Wandering Tattler Apr 07 - Nature Vancouver

Illustration by Mark WynjaVOL. 30 NO. 8 APRIL 2007 $1.50NEXT BIRDER’S NIGHTThursday May 3, 2007Outdoor Birder’s Night atHasting Park ConservancyJoin us at Hastings Park (on the PNE site, East Vancouver)for a birding walk led by members of the Hastings ParkConservancy. The re-greening of the park began in 1996with the creation of two bio-filtration ponds and afreshwater marsh in an area called The Sanctuary, whichopened to the public in 1999. Each year the ponds, aquaticvegetation, islands and still-fragile landscaping attractgreater numbers and diversity of birds into the park. TheConservancy has produced a bird checklist for the areathat totals close to 100 species to date. For parking turnnorth from Hastings Street onto Renfrew and turn right atGate 2. Parking is free if you mention that you’re going intothe Sanctuary. The walk will start at 7:30 pm and will befollowed by refreshments.Editors Note: there will be no edition of The WanderingTattler at the May meeting.SEE YOU IN SEPTEMBER…AT BIRDER’S NIGHTBirder’s Night will start on September 6 th (after theLabour Day weekend) at our usual location with apresentation on the Galapagos by Michael Le Geyt.THE WANDERING TATTLER INDEXUpcoming VNHS field trips and programs 2-3Great Blue Heron Update 5Barn Owl Study 6Delta Raises Concerns of Changes to Municipality 7-8Backyard Birding with Al - Hummers 10Some Bird Sightings 12-13VANCOUVER BIRD RECORDS COMMITTEEThe Birding Section Committee of Nature Vancouver(Vancouver Natural History Society) has decided toreactivate the Vancouver Bird Records Committee(VBRC), which has been in existence since 1980 with afew gaps in activity. The purpose of the VBRC is topreserve evidence of the occurrence of casual andaccidental bird species in the Vancouver area (generally,those seen less than once a year) such as photographsand written field notes. The VBRC will also review theserecords to determine which of these occurrences areadequately documented, with the intent of publishing anannual report summarizing these occurrences.We strongly encourage anyone who observes orphotographs a casual or accidental bird species in theVancouver bird checklist area (generally, those specieslisted in italics in the 2004 Vancouver British Columbiaand Vicinity Seasonal Status of Birds (checklist) to sendus copies of their photos, and/or detailed field notes.The "Rare Bird Report Form" included on the NatureVancouver website may be used, or field notes may besubmitted using the same headings included on theReport Form.Photos or written descriptions should be submitted toJude Grass at judegrass@shaw.ca (E-mail) or 17375 27AAvenue, Surrey, B.C. V3S 0E9 (snail mail). Alldocumentation received will be placed in a permanent filewhich will be open to review by any interested persons,whether or not they are Nature Vancouver members.We hope that the Vancouver Bird Records Committee willreceive broad support from Vancouver area birders, andwe thank everyone who provides documentation for theseextremely rare birds.Further announcements will be forthcoming.Jude GrassBird Records Committee ChairThe Wandering Tattler March 2007 page 1

OTHER VNHS PROGRAMSOF INTEREST TO BIRDERSAPRIL 2007VNHS FIELD TRIPSFor full details please refer to the Vancouver Naturalist orwww.naturalhistory.bc.ca/VNHS. Not all trips are listedhere – the following are generally Birding Trips only.SUNDAY APRIL 8Join Istvan Orosi for a half-day birding walk aroundBurnaby Lake. Meet at the Nature House at the south endof Piper Avenue off Winston, on north side of Burnaby Lakeat 0830. We will look for the first Rufous Hummingbirds,other early migrants and remaining winter passerines andwaterfowl. Kids are welcome. Brink hiking boots, rain gear,sunscreen, water