Prairies, 19 déc (D. Demers). Grive
mauvis: un oiseau filmé à Frampton, 20 déc, une 2ième mention confirmée pour la province (C. Forgues). Grive à
collier: une à Nominingue à partir de la mi-déc (ph., R. Lajeunesse, F. Léonard, fide D. Lavoie). Moqueur roux: des
oiseaux à LaSalle tout au long de déc (D. Ouellette, pl.ob.) et à Notre-Dame-de-Lourdes, 16 déc-1er jan (M. Beaulac).
12
BIRD PROTECTION QUEBEC
Paruline à collier: un oiseau à Notre-Dame-de-Grâce, Montréal, 6 déc, une nouvelle date record pour la province (P.
Bannon). Paruline à croupion jaune: 5 oiseaux signalés en déc, incluant un encore présent à Baie-Comeau le 6 jan (JP.
Barry). Paruline à gorge jaune: l’oiseau présent à Longueuil en nov fut observé jusqu’au 9 déc. Paruline des pins: une
à Chandler, 22 déc + (JR. Lepage).
Bruant des champs: un à Fassett, 25 déc (Y. Gauthier, F. Morand). Bruant des marais: un à l’île des Soeurs, 11 déc-10
jan (P. Bannon). Carouge à tête jaune: un mâle de 1ère année à Frampton, 10 déc + (ph., C. Forgues). Chardonneret
élégant: des oiseaux à Saint-Marc-des-Carrières, 6-25 déc (L. Ouellette), Saint-Laurent, Montréal, 18 déc (L.
Laviolette), Pointe-aux-Trembles, 30 déc + (Y. Gauthier) et Varennes, 2 jan + (M. Bertrand).
Veuillez communiquer vos observations intéressantes à : Pierre Bannon, 1517 Leprohon, Montréal, Qc H4E 1P1. Tél :
514-766-8767 en soirée. Courriel : [email protected]
BIRDVIEWS
A summary of interesting bird sightings in Montréal and around the province
By Pierre Bannon
Mid-November- 2010 to Early January 2011
Tundra Swan: 8 birds in flight at Ormstown 20 Nov (Y. Pilon). Green-winged Teal: one at Rivière-du-Loup 1 Jan (M.
Beaulieu). Canvasback: one bird reported at Deschênes 4-6 Dec (D. Toussaint, R. Vanasse). Redhead: a female at
Valleyfield 27 Dec (S. Denault, P. Côté). Harlequin Duck: a male at Île des Soeurs 17 Dec+ (P. Bannon). White-winged
Scoter: one at Dorion 2 Jan (B. Barnhurst, M. McIntosh). Willow Ptarmigan: birds moved south to Chibougamau and
Lac-Saint-Jean, one reaching Saint-Fulgence 16 Dec (C. Cormier). Wild Turkey: the species seems to be colonizing the
Laurentians. Birds were reported at Saint-Faustin, Val-des-Lacs and 20 km NE of Saint-Sauveur. Common Loon: 8
birds at Georgeville 8 Jan (B. Turgeon). Pied-billed Grebe: one at Les Cèdres 2 Jan (B. Barnhurst, M. McIntosh).
Cattle Egret: one at Drummondville 5 Dec, a new record late date for the province (H. Leclerc). Bald Eagle: very good
concentrations in Lanaudière and the Laurentians, e.g. 18 at Saint-Didace 20 Dec (B. Dugas, fide R. Piché) and 4 at
Lac Tremblant 30 Dec (G. Gauthier). Red-shouldered Hawk: singles at Gatineau 11 Dec+ (J. Soucie), and at SaintHubert 29 Dec (F. Vaillancourt, I. Langlois-Vaillancourt). Broad-winged Hawk: an imm photographed at Repentigny
11-12 Dec (S. Favreau) and another seen at Gatineau 14 Dec (R. Dubois). Both birds provided new record late dates for
the province. Golden Eagle: singles at Saint-Didace 20 Dec (B. Dugas, fide R. Piché) and at Luskville 30 Dec (R.
Dubois).
