THE SONG SPARROW - Bird Protection Quebec

Transcription

Bird Protection Quebec
THE SONG SPARROW
The
Driscoll-Naylor
Sanctuary in the
middle of
Hudson, QC is
BPQ’s smallest,
but perhaps
most accessible,
Bird Sanctuary
©: RG
Montreal “Eagle Crossing” Hawkwatch
By Bob Barnhurst
In my last article *, I wrote about the fall
hawkwatch at SDLQWH Anne-de-Belleville. Our
spring hawkwatch is conducted near SaintStanislas-de-Kostka, southwest of Salaberryde-Valleyfield and alongside Lake St. Francis.
Many of you already know the area as a great
spring birding locale, where tens of thousands
of Canada and Snow Geese congregate in
March and April.
The Song Sparrow
The Newsletter of Bird
Protection Quebec
Editor: Jane Cormack
Vol: 53-5
April 2011
1
When Mabel and I began the hawkwatch back
in 1980, we used to spend most of our time at
the southern end of the St. Lawrence Seaway
Laroche lift bridge on Hwy 132. The hawkwatch
“site” now spans the area from approximately
two miles south of Saint-Stanislas-de-Kostka,
east to Hwy 201, west along the seaway canal,
thence SW along the shore of Lake St. Francis
as far as Ste. Barbe. The area is dominated by
farmland with a few woodlots and occasional
Contents
1 Montreal Hawkwatch
2 President’s Message
4 Winter Owl Report
5 Be an eBirder
6 Species at Risl
single large trees. This provides for unfettered
views of approaching hawks; however, this also
means that there is no place to hide from the
elements, save the car, and so warm,
windproof, clothes with heavy gloves and hats
are a must here, even well into April. Where we
watch from on any one day depends largely on
the strength and direction of the wind. As the
hawks move up from New York State, and cross
into Quebec to the southwest of the site, many
tend to follow alongside Lake St. Francis, which
is over 8 km wide at this point. They do this
because hawks rarely cross over large bodies of
water due to the lack of thermals (see previous
article*). Only when they reach the east end of
the lake are they then able to continue their
migration to the north. If the wind is strong to
very strong from the E or SE, then so much the
better, as the vast majority of the hawks,
Continued on page 3
8 Birdviews
11 Baillie Birdathon 2011
12 Les berges de Verdun
14-17 Reviews
19-20 Notices
21 Field trips
27 Notice of Annual General Meeting
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]
Layout: Richard Gregson
Birdviews: Pierre Bannon
[email protected]
514-766-8767 after 7:00 PM
Contact BPQ:
The President’s Column
This will be my last message as President of Bird Protection Quebec.
At the AGM in late May, I fully expect that the membership will
support the Board’s recommendation of Richard Gregson as our new
President. Having worked closely with Richard over the last few years,
I know that I am leaving BPQ in excellent hands. With his wife Jean
serving as our Treasurer, we are blessed to have such capable and
dedicated people at the heart of our organization. England’s loss is
certainly Canada’s gain. No doubt Rue St. Andrews in Baie d’Urfé is
going to be even busier over the next two years!
Our family came to Montreal in 1998 when my wife, Victoria
Dickenson, accepted the position of Executive Director of the McCord
Museum. I knew about the old PQSPB before I got to Montreal and
attended my first monthly meeting in the fall of that year. Like any
neophyte in a new city, I remember feeling uncertain, an outsider
looking in. I was soon speaking to one of our greeters, David
Mulholland. David put me at ease and I remember thinking that
having a greeter available to talk to potential new members was a good
idea.
I soon joined what is now BPQ. Over the years, I got more and more
involved. My experiences have been rich, varied and rewarding. As
most of you know, when you get involved with a volunteer
organization, the amount of work to be done is as limitless as your
imagination but the personal rewards in friendships, comradeship and
shared values always outweigh the efforts one puts in. Many people
have been of considerable assistance to me over the years. In the early
days, I remember meeting with Felix Hilton and participating in my
first Montreal Christmas Bird Count. I think I went out the first year
with Ken Thorpe. I must single Ken out as a huge influence in helping
me along with my “career” at BPQ. Every organization needs creative
people like Ken who take the time to interest and involve others. Ken
has gone on to apply his talents at Nature Canada.
[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
As with any organization, it should never be dependent on just a few
people. In the case of BPQ, we have an exceptional “roll-up-yoursleeves” Board that makes stepping down a whole lot easier. With the
inception of the new By-Laws last year, I must now leave the Board. In
my case, this is fortuitous as my wife has recently accepted a five-year
contract position in Toronto, so we will be moving again. It’s been 13
eventful years here in Montreal and we are sad to be leaving. As any
older person who has moved cities knows, it can be a somewhat
daunting experience. I want to thank you all for your many kindnesses
over the years. My wife and I leave with many regrets. We are a bit
unclear about where our long-term residence will be, Toronto or
Montreal. With two of our boys living in Montreal, we will certainly be
back. I hope some of our visits coincide with a BPQ field trip or a
monthly meeting. So my parting salutation is “Au Revoir.”
Jeff Harrison
Tel: 514-486-4943
email: [email protected]
Continued from page 1 ... especially buteos (soaring hawks), are then concentrated along the edge of the lake.
Some are even blown out over the lake, before struggling back inland. When the wind is strong from the W or NW, the
opposite happens. Birds are pushed to the east and SE, migrating from 2 to 5 km inland. Contrary to what might be
expected, strong SW winds can result in a poor flight. The better winds for migration are usually low to moderate
from the E to SW, while N and NE winds, being head winds, typically produce very few migrants.
The first hawks we usually see as the count begins in early March are the local pair of nesting Peregrines and the odd
pair of Cooper’s and Sharp-shinned Hawks. The first migrant birds to arrive are usually Rough-legged Hawks, with
some Northern Harriers in tow. These are followed later by Red-shouldered and Red-tailed Hawks, whose numbers
peak in late March and the first two weeks of April. Broad-winged Hawks rarely appear before the middle of April and
peak numbers occur during the last week of April and first week of May. Numbers of accipiters and falcons steadily
increase throughout April.
The big four, namely Bald and Golden Eagles, Turkey Vultures and Ospreys, reach southern Quebec at different times
of the season. Adult and sub-adult Golden Eagles move through almost exclusively in March, with most having
migrated past by the end of the third week. Their migration coincides closely with that of the geese and during this
period, a Golden Eagle or two may be seen almost every day. On days with strong winds, conditions favoured by
eagles, up to 20 birds may be encountered. Immature Golden Eagles are most often seen from mid-to-late April. As
for Golden Eagles, adult Bald Eagles are recorded in March, but usually in smaller numbers. Most do not move
through until early-to-mid April. Immature Bald Eagles appear chiefly from early April on, with a noticeable peak in
early to mid-May. We may see more than a dozen Bald Eagles in one day during late March and early April.
Turkey Vultures (TV), whilst appearing in small numbers in March, pass through in greater numbers in April and
early May. As with the eagles, TV numbers have increased dramatically since the mid-90s. Last spring (2010), we
tallied our first 500-plus vulture season. We expect numbers of both TVs and eagles to continue to grow exponentially
for the foreseeable future. Ospreys are more numerous at our spring site than at our fall site, with up to 250 birds
being recorded during the last two weeks of April and first two weeks of May. Groups of five to ten per day are not
unusual and up to 90 birds may be seen in a single day in early May.
If you do come out looking for migrating raptors, pick a clear or partly cloudy day immediately following the passage
of a warm front. Find a pull-off somewhere in the area described above, set up a telescope if you have one, start
scanning with your binoculars and cross your fingers. As with all things in nature, the one predictable thing about
hawk migration is its unpredictability.
*Refer to “Hawkwatching” by Bob Barnhurst published in the October 2010 issue of The Song Sparrow (volume
53-2). http://www.pqspb.org/bpq/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=65&Itemid=88
Bob Barnhurst came to Montreal from England in 1974 to work in the Department of Mining and Metallurgy at
McGill University. In his spare" time, he honed his skills as a bird observer, particularly hawks and raptors. He
heads up the Montreal spring and fall Hawkwatch with Mabel McIntosh and also participates in the owling
program at McGill Bird Observatory (MBO). He is a former editor of The Song Sparrow.
Red-tailed
Hawk
© Mark
Dennis
3
2010 - 2011 Winter Owl Report
by Chuck Kling
The 2010 - 2011 Season was remarkably different from recent times! Over the last two years, we were spoiled by
several popular sightings of Northern Hawk Owls and Snowy Owls. This year, except for occasional sightings at StClet there were no Snowy Owls seen nearby. However, there was a Northern Hawk Owl regularly seen at Low, QC.
and another reported recently at Luskville.
The six species in the accompanying photographs were observed at the following locations:
At Boisé Papineau, Laval, two Northern Saw-whet Owls were seen regularly between the end of October and early
January. A Boreal Owl was seen in early January and for those who are lucky, the Eastern Screech-Owl is reliably still
in its cavity near the police garage ! as it has been for many years now² although it is not always visible. A female
Great Horned Owl has been seen on a nest since February 21 with the male sighted in the same woods, from time to
time.
Île Charron has been superb all winter for Great Horned and Barred Owls ! amazingly sharing the same pineries!
The Barred Owl was seen actively hunting during daytime ! perhaps "deathly" afraid of its neighbour at night…
Earlier in the season, this was a very reliable spot for Long-eared Owls and a couple of Northern Saw-whet Owls,
although one Saw-whet, at least, as witnessed by a photographer who never posted, was devoured by one of the
Barred Owls.
Finally, on Oiseaux Rares, a Great Gray Owl was reported at Saint-Gabriel-de-Brandon!
Chuck Kling is a long-tLPH and active member of Bird Protection Quebec. He has led numerous field trips over the
years, but hH is best known to most members through the contributions of his superb photographs to The Song
Sparrow newsletter and his reports on the songsparrow e-mail forum. During the winter months, he is particularly
interested in photographing owls and devotes many long cold hours to his art and passion.
4
Be an eBirder and help our birds
by Richard Gregson
Birders can contribute to the research done by professional ornithologists and help conserve our birds, by reporting
on the continent-wide eBird database. BPQ encourages all birders to do this—it takes just a few minutes and helps to
build a picture of where and when birds are and to give early warnings of problems in population and distribution.
In recent weeks, eBird has gone international and you can now report your sightings from anywhere on the planet; no
longer is it restricted to North America. This database is now well set to create a dynamic and constantly growing
picture of the whole world’s avifauna.
You can access the whole world of bird recording via the eBird Canada link at http://ebird.org/content/canada . As
you are given the option of entering the site where you saw your birds either via the name of the place or (better) by
selecting the exact point on a zoomable map, you will find the whole process extremely easy.
eBird maximizes the utility of the vast numbers of bird observations made each year by birders like you. It is one of
the largest biodiversity data resources in existence. The records of each participant are pooled in an international
network, enabling eBird to share your observations with a global community of conservation biologists. These data
build a better understanding of bird distribution across the western hemisphere and beyond. No sighting is too trivial
to report—one House Sparrow or a thousand Snow Buntings, it all matters.
Birders enter when, where, and how they went birding, then fill out a checklist of the birds seen during the outing.
Automated data quality filters developed by regional bird experts review all submissions before they enter the
database. Local experts review unusual records that are flagged by the filters.
Every time you see and identify a bird, you are holding a piece of a puzzle. For instance, scientists might be wondering
how quickly House Finches are spreading throughout your area or how rapidly Bobolinks are declining. Each time
that you report one of these species, you are piecing together a part of that puzzle. Each year during migration,
hundreds of species fly to northern breeding grounds, following the flush of summer insects. When do they leave?
Where do they breed? And when do they return home?
Unfortunately, just like puzzle pieces, these observations lose their value if they remain separate from one another.
The sightings tucked away in your memory, or in your desk drawer, or on your computer accessible only to you leave
gaps in a partially completed picture. They make a contribution to our understanding of nature only when they are
collected and organized into a central database where they can help complete a picture of the life of birds.
Please start today and use the eBird web site to enter all your birding information—and get your friends, family
members, students, and colleagues to use it as well. The answers to the never-ending questions about birds will
emerge from the eBird database, for use now and for the generations that will follow.
