The snowy owl is the iconic species, but there are plenty of other superb owls to be seen in winter throughout Manitoba, Donna Gamache writes.
Tag Archives Bird migration
Winter is the best time to see owls in Manitoba
The snowy owl is the iconic species, but there are plenty of other superb owls throughout the province
New towers to track shorebirds
Southwestern Manitoba a key stopping point in birds' annual migration
New tracking towers in southwestern Manitoba aim to aid the tracking of shorebirds passing through the area, which is considered a Prairie hot spot for the creatures. The Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) has installed three towers near Oak Lake, and another near Whitewater Lake. Antennae atop the towers collect signals from radio transmitters that
2018 declared the Year of the Bird
A good way to celebrate is by attending La Rivière’s Raptor Festival
This year has been declared the Year of the Bird. National Geographic, the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, and over 100 other organizations have announced this as a way to mark the centennial of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. This bird-protection law was passed 100 years ago, and the centennial is an occasion to recommit to
Long-distance flyers
Many migrating birds travel an astonishing number of kilometres and some even make the trip non-stop
It’s migration time, not just for “Canadian snowbirds” returning from a winter in the southern U.S. or Mexico, but for actual birds returning north for the nesting season. April and May are prime months for migrating birds to reach Manitoba, although a few early species may appear in March, and late ones in June. Horned
Poultry biosecurity crucial in fall
Minor illnesses in wild populations can quickly become pandemics
It turns out birds have a flu season too. After years of studying the role of wild birds in outbreaks of avian influenza in domestic poultry flocks, one of Canada’s top public sector veterinarians says the bottom line is farmers need to take precaution in the fall. John Pasick is the national veterinary science authority
Bird’s eye view of human health
A University of Saskatchewan facility will let researchers study bird health and the environment with possible human benefits
Just like the canary in the coal mine, wild birds can tell us a lot about our environment and how it could affect human health. University of Saskatchewan biology professor, Christy Morrissey says watching birds for problems could help locate issues that may affect human health, one of the driving forces behind a new research
Older hummingbirds better prepared
Lengthy annual migration reveals profound differences between young birds and the more experienced ones
The small, but mighty ruby-throated hummingbird flies 2,000 km on its migratory journeys without a break, researchers report in the journal The Auk: Ornithological Advances. New research provides some of the first details of the hummingbird’s annual fall journey from the eastern United States to Central America. It shows that their fall migration peaks in
Raptor festival soars to new heights
People flock to the Pembina Valley to watch raptors float on thermal air
The term “raptor” might conjure up “Jurassic Park-like” visions of huge flying dinosaurs, but alas, that is not the case. Raptor is simply the term used to describe birds of prey. Each year a massive raptor migration takes place as these magnificent birds return to Manitoba from their wintering grounds. Usually the best place to
Get ready for the returning birds
What a welcome sight and sound after such a long, cold winter
As winter is finally drawing to a close, many birders turn their thoughts to the return of our migrating birds. My husband and I have enjoyed feeding and watching the hardy species that stay here all year; we have been excited when a few that usually migrate have overwintered — such as the single junco