American Coot: one at Côteau-du-Lac 2 Jan (S. Marcoux). Northern Lapwing: a bird photographed at Sept-Îles 26
Nov-3 Dec, the first in over 40 years (B. Duchesne, C. Couture). Killdeer: one at Baie-Saint-Paul 9 Dec (J. Bernier et
al.). Spotted Sandpiper: one at Matane 2 Dec, a new record late date for the province (L. Fradette). Greater
Yellowlegs: a late bird at Maria 3 Dec (C. Lamarre). Red Knot: one late bird at Hopetown 1 Dec (M. Chiasson, J. SaintPierre, R. & B. Lanteigne). Sabine’s Gull: a juv at Les Escoumins 16 Dec provided a new provincial record late date by
over a month (R. Pintiaux). Little Gull: one in the Magdalen Is. 24 Dec established a new provincial record late date
(C. Roy). Laughing Gull: one at Lévis 5 Dec (J. Laporte).
Boreal Owl: one throughout Dec at Laval (m. ob.). Anna’s Hummingbird: the bird present at Val-d’Espoir since late
Sept was last seen 24 Dec (fide P. Poulin). Belted Kingfisher: one at Sainte-Marthe-sur-le-Lac 2 Jan (JC.
Charbonneau). Red-bellied Woodpecker: 10 birds reported throughout the period, an above-average number.
Carolina Wren: about 20 indiv reported during the period. Winter Wren: more common than usual in Dec; a bird was
still as far north as Sept-Îles 4 Jan (JF. Laporte). Ruby-crowned Kinglet: singles at Sainte-Catherine 18 Dec (Montreal
CBC) and at Maple Grove 2 Jan (D. Ouellette). Eastern Bluebird: 4 reports with a total of 9 birds in Dec. Townsend’s
Solitaire: one at Sept-Îles 9 Dec (C. Couture). Hermit Thrush: singles at Charlesbourg 14 Dec + (G. La Rue) and at
Rivière-des-Prairies 19 Dec (D. Demers). Redwing: one was videotaped at Frampton 20 Dec, a 2nd confirmed record
for the province (C. Forgues). Varied Thrush: one at Nominingue from mid-Dec onwards (ph., R. Lajeunesse, F.
Léonard, fide D. Lavoie). Brown Thrasher: singles at LaSalle throughout Dec (D. Ouellette, m.ob.) and at NotreDame-de-Lourdes 16 Dec-1 Jan (M. Beaulac).
13
BIRD PROTECTION QUEBEC
Northern Parula: a record late bird at Notre-Dame-de-Grâce, Montréal, 6 Dec (P. Bannon). Yellow-rumped Warbler:
5 birds reported in Dec, including one still present at Baie-Comeau 6 Jan (JP. Barry). Yellow-throated Warbler: the
bird present at Longueuil in Nov was last seen 9 Dec. Pine Warbler: one at Chandler 22 Dec + (JR. Lepage).
Field Sparrow: one at Fassett 25 Dec (Y. Gauthier, F. Morand). Swamp Sparrow: one at Île des Soeurs 11 Dec-10 Jan
(P. Bannon). Yellow-headed Blackbird: a first-year male at Frampton 10 Dec+ (ph., C. Forgues). European Goldfinch:
singles at Saint-Marc-des-Carrières 6-25 Dec (L. Ouellette), Saint-Laurent, Montréal 18 Dec (L. Laviolette), Pointeaux-Trembles 30 Dec+ (Y. Gauthier) and Varennes 2 Jan+ (M. Bertrand).
Please report your interesting bird observations to: Pierre Bannon, 1517 Leprohon, Montréal, Qc H4E 1P1. Tel:
514-766-8767 after 7:00 p.m. or by e-mail at [email protected]
Citizen scientists of BPQ
Report of December monthly meeting
by Jean Bacon
The snowstorm which traditionally thwarts the January monthly meeting arrived one month early this year and the
evening of the December meeting saw snow blowing and swirling in very high winds and frigid temperatures creating
difficult and dangerous driving conditions. The result was that attendance at the meeting was rather lower than usual
and a late start to the meeting was necessary. One of the speakers was unable to get there. The twenty-five or so
members who had managed the journey were rewarded with two very interesting talks presented by enthusiastic and
dynamic young researchers from McGill University.