and lunch. Contact Istvan at 604 5248046 or iorosi@shaw.caSUNDAY, APRIL 22Look for spring migrants on a birding walk in EverettCrowley Park in South Vancouver. This park includes a mistof restored grasslands, scrub and woodland habitats, plushidden wetland. Meet in front of Champlain RecreationCentre of 3350 Maquinna Drive at 0800. Contact BillKinkaid at (778) 329-1059 or billkinkaid@gmail.com (EdNote: this is correct and if different from what is in VanNat.)SUNDAY, APRIL 22Meet John Chandler for a morning walk around the IonaBeach Regional Park ponds and marshes. We’ll be lookingespecially for migrating shorebirds in their new springplumage – they’re much easier to identify at this time ofyear – and the Yellow-headed Blackbirds should be settingup territories in the marsh. Meet John at the parking lotnear the washrooms at 0830. Contact John at 604 2744117.SATURDAY, APRIL 28Join us for a half day birding field trip to Coquitlam’sDeBoville Slough. This area is a breeding site for Ospreysand Green Heron. Townsend’s Solitaire is always apossibility at this time of year; we last saw one on our 2002outing. Meet Larry at the parking area at Victoria & CedarDrives in Port Coquitlam at 0900. Contact Larry at 604-465-1402 or lawrencecowan@shaw.caVNHS EVENING PROGRAMThursday April 26, 2007Nature Vancouver Annual General Meetingand Award PresentationsFollowing the AGM and Award there will be a short slidepresentation on Stanley Park – the before and after thewindstorms that hit during the past winter. A member ofthe Nature Vancouver Conservation Committee will thenoutline some of the conservation issues that the StanleyPark situation has highlighted, and tell us about othercritical issues that they are working on, on our behalf.OTHER ORGANIZATION’S FIELD TRIPSHASTINGS PARK SANCTUARYMembers of the Hastings Park Conservancy’sEnvironmental Committee and guest naturalists leadmonthly nature walks through the Sanctuary in HastingsPark. In 2007, the walks will be held on the fourthSaturday of each month from 1000 until noon. All walksstart from the northeast corner of the Sanctuary (nearthe red barns and the Playland restrooms). Come out andhelp find the elusive 100 th bird species! For furtherinformation, contact Virginia Downes at 604-255-9458 orvdownes@shaw.ca, or Pat Miller at 604-294-1272 orpamiller@shaw.ca.MAPLEWOOD FLATS CONSERVATION AREAOn the second Saturday of each month, you’re welcometo join the Wild Bird Trust’s Nature Walks with Al Grassat Maplewood Flats Conservation Area. Meet at 1000 inthe parking lot of the Pacific Environment ScienceCentre, 2645 Dollarton Highway.REIFEL MIGRATORY BIRD SANCTUARYEvery Sunday, enjoy a bird walk with John Ireland atReifel Migratory Bird Sanctuary in Delta. Meet at thereception area at 1000. Reifel’s admission fee is $4.00for adults and $2.00 for children (2-14) and seniors(60+). Phone 604-946-6980 for more information.SQUAMISH ESTUARYSquamish estuary monthly bird counts are held on thefirst or second Sunday of each month, depending on thetide. Please meet at the Howe Sound Inn and Brew Pubwhere we will return at about 12:30pm for optionallunchFor more information, contact Judith Vetsch at604-892-3340 or e-mail: jvetsch@direct.ca.The Wandering Tattler March 2007 page 2