5
Espèces en peril / Species at Risk
Species/Espèce
Federal Status
Statut fédéral
Quebec Status
Statut provincial
Harlequin Duck / Arlequin
plongeur
Special Concern / Préoccupante
Vulnerable / Vulnérable
Barrow’s Goldeneye / Garrot
d’Islande
Horned Grebe / Grèbe esclavon
Endangered / En voie de
disparition
Threatened / Menacée
Leach’s Storm-Petrel / Océanite
cul-blanc
Least Bittern / Petit Blongios
6
SLDTV* / SDMV*
Bald Eagle / Pygargue à tête
blanche
Golden Eagle / Aigle royal
Peregrin Falcon / Faucon pèlerin
Yellow Rail / Râle jaune
Piping Plover / Pluvier siffleur
disparition
Threatened /Menacée
Red Knot / Bécasseau maubèche Endangered / En voie de
disparition
SLDTV / SDMV
Caspian Tern / Sterne caspienne
Roseate Tern / Sterne de Dougall Endangered / En voie de
disparition
Barn Owl / Effraie des clochers
disparition
SLDTV / SDMV
Short-eared Owl / Hibou des
marais
SLDTV / SDMV
Common Nighthawk /
Engoulevent d’Amérique
SLDTV / SDMV
Eastern Whip-poor-will /
Engoulevent bois-pourri
SLDTV / SDMV
Chimney Swift / Martinet
ramoneur
SLDTV / SDMV
Red-headed Woodpecker / Pic à
tête rouge
Olive-sided Flycatcher /
Moucherolle à côtés olive
SLDTV / SDMV
Loggerhead Shrike / Pie-grièche
migratrice
disparition
Species/Espèce
Federal Status
Statut fédéral
Sedge Wren / Troglodyte à bec
court
Quebec Status
Statut provincial
SLDTV / SDMV
Bicknell’s Thrush / Grive de
Bicknell
Golden-winged Warbler /
Paruline à ailes dorées
SLDTV / SDMV
Cerulean Warbler / Paruline
azurée
Louisiana Waterthrush / Paruline Special Concern / Préoccupante
hochequeue
SLDTV / SDMV
Canada Warbler / Paruline du
Canada
SLDTV / SDMV
Grasshopper Sparrow / Bruant
sauterelle
SLDTV / SDMV
Nelson’s Sparrow / Bruant de
Nelson
SLDTV / SDMV
Bobolink / Goglu des près
Rusty Blackbird / Quiscale
rouilleux
SLDTV / SDMV
* Species likely to be designated as threatened or vulnerable (SLDTV) / * Susceptible d’être désigné menacé ou
vulnérable (SDMV)
Species in the following list have not yet been assessed by the Committee on the Status of Endangered
Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) but could benefit in the short or intermediate term from a status of protection.
Their priority is indicated in parentheses: high, mid or low.
For more information, visit http://goo.gl/NVQxk
Le Comité sur la Situation des Espèces en Péril au Canada (COSEPAC) sʼapprête à évaluer les espèces
suivantes, qui pourraient bénéficier à court ou moyen terme dʼun statut de protection. Elle sont classée
selon une échelle de priorité: élevée, intermédiaire ou inférieure.
voir : http://goo.gl/Q1etx
Evening Grosbeak (High priority) / Gros-bec errant (élevée)
Belted Kingfisher (High priority) / Martin-pêcheur d’Amérique (élevée)
Red-necked Phalarope (High priority) / Phalarope à bec étroit (élevée)
American Kestrel (Mid priority) / Crécerelle d’Amérique (intermédiaire)
Field Sparrow (Mid priority) / Bruant des champs (intermédiaire)
Grasshopper Sparrow (Mid priority) / Bruant sauterelle (intermédiaire)
Lesser Scaup (Low priority) / Petit Fuligule (inférieure)
Tufted Duck (Low priority) / Fuligule milouinan (inférieure)
Killdeer (Low priority) / Pluvier kildir (inférieure)
Red Phalarope (Low priority) / Phalarope à bec large (inférieure)
American Golden-Plover (Low priority) / Pluvier bronzé (inférieure)
Boreal Chickadee (Low priority) / Mésange à tête brune (inférieure)
Steller’s Eider (Low priority) / Eider à tête grise (inférieure)
Eastern Kingbird (Low priority) / Tyran tritri (inférieure)
7
BIRD PROTECTION
MBO Needs You!
By Gay McDougall Gruner
Spring season is underway at McGill Bird Observatory (MBO). Daily censuses began on March 28 and banding began
on April 18. Volunteers are needed to fill the many roles that are essential to the operation of the station: observers,
net assistants, lane maintenance, scribes and banders. If you like walking in the morning, keeping company with
nature enthusiasts and observing birds in the bush and in the hand, then MBO is the place for you! Visit
Second year
male Baltimore
Oriole at the
MBO
Photo:
Marie-Anne
Hudson
www.migrationresearch.org/mbo.html for more information.
As of December 31, 2010, a total of 31,568 birds of 106 species have been banded at the MBO and 202 species have
been observed on-site. These numbers are remarkably high for an inland site, and reflect MBO’s great potential for
monitoring changes in populations of fall and spring migrants over time.
Come and witness the fantastic array of spring migrants that visit the MBO every year.
BIRDVIEWS
A summary of interesting bird sightings in Montréal and around the province
By Pierre Bannon
January-February 2011
Snow Goose: Four at La Pocatière 16 Jan (ph., C. Auchu, C. Girard), two still present 20 Feb. Wood Duck: as
usual, a few birds were reported in S. Québec. Northern Shoveler: Wwo at Grosse-Île (Magdalen Is.) 21 Jan (JC.
Richard). Northern Pintail: one at Dégelis 5 Feb (C. Auchu, C. Girard). Ring-necked Duck: single males were at
Lac Saint-Charles 4 Jan-6 Feb (S. Leclerc), Sherbrooke 2-30 Jan (M. Roy), Gatineau (two males) 6-29 Jan (R.
8
Dubois), and North Hatley 13 Feb (M. Leclerc, E. Tremblay). King Eider: one at Percé 13 Feb (D. Mercier).
Harlequin Duck: an ad male off Île des Soeurs until at least early March (P. Bannon, m.ob.); an imm male
appeared at Saint-Stanislas-de-Kostka 18-23 Feb (D. Collins). Willow Ptarmigan: an exceptional winter in the Lac
Saint-Jean area for many Québec birders who have not had the chance to see this species in the last ten years. The
southernmost birds were recorded at Les Escoumins 6 Jan & 4 Feb (JG. Beaulieu) and near Tadoussac 22 Feb (S.
Bailleul, C. Lourdou, and R. Pintiaux). Rock Ptarmigan: a male killed by a hunter at Saint-Ludger-de-Milot (Lac
Saint-Jean) 22 Feb was exceptionally far south (ph., A. Dufresne, fide H. Brunoni).
Common Loon: Three birds were seen 42 km east of Sept-Îles 14 Jan (F. Gallant). Red-necked Grebe: one at Les
Escoumins 6 Jan (R. Pintiaux, MH. Bélanger). Double-crested Cormorant: one at Havre-aux-Maisons (Magdalen
Is.) 23 Jan (S. Cyr et al.). Great Blue Heron: singles at Bécancour 5 Jan (R. Huxley), Sainte-Marthe-de-Vaudreuil
8-23 Jan (ph., A. Quenneville, L. Desfossés), Neuville 29 Jan (S. Deshaies), and Sainte-Catherine 16 Feb (P. Bannon,
R. Duval). Although some birds are present almost every year until early January, there are only a handful of records
for February. Black-crowned Night-Heron: an imm present at Québec City from early Dec through March was
unprecedented (m.ob.). A first overwintering record for the province. Turkey Vulture: singles at Saint-Rosaire 21
Jan (G. Huot) and Saint-Ferdinand 22 Jan (ph., P. Buteau). Northern Harrier: singles at Saint-Barthélemy 12 Jan
(G. Huot) and Saint-Timothée 19 Feb (P. Laniel). Two at Havre-Aubert 21 Jan (A. Couture).
Black-legged Kittiwake: 100 at Cap-d’Espoir 18 Feb, very early (A. Couture). Lesser Black-backed Gull: single
ads at Lac Témiscouata 1 Jan (J. Moreau), Sherbrooke 10 Jan (N. Bertrand), and Laval 20 Jan (G. Lachaine).
Barn Owl: one last seen at Stanbridge-Station 6 Dec had apparently been around for a few weeks (M. Gauthier).
Great Gray Owl: one at Cabano 8-18 Feb (M. Beaulieu).
Belted Kingfisher: one has overwintered at Sainte-Marthe-sur-le-Lac (JC. Charbonneau); singles were also at La
Pêche 25 Jan (R. Fournier) and Low 27 Feb (D. Toussaint, R. Vanasse). Red-bellied Woodpecker: a very good
winter for this expanding species with 18 birds reported during the three winter months.
Black-billed Magpie: one briefly seen at Lorrainville 5 Feb (A. Cadotte, fide J. Fréchette). Great Tit: one reported
in Lotbinière county 30 Jan had been present since Oct or Nov (ph., L. Roy, A. Déry). Winter Wren: ten birds
reported throughout the period, including as many as three birds overwintering at Île des Soeurs (P. Bannon). Rubycrowned Kinglet: a very late bird at Park Chauveau, Québec City 16-22 Jan (ph., R. Robert). Eastern Bluebird:
three birds seen on Ìle Saint-Bernard, Châteauguay 16 Jan, were seen again in Feb and two birds on 12 March,
establishing that the species has most probably overwintered locally (P. Geoffrion). Veery: one briefly seen at Gaspé
8 Jan. Extremely late if correctly identified (S. Marchand). Fieldfare: one at Anse-au-Griffon 18 Jan-17 Feb (ph., B.
Chouinard, C. Côté, m.ob.); about ten records now in the province. Gray Catbird: one at Montréal 14 Dec-10 Jan (J.
Harrison); another seen at Havre-aux-Maisons (Magdalen Is.) 19 Feb (R. Charron, L. Turbide) was found dead 24 Feb
(fide S. Cyr). Brown Thrasher: one at Percé 28 Jan provided a very unusual winter record for the Gaspé Pen. (A.
Couture).
Pine Warbler: one at Trois-Rivières 8 Feb had been present for three weeks (J. Richard). Common
Yellowthroat: a record late bird at Québec City 19 Jan (ph., JP. Marcil).
Savannah Sparrow: one at Saint-Stanislas-de-Kostka 11-20 Jan (ph., D. Collins). Swamp Sparrow: one
overwintered at Île des Soeurs (ph., P. Bannon, m.ob.). White-crowned Sparrow: one on a roadside at SaintConstant 28 Jan-24 Feb (ph., P. Bannon). Golden-crowned Sparrow: one photographed at Havre-Aubert
(Magdalen Is.) 15 Feb had apparently been present for about a month (G. Chiasson, fide A. Richard). Seen again 20
Feb. This provided a first confirmed record for the province. Dark-eyed Junco: one of the Oreganus type at
Chénéville 17 Jan (R. Dubois, D. Dallaire).
Yellow-headed Blackbird: one at Bonaventure 9-11 Feb (A. Couture). Rusty Blackbird: WKUHHbirds at CapSanté 4 Jan (S. Lemieux).
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]
9
PARLONS D’OISEAUX
Un bilan des observations intéressantes à Montréal et à travers la province
par Pierre Bannon
Janvier-février 2011
Oie des neiges: Quatre à La Pocatière 16 janv (ph., C. Auchu, C. Girard), Deux encore présents 20 fév. Canard
branchu: tel qu’attendu, quelques individus ont hiverné. Canard souchet: Deux à Grosse-Île (IDLM) 21 janv (JC.
Richard). Canard pilet: un à Dégelis 5 fév (C. Auchu, C. Girard). Fuligule à collier: des mâles à Lac Saint-Charles
4 janv-6 fév (S. Leclerc), Sherbrooke 2-30 janv (M. Roy), Gatineau (2 mâles) 6-29 janv (R. Dubois), et North Hatley 13
fév (M. Leclerc, E, Tremblay). Eider à tête grise: un à Percé 13 fév (D. Mercier). Arlequin plongeur: un mâle ad.