First up was David Fishman who is doing his M.Sc. under the supervision of Drs. David Bird and Rodger Titman on
“Spatial-genetic structuring in a Red-breasted Merganser colony.” He explained that genetic clustering occurs in a
group of persons, plants or animals living in close proximity. He then expanded on the advantages of philopatry, i.e.
returning to place of birth to breed, and of kin association, i.e. living close to kin, achieved through a direct effort to be
surrounded with relatives. A colony of Red-breasted Mergansers nesting on the Tern Islands in Kouchibouguac
National Park was studied by locating all the nests, taking genetic samples from the females, isolating DNA from the
samples and then comparing the results of the groups on each island, using two statistical approaches. The results
demonstrated genetic structuring over the entire colony with fine-scale clusters in densely populated areas. Also
analyzed was synchrony of nesting and this was found to be present over the entire colony regardless of the degree of
kinship of the females.
Next, Dominique Chabot, a self-professed “techno geek,” described his postgraduate research under the supervision
of Dr David Bird on “Applications of Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) in Avian Field Research. ” He
elaborated on the various types of UAS (“drones”) and their uses – usually, to perform “dull, dirty and dangerous”
jobs. For his M.Sc. research, Dominique had firstly spent about a year learning how to use the complex equipment. He
then investigated potential applications for surveying bird populations and habitats with photographs. Some attempts
were not very successful for technical reasons, but better results were achieved with geese flock surveys, particularly
with regard to counting numbers of Snow Geese. Dominique is now working on his Ph.D. and his aim is to apply small
UAS directly and beneficially in current studies of wildlife, with a focus on waterfowl. For this he is using a very small
UAS, with a wingspan of 2.1m and a 2 kg payload, to study three species: the Least Bittern (examining the nesting
sites at Baie-du-Febvre); the Snow Goose (counting flock numbers of the population on the water at Cap-Tourmente);
and the Common Term (surveying a colony in Kouchibouguac National Park). For the latter project, he hopes to
develop a “disturbance-free” colony survey method.
From the number of questions asked of both researchers, it was clear the audience members had been fascinated by
both projects and were keen to learn more.
Unfortunately, due to lack of time and missing participants, it was not possible to have the envisaged interactive
exchanges with BPQ’s resident bird photographers, international bird tour aficionados and hawk watchers, nor to
enjoy a glass of Christmas cheer! Happily, we have subsequently heard from Gail Desnoyers that she hopes to repeat
this format in the future.
Jean Bacon is a long-time member of BPQ and a former director. She is currently secretary to the Board
and a member of the Communications and tchébec Committees.
14
BIRD PROTECTION QUEBEC
Spring Speakers
March 14 (** note the date please, not the first Monday of the month)
WINGS OF SPRING
Gay Gruner, Director of MBO
There is nothing like holding a live bird in your hand while observing its size, colour, wing and tail patterns. The
Spring Migration Monitoring Program at the McGill Bird Observatory (MBO) in Ste-Anne-de-Bellevue begins on
March 28 and will offer many opportunities to see birds
up close. Our March lecture will preview many of the
birds likely to be encountered during spring migration
with photos of some of our migrating passerines.
This illustrated lecture will be presented as a "virtual
day at the MBO," beginning with raising the mist nets
thirty minutes before sunrise and concluding with the
Daily Estimated Totals six hours later. You will
become familiar with the MBO's routine standardized
methods and the many important roles that
volunteers play as they work at the nets, identify, and
record observations and banding data to contribute to
a shared database.
Gay Gruner is Director of the MBO as well as being
one of the banders-in-charge. She has been involved
right from the MBO's beginning in 2004 as a
volunteer, first learning at the nets and later attaining
a banding permit in 2008. Gay holds a B.A. from the
University of New Brunswick and an M.Ed. from
McGill University.
Indigo Bunting by Simon Duval
April 4
“A Lecture for Egg-Heads”
David M. Bird
Birds are the only taxon of vertebrates where no species bears live
young. They lay eggs instead. Which bird species lays the largest
egg? The smallest egg? Did you know that an extinct bird species
used to lay eggs with a volume equivalent to 150 chicken eggs?
How does one explain all the different colours and shapes of eggs?