STANLEY PARK ECOLOGY SOCIETY (SPES)DISCOVERY WALKS leave from the Lost Lagoon Nature Houseevery Sunday, 1300-1500. Different topics and leaderseach week. Walks led by local experts and naturalists.Explore the natural and cultural history of Stanley Park.Rain or shine. Pre-registration is recommended. Cost:$8/public, $5/members. Contact: Annmarie De Andrade,Public Programs Manager: 604-718-6522.BIRDING IN STANLEY PARK:Join naturalist CatherineAitchison for a two-hour walk in Stanley Park to identifymigratory and resident birds and learn bird-watching skills.Meet at the Lost Lagoon Nature House at 0900 on the lastSunday of every month. Fee by donation. For additionalinformation, check the SPES’s website athttp://www.stanleyparkecology.caTERRA NOVA NATURAL AREAOn the third Saturday of each month, anyone interested inbirds is welcome to join the VNHS’s monthly bird survey ofthe Terra Nova Natural Area in Richmond. Meet in theTerra Nova parking lot at 0800 (October-March) or 0700(April-September). For details please contact the coordinator,Eric Greenwood at 604-737-4724. The NatureReserve is reached by driving west on WestminsterHighway past No. 1 Road, and following it through the TerraNova residential area.OTHER EVENTS FOR BIRDER’SCARETAKERS WANTED FORBC’S IMPORTANT BIRD AREASAs part of a joint initiative between BC Nature (Federationof BC Naturalists) and Bird Studies Canada to re-invigoratethe Important Bird Area program in BC, we are looking forvolunteers – in the form of individuals, groups or clubs – toact as Caretakers for each of BC’s 84 IBAs. This is part ofthe first step in a process that aims to build on the IBAidentification, designation and conservation planning workdone over the past decade. At the same time, we will beconducting outreach work to promote the IBA programamong relevant stakeholders, from naturalist groups toconservation and land management agencies. The eventualaim is to set up a system for IBA-based monitoring of birdpopulations and their habitats to inform the management ofthese sites. The Caretaker Network is based on anapproach to IBA site conservation and monitoring pioneeredin Denmark, and will be the first IBA Caretaker Network tobe set up in Canada.IBA site status, threats, bird populations, and any otherrelevant conservation issues. These data will be used toupdate the Canadian IBA database. Visit the websiteand take a look at the list of BC’s 84 IBAs to see whichones are near you, or view them using the online mappingtool. Caretaker roles are currently vacant for many ofBC’s interior IBAs (e.g. Osoyoos Oxbows, ChopakaCustoms, Chilcotin Junction), and more remote coastalsites that may only be visited by boat during the summermonths (e.g. Solander Island and Brooks Bay). If you areinterested in volunteering as an IBA Caretaker, pleaseget in touch with either Pete Davidson at pdavidson@bsceoc.orgor Anne Murray (BC Nature) atsanderling@uniserve.ca.DELTA FARMLAND AND WILDLIFE TRUSTHEDGEROW HABITAT PROGRAMLOOKING FOR VOLUNTEERSThe Trust has now accumulated close to 7 acres ofhedgerow habitat throughout Delta farmlands ,consisting of native trees and shrubs densely planted inprepared beds.Unfortunately the installations are frequently quicklyinvaded by invasive plants. We pay between $4,000 and$8,000 annually to weed the hedgerows. In an effort tosave some funds so that they can be directed to otherfield programs, Jeremy McCall has suggested a workparty of volunteers might achieve good results withoutthe cost to the Trust. I could see that 2 or 3 Saturdaysover the summer could accommodate an organized workparty of 5 to 10 volunteers and me plus several Directorsand could do a great deal in this regard.We would supply tools, gloves and refreshments plus abagged lunch.The volunteers would supply enthusiasm, hard work andbinoculars. Although the use of binoculars will have to beminimized to ensure good results.Interested people could e-mail or call me and I wouldarrange appropriate dates and times for the weedingevent. If you are interested in helping out and learningmore about the Hedgerow Habitat Program pleasecontact Markus Merkens at (604) 946-7820 ordfwt@dccnet.comWe invite volunteer birders and naturalists in communitiesaround BC to act as the “eyes on the ground,” committing toat least one annual, seasonally appropriate site visit peryear, with a report back to provide current information onThe Wandering Tattler March 2007 page 3