à l’Ìle des Soeurs jusqu’en mars (P. Bannon, pl. ob.); un mâle imm est apparu à Saint-Stanislas-de-Kostka 18-23 fév
(D. Collins). Lagopède des saules: un hiver exceptionnel au Lac Saint-Jean pour plusieurs observateurs qui
n’avaient pas eu la chance de voir cette espèce au cours des dix dernières années. Les oiseaux les plus au sud ont été
signalés à Les Escoumins 6 janv & 4 fév (JG. Beaulieu) et près de Tadoussac 22 fév (S. Bailleul, C. Lourdou, et R.
Pintiaux). Lagopède alpin: un mâle abattu par un chasseur à Saint-Ludger-de-Milot (Lac Saint-Jean) 22 fév était
très au sud de son aire (ph., A. Dufresne, fide H. Brunoni)
Plongeon huard: Trois oiseaux aperçus 42 km à l’est de Sept-Îles 14 janv (F. Gallant). Grèbe jougris: un à Les
Escoumins 6 janv (R. Pintiaux, MH. Bélanger). Cormoran à aigrettes: un à Havre-aux-Maisons (IDLM) 23 janv (S.
Cyr et al.). Grand Héron: des oiseaux à Bécancour 5 janv (R. Huxley), Sainte-Marthe-de-Vaudreuil 8-23 janv (ph.,
A. Quenneville, L. Desfossés), Neuville 29 janv (S. Deshaies), et Sainte-Catherine 16 fév (P. Bannon, R. Duval). Bien
que cette espèce s’observe tous les ans jusqu’en janv, il n’y a qu’une poignée de mentions en fév. Bihoreau gris: un
imm présent à Québec du début de déc jusqu’en mars représente une mention sans précédent (pl. ob.). Un premier
cas d’hivernage au Québec. Urubu à tête rouge: des oiseaux à Saint-Rosaire 21 janv (G. Huot) et Saint-Ferdinand
22 janv (ph., P. Buteau). Busard Saint-Martin: des oiseaux à Saint-Barthélemy 12 janv (G. Huot) et à SaintTimothée 19 fév (P. Laniel). Deux à Havre-Aubert (IDLM) 21 janv (A. Couture).
Mouette tridactyle: 100 à Cap-d’Espoir 18 fév, très hâtives (A. Couture). Goéland brun: des adultes au Lac
Témiscouata 1 janv (J. Moreau), Sherbrooke 10 janv (N. Bertrand), et Laval 20 janv (G. Lachaine).
Effraie des clochers: un aperçu à Stanbridge-Station 6 déc était apparemment présent depuis quelques semaines
(M. Gauthier). Chouette lapone: une à Cabano 8-18 fév (M. Beaulieu).
Martin-pêcheur d’Amérique: un a hiverné à Sainte-Marthe-sur-le-Lac (JC. Charbonneau); des oiseaux aussi
aperçus à La Pêche 25 janv (R. Fournier) et à Low 27 fév (D. Toussaint, R. Vanasse). Pic à ventre roux: un excellent
hiver pour cette espèce en expansion, avec 18 oiseaux signalés pour les trois mois de l’hiver.
Pie d’Amérique: une aperçue à Lorrainville 5 fév (A. Cadotte, fide J. Fréchette). Mésange charbonnière: une
signalée dans le comté de Lotbinière 30 janv, présente depuis oct ou nov (ph., L. Roy, A. Déry). Troglodyte des
forêts: Dix oiseaux signalés durant la période, incluant trois qui ont hiverné à l’ÌOH des Soeurs (P. Bannon). Roitelet
à couronne rubis: un oiseau très tardif au parc Chauveau, Québec 16-22 janv (ph., R. Robert). Merlebleu de
l’Est: trois oiseaux d’abord signalés le 16 janv à l’ÌOH Saint-Bernard, Châteauguay, revus en fév, puis 2 revus le 12
mars, ce qui confirme un hivernage local (P. Geoffrion). Grive fauve: une aperçu brièvement à Gaspé 8 janv.
Mention exceptionnelle si confirmée (S. Marchand). Grive litorne: une à l’Anse-au-Griffon 18 janv-17 fév (ph., B.
Chouinard, C. Côté, m.ob.); une dizaine de mentions maintenant au Québec. Moqueur chat: un à Montréal 14
déc-10 janv (J. Harrison); un autre aperçu à Havre-aux-Maisons (IDLM)19 fév (R. Charron, L. Turbide) a été trouvé
mort le 24 fév (fide S. Cyr). Moqueur roux: un à Percé 28 janv fournit une rare mention hivernale pour la Gaspésie
(A. Couture).
Paruline des pins: une à Trois-Rivières 8 fév était présente depuis trois semaines (J. Richard). Paruline
masquée: un oiseau à Québec 19 janv, une date record (ph., JP. Marcil).
Bruant des prés: un à Saint-Stanislas-de-Kostka 11-20 janv (ph., D. Collins). Bruant des marais: un a hiverné à
l’ÌOH des Soeurs (ph., P. Bannon, pl.ob.). Bruant à couronne blanche: un en bordure de route à Saint-Constant 28
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janv-24 fév (ph., P. Bannon). Bruant à couronne dorée: un photographié à Havre-Aubert (IDLM) 15 fév,
apparemment présent depuis un mois (G. Chiasson, fide A. Richard). Revu le 20 fév. Il s’agit d’une première mention
confirmée pour la province. Junco ardoisé: un du type Oreganus à Chénéville 17 janv (R. Dubois, D. Dallaire).
Carouge à tête jaune: un à Bonaventure 9-11 fév (A. Couture). Quiscale rouilleux: trois oiseaux à Cap-Santé 4
janv (S. Lemieux).
Veuillez communiquer vos observations intéressantes à : Pierre Bannon, 1517 Leprohon, Montréal, Qc H4E 1P1. Tél :
514-766-8767 en soirée. Courriel : [email protected]
The Baillie Birdathon 2011
By Sheldon Harvey
Back in October 2002, I participated in my first field trip with Bird Protection Quebec. Until that time, I was a very
casual birdwatcher, keeping a list of bird species I had seen in my backyard. After just a few field trips, I was hooked
for good.
In the spring of 2003, while browsing through the Bird Studies Canada webpage, I discovered something called the
Baillie Birdathon; an event to spot as many species of birds as possible in a 24-hour period, any day in the month of
May, and to find sponsors to make pledges to support the effort, with the ultimate goal of raising funds for Bird
Studies Canada. It sounded like an interesting challenge.
The rest is history. This May I will be participating in my 9th Baillie Birdathon; the first five years teaming up with
Barbara Szabo and the last three with my wife, Darlene. In those eight years, we have raised close to $13,000. When
we began, to our knowledge, we were the only birders in Quebec participating in the event. Now in 2011, thanks in
part to the evangelizing we have been doing about the Baillie, there are now six other participating teams, all made up
of Bird Protection Quebec members.
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Marie-Anne Hudson and friends
Marcel Gahbauer and friends
The Red-eyed Wearios: Averill Craig, Gay and Peter Gruner and Betsy McFarlane
The MBO team: Barbara MacDuff and Chris Murphy et al.
The Laughing Bonapartes: Martin Bowman, Joël Coutu, Alain Goulet, and Frédéric Hareau
The Raven Raven-Loon-A-Tits: David Bird and Rodger Titman
These six teams are raising money not just for Bird Studies Canada, but also for the McGill Bird Observatory: http://
www.migrationresearch.org/mbo.html .
Darlene and I are once again raising funds for Les amis de la réserve nationale de faune du lac Saint-François, in
Dundee, QC http://amisrnflacstfrancois.com/
In 2010, 410 participants raised over $222,000 from over 6,000 sponsors. I encourage you to support the team (or
teams) of your choice. All donations are appreciated. Tax receipts are issued for amounts of $10 or more. You can
donate a flat amount or make a “per-species-observed” pledge. For example, if you pledge 25 cents per species and
100 species are observed, your donation will be $25. Sponsors of $35 or more also receive the BirdWatch Canada
magazine for one year.
One of the trickiest aspects of doing a Baillie Birdathon is trying to choose the most productive day in the month of
May. If you’re too early, the warblers haven’t arrived yet. If you’re too late, many of the migrating ducks have already
moved through the region. Careful planning, and a dose of luck, can result in an excellent day of birding.
To learn more about the Baillie Birdathon, please visit
http://www.gifttool.com/athon/AthonDetails?ID=1914&AID=1491
To support the local teams participating in this year’s Birdathon, please contact any of the members of the teams
mentioned previously. Your support is greatly appreciated and it is a simple way to give back to the birds and to the
groups who help look after them.
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Marcher le long des berges de Verdun
par Diane Demers
C’est une amie qui m’a fait découvrir les berges du fleuve, à Verdun, au printemps 2002. Par la suite, j’ai maintes fois
arpenté celles-ci entre les rues Desmarchais et Fayolle, ce qui représente une distance d’un peu moins de 3 kilomètres,
aller seulement. Voici quelques observations que j’y ai faites, en marchant, en circulant à vélo ou tout simplement, en
flânant avec ma lunette d’approche.
Le 2 mai 2004, après le souper, je décidais de prendre une marche, même si celle-ci ne s’annonçait guère agréable vu
le fort vent. Alors que nous marchions le long du fleuve, l’amie qui m’accompagnait, me désigne soudainement un
oiseau. À ma grande surprise, celui-ci s’avère être un Phalarope à bec étroit. Toute d’abord en vol, celui-ci se pose sur
l’eau, à quelques pieds du rivage, entre l’ÌOH des Sœurs et la rive, tout près de la petite marina. L’oiseau se nourrissait
avidement, tournoyant. Il devait probablement chercher à se protéger du vent dans le canal. Le lendemain, un
courriel de Pierre Bannon m’annonçait qu’il s’agissait de la date record d’arrivée de l’espèce au Québec.
Great Blue Heron
Photo:
Pierre Bannon
Le 13 mai suivant, toujours en début de soirée et à peu près au même endroit, j’étais installée sur une roche, occupée à
nettoyer mes bottes après une randonnée particulièrement boueuse. Sorti de nulle part, c’est un escadron de 40
Bernaches cravant qui se présentait à moi. Il traversa le canal entre l’Île des Sœurs et les berges, à un mètre au-dessus
des flots, passant sous mon nez en formant une parfaite ligne droite qui couvrait toute la largeur du canal.
À l’hiver 2005, enseignante au cégep, j’ai vécu aux premières loges une grève étudiante de cinq semaines. En
attendant que tout se règle, quoi de mieux que de prendre de longues marches le long du fleuve? Ainsi, le 13 mars au
matin, je descendais sur la glace, en face de l’hôpital Douglas. Parmi les pêcheurs qui fréquentent l’endroit chaque
hiver, j’observais des centaines de fuligules et Garrots à œil d’or, et, parmi ceux-ci, un Fuligule à dos blanc mâle
adulte. C’était ma première observation de l’espèce au Québec. Par la suite, j’ai eu le bonheur de voir un couple près
du Natatorium le 27 mars 2008.
Le 14 mai de la même année, c’étaient deux groupes de Bernaches cravant, qui totalisaient près de 500 oiseaux qui
animaient le fleuve, un peu avant 7h00 du matin.
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Mais les berges ne s’animent pas seulement au printemps. Depuis 2007, je cherchais un bon endroit pour observer la
migration automnale de l’Engoulevent d’Amérique à Montréal. C’est finalement à Verdun, le long du fleuve, et
principalement en face de l’hôpital Douglas, que je l’ai trouvé. Ainsi, le 27 août 2008, après avoir observé au loin un
groupe de 11 engoulevents traverser le fleuve vers l’île aux Hérons, c’était un groupe d’au moins 25 individus qui est
apparu. Et tout cela entre 19h00 et 19h30. De façon générale, les engoulevents longent les berges en se dirigeant vers
l’ouest où ils traversent parfois vers l’île aux Hérons. Lors de journées particulièrement chaudes, ils peuvent rester audessus de l’île à se nourrir parmi les colonnes d’insectes pendant un bon moment.