Why do some birds like American Robins lay such conspicuously
coloured eggs? Why do some bird species lay a specific number of
eggs while others can lay several clutches if need be? Have you
ever been grossed out by a seemingly fertile egg in the frying pan?
And do brown chicken eggs taste better than white ones? Find out
the answers to these questions and many more in Dr. Bird’s talk
on eggs and clutches.
15
As a Full Professor of Wildlife Biology and Director of the Avian
Science and Conservation Centre of McGill University in
Montreal, Quebec, Dr. David Bird has published over 175
Photo: Richard Gregson
scientific papers on birds of prey and supervised over 40 graduate
students. He has written and/or edited several books, the most recent ones being Birds of Canada (published by
published by Dorling Kindersley) and The Bird Almanac: A Guide to Essential Facts and Figures on the World’s Birds.
Dr. Bird is a regular columnist for the Montreal Gazette as well as for BirdWatcher’s Digest magazine and its
newsletter, Backyard Bird News.
BIRD PROTECTION QUEBEC
The 75th Montreal
Christmas Bird
Count
The final tally from the 75th Montreal Christmas Bird
Count, held on Saturday, December 18, 2010, was 70
species. Five additional species were recorded during
count week but not on count day. This brought the
overall total to 75.
Some of the more interesting birds recorded included a
Bald Eagle near Heron Island, a Ruby-crowned Kinglet
at Côte-Ste-Catherine, three Eastern Bluebirds in
Kahnawake Reserve and a Brown Thrasher at Parc des
Rapides.
A European Goldfinch was recorded for the first time
this year. These birds have always been fitful breeders
in North America. In recent years, breeding populations
have been established in Illinois and Wisconsin. There
is no way of knowing whether this popular cage bird,
often labeled an “exotic”, was a breeding vagrant or an
escapee.
We recorded 23,715 birds this year, surpassing our
previous high count of 18,384 in 2005. Most of the
massive increase can be attributed to the large number
of crows counted at the Montreal crow roost on the
Falaise St-Jacques by Lance Laviolette and his
assistants.
Jean Demers continues as Assistant Compiler in charge
of developing our FeederWatch program. In total we
had 14 feeder watchers this year, scattered around the
count area. Their observations are now having an
important impact on overall species numbers and
contributed some new record highs.
The species with record high counts, followed by the
previous record in parentheses, are set out below:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
16
Barrow's Goldeneye: 3 (2)
Hooded Merganser: 40 (38)
Cooper's Hawk: 10 (8)
Merlin: 10 (7)
Barred Owl: 4 (3)
Downy Woodpecker: 143 (101 )
Pileated Woodpecker: 15 (10)
Blue Jay: 64 (61)
American Crow: 9,149 (5,116)
Common Raven: 11 (9)
Black-capped Chickadee: 876 (736)
Tufted Titmouse: 8 (4)
Red-breasted Nuthatch: 12 (8)
White-breasted Nuthatch: 118 (95)
Dark-eyed Junco: 133 (115)
Northern Cardinal: 204 (150)
In addition to better feeder coverage, we had a record
number of field participants (72) in 18 teams. This gave
us by far the best coverage of the count circle that we
have ever had.
Dividing the teams into four geographical sectors, the
results are as follows:
• South Shore: 50 species
• Downtown (including Nuns’ Island, plus east of
Decarie): 42 species
• West End (west of Decarie): 42 species:
• North Montreal (the airport, all areas north of
Autoroute 40): 43 species
Considerably more detailed information about the 2010
count will be published shortly on the BPQ website
along with the historical records since 1931, which
include 2010 data.
As has always been the case on our counts, the most
productive areas were along the St. Lawrence River and
associated green space. The five teams in areas with the
highest counts were as follows: Nuns’ Island and Expo
Island (41); St Lawrence River: Dorval to Verdun (34);
Châteauguay (32); Côte-Ste- Catherine (32); Bois-deLiesse (30).
The after-count compilation, attended by about 45
people, was held at the Montreal West Curling Club.
The relaxed and cozy atmosphere is an ideal venue for
our event. The new compilation format, which consists
of inputting sector counts for each bird, displayed on a
large screen, was also well received.
Special thanks to all our team leaders and to Jean
Demers, Clémence Soulard and Virginia Elliott for
organizing the smooth running of the social and
compilation. Given the continuing favourable
comments we will repeat the compilation at the Curling
Club for the next count.