OTHER EVENTS FOR BIRDER’S - CONT…DAWN CHORUS PROGRAMSIf you have never been on a dawn chorus program – youdon’t know what you are missing. There are a number ofprograms coming up between April and mid June. This is awonderful opportunity to experience the beautiful soundsof birds in the early morning.ALL walks all start at 6:00 AM and last for 2 to 3 hoursdepending of the location, followed by a tally of birds heardand seen. Registration not required.Saturday April 21 – at Hastings Park Conservancy.This site has a checklist of almost 100 birds – perhaps theywill break the 100 mark on this Dawn Chorus. (Details onhow on page 1 under May Birder’s Night). Contact Virgi niaat (604) 255-9458 or downes@shaw.ca. This program willbe followed by the regular monthly walk in the Conservancystarting at 10am.Saturday May 12 – at Maplewood Flats ConservationArea, North Vancouver. Join members of the Wild BirdTrust as they explore the various bird habitats for thesummer residents who will be preparing to set up nestterritories. Meet across the street from the Crab Shop onDollarton Highway. This program will be followed by theregular monthly walk at Maplewood starting at 10am. Formore information 604 538 8774 or judegrass@shaw.caSaturday June 2 – at Burnaby Lake Regional Park.Join the early birds – the members of the Burnaby LakePark Associations at the Nature House at the south foot ofPiper Avenue (off Winston) on the North side of the lake.Enjoy a guided nature walk along forested trails during thebusiest time of the year for the park’s many songbirds.Listen to their calls and songs and stay alert for otherwildlife. Contact 604 522 9314.Saturday June 16 – at Campbell Valley RegionalPark, Langley. This early walk will introduce you to thecommon summer birds through their songs and calls.Following the walk enjoy refreshments in the VisitorsCentre while identifying songsters in recordings and photos.Meet at the Campbell Valley Regional Park Visitor’s Centre,8 th Avenue entrance, east of 200 th Street. This is a Birdson the Bay program and is hosted by the Langley Field.Contact 604 538 8774.NOW A YEAR ROUND PROGRAMPlease check the website forall events and programs atwww.birdsonthebay.caDig in for Earth Day:And Migrating ShorebirdsSunday April 22 – 9am – 1pm,Enjoy a bird walk with Lynn Pollard (9am) followed by aplanting to replenish the foreshore with native plants(10am). There will be a barbecue (11:30am) and displaysand scopes (until 1pm). Meet White Rock East Beachpromenade at bear statue 15595 Marine Drive. Hosts:City of White Rock, Nature Vancouver. Info: 604 5412181.Sandpiper Invasion at Brunswick PointSunday April 29 – 1pm – 4pmWitness the spectacular annual migration of hundreds ofthousands of Western Sandpipers! Learn why themudflats are so important for them. Meet dykeentrance, Brunswick Point, Delta. Host Dr. Rob Butler,Canadian Wildlife Service. Info: 604 899 1914.International Migratory Bird Day:Colony Farm Regional ParkSaturday May 12 – 1pm – 4pmSearch for the brilliant Lazuli Bunting, learn about theGreat Blue Heron, buy organic seedlings; enjoy a naturewalk, displays and activities. Meet: Parking lot end ofColony Farm Road, Coquitlam. Hosts: Colony Farm ParkAssociation, GVRD Parks, and Burke MountainNaturalists. Info: 604 520 6442.Lazuli Bunting:Colourful Jewels of Colony FarmSaturday June 2Two walks: 9am & 3pm. Search for Lazuli Buntings in thebrambles of Colony Farm with birder Istvan Orosi. Meet:Parking lot end of Colony Farm Road, Coquitlam. Hosts:Colony Farm Park Association, GVRD Parks, and BurkeMountain Naturalists. Info: 604 520 6442The Wandering Tattler March 2007 page 4