En février 2009, j’ai finalement déménagé non loin des berges de Verdun. Quelques semaines plus tard, en mars,
j’observais un Arlequin plongeur près de la rive, parmi un bon groupe de Garrots à œil d’or. L’Arlequin plongeur est
régulier en hiver dans ce secteur, et semble plus facile à observer des berges de Verdun durant le mois de mars, ou au
début d’avril.
Le 5 décembre 2009, alors que je notais des surfeurs nageant vers la rive tout en discutant, j’ai découvert un timide
Plongeon catmarin qui se tenait tout près du bord. Lorsque les surfeurs eurent regagné la rive, le plongeon a pris le
large. Il s’agit du seul individu que j’ai observé à Verdun.
Enfin, il y a quelques semaines à peine, le 15 mars 2011, Daniel Ouellette et moi-même avons été surpris de l’arrivée
hâtive d’un Cormoran à aigrettes. Celui-ci se trouvait sur les rochers au large. Il faut dire que le premier individu du
printemps est généralement observé à la fin mars, simultanément dans ce secteur et dans le sud du Québec.
Et je suis loin d’avoir parlé de toutes les espèces qui fréquentent les lieux. Pour n’en citer que quelques-unes: les
Hirondelles noires qui utilisent les nichoirs, principalement ceux se trouvant à la limite de Verdun et Lasalle ; les
Pygargues à tête blanche, réguliers dans le secteur ; la colonie nicheuse de Sternes pierregarin ; les Sternes caspiennes
que l’on retrouve en migration de la fin de juillet jusqu’en août ; les milliers d’hirondelles qui se regroupent au-dessus
du fleuve certaines journées d’automne, et ce jusqu’au début d’octobre ; et bien d’autres choses.
Je vous invite à venir découvrir vous-même la richesse de ces lieux!
Diane Demers is currently teaching mathematics at College de Maisonneuve. A member of BPQ since 2003, she is
on the Conservation Committee and has a special interest in Cerulean Warblers. She has been monitoring them in
Philipsburg for the last three years. An enthusiastic hiker, she has climbed 33 of the 46 Adirondack High Peaks.
Indigo Bunting
Photo:
Pierre Bannon
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Corvus. A Life with Birds.
By Esther Woolfson. 2008.
Granta Publications, 12 Addison Avenue, London W11. Illustrated. Paperback. 337 pp. CAD$17.95.
Reviewed by Jane Atkinson
In the British countryside, rooks are renowned for their intelligence. They are a member of the Corvid family, smaller
than crows, and are colonial nesters. Some rookeries have been in existence for centuries, each generation repairing
and improving the winter damage, spending the summer raiding crops and outwitting all efforts by farmers to keep
them away.
Corvus is not just an account of the life of a rook Woolfson took into her home in Aberdeen. The first chapters of the
book describe her other avian lodgers – an irascible cockatiel and a depressive parrot, and in the garden, a dovecote
full of doves. Her relationships with the birds are never anthropomorphic. But it is “Chicken,” the rook, who is the
star of the household with her intelligent problem-solving and interaction with people. Chicken had free run of the
house, but her clipped wings were no impediment. She climbed stairs, sat on chairs, and perched on the top of
cupboards. With the cupboard door ajar, she would set a booby trap: she would balance a pencil across the opening
and when the door was shut, the pencil landed on a human head. There were delighted cries from the trickster.
Woolfson has read extensively both in the scientific journals and accounts in literature, so that her speculations on
bird brain capability ring true. Among birds, the Corvid family have the largest brains in relation to body size. They
will use tools to obtain food, and can recognize themselves in a mirror. “Self-recognition” is rare in animals, and only
dolphins, elephants, apes and humans have the capacity to do so. Woolfson is careful always to question her
conclusions about bird intelligence, but the evidence makes one wonder what other word can explain some of the
incidents described. There are episodes of (in human terms, for lack of an alternative) anger, frustration, fear, anxiety,
pleasure in greeting, regret at parting. Single words are clearly understood by the rook, and in turn, she has a range of
calls in reaction to events. Her memory was impressive. An interesting behaviour is her reaction to different music
composers. Benjamin Britten’s music always caused a dramatic exit from the room with loud squawks; Schubert and
Bach seemed to sooth. The latter part of the book discusses the intelligence and behaviour of birds, the depth of their
emotional responses, and to what degree these may be the result of problem solving by the brain as opposed to
intuitive or innate solutions. The quality of the writing is exceptional and at times poetic. This was a pleasure to read.
The revelations are fascinating.
Previously published in The Canadian Field-Naturalist, Vol. 123, no. 3.
Jane Atkinson is a long-time member (26 years) of BPQ. She is an ardent traveller and birder, having visited 22
countries. Jane admits to having a bird list of over 2,500 species, but is modest about the actual number. The bird is
her object, not the list.
The Creatures of the Night…
by Zofia Laubitz
If any of us had wondered what it takes to produce a capacity crowd at a BPQ meeting, now we know: live birds! It
was standing room only in January for the presentation by Jennifer Cyr-Devine, along with special guests Titan,
Novio, and Spartacus.
Jennifer, who is an educator at the Ecomuseum, usually takes her birds to visit a slightly younger crowd:
schoolchildren. But she and they went over equally well with our more mature audience: Jennifer’s lively and
animated teaching style appeals to all ages.
She started by explaining the mandate of the Ecomuseum, which, as most BPQ members know, houses animals from
the St. Lawrence Valley. It is a refuge for animals that have been rescued, orphaned or born in captivity, not a
rehabilitation centre. It also has an educational mission, and that’s where Jennifer comes in.
Because most owls are nocturnal, they have tools over and above the general raptor arsenal of talons, hooked beak
and good eyesight: namely, good hearing and silent flight. Jennifer had brought a number of props, such as an owl
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skull, so we could see the huge eye sockets and asymmetrical ears. Sweeps and swishes with eagle and owl feathers
demonstrated the soft feather edges that allow owls to fly silently.
After discussing owls in general, Jennifer presented brief life histories and photos of Quebec’s owl species, with such
interesting facts as that Great Gray Owls in flight can hear prey 50 cm under the snow, that owls have fourteen
cervical vertebrae to humans’ seven (although they can’t turn their heads 360°), and that Barn Owls were long
associated with funerals as they would hunt the insects attracted to the torchlight!adding to their spooky reputation.
Fascinating as all this was, we were eager to see the live birds that Jennifer had brought. The first to appear was a
diurnal raptor: Titan, the American Kestrel, who was there for comparison with the owls. As Titan was paraded
around the hall on Jennifer’s glove, his behaviour prompted further learning. For example, his constant head bobbing
was explained as a way of keeping his eyes focused while he was moving. Kestrels, like other birds of prey, can see in
colour; they can also see ultraviolet light, which enables them to see rodent urine and thus detect prey. Raptors
usually go for prey weighing up to one-third of their own weight, so that they can still fly while carrying their burden.
Jennifer revealed that Ecomuseum birds are trained to stay on the glove, but not to fly off and return; this is because
they have to work with different people.
The next star on stage was Novio, the Barn Owl. Novio’s “dancing” on Jennifer’s hand helped him to pinpoint sounds
better, as did his heart-shaped facial disk. With Jennifer’s encouragement, Novio demonstrated the classic “haunted
house” Barn Owl screech. Many of us were surprised to learn that he weighed only half a pound.
Last came Spartacus, a young Great Horned Owl only nine months old. In fact, this was one of his first educational
presentations. Young as he was, he was by far the largest of our bird guests, at three pounds.
It was an enjoyable and informative evening, and our guests, both human and avian, were warmly welcomed.
Can the Meadowbrook Green Space Be Saved?
Report of February monthly meeting
By Nicholas Acheson
The Southwest region of Montreal, including La Salle, Lachine, and Ville St. Pierre, has less access to green space than
most other communities in the province of Quebec. Furthermore, this region is criss-crossed by highways (Autoroute
20, the approach to the Mercier Bridge), several railroad lines, the Lachine Canal, and numerous industrial regions,
some of which are abandoned. Patrick Asch, a wildlife biologist, member of the BPQ Board of Directors, and director
of Héritage Laurentien, is engaged in a campaign to try to protect and improve green areas on this part of the Island
of Montreal. The highly successful development of the Parc des Rapides, along the shore of the St. Lawrence River
and adjacent to the Lachine rapids, shows that if green areas are properly developed, people will flock to them, and
their quality of life is improved. Patrick explained in a well-documented and detailed presentation how the
Meadowbrook golf course could also be saved and developed as a green area for the use of local inhabitants.
The 57-hectare Meadowbrook golf course is bounded on its western and southern sides by a “no man’s land” of train
yards, industrial buildings, and highways (autoroutes 20 and 13). Its southern section (holes 1–9) is part of Lachine,
and therefore lies in the City of Montreal, although it is bounded on its east by a section of Montreal West, a separate
municipality. Its northern section (holes 10–18) is situated in the territory of Côte St.-Luc, a distinct municipality.
These municipal boundaries complicate dealing with this green space in a rational fashion. Because municipal
governments are financed by property taxes, there is pressure to develop such areas; however, the City of Montreal
has concluded that the nearly $100 million needed to provide the infrastructure this area would require for
development as a residential zone makes it a losing proposition.
Patrick enumerated the qualities of this natural area: it still harbours a variety of trees and plants that probably were
there 100 or more years ago. Trees include shagbark hickory, burr oak, hawthorn and hackberry; several of these were
probably imported to the area by native peoples who may have lived there. This area was probably on the shore of a
large lake that extended to Lake Champlain and along the present valley of the Ottawa River some 4,000 years ago,
and therefore could contain archaeological remains left by ancient inhabitants. It still retains evidence of the farms
that occupied it more than 100 years ago. The presence of many wildflowers, such as large clumps of trillium, suggests
that these plants have been developing for 100 years or more.
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Meadowbrook lies on a northeastern path taken by migrating birds that leads from Lake St. Louis, through Mount
Royal, the Boucherville Islands, and further along the St. Lawrence River. Up to 75 bird species have been recorded
on the grounds of the golf course. Further protection, renaturalization, and selective plantations could increase the
ability of this area to serve as temporary shelter for migrating birds, as well as nesting areas for local birds. A
renaturalized park could serve local inhabitants for recreation as well as observation of nature, if pathways leading to
the park were developed alongside of strategically located railroad lines.
The fate of the Meadowbrook golf course is unknown; it is presently owned by a developer who purchased it five years
ago for the relatively small sum of $3 million. The golf course is barely surviving. Patrick hopes that local and
provincial authorities can be convinced to work together to save and develop this green space, providing muchneeded parkland for this part of Montreal.
L’observatoire des oiseaux de McGill (MBO) – une
expérience unique pour les amateurs d’ornithologie
Par Frédéric Hareau
Le 14 mars dernier, Gay Gruner et Simon Duval sont venus partager avec les membres de POQ leur engagement et
leur passion pour l’observatoire des oiseaux de McGill au grand plaisir de toutes les personnes présentes. Affirmer
que leur passion est contagieuse est encore bien en dessous de la réalité!
Mais pourquoi un tel engouement? Revenons tout d’abord aux origines de l’observatoire. Celui-ci a été fondé en 2004
pour collecter de précieuses données sur les oiseaux principalement migrateurs, mais également résidants.
Pour ce faire, un protocole bien défini, répondant à de rigoureuses exigences scientifiques, est suivi chaque jour!
Prenons par exemple une journée de mai, au coeur de la migration printanière :
• 5:30 : (30 min avant le lever du soleil) – début de la journée à l’observatoire, qui commence par la levée des
filets
• 6:00 à 11:00 : Tous les filets sont ouverts, et ce pendant cinq heures. La première tournée débute à 6:00. Les
tournées se succèdent toutes les 20 ou 30 minutes afin que les oiseaux ne restent pas trop longtemps pris dans
les filets
La matinée est rythmée par les extractions, les ensachages, les baguages et les relâches. Pour chaque oiseau capturé, le
bagueur en chef procède à l’identification de l’espèce, du sexe et de l’âge, à la mesure de la longueur du bec et des
ailes, et au baguage.