Finally the 2011 Montreal count will be Saturday,
December 17, 2011.
Jeff Harrison
Compiler
For more information visit:
http://birds.audubon.org/christmas-bird-count
BIRD PROTECTION QUEBEC
Recent Field Trip Reports
20/11/10 – Parc Nature Pointe-aux-Prairies, Montreal, QC – Leader: Joël Coutu
Hail, major winds, rain, sunshine, even thunder. 6 birders; 19 species
Bird of the Day: Red-tailed Hawk
Other Birds of Note: Great Blue Heron, Green-winged Teal, Gadwall, Mallard
27/11/10 – Boisé Papineau, Laval, QC – Leader: Chuck Kling
Light snow, minus 1 C. 5 birders; 13 species
Bird of the Day: Northern Shrike
Other Birds of Note: Hairy Woodpecker, Am. Tree Sparrow, House Finch, Crossbill species
04/12/10 – Casselman, ON – Leader: Jacques Bouvier
Cloudy, minus 12 C 10 birders; 32 species
Bird of the Day: Evening Grosbeak
Other Birds of Note: Snow Bunting, Horned Lark, Common Raven, Rough-legged Hawk, American Kestrel, Lapland
Longspur, Bohemian Waxwing
Jim Houghton Spring Warbler Walks on the Summit
7:00 AM Tuesdays on April 26 and May 3, 10, 17 and 24
Summit Woods in Westmount is a wooded area transected by numerous footpaths. From mid-April to late May,
spring migrants find the woods an attractive place in which to rest and feed. At least 33 warbler species have been
seen over the years and 24 warbler species are seen each year. Come out and participate in one or all of the Jim
Houghton Spring Warbler Walks with an informal group of BPQ members. It’s a perfect start to a spring day!
Thursdays, Thrushes and Thrashers: Birding for Beginners
As a new birder, have you ever felt overwhelmed by the challenges of bird identification? Do you sometimes feel
intimidated about joining one of BPQ’s regular excursions because of a perceived lack of skills? Well, this is your
chance to get involved with others who feel the same way. Barbara MacDuff will lead a series of three field trips
designed specifically to introduce fledgling birders to the fundamentals of birding and the basics of bird identification.
Join her for one or all of these outings and learn the essentials of this hobby in a fun and relaxed atmosphere. All trips
start at 9:00 AM and end at 12:00 PM.
• Thursday, April 28, Parc-nature du Bois-de-l'Île Bizard
• Thursday, May 5, Morgan Arboretum
• Thursday, May 12, Parc-nature du Bois-de-l'Île Bizard
See the Field Trips Section for more details on directions and costs, or contact Barbara for information at
514-457-2222 or [email protected] .
Education volunteering anyone?
The Education Committee members have been busy doing birding presentations with beginners including McGill
University students, elementary students and Brownie groups. We can always use help. If this interests you, please
contact Barbara MacDuff at 514-457-2222 or [email protected] .
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BIRD PROTECTION QUEBEC
FORTHCOMING FIELD TRIPS
Late February to early May 2011
Trip Advice - De rigueur pour les excursions
•
•
•
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Transportation: Contact the trip leader or the Songsparrow email group if you need or can offer a lift.
Cancellations: Trips are rarely cancelled, but in case of extreme weather check with the leader.
Clothing: Dress warmly and wear waterproof footwear, even if the day seems mild and dry.
Food: Bring plenty to eat and drink, even on half-day trips.
Take nothing but photographs — leave nothing but footprints — kill nothing but time
•
•
•
•
Transport : Téléphoner au responsable ou contacter le groupe Songsparrow pour faire du covoiturage.
Annulations : En cas d'intempérie, vérifier la possibilité d'une annulation avec le responsable.
Habillement : Vêtements chauds et bottes imperméables sont toujours de rigueur.
Nourriture : Toujours prévoir une collation et quelque chose à boire.