consultation with and participation bys Delta and LowerMainland residents and voters in what should be, but is not,a democratic process.And now I am back to your stated mandate: to look into theinstitutional and physical obstacles to the competitivenessof Canada’s intermodal transportation system.The Lower Mainland itself poses a major physical obstacle.This is a small area bounded by mountains and the Strait ofGeorgia. It contains over four million people and millions ofsignificant birds and other species. It also contains themost arable land in all of British Columbia, land that isabsolutely necessary to feed the people of BritishColumbia, and beyond that, the people of Canada.The Gateway Project’s plan for its intermodaltransportation system in the Lower Mainland will removethousands of acres of food-producing agricultural land tomake way for roads and railway tracks for the trucks andtrains to transport containers to and from the Port.Hundreds of acres will also be removed through theTsawwassen Treaty to provide room for container storagefor the Port. And this is not fallow land. This is land that isactively farmed. We cannot afford to lose another acre ofour food-producing lands – or our scarce industrial lands -to 8 or 10 storey high piles of empty containers, whichmust be stored here because of that unsustainable balanceof trade I referred to earlier: 100 containers in – only 20containers out.Delta has recently passed a bylaw regulating the storage ofcontainers in our municipality. We have done so to preserveas much of our land as possible for productive industry andagriculture. And to locate the storage facilities where theywill be least disruptive to other traffic, and wherecontainer traffic movements can be made safely.The Corporation of Delta has, for many years now, triedto work with the Port to achieve their ends whileprotecting the quality of life for our people. But it hasn’tworked.The people are not happy in Delta. They are not happy inthe other communities that are experiencing or will beexperiencing the impacts of this economic endeavour.And there has been no attempt to provide meaningfulmitigation for those impacts.The Senate of Canada, of which you are members, is thesenior level of government, positioned to provide a checkand balance against the more politically-driven House ofCommons and to protect and enforce the principles ofdemocracy in Canada.As the Gateway Project has unfolded, leaf by leaf, withno consultation, the people of Delta and of the GreaterVancouver Regional District have come to question thereality of democracy in this country. You are its finalbastion. I and they look to you for the conformation thatit still exists.If you have any questions, I would be pleased to answerthem. Also, Ian Radnidge, our Director of Engineering, ishere. He keeps more numbers in his head than I do inmine.Thank you for listening. I would be pleased to provide youwith a tour of Delta so that you can see for yourselfwhat is happening.Lois E. JacksonMayor, Corporation of DeltaChair, Greater Vancouver Regional DistrictIt might be considered by some that the people of Delta,the people of the Lower Mainland, the birds, fish and otherspecies, the agricultural lands, the zoning powers ofmunicipalities - it might be considered by some that all ofthese are obstacles to the competitiveness of Canada’sintermodal transportation system.In my view, the biggest obstacle is the consortium of theGateway organization, Vancouver Port, the Province ofBritish Columbia and the Government of Canada, of whichyou are a part.In pursuit of economic competitiveness, this consortium hasignored the people.We are all in favour of a strong economy, one whichprovides jobs and profits and a high quality of life. We canhave that. But not when the people, the fish, birds andwildlife, the agricultural lands and the legitimate zoningpowers of municipal government are considered obstaclesto be ignored or eliminated.The Wandering Tattler March 2007 page 8

