Bird surveys confirm decline in some Canadian bird populations

Bird surveys confirm decline in some Canadian bird populations

Information from 1970 to 2016 programs 3 groups seem in a plain, quick decrease: Shorebirds, aerial insectivores and meadow birds.

Released Jan 28, 2024Last upgraded 11 hours ago3 minute checked out

Chestnut-collared Longspur.
The Chestnut-collared Longspur is discovered in southern Saskatchewan and nests mainly in short-grass native meadow. It is among the meadow types threatened by environment loss. Picture by Nick Saunders /PROVIDED

You might not understand that a crucial study of reproducing birds in Saskatchewan was finished in 2022.

Called the Saskatchewan Breeding Bird Atlasit was an enthusiastic five-year task by Birds Canada to map the circulation and relative abundance of reproducing birds throughout the province for the really very first time.

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Tasks such as this are very important since they permit us to record the status of birds in our province and display modifications (both favorable and unfavorable) in bird populations which might arise from natural occasions and human impact.

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Utilizing information from 1970 to 2016, the North American Bird Conservation Initiative (NABCI)– a consortium of federal, provincial, and territorial federal governments, preservation NGOs, and the economic sector– has actually offered some shocking info about the state of Canada’s birds over the previous couple of years.

While some bird populations seem healthy and growing (waterfowl up 150 percent and birds of victim up 110 percent), 3 groups seem in a plain, quick decrease: Shorebirds down 40 percent, aerial insectivores down 59 percent, and meadow birds down 57 percent.

Shorebirds
Combers Beach in B.C’s Pacific Rim National Park reserve is off-limits to canines from April 1 to Oct. 1 to secure migratory shorebirds. Image by S. Tyne /Parks Canada

Shorebirds depend upon seaside locations and inland wetlands for reproducing, migration, and wintering. Numerous shorebirds move countless kilometres every year, collecting as much as 30,000 “regular leaflet” points (1 pt = 1 km). Lots of shorebirds nest in the Arctic or sub-Arctic, where their breeding environments are mostly maintained. It’s the loss of other wintering premises through human advancement– for example, along the Gulf of Mexico– which is believed to be one of the primary factors for reducing numbers.

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Remarkably, aerial insectivores (birds that capture pests, such as flycatchers and swallows) likewise appear to be on the decrease. Numerous factors seem accountable, consisting of loss and deterioration of environment (wetlands, meadows, and forests), and the prevalent and methodical usage of pesticides. Environment modification might likewise have an effect, as the increasing number and intensity of severe weather condition occasions can interfere with breeding, migration patterns, and even the accessibility of flying insect populations.

Grasslands
At Lonetree Lake near Regina 629 hectares of threatened meadow meadows is being safeguarded by the Nature Conservancy of Canada. Picture by Nature Conservancy of Canada /PROVIDED

The decrease in meadow bird populations is especially disconcerting for those people surviving on the Prairies. Birds which are practically completely based on native meadows have actually decreased by approximately 87 percent. Even the populations of types which are tolerant of farming landscapes have actually decreased by 39 percent. The primary factor seems environment loss (e.g.: conversion of meadows to crop production) and deterioration. It is approximated that 75-90% of native meadow has actually been lost (in Saskatchewan it’s 83 percent). Destruction of environment likewise arises from resource extraction, such as oil and gas.

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Other motorists seem the steady infringement of shrubs and other woody plants on the meadows and the increase of intrusive plant types, both of which minimize meadow locations. Surprisingly, it appears that livestock ranching is vital to the preservation of native meadows, as the majority of the staying meadow environment is owned by livestock manufacturers. Due to the fact that meadow plants and wildlife have actually adjusted and progressed with grazing over a number of years, continued livestock grazing is now considered important by companies like Birds Canada to protect important meadow bird environment.

The point is that none of these crucial findings would have been possible without current and precise bird studies. And, obviously, this would not be possible without the efforts of volunteers like you and me. If you have an interest in assisting our meadow birds by taking part in a study, please do not be reluctant to call your regional nature society.

Jim Lee is President of the Saskatoon Nature Society. The next bird count in the Saskatoon location will be kept in late May. Expect information at saskatoonnature.org/scheduled-trips/

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