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Duncan – Blue Bird Survey and Workshop
June 15, 2015 @ 9:00 am - 12:00 pm
Bring your binoculars and help survey the Cowichan Valley for returning western bluebirds (Sialia mexicana)! Once common in Garry oak meadows and savannahs throughout the Salish Sea area, the western bluebird population in British Columbia became extirpated (locally extinct) in 1995. Habitat loss and competition for nest holes with exotic birds are among the reasons for the loss of these tropical-looking songbirds.
Their sweet song has inspired many to help give them another chance. Bring Back the Bluebirds is part of an international effort to re-establish a breeding population of these colourful little songbirds, which call our endangered Garry oak ecosystems home.
The project began in 2012 and the translocation of up to ten pairs of bluebirds, from healthy populations in Washington, will continue until 2016. So far every spring we have seen returning adults and juvenile bluebirds!
Come and learn how to identify western bluebirds, how to protect and restore their habitat and hopefully spot one of these beautiful creatures returning home.
Guest Speaker:
Jemma Green.
In the spring of 2014 Jemma joined the team at GOERT (Garry Oak Ecosystem Recovery Team) to work full time as a Western Bluebird Technician in the Cowichan Valley. She now coordinates the project and is busy planning for the next breeding season.