• 6:00 à 11:00 : Toutes les personnes sur le site observent les oiseaux présents et comptabilisent leurs
observations
• 7:00 : Une heure après le lever du soleil, un inventaire est réalisé selon un itinéraire bien défini
• 11:00 : Fermeture des filets et comptage des oiseaux recensés (bagués, comptabilisés lors de l’inventaire ou
observés sur le site)
Un processus aussi rigoureux pourrait paraître austère, mais la réalité de l’observatoire est tout autre. C’est un lieu
débordant de vie et de surprises, celles réservées par les nombreuses espèces animales qui habitent cet habitat
enchanteur tout autant que par la convivialité des bénévoles qui s’y retrouvent chaque jour.
Six ans après la création de l’observatoire, nous pouvons constater que les objectifs initiaux du MBO ont été
largement atteints. Plus de 202 espèces ont été recensées à l’observatoire depuis ses origines et 107 espèces y ont été
baguées. La dernière en date? Un Sizerin blanchâtre bagué à la mi-février. Car le baguage ne se limite pas aux
traditionnelles migrations printanières et automnales mais inclut également le baguage des petites nyctales depuis six
ans ainsi que le baguage d’espèces hivernales.
Si les résultats sont probants, les besoins en ressources, humaines et financières, sont permanents, tant pour
maintenir les activités existantes que pour saisir les possibilités d’extension des projets de l’observatoire.
Si des centaines de bénévoles s’y sont impliqués au cours des années, l’observatoire a toujours besoin de
contributions. Et les opportunités y sont multiples, que ce soit en tant qu’assistants, extracteurs, pour la réalisation de
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l’inventaire ou autre. Le MBO accorde de plus des opportunités uniques de formation aux bénévoles qui sont
intéressés à s’impliquer de façon significative et durable. L’appel est lancé!
Faisant partie de la cohorte des bénévoles du MBO, je ne saurais trop vous recommander cette opportunité. Tentez
votre chance et vous serez conquis par cette opportunité de découvrir les oiseaux comme vous ne l’auriez jamais cru
possible et de contribuer à une initiative scientifique d’importance.
Il convient d’ailleurs souligner que de nombreux membres de POQ s’impliquent déjà avec l’observatoire et que POQ
soutient financièrement le travail de MBO depuis quelques années.
FALL, WINTER AND SPRING OF 2010–2011
Gail Desnoyers
Speaker Co-ordinator
Thanks to all of our loyal members and friends who came out to hear:
• Dr. David Bird’s presentation: “A Lecture for Egg-heads” at the beginning of April
• Joël Bonin of The Nature Conservancy of Canada speak about “The newly protected areas of the Ottawa Valley”
in October.
• Jean-Philippe Gagnon of the Montreal Biodome speak about “The great diversity of birds of the neotropics” in
November.
• We were almost snowed under in December but carried bravely on with presentations by McGill University
Wildlife Biology students: David Fishman on “The Red-breasted Mergansers of New Brunswick” and
Dominique Chabot on “Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) in wildlife research and management.”
• The new year saw a big turnout to hear Jennifer Cyr-Devine of the Ecomuseum give a very animated
presentation with her owls on the subject of “Nocturnal Specialists: Owls” in January.
• Patrick Asch, of Heritage Laurentien and the BPQ Board, explained the importance of “Meadowbrook, an
example of the need to conserve and rehabilitate urban bird habitat” in February.
• The March lecture was delayed a week which was lucky as we were once again hit by a major snowstorm. Gay
McDougall Gruner, of the McGill Bird Observatory (MBO) and the BPQ Board, was accompanied by Simon
Duval. They outlined a typical day of banding birds at the MBO under the title “Wings of Spring.”
We all shared a glass of wine afterwards to welcome spring and to share some of our experiences on international
birding trips and ideas about bird photography with Chuck Kling.
Next season’s lineup of speakers is in the works with a look at Hëritage St. Bernard and the conditions they maintain
to protect their habitat, how birds survive our winters, bird research, citizen science, international birding and more.
It will all be there. Plan to come out and bring your friends. We need to spread the word about our amazing feathered
friends and the environment.
Special thanks to members who introduced the speakers: Richard Gregson, Nick Acheson, Rodger Titman, Eve
Marshall, Jim Murray, Jane Cormack and Barbara MacDuff.
Much appreciation to Sheldon Harvey for the bird sightings and of course to Jean Demers and Clémence Soulard for
always seeing that we have coffee and cookies as well as a glass of good cheer at the March meeting.
17
Field Trips Submitted
15/01/11 – Parc-Nature du Bois-de-Liesse, Montreal, QC – Leader: Wayne Grubert
-9°C; overcast with light snow. 24 birders; 19 species
Bird of the Day: Great Horned Owl
Other Birds of Note: American Black Duck, Cooper’s Hawk, Brown Creeper, Common Redpoll
22/01/11 – Montreal Technoparc & Nuns’ Island, Montreal, QC – Leader: Sheldon Harvey
Very cold, sunny, light winds. 14 birders; 23 species
Bird of the Day: Eastern Screech-Owl
Other Birds of Note: Common Goldeneye, Cooper’s Hawk, Red-tailed Hawk, Northern Flicker, Common Raven,
White-throated Sparrow, Snow Bunting
29/01/11 – Botanical Gardens, Montreal, QC – Leader: David Mulholland
-5 to -10°C; light snow. 19 birders; 19 species
Bird of the Day: Hoary Redpoll
Other Birds of Note: Cooper’s Hawk, Merlin, American Robin, White-throated Sparrow, Common Redpoll
05/02/11 – Higgins St., Châteauguay, QC & Récré-O-Parc, Ste-Catherine, QC – Leader: Wayne Grubert
Sunny, mild, near freezing point. 12 birders; 32 species
Birds of the Day: Red-bellied Woodpecker, Tufted Titmouse, Carolina Wren
Other Birds of Note: Northern Pintail, Peregrine Falcon, Glaucous Gull, Pileated Woodpecker, Common Raven
12/02/11 – St-Clet, Ste-Marthe, Ste-Justine, QC – Leader: Wayne Grubert
Windy, snow flurries. 11 birders; 21 species
Bird of the Day: Wild Turkey
Other Birds of Note: Am. Black Duck, Common Raven, Horned Lark, Lapland Longspur, Snow Bunting, Common
Redpoll, Pine Siskin
19/02/11 – Chambly, Carignan (Île Goyer), St-Basile-le-Grand and Varennes, QC – Leader: Sheldon Harvey
Strong winds, cold, cloudy. 7 birders; 27 species
Bird of the Day: Red-bellied Woodpecker, Tufted Titmouse
Other Birds of Note: Common Goldeneye, Common Merganser, Red-tailed Hawk, Rough-legged Hawk, Horned
Lark, Brown Creeper, Snow Bunting, Common Redpoll
26/02/11 – Bois Papineau, Laval, QC – Leader: Chuck Kling
Cold! 3 birders; 11 species
Bird of the Day: Great Horned Owl
Other Birds of Note: Mourning Dove, White-breasted Nuthatch, Am. Tree Sparrow
05/03/11 – Hudson, QC – Leader: Wayne Grubert
-2°C range; ice pellets, snowflakes, then rain. 3 birders; 11 species
Bird of the Day: Common Redpoll
Other Birds of Note: Great Black-backed Gull, Brown Creeper, Northern Cardinal
12/03/11 – Botanical Gardens, Montreal, QC – Leader: Guy Zenaitis
Good weather; 16 birders; 20 species
Bird of the Day: Peregrine Falcon
Other Birds of Note: Cooper’s Hawk, Red-winged Blackbird, American Robin, White-throated Sparrow, Dark-eyed
Junco, Pine Siskin
19/03/11 – Pointe-du-Moulin, ÌOH Perrot, QC & Cap-St-Jacques Park, Pierrefonds, QC – Leader: Wayne Grubert
Sunny skies, cool (-4C), light northern breezes. 31 birders; 38 species
Bird of the Day: Horned Grebe
Other Birds of Note: Northern Pintail, Bufflehead, Red-breasted Merganser, Red-winged Blackbird, Brownheaded Cowbird
18
Crossword Answers
This is the solution to BirdWords, the puzzle published in the February issue of The Song Sparrow (vol. 53-4)
http://www.pqspb.org/bpq/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=65&Itemid=88
New Members
Greetings to new & returning members Jenny Cook & David Marcogliese, Montreal; Augustin Esmoris & Mariana
Carnero, Buenos Aires, Argentina; Daniel Gélinas, Brossard; Diane Gillam, St. Lazare; Tom Kingsbury, Pointe-Claire;
Vivek Govind Kumar, Montréal; Brenda Lee, St. Lambert; Charles W. Lunny, St. Eustache; Emily Mitchell, Lasalle;
Ingo Morgenstern, Montreal; George Panciuk, Dorval; Ms Barbara Silverman, Montreal; Gordon & Audrey
Southward, Pointe-Claire; Mark Tomalty, St. Lambert; and Elizabeth Walcot, Ste-Anne-des-Lac. We hope to meet you
on our field trips and at our monthly meetings; be sure to introduce yourself!
!
BPQ is looking for a new Membership
Secretary
Sharon Veysey has been doing a marvellous job as Membership Secretary since 2005. After six years, she
would like to pass the baton to somebody else, but has said she will be available to advise and help while the
new Secretary gets fully up to speed. The Membership Secretary interacts with members and potential
members, deals with membership applications and renewals, maintains and updates the BPQ membership
database, liaises with the treasurer and the editor of of the newsletter, and keeps track of membership
numbers.
If you might be interested in taking over, and would like more detailed information, please contact either of
the co-chairs of the Membership Services Committee:
Audrey Speck ([email protected] ; 514-487-0432) or
Averill Craig ([email protected] ; 514-484-6575).
We look forward to hearing from you!
19
PHOTOS WANTED for BPQ'S 2012 Calendar
The deadline for submission of photos for the 2012 BPQ calendar is coming up soon: Wednesday, June 1!
The Membership Services Committee hopes that during the winter you have been sorting through your best birdrelated photos, and now that there are tangible signs of spring and more species are arriving every day, you will be
inspired to get out with your camera. The calendar should be available for purchase at the September monthly
meeting. If your photograph is selected for inclusion, you will receive a free copy of the calendar and get a discount on
additional copies. We really look forward to seeing your pictures, so please get clicking!
Guidelines for submitting photos can be found below, and also under "Activities, Special Events" on the BPQ website:
http://goo.gl/swCp3. If you need further information or help, please e-mail Averill Craig: [email protected]
•
•
•
•
•
Go to the "Community" section - http://goo.gl/pnofi
Register to create your personal Community Page
Click on the "Applications" tab, and then on "Photos", "Create One Now"
Name the album something suitable such as "My BPQ Calendar Photos"
Upload your submissions to that album
Photos may be of birds, BPQ field trips, or BPQ sanctuaries. Please limit the number of submissions to a maximum of
12. Please note that files larger than 1M%will be rejected by the system. If your photo is selected, you will be asked to
identify the location and date of the picture, and may be asked for a higher quality file. BPQ will also seek formal
permission for your photograph to be used.
2011 Summer Series of Birding
Enjoy the summer weather and the summer birds with the 8th annual Summer Series of Birding. The summer field
trips will begin on Saturday, June 25, and run through to mid-August. As in previous years, the destination for each
trip will be posted on the Songsparrow Yahoo group by Wednesday or Thursday of each week. We’ll attempt to visit
some new destinations as well as revisit some spots which proved productive in the past. The outings will generally be
on Saturday mornings, unless otherwise indicated.
Reports of rare bird sightings will be monitored throughout the summer and, when possible, we will plan outings to
go looking for these birds.
If there are any particular spots you would like to visit, or if you have questions regarding any of the summer trips,
please contact me, Sheldon Harvey, by e-mail at [email protected] or by telephone on the BPQ line at
514-637-2141.
Please join us for another exciting Summer Series of Birding in 2011!
20
Field Trips for May, June 2011
Thursday 5 May – jeudi 5 mai
Thursdays, Thrushes and Thrashers for Beginners, Session 2 / Jeudis, geais et jaseurs pour
débutants : 2ème session - Morgan Arboretum, QC
Leader: Barbara MacDuff 514-457-2222 [email protected]
9:00 AM - 12:00 PM From Montreal take Hwy 40 west. Exit at exit 44 (Morgan Blvd). Turn left on chemin SteMarie. 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.
9h00 - 12h00 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 nonmembres.
