Most Canadians recognized a loon call, but how much do you know about the common loon?
Tag Archives birds
The north is calling: all about the common loon
Loons are an icon of Manitoba’s wild shorelines
Conservation counting on annual bird survey
Every year, around this time of year, volunteers in Manitoba head out to take a key bird count
It was the same every year. For 25 years, on one day at the end of June, my alarm would go off at 2:30 a.m. I’d slouch out of bed and hit the road to do my part for the North American Breeding Bird Survey (BBS). My route was part of a network feeding numbers
New birds on the block
Some new birds are finding footholds in Manitoba
My September calendar always sets aside a few days for a duck hunting trip with my son. On those days we haunt the marshes, which we find more interesting than going after birds feeding in fields. Our chosen setting means that, when the ducks aren’t flying, we can enjoy time spotting other wetland wildlife. Last year’s hunt
These bird names are about to change
Official names will change for a few of Manitoba’s common feathered visitors
In 2023, the American Ornithological Society announced plans to change the English common names of any birds named after people or that are deemed offensive in some way. The way bird names are chosen is also getting a revamp. It’s going to be a pilot project beginning with 70 to 80 species found mainly in
Trumpeting victory for swan conservation
Trumpeter swans are returning to southern Manitoba after decades as a disappeared species
Back in 2007, I was fishing at my favourite wild rice lake in the Whiteshell when I spotted some big, white birds in the distance. I didn’t think much of it at first; I assumed they were pelicans. As I got closer, it became obvious that the size and shape were wrong. I got out
PHOTOS: Rare winter bird bingo
Watch for unusual visitors to your winter bird feeder
If you’re a Manitoban who feeds birds during the winter, you may already know the normal customers at your feeder and in your yard. With careful observation, you might also see a few relatively rare birds to Manitoba or, given the mild winter so far, species that usually don’t overwinter here. Why it matters: Chickadees
Regen ag bird study finds ‘islands of biodiversity’
Diverse production translated to diverse bird species, including at-risk species
A bird survey on operations that use regenerative farm practices has provided information on where different bird species are staking their claims. The limited study, spearheaded by the Manitoba Forage and Grassland Association, provincial government and Manitoba Important Bird Areas program, counted bird populations on four farms in western Manitoba, all from different sectors. The
High-path avian flu pops back up in Saskatchewan, Alberta
Canada keeps sights on 'country-level freedom' from virus
Even after 21 months of highly pathogenic avian influenza cases in Canada — including three new cases in domestic birds so far this month — Canada’s “stamping out” policy for the virus remains in effect. Canada’s active caseload of the virus now comes down to just eight of the 325 premises affected since December 2021.
Animal health body backs bird flu vaccination to avoid pandemic
Vaccination should focus on free-range birds, WOAH chief says
Paris | Reuters — Governments should consider vaccinating poultry against bird flu, which has killed hundreds of millions of birds and infected mammals worldwide, to prevent the virus from turning into a new pandemic, the head of the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH) said. The severity of the current outbreak of avian influenza, commonly
For the birds
Regen ag farms to measure impact of practices on bird populations
Four farms linked to the Manitoba Forage and Grassland Association will be counting birds this summer. The new study, a joint brainchild between the MFGA, Manitoba Wildlife Branch and Manitoba Important Bird Area, will gauge bird populations on dairy, beef, grain and mixed farms that are also proponents of regenerative agriculture. All the farms belong
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