Ne ramenez... que vos photos et souvenirs — Ne laissez... que vos empreintes — Ne tuez... que le temps
Saturday, 26 February - samedi 26 février
Boisé Papineau, Laval, QC
Leader: Chuck Kling 514-277-2567 [email protected]
8:00 AM From Hwy 40 (Metropolitan Blvd) take exit for Papineau north (Hwy 19). Cross bridge into Laval. At the
third exit take St. Martin east for approximately 1.5 km. On the left are a police garage and a community centre. Take
the lane between them to a parking area at the back. Looking for owls, winter finches and early migrants. Half day.
8 h 00 De l'autoroute 40 (boul. Métropolitain) prendre la sortie Papineau nord (rte 19). Traverser le pont qui mène à
Laval. À la 3e sortie, prendre le boul. Saint-Martin est et continuer sur une distance d'environ 1,5 km. À gauche se
trouvent un garage de police et un centre communautaire. Prendre la ruelle entre les deux édifices et continuer
jusqu'au stationnement situé à l'arrière. Espèces recherchées : hiboux, oiseaux d'hiver et migrateurs hâtifs. Demijournée.
Saturday, 5 March - samedi 5 mars
Hudson, QC
Leader: Wayne Grubert 450-458-5498 [email protected]
8:00 AM Meet at the CPR station on Wharf Street in Hudson. Highway 40, exit 22 onto Côte St. Charles north, right
on Main Street, left on Wharf Street. Looking for winter finches and early migrants. Half day.
8 h 00 Rassemblement à la gare C.P. sur la rue Wharf, à Hudson. Prendre l'autoroute 40, sortie 22, et tourner à droite
sur la Côte St-Charles nord. Continuer jusqu'à la rue Main et tourner à droite sur celle-ci. Continuer jusqu’à la rue
Wharf puis tourner à gauche sur celle-ci. Espèces recherchées : oiseaux d'hiver et migrateurs hâtifs. Demi-journée.
Saturday, 12 March - samedi 12 mars
Botanical Garden - Jardin Botanique De Montréal, QC
Leader: Guy Zenaitis 514-256-8118 [email protected]
8:00 AM Meet in front of the restaurant, near the entrance on Sherbrooke St. East. There is a charge for parking
inside the gates. Looking for winter finches and early migrants. Half day.
8 h 00 Rassemblement devant le restaurant, près de l'entrée du jardin botanique située sur la rue Sherbrooke Est.
Des frais sont exigés pour le stationnement situé dans le jardin botanique. Espèces recherchées : oiseaux d'hiver et
migrateurs hâtifs. Demi-journée.
Saturday, 19 March - samedi 19 mars
Île Perrot/ Parc-Nature du Cap-St-Jacques Combination
Leader: Wayne Grubert 450-458-5498 [email protected]
8:00 AM Take Hwy 20 west to Île Perrot. Turn left on Don Quichotte. Meet at Windmill Point at the end of Don
Quichotte Blvd. Looking for waterfowl, hawks and early migrants. If time permits we may travel in convoy to Parc
nature Cap-St Jacques for part of the morning. Half day.
8 h 00 Prendre l'autoroute 20 ouest jusqu’à l’Île Perrot. Tourner à gauche sur le boulevard Don Quichotte et
continuer jusqu’au bout de celui-ci. Rassemblement à la Pointe du Moulin. Espèces recherchées : sauvagine, buses et
18
BIRD PROTECTION QUEBEC
migrateurs hâtifs. Si nous avons assez de temps, nous nous rendrons également au Parc nature du Cap St Jacques
pour une partie de la matinée. Demi-journée.
Saturday, 26 March - samedi 26 mars
Parc-des-Rapides, LaSalle and Verdun Waterfront, QC
Leader: Diane Demers 514-729-3051 [email protected]
8:00 AM Meet in the Parc des Rapides parking lot in Ville LaSalle (LaSalle Blvd / 6th Avenue, just east of Bishop
Power Blvd). Take Hwy 20 to the Blvd de la Vérendrye exit. Follow de la Verendrye to the Knox Bridge at
Shevchenko/Bishop Power. Turn left and follow Bishop Power to LaSalle Blvd. Turn left on LaSalle Blvd. to 6th
anvenue. Time permitting, we will visit the riverfront at Nuns
Island. Looking for waterfowl and early migrants.Half
day.