BACKYARD BIRDING WITH ALLONG-LOST’ WARBLER REDISCOVERED TWICETHE HUMMERS ARE BACK!The hummers are back, or to be exact, the RufousHummingbirds. Those who live in the Dunbar/Pacific SpritArea of Vancouver, areas of West Vancouver, or a fewother Lower Mainland pockets, are fortunate to have Anna’sHummingbirds in winter, even year round.It has been our experience at Wild Birds Unlimited thatyou need to get your hummingbird feeder out early in orderto ‘capture’ the first migrants, usually males, otherwisethey’ll ‘keep going’, until they find a nectar source.A good feeder is one that is easy to fill and clean, and won’tdrip. Make your own nectar from white sugar and water.Avoid expensive prepared mixtures. Red food colouring isnot deemed desirable, and honey or brown sugar either asthese can promote bacterial growth, which can be fatal tohummingbirds. Glass globe feeders with stopper type glasstubes usually drip and make a mess – something you don’twant.If ant s become a problem ‘ant traps’ are available, althoughsome of the best feeders have them built in (they use aplain water barrier to stop the ants, who are poorswimmers).If you’ve got the garden space try planning hummingbirdfriendly plants or put up hanging baskets with petunias,fuchsias, cardinal flower and salvias. Good hummingbirdshrubs include honeysuckle and mahonia.Interestingly, the Vancouver British Columbia and VicinitySeasonal Status of Birds lists six species of hummersincluding Costa’s, Calliope and Ruby-throat (all locally rare).Have a hummer of a summer.Happy Backyard Birding,Al GrassPhoto: Philip Round/The Wetland Trust7 March 2007 – A new paper in the March 2007 issue ofthe Journal of Avian Biology announces that nearly 140years after the last (and only) sighting of a Large-billedReed-Warbler Acrocephalus orinus in the Sutlej Valley ofIndia, two more have been found and identified – one inthe wild, and one in a museum collection. The twodiscoveries are prompting speculation that additionalLarge-billed Reed-warblers may be found in Myanmar,Bangladesh, or other parts of Thailand.Ornithologist Philip Round of Bangkok’s MahidolUniversity found a Large-billed Reed-warbler on March27, 2006, while banding birds at a wastewater treatmentplant on the Inner Gulf of Thailand. Round took numerousphotographs and collected two feathers for DNAanalysis, which Staffan Bensch of Lund University,Sweden, used to confirm the identification. Six monthsafter Round’s discovery, another specimen was found inthe collection of the Natural History Museum at Tring,England. This individual was caught in 1869 in India’sUttar Pradesh, and its identification was also confirmedby Bensch using DNA analysis.Birds Studies Canada Latest News - March 9, 2007NOTE FROM THE EDITORI would like to take this opportunity, being the lastedition of The Wandering Tattler until September, tothank everyone for their support and encouragement forthe newsletter. I hope that you have found itinformative, educational and fun to read.I will not be at the May meeting at the HastingConservancy as I will be attending the BC Nature (FBCN)Annual General Meeting in Vernon at that time.Photo: Al and Jude Grass ©Enjoy your spring and summer, good birding and see youin September.Jude GrassThe Wandering Tattler March 2007 page 11

