- Programs
- Undergraduate
- Graduate
- Professional Programs
- Community Economic Development
- Graduate professional programs
- Events
- Learning from the Global Pandemic
- Women Bending the Curve on Climate Change
- Engaging the Community to Build Flood Resilience: 12,000 Rain Gardens for the Puget Sound
- Engaging the university community in realizing sustainabiity: a transformational approach
- Engaging Citizens in Bike Lane Proposals: A Toronto Experience
- Climate Narratives
- Students
- Research
- Giving
- About
- Events
- News
- REDIRECT ONLY
- Sea, Land and Sky Initiative
A City for the Birds
In celebration of Canada’s 150th Anniversary, Dean of Environment Dr. Ingrid Leman Stefanovic is sponsoring a series of lectures to explore sustainability and ecological conservation, both in remote ecosytems and cities. “When you talk about the environment today, you are talking about urban spaces as well,” Dean Stefanovic noted as she opened the lecture.
This made “A City for the Birds” a fitting introduction to the lecture series as it encourages us to consider how to incorporate environmental conservation and protection practices into our urban spaces.
With the 150th anniversary of the Canadian Confederation approaching, what else could a passionate birder do to celebrate than aim to spot 150 species within city limits by July 1st, 2017? At 114, author and ornithologist Dr. Rob Butler is three quarters of the way there.
Launching the Dean of Environment’s 150 Lecture Series, Butler delivered “A City for the Birds” to more than 200 enthusiastic bird lovers of all ages to discuss his birding journey and the efforts made to make Vancouver a bird city.
Birds increase our health and happiness, says Butler and birders support the local economy when they arrive in an area. To attract and preserve birds in an urban environment, the City of Vancouver, Vancouver Park Board, and a number of NGOs worked together to establish a strategy that aims to create an environment where native birds can thrive. From this, came the idea for Vancouver Bird Week, a collection of events promoting birds. The Vancouver Bird Strategy and Butler’s 150 challenge aims to educate the public on “the amazing things about the life of birds and what they are capable of doing, and what they can do for us if we protect them.”
What exactly do birds do for us?
Birds are great ecosystem indicators and are essential to ecosystem health for pollination, seed distribution, and eating of insects. Supporting initiatives to increase the number of birds makes our city a better place for the birds, the trees and us.
Pursuing a hobby of birding gets you out in nature and helps you meet new people! Studies show that getting outdoors improves both psychological and physical well-being, and you can get some good Insta shots while you’re at it. If health benefits and aesthetic value aren’t enough, birding also expands your social life. There are several birding groups in Metro Vancouver that offer group trips to bird sanctuaries and other hotspots, and they welcome everyone.
What can we do for birds?
Butler outlined three main areas that the Vancouver Bird Strategy focuses on for aiding bird populations in our cities.
Landscapes. It is important for us to improve landscapes so that they are more appealing and accessible for birds. You can help with this by making the area around your home more bird friendly, e.g. avoid the use of harmful pesticides in your yard; plant native plants to add food, cover, and nesting sites; and ensure feeders and water sources are clean.
Windows. Bird collisions on windows are a serious problem, and decals of large birds painted on windows are not sufficient to prevent these accidents. The best way to prevent bird collisions is to paint or cover the window with a grid of dots across the window to reduce reflections.
Awareness. Public awareness of the importance of a diverse urban bird life can make a difference. Butler encourages us to promote and attend events such as Bird Week, talk to our friends and neighbours about potential hazards and how to remove them and learn more about the Vancouver Bird Strategy.
Birding 101
For beginners interested in birding, Butler suggests getting started by looking out for these birds:
Surf Scoters: These funny looking ducks can be spotted diving for mussels at the Stanley Park seawall in October. They’re a key shoreline species that help keep the mussel populations in check.
Second is everyone’s favourite, the Crow. Butler praises this bird for its high intelligence and excellent memory. Although you can spot them just about anywhere, there is a roost at BCIT that Butler says is a must see.
Migratory Snow Geese can be spotted at Reifel Island Migratory Bird Sanctuary on their way back from Siberia. While some wildlife are innately migratory, these birds are interesting because their migration behaviour is learned.
Butler’s final recommendation is the Western Sandpiper. These birds are among the best known and are notable for their high-altitude flight. They nest in Alaska, but you can spot them and their long legs at Brunswick Point in Delta in late June.
Bird Week
Vancouver Bird Week, held this year in early May, is the perfect introduction to what could be lifetime of birding. Designed to raise public awareness of birds in our urban ecosystem, it features a number of workshops, walks, talks, and exhibitions throughout Vancouver every year. This year, Bird Week was accompanied by a campaign for Vancouver’s official city bird designed to promote the Vancouver Bird Strategy. Announced mid-May, the Anna’s Hummingbird flew ahead of the flock with a hefty 3,450 out of the 8,259 votes cast.
This coming year is the perfect time to spark your interest in birds! Bird Week 2018 becomes the first Vancouver International Bird Festival and runs alongside the International Ornithological Congress you won’t want to miss connecting with birders from all over the world!
Watch Dr. Rob Butler’s talk “A City for the Birds” here and like our page for updates on upcoming lectures.