8 h 00 Rassemblement dans le stationnement du Parc des Rapides. Celui-ci est situé à l'intersection du boul. LaSalle
et de la 6ième avenue à ville LaSalle (juste à l'est du boul. Bishop-Power). Prendre l'autoroute 20 puis la sortie du
boul. de la Vérendrye. Suivre le boul. de la Vérendrie jusqu'au Pont Knox, à l'intersection Shevchenko/Bishop Power.
Tourner à gauche et continuer sur Bishop Power jusqu'au boul. LaSalle. Tourner à gauche et continuer sur le boul.
Lasalle jusqu'à la 6ième avenue. Demi-journée.
Saturday, 2 April - samedi 2 avril
Morgan Arboretum / Arboretum Morgan http://www.morganarboretum.org/
Leader: Betsy McFarlane 514-457-9315 [email protected]
8:00 AM Meet in the main parking lot of the park. From Montreal take Highway 40 west. Take exit 44 (Morgan
Blvd.). Turn left on chemin Ste-Marie. Drive 1.4 km to second stop sign (at Arboretum road). Turn right. Drive 1 km
to main parking on left. $5.00 admission charge for non-Arboretum members. Looking for woodpeckers, owls and
migrants. Half day.
8 h 00 Rassemblement au stationnement principal du parc. De Montréal, prendre l'autoroute 40 ouest, sortie 44
(boul. Morgan). Tourner à gauche sur le chemin Ste-Marie et continuer sur une distance de 1,4 km jusqu'au second
arrêt (rue Arboretum). Tourner à droite et rouler sur une distance de 1 km jusqu'au stationnement principal, situé à
gauche. Frais d'entrée : 5,00 $ pour les non-membres. Espèces recherchées: Pics, hiboux et migrateurs. Demijournée.
Saturday, 9 April - samedi 9 avril
Baie-du-Febvre, QC
Leaders: Jean Demers and Clémence Soulard 514-694-8240 [email protected]
8:30 AM Meet at the route Janelle lookout at Baie-du-Febvre. Two possible driving routes from Montreal. First route:
Take Hwy 30 east to Sorel and then Hwy 132 east to Baie-du-Febvre. Look for route Janelle on your left. Allow 90
minutes driving time from Montreal. Looking for waterfowl, hawks, early spring migrants and thousands of migrating
Snow Geese. All day.
8 h 30 Rassemblement au poste d'observation (cache) situé le long de la route Janelle, à Baie-du-Febvre. On propose
deux trajets. Premier trajet : Prendre l'autoroute 30 en direction est jusqu'à Sorel puis prendre la route 132 en
direction est jusqu'à Baie-du-Febvre. Tourner à gauche sur la route Janelle, juste après l'intersection avec la rue
principale. Durée du trajet : 1h30. À la recherche de milliers d'Oies des neiges, d'oiseaux aquatiques, de rapaces et
d'autres migrateurs. Toute la journée.
Saturday, 16 April - samedi 16 avril
Parc-Nature du Bois-de-l'Île-Bizard, QC
Leader: Felix Hilton 514-631-3437 [email protected]
8:00 AM Meet in the parking lot at the park. Hwy 40; exit St. Jean Blvd north to Gouin Blvd; left (west) on Gouin to
Jacques Bizard Blvd; right (north) on Jacques Bizard Blvd, over bridge to Blvd Chevremont; left (west) on
Chevremont to Montée de l'Église; right (north) on de l'Église to Ch. Bord-du-Lac; right (east) on Bord-du-Lac to park
entrance, approx. 1 km. Parking: $7.00. Looking for waterfowl, hawks and migrating passerines. Half day.
8 h 00 Rassemblement au stationnement du parc. De l'autoroute 40, prendre la sortie pour le boul. St-Jean nord et
continuer sur celui-ci jusqu'au boul. Gouin. Tourner à gauche (ouest) sur Gouin et continuer jusqu'au boul. JacquesBizard. Tourner à droite (nord) sur Jacques-Bizard et traverser le pont. Tourner à gauche (ouest) sur le boul.
Chevremont et continuer jusqu'à la Montée de l'Église. Tourner à droite (nord) sur celle-ci et continuer jusqu'au
chemin du Bord-du-Lac. Tourner à droite (est) sur celui-ci et continuer jusqu'à l'entrée du parc (environ 1 km).