Saturday 7 May – samedi 7 mai
Parc De La Frayère / Ducks Unlimited / Canards Illimités Canada Site Boucherville
Leader: Joel Coutu 514-324-5092 [email protected]
8:00 AM From Montreal, take the Champlain Bridge to the first exit (Exit 6). Follow Highway 20/Highway 132
EAST-(direction Varennes/Longueuil). Continue east on Highway 132 to Boul. de la Marine/Boul. Lionel Boulet
(Highway 229) in Varennes. Turn left at the traffic lights on to Boul. de la Marine. Follow boul. de la Marine to boul.
Marie Victorin. Turn left on boul. Marie Victorin. Watch for Parc de la Frayere parking lot on your right. Looking for
waterfowl and spring migrants. Half day.
8:00 De Montréal, prendre le pont Champlain jusqu'à la première sortie (sortie 6). Suivre l'autoroute 20 / route 132
Est (direction Varennes/Longueuil). Continuer sur la route 132 Est jusqu'au Boul. de la Marine/Boul. Lionel Boulet à
Varennes. Tourner à gauche sur le Boul. de la Marine au feu de circulation. Suivre le Boul. de la Marine jusqu'au Boul.
Marie Victorin. Tourner à gauche sur le boul. Marie Victorin. Arrêter-vous au stationnement du Parc de la Frayère
situé sur la droite. . Espèces recherchées : sauvagine et des migrateurs printaniers. Demi-journée.
Sunday 8 May - samedi 8 mai
Hudson, QC
8:00 AM Meet at the CPR station in Hudson. Hwy 40, exit 22 onto Côte St. Charles north, right on Main Street, left
on Wharf Street. Looking for waterfowl, hawks and early spring arrivals. Half day.
8h00 Rassemblement à la gare C.P. sur la rue Wharf, Hudson. Prendre l’autoroute 40, sortie 22, et tourner à droite
sur Côte St-Charles nord jusqu’à la rue Main. Tourner à droite et se rendre à la rue Wharf puis tourner à gauche sure
celle-ci. Espèces recherchées : sauvagine, buses et migrateurs précoces. Demi-journée.
Thursday 12 May – jeudi 12 mai
Parc-nature du Bois-de-l’Île-Bizard, QC
Thursdays, Thrushes and Thrashers for Beginners, Session 3
9:00 AM - 12:00 PM 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.
9h00 - 12h00 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. Jacques-Bizard. 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 $.
21
Saturday 14 May - samedi 14 mai
George H. Montgomery Bird Sanctuary, Philipsburg, QC
Leader: Sandy Montgomery 514-482-0565 [email protected]
8:30 AM Meet at the Motel Frontière. From Montreal take the Champlain Bridge, Hwy 10 east to exit 22, Hwy 35
south to St. Jean to join Hwy 133 south to Philipsburg. Continue past flashing light, cross to the east side of the
highway at the motel. Note the small PQSPB sign; enter the motel drive, park in the PQSPB lot just south of the motel.
Good choice of trails from long and strenuous to short and easy. Looking for migrating passerines, waterbirds and
hawks. Bring a lunch. All day.
8h30 Rassemblement au Motel Frontière. De Montréal, traverser le pont Champlain et continuer sur l'autoroute 10
est. Prendre la sortie 22 et rejoindre l'autoroute 35 sud. Continuer sur celle-ci jusqu'à Saint-Jean. De là continuer sur
l'autoroute 133 sud en direction de Philipsburg. Dépasser le feu clignotant puis traverser pour prendre la voie inverse
(133 nord) pour rejoindre le motel, situé du côté est de la route. L'entrée du motel permet d'accéder au stationnement
de POQ, situé juste au sud. Bonne variété de sentiers dont les niveaux de difficulté vont de longs et ardus à courts et
faciles. Apporter un lunch. Espèces recherchées : passereaux migrateurs, sauvagines et rapaces. Apporter votre
déjeuner. Toute la journée.
Sunday 15 May - samedi 15 mai
Parc-nature du Bois-de-l’Île-Bizard, QC
Leader: Felix Hilton 514-631-3437 [email protected]
7:15 AM 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 shorebirds, waterfowl and migrating passerines. Half day.
7h15 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. Jacques-Bizard. Tourner à droite (nord) sur JacquesBizard 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 : limicoles,
sauvagine et passereaux en migration. Demi-journée.
Wednesday May 18 – mercredi 18 mai
Hudson, QC – Evening trip
6:30 PM Meet at Finnegan's Market, 775 Main Road, Hudson Heights. Take Hwy 40 to Exit 22. Turn right onto Côte
St-Charles. Drive to its end at T-intersection with Main Road. Turn left. Drive (about 2 km) to Finnegan's Market
parking lot on left. Looking for rails, woodcock and owls.
18h30 Rassemblement au marché Finnegan, 775 Main Road, Hudson Heights. Prendre l’autoroute 40, sortie 22.
Tourner à droite sur Côte St-Charles. Suivre cette route jusqu'au bout. Tourner à gauche sur la rue Main. Poursuivre
(2 km environ) jusqu'au stationnement du Marché Finnegan, situé à gauche. Espèces recherchées : râles, hiboux et
Bécasse d'Amérique.
Saturday 21 May - samedi 21 mai
Summit Woods Lookout au Belvédère du Boisé Summit, QC
Leader: Darlene Harvey 450-671-3773 [email protected]
7:00 AM Meet at Summit :RRGV Lookout on Summit Circle in Westmount. To reach Summit Circle, head north on
Côte-des-Neiges. Turn left on to The Boulevard. Proceed to Ch. Belvedere and turn right. Drive up the steep hill on
Ch. Belvedere to Summit Circle. If time permits the trip may continue onward to MRXQW Royal Cemetery. Looking for
spring migrants. Half day.
7h00 Rassemblement au belvédère situé sur la rue Summit Circle à Westmount. Pour vous rendre sur Summit Circle,
dirigez-vous vers le nord sur Côte-des-Neiges. Tourner à gauche sur Boulevard. Poursuivre jusqu'au Ch. Belvédère et
tourner à droite. Monter la côte abrupte sur le Ch. Belvédère jusqu'à Summit Circle. S'il reste suffisamment de temps,
la sortie se poursuivra au cimetière du Mont Royal. . À la recherche des migrateurs printaniers. Demi-journée.
22
Sunday May 22, 2011 and Monday May 23, 2011
Special Trips/ Excursions spéciales:
Amherst Island – Ile Amherst
Opinicon Road north of Kingston, Chemin Opinicon, au nord de Kingston
Participants doing both trips should organize their own accommodation in Kingston.
Les participants souhaitant participer aux deux excursions sont responsables de se trouver un
logement
Leaders - guides:
Martin Bowman [email protected]
613 347-1655 (home)
613 240-1777 (cell: to be used only on the days of the
trips in case of lateness)
Frédéric Hareau [email protected]
514-747-4904 (maison)
514-805-8491 (cellulaire à n’utiliser que le jour de la
sortie en cas de retard)
Amherst Island - Sunday May 22, 2011
11:45 AM Take the 11:30 ferry from Millhaven ($8.00 return fare) and upon arrival meet at the dock in the village of
Stella. The drive from the Monteal area to Millhaven ferry dock takes 3 to 4 hours driving time. One of the leaders will
check back at the dock at 12:45 for any late arrivals. Accommodation is available in Kingston and surrounding area for
those wanting to take part in Monday’s trip to the Opinicon Road.
Amherst Island is an area with a great reputation for late winter birding but it can be an excellent area for shorebirds
in spring. In addition we will be looking for other migrants and summer residents. This will be a combination driving/
walking trip. Bring your own food and dress according to the weather. It can be cool along the lake.
If time allows in the late afternoon, we may visit the Napanee Plain north of the 401 looking for grassland species.
The trip will end at dusk around six.
Amherst Island is 16 km. west of Kingston. Exit 593 from Highway 401. Proceed south to Millhaven. Turn right at the
T-junction in Millhaven. The ferry dock is 200 metres west on Highway 33 (Bath Road).
Carpooling recommended. If you are interested in carpooling, please contact the leaders before May 1, and they will
try to put you in contact with other participants.
ÌOH Amherst
11 h 45 - Prendre le traversier de 11h30 à partir de Millhaven (8$ aller-retour) pour vous rendre au lieu de
rassemblement, sur le quai de Stella, à 11 h 45. Millhaven est situé à environ 3 - 4 heures de Montréal. Un des guides
vérifiera également l’arrivée du traversier à 12h45 en cas d’arrivées tardives. Des logements sont disponibles à
Kingston pour celles et ceux qui souhaitent participer à l’excursion sur le chemin Opinicon le lundi matin.
L’Ile Amherst est une région dont la réputation pour l'observation des oiseaux en saison hivernale n’est plus à faire.
Mais elle s’avère également excellente pour l’observation des limicoles au printemps. Nous serons également à la
recherche des migrateurs et des espèces nicheuses. Cette excursion combinera marche et conduite. Apporter votre
nourriture et habillez-vous en fonction du temps. Aux abords du lac, la température peut être fraiche.
Si nous disposons de suffisamment de temps, nous nous rendrons sur la plaine de Napanee pour observer des espèces
de champs et des prairies.
L'excursion se terminera vers 18 heures.
L’ÌOH Amherst est située 16 km à l'ouest de Kingston. Sortie 593 de l'autoroute 401. Se rendre au sud vers Millhaven.
Tourner à droite à l’intersection en T dans Millhaven. Le quai du traversier est situé 200 mètres à l'ouest de l’Highway
33 (Bath Road).
Le covoiturage est recommandé. Si le covoiturage vous intéresse, contactez les responsables avant le 1er mai et nous
nous efforcerons de vous mettre en contact avec d'autres participants.
Opinicon Road - Monday, May 23
Half-day trip ending around noon
6:00 a.m. Meet at Tim Hortons at 1185 Division Street, Kingston, about 200 metres south of Highway 401, Exit 617.
Opinicon Road is an area of mixed forest on the southern edge of the Canadian Shield. Looking for breeding birds and
late migrants. Possible breeding birds include Golden-winged Warbler, Cerulean Warbler, Eastern Bluebird, Yellowthroated Vireo, and Yellow-billed Cuckoo. A driving and walking trip. No facilities.
23
Chemin Opinicon
Lundi 23 mai
Demi-journée, excursion se terminant vers midi
6:00. Rassemblement au Tim Hortons situé au 1195, Division Street, Kingston, situé environ 200 mètres au sud de
l’autoroute 401, sortie 617. Le chemin Opinicon, situé à l’extrémité sud du bouclier canadien, est caractérisé par une
forêt mixte. Nous serons à la recherche des oiseaux nicheurs et des migrateurs tardifs. Parmi les oiseaux nicheurs
fréquentant l’endroit se retrouvent la paruline à ailes dorées, la paruline azurée, le merlebleu de l’Est, le viréo à gorge
jaune et le coulicou à bec jaune. Excursion combinant marche et conduite. Aucune installation sanitaire.
Saturday 28 May – samedi 28 mai
Sortie printannière spontanée : Destination à confirmer
Leader: Sheldon Harvey 450-462-1459 [email protected]
Late spring is an interesting but unpredictable time for birding as migrants or rare birds 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
destinaiton, the start time, the meeting spot, and the duration, will be posted on the BPQ website and on the
songsparrow Yahoo Group two or three days in advance.
La fin du printemps est un moment intéressant mais imprévisible pour l’observation des oiseaux ; des migrateurs 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 le site internet de POQ et sur le
groupe Yahoo Songsparrow deux ou trois jours avant la sortie.
Sunday, 29 May – dimanche 29 mai
Refuge Faunique Marguerite-D'Youville, Île Saint-Bernard, QC
Leader: Tom Long 450-692-1590 [email protected]
7:30 AM Meet at the welcome centre of the Refuge on Île St-Bernard, Châteauguay. From Montreal, take Hwy 138
and cross the Mercier Bridge. Stay right coming off the bridge and take Hwy 138 through Kahnawake into
Châteauguay. As you enter Châteauguay, turn right onto St-Francis Blvd. Follow St-Francis all the way to the end
where it meets the Châteauguay River at Salaberry Blvd North. Turn right on to Salaberry North. Continue past the
railway bridge. The next bridge that crosses the road and river is Pont de la Sauvagine. Turn right just after the bridge.