SOME SIGHTINGS FOR VANCOUVER RARE BIRD ALERT JANUARY 2007SPECIES NO. DATE LOCALITY OBSERVERSAmerican Avocet 1 Jan 10/07 Blackie Spit, Surrey Joan Poisant (sp?)American Avocet 1 Jan 27/07 Mouth of Nicomekl River, Surrey Wayne WeberAmerican Avocet 1 Jan 6/07 Blackie Spit, Surrey Dave RobinsonAmerican Bittern 1 Jan 17/07 Iona Island, Richmond Martin McNichollAncient Murrelet 2 Jan 13/07 Lighthouse Marine Park, Pt Roberts. Wash. Kevin LouthBald Eagle 1757 Jan 7/07 SE corner of Musqueam Park, Van Carl RickerBlack-crowned Night-Heron 4 Jan 8/07 Reifel Migratory Bird Sanctuary, Delta Wayne WeberBlack-crowned Night-Heron 4 Jan 18/07 Reifel Migratory Bird Sanctuary, Delta John IrelandBlack-legged Kittiwake 1 ad Jan 6/07 Lighthouse Marine Park, Pt Roberts. Wash. Guy PickavanceCommon Redpoll 7 Jan 15/07 Academic Quadrangle at SFU, Burnaby Danny TysonCommon Redpoll 25 Jan 26/07 Reifel Migratory Bird Sanctuary, Delta Mark WynjaCommon Redpoll 25 Jan 8/07 Reifel Migratory Bird Sanctuary, Delta Wayne WeberEared Grebe 1 Jan 7/07 Tsawwassen Ferry Terminal, Delta Ilya PovalyaevEurasian Collared-Dove 2 Jan 21/07 3706 88th St, Delta George ClulowEurasian Collared-Dove 2 Jan 6/07 3706 88th St, Delta Wayne WeberEurasian Wigeon 1 Jan 12/07 Jericho Park, Vancouver G SunderlandEurasian Wigeon 11 male Jan 6/07 Blackie Spit, Surrey Dave RobinsonEvening Grosbeak 1 m 1 F Jan 19/07 Upper trail, Montrose Park, Burnaby Harold CravenFranklin's Gull 1 Jan 17/07 Field East of the foot of 112th, Delta David BoydGlaucous Gull 1 first w Jan 28/07 36th St, between 72nd and 64th, Delta Ilya PovalyaevGray-crowned Rosy-Finch 1 Jan 11/07 Academic Quadrangle at SFU, Burnaby Tessa WrightGray-crowned Rosy-Finch 1 Jan 13/07 Academic Quadrangle at SFU, Burnaby L Cowan,T GluknerGray-crowned Rosy-Finch 1 Jan 15/07 Academic Quadrangle at SFU, Burnaby Danny TysonKing Eider 1 Jan 26/07 Semiahmoo Spit, Blaine, Washington Wayne WeberMandarin Duck 1 male Jan 6/07 W side of #3 Rd south of Steveston, Rmd Guy ToltonMarbled Godwit 2 Jan 21/07 Foot 112th St, Delta George ClulowMarbled Godwit 3 Jan 6/07 Blackie Spit, Surrey Carlo GiovanellaMarbled Godwit 2 Jan 13/07 Lighthouse Marine Park, Pt Rob. Wash Kevin LouthMute Swan 3 Jan 8/07 Westham Island Bridge, Canoe Pass, Delta Wayne WeberNorthern Goshawk 1 Jan 18/07 Reifel Migratory Bird Sanctuary, Delta John IrelandNorthern Goshawk 1 im Jan 30/07 Reifel Migratory Bird Sanctuary, Delta Mark WynjaNorthern Saw-whet Owl 1 Jan 18/07 Reifel Migratory Bird Sanctuary, Delta John IrelandNorthern Saw-whet Owl 1 Jan 8/07 Reifel Migratory Bird Sanctuary, Delta Wayne WeberNorthern Shrike 1 Jan 17/07 Parkland N of Quilchena Golf Course, Rmd Cathy GallagherOrange-crowned Warbler 1 Jan 20/07 Ladner Harbour Park, Delta Brian SelfPine Grosbeak 10 Jan 25/07 Allen Rd, Lynn Valley, North Van Rob LyskePine Grosbeak 5 Jan 28/07 Foot of 64th St. Delta Ilya PovalyaevPine Grosbeak 8 Jan 7/07 SE corner of Musqueam Park, Van Keith RidingPine Grosbeak 5 Jan 21/07 Foot of 64th St. Delta George ClulowRedhead 1 male Jan 9/07 Coal Harbour, Vancouver Keith McLeodRing-necked Duck 1 male Jan 17/07 Iona Island, Richmond Martin McNichollRock Sandpiper 2 Jan 28/07 Lighthouse Marine Park, Pt Roberts. Wash. Ilya PovalyaevRuddy Duck 5 Jan 6/07 Blackie Spit, Surrey Dave RobinsonThe Wandering Tattler March 2007 page 12

SPECIES NO. DATE LOCALITY OBSERVERSSanderling 130 Jan 28/07 Boundary Bay Regional Park, Delta Anne MurraySandhill Crane 5 Jan 8/07 Reifel Migratory Bird Sanctuary, Delta Wayne WeberShort-eared Owl 3 Jan 6/07 Foot 112th St, Delta Wayne WeberSnow Bunting 3 Jan 7/07 Foot 112th St, Delta Ilya PovalyaevSnowy Owl 1 Jan 6/07 Foot 112th St, Delta Wayne WeberSurfbird 3 Jan 28/07 Tsawwassen Ferry Terminal near Berth 1 Ilya PovalyaevTownsend's Solitaire 1 singing Jan 16/07 NE edge of Everett Crowley Park, Van Bill KinkaidWestern Gull 1 Jan 21/07 Foreshore off 104th, Delta George ClulowWestern Gull 1 Jan 21/07 Foreshore off 88th, Delta George ClulowWestern Meadowlark 1 Jan 17/07 Iona Island, Richmond Martin McNichollWillet 1 Jan 27/07 Base of Tsawwassen