Stationnement : 7,00 $. Espèces recherchées : sauvagine, rapaces et passereaux en migration. Demi-journée.
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BIRD PROTECTION QUEBEC
Saturday, 23 April - samedi 23 avril
Spontaneous Spring Outing: Location To Be Determined / Sortie printannière spontanée:
Destination à confirmer
Leader: Sheldon Harvey 450-462-1459 [email protected]
Early spring is an interesting but unpredictable time for birding as early, late or vagrant migrants may turn up just
about anywhere. As a result, the destination of this trip will be determined mere days prior to the actual outing. The
destination will be chosen based on a number of factors including weather conditions, bird activity and any special or
rare bird sightings reported in the days leading up to the trip. Complete details of the field trip, including the
destination, the start time, the meeting spot and the duration, will be posted on the BPQ webpage and on the
songsparrow Yahoo Group two or three days in advance of the Saturday outing.
Le début du printemps est un moment intéressant mais imprévisible pour l’observation des oiseaux ; des migrateurs
précoces, tardifs ou des visiteurs rares pouvant se retrouver à peu près n'importe où. En conséquence, la destination
pour cette sortie ne sera confirmée que quelques jours avant qu’elle n’ait lieu. La destination sera déterminée en
fonction d'un certain nombre de facteurs dont les conditions météorologiques, l'activité des oiseaux et la présence
d’espèces rares ou spéciales signalée dans les jours précédant la sortie. Les informations détaillées concernant
l'excursion, incluant la destination, l'heure de début, le lieu de rencontre et la durée, seront affichées sur la site internet
de POQ et sur le groupe Yahoo songsparrow deux ou trois jours avant la sortie.
Thursday 28 April – jeudi 28 avril
Thursdays, Thrushes and Thrashers for Beginners: Session 1 / Jeudis, geais et jaseurs pour
déutants : 1ère session
Parc-nature du Bois-de-l’Île-Bizard, Qc
Leader: Barbara MacDuff 514-457-2222 [email protected]
9:00 AM - 12:00 PM Meet in the main parking lot at the park. Parking: $7.00.
9h00 - 12h00 Rassemblement au stationnement principal du parc. Stationnement : 7,00 $.
Saturday, April 30 – samedi 30 avril
Parc Nature de L’ le-de-la-Visitation
Leader : Joël Coutu 514-324-5092 [email protected]
8:00 AM Meet in the parking lot at the park From Highway 40 (Metropolitan Blvd) take Papineau north to Henri
Bourassa. Turn right (east) on Henri-Bourassa and turn left on Rue de Lille. Turn right onto Gouin and left into the
parking area. Parking : $7.00. Looking for spring migrants. Half day.
8 h 00 Rassemblement au stationnement du parc. De l’autoroute 40(boul métropolitain) prendre la sortie Papineau
nord jusqu’à HenriBourassa. Tourner à droite (est) sur Henri-Bourassa et tourne à gauche sur rue de Lille. Tourner à
droite sur Gouin jusqu’au stationnement du parc. Stationnement: 7,00$. À la recherche des oiseaux migrateurs. Demijournée.
Thursday 5 May – jeudi 5 mai
Thursdays, Thrushes and Thrashers for Beginners: Session 2 / Jeudis, geais et jaseurs pour
déutants : 2ième session
Morgan Arboretum, QC
Leader: Barbara MacDuff 514-457-2222 [email protected]
9:00 AM - 12:00 PM Meet in the main parking lot at the park. $5.00 admission charge for non-Arboretum members.
9h00 - 12h00 Rassemblement au stationnement principal du parc. Frais d'entrée : 5,00 $ pour les non-membres.
Thursday 12 May – jeudi 12 mai
Parc-nature du Bois-de-l’Île-Bizard, Qc
Thursdays, Thrushes and Thrashers for Beginners: Session 3 / Jeudis, geais et jaseurs pour
déutants : 3ième session
Leader: Barbara MacDuff 514-457-2222 [email protected]
9:00 AM - 12:00 PM Meet at the main parking lot in the park. Parking: $7.00.
9h00 - 12h00 Rassemblement au stationnement principal du parc. Stationnement : 7,00 $.
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