There will be a sign and an entrance ramp for the bridge for Beauharnois and the Refuge. Cross the bridge and
continue to Notre-Dame Nord. At the flashing red light turn right onto Notre-Dame and follow the signs to the
Refuge. Cross the small bridge onto Île St-Bernard. The parking area is to the right. Walking trip looking for
waterbirds, summer breeding birds and late migrants. The grass paths are usually wet early in the morning so wear
appropriate footwear. Please Note : A new $3.00 admission fee will be charged Half day.
7h30 Rassemblement à l’accueil du refuge, ÌOH Saint-Bernard, Châteauguay. De Montréal, prendre la route 138 et
traverser le pont Mercier. A la sortie du pont, garder la droite et continuer sur la 138, passé Kahnawake, jusqu’à
Châteauguay. A l’entrée de Châteauguay, tourner à droite sur le boul. St-Francis. Continuer sur celui-ci jusqu’à
l’intersection avec le boul. Salaberry Nord, qui longe la rivière Châteauguay. Tourner à droite sur Salaberry nord,
passer en-dessous du pont de la voie ferrée et continuer jusqu’à un deuxième pont : il s’agit du pont de la Sauvagine.
Tourner à droite juste après avoir passé sous ce pont et accéder à une rampe d’accès au pont. Des indications pour le
refuge y sont visibles. Traverser le pont et continuer jusqu’à la rue Notre-Dame Nord. Au feu rouge clignotant, tourner
à droite sur Notre-Dame et suivre les indications pour le refuge. Traverser le petit pont qui mène à l’ÌOH Saint-Bernard.
Le stationnement est à la droite. Excursion à pied, à la recherche d’oiseaux aquatiques, d’oiseaux nicheurs et de
migrateurs tardifs. Considérant que les sentiers gazonnés sont généralement humides le matin, il est conseillé de
porter des chaussures adéquates. Nouveau: veuillez noter que des frais d'entrée de 3.00$ sont maintenant exigés pour
le refuge. Demi-journée.
24
Saturday, 4 June - samedi juin 4
The New NCC/BPQ Alfred Kelly Nature Reserve at Prévost/Piedmont
Leader/Coordinator: Richard Gregson [email protected]
8:00 AM Meet at La Gare de Prévost which is located at 1272, rue de la Traverse, Prévost. (http://www.interactif.qc.ca/garedeprevost/ ) Take Autoroute 15 north in the direction of St-Jerome; take the right fork in St-Jerome on
Autoroute des Laurentides Ouest which in 2 km becomes Boulevard du Curé-Labelle/QC-117 N; in about another 7
km in Prévost turn right on Rue de la Traverse (signed for Saint-Hippolyte) and you will find the station in less than
100 metres. The following google map link will help give you directions from your home. (http://goo.gl/nzhUq )
Looking for raptors (possibility Peregrine Falcons), warblers and other Laurentian Forest species in the new Alfred
Kelly Nature Reserve which you have read about in recent editions of the Songsparrow newsletter. Half day.
8:00 Rassemblement à la gare de Prévost, qui est située au 1272, rue de la Traverse, Prévost. (http://www.interactif.qc.ca/garedeprevost/ ). Prendre l'autoroute 15 Nord en direction de St-Jérôme. A la bifurcation de St-Jérôme,
prendre la voie de droitesur l'autoroute des Laurentides Ouest qui, après 2 km, devient le Boulevard Curé-Labelle/
QC-117 N; après 7 km, tourner à droite dans Prévost sur la Rue de la Traverse (direction Saint-Hippolyte), la gare est
située à moins de 100 mètres. Le lien Google map suivant vous aidera à obtenir l'itinéraire depuis votre domicile.
(http://goo.gl/nzhUq ). À la recherche des oiseaux de proie (possiblement le faucon pélerin), des parulines et autres
espèces de la forêt laurentienne dans la nouvelle réserve naturelle Alfred Kelly, qui a récemment fait l'objet d'articles
dans le bulletin Songsparrow. Demi-journée.
Saturday, June - samedi juin 11
Cooper Marsh, ON
Leader: Martin Bowman 613-347-1655 [email protected]
8:00 AM Take Hwy 20 (Ontario Hwy 401) and exit at Lancaster, Ontario (exit 814). Follow Hwy 2 west, and follow
signs to Cooper Marsh. Park in the gravel parking area. Allow 1 to 1.5 hours travel time. Looking for waterfowl, egrets,
herons, hawks and passerines. A walking trip. Could be muddy. Half day.
8h00 À partir de l'autoroute 20 (Ontario 401), prendre la sortie pour Lancaster, Ontario (sortie 814). Prendre
l'autoroute 2 ouest et suivre les indications pour le marais Cooper. Prévoir entre 1h et 1h30 de voyagement. Espèces
recherchées : oiseaux aquatiques, buses et passereaux. Excursion à pied. Des chaussures imperméables sont
recommandées. Demi-journée.
Saturday, 18 June - samedi juin 18
Rigaud Mountain, QC - Early Solstice Trip -Excursion du solstice d’été
Wayne Grubert: 450-458-5498 [email protected]
5:30 AM Take Hwy 40 west toward Ottawa to Exit 17. (“Facilities” available here.) Take Hwy 201 south for 2 km to
Rue St. Georges on your right. Follow St. Georges for 6 km to the parking lot for the Sucrerie de la Montagne. Drive
carefully as this is a narrow winding road. We will explore some of the walking trails and roads which criss-cross
Rigaud Mountain and surrounding area looking and listening for breeding songbirds and raptors. Bring insect
repellent, water and something for an early lunch if desired. Half day.
5h30 Prendre l'autoroute 40 ouest en direction d'Ottawa puis la sortie 17 (services disponibles à cette sortie).
Prendre la route 201 et rouler sur une distance de 2 km jusqu'au chemin Saint-Georges. Tourner à droite sur celui-ci
et continuer sur une distance de 6 km jusqu'au stationnement de la Sucrerie de la montagne. Conduire prudemment,
cette route étant étroite et sinueuse. Nous allons explorer à pied certains sentiers et routes qui parcourent le mont
Rigaud et ses environs, à la recherche de passereaux nicheurs et de rapaces. Apporter un insecticide, de l'eau et, si
désiré, un lunch. Demi-journée.
25
WEDNESDAY EVENING FIELD TRIPS WITH PETER MITCHELL
Wed. May 4 -Île Bizard - Meet at the parking lot at 6:00 p.m.
Wed. May 11 - McGill Bird Observatory - Meet at the MBO at 6:00 p.m.
Enter the Arboretum, then take the first right onto a dirt road. Drive until the gate to the MBO is on your left. Turn in
and drive in as far as you can. Parking space is limited; carpooling recommended.
Wed. May 18 - Hudson - Meet at Finnegan's Market at 6.30 p.m.
NOTE THE LATER TIME: this field trip will be combined with the BPQ evening field trip led by Barbara MacDuff.
Wed. May 25 - Île Bizard - Meet at the parking lot at 6:00 p.m.
For more information, contact Peter Mitchell at 514-697-9153.
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 summit 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 are experiencing the same sentiments. 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] .
Green Heron in Chinese mood
Richard Gregson
26
Annual General Meeting: Monday, May 30, 2011, at 7:30 PM
Notice is hereby given that the Annual General Meeting (AGM) will be held Monday, May 30, 2011, at
7:30 PM at the Knox Crescent Kensington & First Presbyterian Church, 6225 Godfrey Avenue, NDG.
There will, as usual, be changes to the membership of the Board of Directors. Some current members have
resigned, some have completed their terms and must step down. We thank them all for the excellent
service they have offered to the Society, and hope they will continue their involvement for many years to
come. The members nominated below will stand for election to the Board of Directors during the AGM, so
please make sure you attend! Please be informed that a short special meeting of members will be held at
7:30 30 just prior to the AGM in order for the membership to approve an amendment to Article 20 of the
BPQ Bylaws.
Bird Protection Quebec Officers and Directors
The following have left or will be leaving the Board in May 2011:
Jeff Harrison (end of term), Marie-Anne Hudson
The following members will remain on the Board for the year 2011–2012:
Richard Gregson, Marie-Hélène Gauthier, Jean Harwood Gregson, Nicholas Acheson, Jean-Emmanuel
Arsenault, Patrick Asch, Martin Bowman, Jane Cormack, Jean Demers, Barbara Frei, Alain Goulet, Wayne
Grubert, Gay McDougall Gruner, Sheldon Harvey, Lance Laviolette, Barbara MacDuff, Sarah Marteinson,
Ronald Mudd, David Mulholland, Jim Murray, Audrey Speck
Other officers appointed by the Board: Jean Bacon (Secretary), Sharon Veysey* (Membership Secretary)
and Robert Carswell, Felix Hilton, Mabel McIntosh, Peter Mitchell (Honorary Vice-Presidents)
* To be replaced by the new Membership Secretary when appointed.
The following have agreed to stand as candidates to be members of the Board of Directors
(see biographies):
Chris Cloutier, Frédéric Hareau, and Helen Meredith
Election of members to the Board of Directors will take place at the Annual General Meeting on May 30,
2011. Any member of Bird Protection Quebec may be nominated for election to the Board of Directors
provided she/he is nominated in writing by two or more members, accompanied by a declaration of the
nominee that she/he is willing to serve. All nominations must be filed, six weeks before the Annual General
Meeting, with the Secretary of Bird Protection Quebec, Box 43, Station B, Montreal, QC, H3B 3J5.
Mission Statement
The Mission of Bird Protection Quebec is:
To promote and support the awareness, appreciation, understanding and protection of birds and
their habitats.
The Vision of Bird Protection Quebec is:
That birds and their habitats are a vital part of nature and their well-being can only be assured by
people actively contributing to their welfare.
In fulfilling its mission, Bird Protection Quebec operates under these guiding principles and
values:"
• Wildlife, and birds in particular, have intrinsic value. There is value in appreciating the beauty and
grace of birds, how they live and what they are able to do.
• It is of the utmost importance to conserve bird populations and their habitats.
• Knowledge of birds, particularly scientific knowledge, constitutes an important element in the
understanding of our natural environment.
• Laws should be enacted and enforced to protect birds and their habitats;
27
The general priorities of Bird Protection Quebec are to:
•
•
•
•
•
•
Protect bird habitats.
Increase birding knowledge, skills and enjoyment and encourage interest in birding.
Promote public awareness of birds.
Manage our nature reserves.
Contribute money and skills to ornithological study and research.
Increase membership and encourage involvement, especially of young people, in Bird Protection
Quebec.
Assemblée générale: le lundi 30 mai 2011 à 19h30
L’Assemblée générale aura lieu le lundi 30 mai 2011 à 19h30 à l’église Knox Crescent Kensington & First
Presbyterian, 6225 Godfrey Avenue, NDG. Comme d’habitude, la composition du Conseil d'administration
sera modifiée. Certains membres ont démissionné et d'autres ont terminé leur mandat et doivent se retirer.
Nous les remercions tous pour l'excellent travail qu'ils ont réalisé avec POQ et nous espérons qu'ils
poursuivrons leur engagement pour de nombreuses années à venir. Les membres nommés ci-dessous
seront présentés pour élection au Conseil d’administration lors de l’assemblée, assurez-vous donc d’être
présent ! Veuillez noter que une courte assemblée spéciale des membres se tiendra à 19h30, juste avant la
tenue de l'assemblée générale annuelle, afin que les membres puissent approuver un amendement à
l'article 20 des règlements de POQ.