Ferry Jetty, Delta Wayne WeberYellow-billed Loon 1 im Jan 26/07 Semiahmoo Spi t, Blaine, Washington Wayne WeberThe Ministry of Environment, Lower Mainland Region, presents:Case Studies for Species At Risk, Riparian Area Regulations, &the Develop With Care GuidelinesChilliwack: April 26/07 Surrey: April 27/07 Whistler: May 1/07 Powell River: date tbaSechelt: date tba Mission: May 8/07 Burnaby: date tbaYou are invited to attend a workshop based on case studies about actual urban and rural land developments in B.C.These case studies will:1) Illustrate some of the environmental stewardship concepts outlined in Develop With Care: Environmental Guidelinesfor Urban and Rural Land Development in British Columbia. This document includes many ideas and suggestionson ways to achieve cleaner, greener, more sustainable developments. It also provides information on ways thatenvironmental protection and stewardship can benefit the community, the property owner, and the developer, aswell as the natural environment [i].2) Discuss several Species At Risk Best Management Practices and Guidelines pertaining to species and habitats ofthe Lower Mainland Regions [iii]. This will include a guided tour of the South Coast Conservation Program (SCCP)web site http://sccp.ca The SCCP is a multi-partner program to coordinate and facilitate the implementation ofconservation actions to maintain and restore species and ecosystems at risk on the South Coast of B.C.3) Highlight the strengths and weaknesses of recent reports submitted to the Province as required by the RiparianAreas Regulation (RAR). The Regulation requires an assessment of Riparian Areas during residential, commercial,and industrial development, to ensure that proposed activities will not harm fish habitat [ii]. The objective of thepresentation is to engage and assist a wide cross-section of stakeholders in answering questions regarding theRAR.For more info link to Selkirk Management ServicesRob Knight: Ministry of Environment,Lower Mainland Region, 10470 152 St. Surrey BC, V3R 0Y3Biologist, Ecosystems Information, Project Co-leader, Community Mapping Network (CMN) http://cmnbc.carknight@telus.net or rob.knight@gov.bc.ca(604) 582-5317, or cell 454-8824, fax 930-7119The Wandering Tattler March 2007 page 13

WILDERNESS ON THE DOORSTEPDISCOVERING NATURE IN STANLEY PARKNATURE VANCOUVER (VNHS)BIRDING SECTION COMMITTEE 2006-7Jude Grass – ChairDavid BoydMike FungMartin McNichollJune RyderWayne WeberVANCOUVER RARE BIRD ALERT604-737-3074Sponsored in part by:VANCOUVER NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETYWith detailed descriptions, stories, maps,artwork and colour photography by localnaturalists, Wilderness on the Doorstopservices as both a fascinating guidebook andtreasured souvenir for park visitors.Cost: $22.00 at Nature Vancouver meeting only.www.harbourpublishing.comBIODIVERSITY CENTRE FORVancouver and North Vancouver StoresWILDLIFE STUDIESThe Wandering Tattler is published September to April bythe Nature Vancouver (VNHS) Birding Section.Subscriptions: 1 year is $20.00 for 8 copies includes postageand handling. Please make out to VNHS - Wandering Tattlerand mail to the Editor.Deadline for submissions is the 21 st of the month. Pleasesend articles to the Editor:Jude Grass: judegrass@shaw.ca orMail to:17375 27A Avenue, Surrey, BC V3S 0E9.Phone: 604 538 8774 Fax: 604 538 8791ISSN 082 5901© Nature Vancouver (Vancouver Natural History Society)www.wildlifebc.orgBE A CONTRIBUTOR TOTHE WANDERING TATTLERPlease contribute to YOUR Birding newsletter bysending in a summary of your field trip, telling abouta new bird book, or an upcoming event, talk, or outingabout birds, or some interesting behaviour or actionof a bird or birds you observed.The Wandering Tattler March 2007 page 14