Directeurs et administrateurs de Protection des oiseaux du Québec
Les personnes suivantes ont quitté ou vont quitter le Conseil en mai 2011:
Jeff Harrison (fin du mandat), Marie-Anne Hudson (démission)
Les membres suivants vont demeurer sur le Conseil pour l'année 2011-2012:
Richard Gregson, Marie-Hélène Gauthier, Jean Harwood Gregson, Nicholas Acheson, Jean-Emmanuel
Arsenault, Martin Bowman, Jane Cormack, Jean Demers, Barbara Frei, Alain Goulet, Wayne Grubert,
Sheldon Harvey, Lance Laviolette, Gay McDougall, Barbara MacDuff, Sarah Marteinson, Ronald Mudd,
David Mulholland, Jim Murray, Patrick Asch, Audrey Speck
D'autres officiers nommés par le Conseil d'administration: Jean Bacon (Secrétaire), Sharon Veysey
(Secrétaire des membres) and Robert Carswell, Felix Hilton, Mabel McIntosh, Peter Mitchell (VicePrésidents d’honneur)
Les personnes suivantes seront présentées en élection au Conseil d'administration
(consulter les biographies):
L'élection des membres du Conseil d'administration aura lieu lors de l'Assemblée générale annuelle, le 30
mai 2010. Un membre de Protection des oiseaux du Québec peut être présenté pour élection au sein du
Conseil d'administration s'il a été proposé par écrit par au PRLQVGHX[PHPEUHVGH324HWTXHFHWWH
proposition est accompagnée d'une déclaration de la personne SURSRVpHLQGLTXDQWTX
HOOHDFFHSWHG
rWUH
présentée. Toutes les nominations doivent parvenir au plus tard TXDWUHVHPDLQHVDYDQWO
$VVHPEOpHJpQpUDOH
annuelle à : Secrétaire de Protection des oiseaux du Québec, %RvWH3RVWDOH6WDWLRQ%0RQWUpDO4&+%-
Déclaration de mission
Mission de Protection des oiseaux du Québec
Promouvoir et soutenir la sensibilisation, la reconnaissance, la compréhension et la protection des
oiseaux et de leurs habitats.
28
Vision de Protection des oiseaux du Québec
Les oiseaux et leurs habitats constituent un élément vital de la nature et leur bien-être ne peut être
assuré que par des personnes qui y contribuent activement.
Pour remplir sa mission, Protection des oiseaux du Québec fonctionne selon les principes
directeurs et valeurs suivants :
• La faune et les oiseaux en particulier ont une valeur intrinsèque. Elle se manifeste en particulier
lorsque nous pouvons apprécier la beauté et la grâce des oiseaux, la façon dont ils vivent et ce
qu'ils sont capables d'accomplir;
• Il est de la plus haute importance de conserver les populations d'oiseaux et leurs habitats;
• La connaissance des oiseaux et tout particulièrement la connaissance scientifique constituent des
éléments importants de la compréhension de notre environnement naturel;
• Des lois devraient être promulguées et appliquées pour protéger les oiseaux et leurs habitats.
Les priorités générales de Protection des oiseaux du Québec sont les suivantes :
• Protéger les habitats des oiseaux;
• Augmenter la connaissance de l'observation des oiseaux, les habiletés pour le faire, le plaisir à y
participer et encourager l'intérêt pour l'observation des oiseaux;
• Sensibiliser le public envers les oiseaux;
• Gérer nos réserves naturelles;
• Contribuer, par des fonds et par des habiletés, à l'étude et à la recherche en ornithologie;
• Augmenter le nombre de membres et encourager la participation à POQ, particulièrement chez les
jeunes.
Biographies
Chris Cloutier
I have a bachelor’s degree in Applied Zoology from McGill University and spent my undergraduate years focusing my
learning on my main taxa of interest… insects and spiders. Before my degree, I completed a three-year technology
program in Vanier College, known then as Ecological Technologies and today as Environmental and Wildlife
Management. Birding is still rather new, but little by little, I am mastering the necessary skills. As with all groups of
animals, it is their natural history, survival strategies and evolutionary adaptations that intrigue me.
I am currently employed at the Morgan Arboretum in Saint-Anne-de-Bellevue as the Interpretive Naturalist. I lead
guided walks, educational talks and workshops focused on many different aspects of ecology; from insects to birds,
tree identification, pond ecology, amphibians, wildflowers and more. I have spent the better part of seven years
immersed in nature interpretation, including giving nearly 100 classroom talks for schools, and a summer spent in
Algonquin Provincial Park as a Park Naturalist.
That’s me in a nutshell…A fun-loving guy who loves the outdoors and can talk your ear off!
À l’université McGill, étant devenu bachelier en Zoologie appliquée, j’ai pu me concentrer, au cours de mes années en
tant qu’étudiant en licence, sur mon principal intérêt : les insectes et les araignées. Préalablement à l’obtention de
mon baccalauréat, j’étais inscrit au collège Vanier dans un programme des « Technologies de l’environnement »
maintenant connu sous l’appellation « Gestion de l’environnement de la faune et de la flore ». L’observation des
oiseaux étant relativement nouvelle pour moi, je m’efforce d’en maîtriser petit à petit les connaissances
fondamentales. Ce qui m’intrigue chez tous les animaux est leur histoire, leur stratégie pour leur survie ainsi que leur
adaptation aux changements, leur évolution.
Je suis actuellement employé par l’Arboretum Morgan de Ste-Anne-de-Bellevue à titre de « Naturaliste ». J’anime les
visites guidées, les ateliers éducatifs axés sur plusieurs aspects de l’écologie : les insectes, les oiseaux, les arbres, les
écosystèmes des zones humides, les amphibiens, les plantes indigènes et autres sujets liés à la nature.
J’ai passé presque sept années en interprétation de la nature. J’ai animé une bonne centaine d’ateliers dans les classes
d’une commission scolaire locale et je fus «guide naturaliste» tout un été au parc provincial Algonquin. Bref, c’est
moi : un homme qui jouis de la vie, qui aime les grands espaces et qui peut partager sa passion jusqu’à vous casser les
oreilles.
29
Frédéric Hareau
D’aussi loin que je me souvienne, j’ai toujours été passionné par la faune sauvage, les oiseaux et par la conservation de
la nature. Cette passion remonte à mes jeunes années en Europe. Tout au long de ma vie, j’ai voyagé à travers le
monde pour découvrir la nature et la faune, y compris bien évidemment les oiseaux. Dans les dernières années, j’ai été
activement impliqué dans 2 clubs ornithologiques: Protection des Oiseaux du Québec et le Club d’Ornithologie
d’Ahuntsic (COA). A POQ, je suis membre du comité de conservation depuis Mars 2010, et ai coordonné le projet
SOS-POP en 2010. Je suis également activement impliqué dans la traduction pour le site Web et Song Sparrow. Par
ailleurs, membre du Conseil d’administration du COA, j’ai la responsabilité des dossiers de conservation du club.
Ceux-ci comprennent le suivi des nichoirs à merlebleu dans le Parc National d’Oka et des nichoirs sur l’Île du Cheval
de Terre (Parc de l’Île de la Visitation), la coordination de SOS-POP et la collaboration avec les parcs nature de la Ville
de Montréal dans le suivi d’espèces particulières. En 2010, j’ai également été bénévole à l’observatoire des oiseaux de
McGill, et guiderai avec Martin Bowman une excursion pour le POQ dans la région de Kingston en mai 2011.
Au niveau professionnel, mon expérience de travail s’est concentrée dans le secteur à but non lucratif, sur des projets
liés à la justice sociale et à la conservation de l’environnement; au travers du développement de plusieurs dizaines de
projets, leur financement, et leur mise en œuvre. Au cours des 2 dernières années, en tant que Directeur des
programmes et des partenariats à Jeunesse Canada Monde, j’ai supervisé des projets touchant plus de 1,000 jeunes
chaque année et mis en œuvre dans 17 pays du monde. Une majorité de ces projets étaient axés sur la conservation de
l’environnement, au Canada et partout dans le monde. Plusieurs organisations partenaires étant spécialisées dans la
conservation des habitats, y compris pour la faune aviaire.
Enfin, au cours des 10 dernières années, j’ai été impliqué dans de multiples activités de collecte de fonds, menant à
l’obtention de plus de six millions de dollars. Les organismes de financement partenaires comprenant les
gouvernements fédéral, provinciaux et locaux, les entreprises privées, les fondations et de donateurs individuels. Je
possède un diplôme en biologie et en agriculture, de l’Institut National Agronomique de Paris-Grignon, France
(équivalent à une maîtrise).
For as long as I can remember, I have always been passionate about wildlife and nature conservation. My passion for
birds goes back to my childhood in Europe and I have travelled throughout the world to discover nature and wildlife,
including bird life. In recent years, I have been actively involved in two birding clubs: Bird Protection Quebec and
Club d’Ornithologie d’Ahuntsic (COA). At BPQ, I have been a member of the conservation committee since March
2010, and coordinated the SOS-POP project with BPQ in 2010. I am also actively involved in translation for The Song
Sparrow newsletter and BPQ website. I am a Board member of the COA, responsible for the conservation files of the
club. Those include the nestbox monitoring initiative in Parc National d’Oka and on Île-du-Cheval de Terre (Parc de
l’Île de la Visitation), on coordinating SOS-POP and on collaboration with City of Montreal parks. In 2010, I
volunteered at McGill Bird Observvatory, and I will be coordinating an outing for BPQ in the Kingston area with
Martin Bowman in May 2011.
At a professional level, I have a lot of experience working in the not-for-profit sector, on projects related to social
justice and the conservation of the environment. I have led the development of several dozen of projects, coordinated
their fundraising, and managed their implementation. Over the past two years, as Director of Programs and
Partnerships at Canada World Youth, I oversaw projects reaching over 1,000 young people every year and
implemented in 17 countries. A majority of these projects focus on the conservation of the environment in Canada and
throughout the world. Several partner organizations specialize in habitat conservation, including for birdlife.
In the past ten years, I have played a leadership role in fundraising over six million dollars with the support of coworkers and partners. Funding agencies included federal, provincial and local governments, private companies,
foundations and individual donors.
I possess a degree in biology and agriculture, from the Institut National Agronomique of Paris-Grignon, France
(equivalent to a Master’s degree).
30
Helen Meredith
After a year’s interlude, I have been nominated to return to the Board of Directors of BPQ, a Board I first joined in
1995 when I was working for the Quebec-Labrador Foundation and helping organize its presence and work on the
Lower North Shore.
While on the BPQ Board, I chaired the Archives Committee, which amassed, and oversaw the processing of, BPQ’s
archives, ultimately donating them to the McCord Museum in 2009. Over the years, I’ve also served on the
Membership Services, Finance, and Nominating committees. I have coordinated field trips to Île aux Basques in the
Lower St. Lawrence and I have worked to distill the BPQ mission and mandate. I’ve also enjoyed being a liaison
between BPQ, Regroupement QuébecOiseaux, Nature Québec, Regroupement des Milieux Naturels, the Nature
Conservancy of Canada and other conservation organizations. Since 2008, I have been coordinating the cleaning of
Eastern Bluebird nestboxes in Mount Royal Cemetery and compiling and sharing the data about nesting success rate.
I’ve been living in Montreal for the last 20 years where I have worked for several charitable and not-for-profit
organizations and now for the federal government. Along the way I have earned an M.A. (Museology).
Après un an d’absence, ma candidature a été présentée afin de siéger sur le conseil d’administration de POQ, dont je
faisais partie depuis 1995. À ce moment-là, je travaillais pour la Fondation Québec-Labrador afin de gérer sa présence
et son travail sur la Basse Côte-Nord.
Lors de mon mandat au sein du conseil d’administration de POQ, j’ai présidé le comité des archives, collectant et
supervisant le traitement des archives de POQ. Nous avons finalement fait don de ces archives au Musée McCord en
2009. Au fil des ans, j’ai fait partie des comités suivants : services aux membres ; finances et nominations. J’ai aussi
coordonné des excursions à l’Île-aux-Basques dans le Bas Saint-Laurent et j’ai travaillé à redéfinir la mission et le
mandat de POQ. J’ai aussi aimé être une agente de liaison entre POQ et le Regroupement QuébecOiseaux, Nature
Québec, le regroupement des milieux naturels, Conservation de la nature Canada et d’autres organismes de
conservation. Depuis 2008, je coordonne le nettoyage des nichoirs à merlebleu au cimetière Mont-Royal ainsi que la
compilation et le partage des statistiques traitant du taux de succès de nidification.
J’ai vécu à Montréal pendant les 20 dernières années. J’y ai travaillé pour plusieurs organismes de bienfaisance et
organismes à but non lucratif. Je travaille maintenant pour le gouvernement fédéral. En chemin, j’ai obtenu une
maîtrise (Muséologie) de l’Université du Québec à Montréal.
31

THE SONG SPARROW - Bird Protection Quebec

Transcription

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