Our 6th Bird CENSUS Can Use Your Help!
Our 6th Annual Bird Census!
This May 13 marks our 6th year participating in a world wide census of birds through Global Big Day! In 2022, a record 7673 bird species were counted in 201 countries by 51,455 people! Our local Eagle Point team contributed 83 species last year. Sixteen volunteers counted birds for us – some started at 5:30 am, some ended their counting at 10:30 pm!
Volunteer from Home
If you would like to contribute, spend 5 minutes or more in your own backyard or neighbourhood, identifying birds and counting the number of each type of bird you see. You don’t have to be an expert!
Send your checklists to me (Kathy) at outreach@epbrparkscouncil.org by May 14, 2023 and we’ll include your data in our census. If you use eBird, share your checklists to Eagle Point.
Join the Bird Tour
Want to hang out with local bird enthusiasts? Join us on the Global Big Day Bird Tour! We begin at Hilltop Trails (above Willey West Campground) at 7:30 am on May 13, 2023 and make several stops, ending at Buck Lake Provincial Recreation Area. Make sure you come prepared with water, snacks, appropriate clothing and footwear, etc. Bring binoculars if you have them – if not, let Kathy know and we can lend you a pair for the day.
Global Big Day Volunteers at Buck Lake.
This is a self drive tour. You can join/leave at any time during the tour. See itinerary below.
What kinds of birds can you expect to see on the Bird Tour?
Each year is different! We have our regulars – the Black-Capped Chickadees, Yellow-Rumped Warblers, American Robins, Common Ravens, Canada Geese, etc. and we have some rare finds, too. From our first siting of the Peregrine Falcons in 2018 to a MacGillivray’s warbler in 2019, to Cassin’s Finch spotted by one of our volunteers in 2020 to Turkey Vultures and Barred Owls in 2020 to Wilson Phalaropes and Common Grackles in 2022, we have special birds at every census! We’re wondering which new to us bird will appear this year!
One of our yearly birds, an Evening Grosbeak by KRSchwengler
How Many Volunteer Do We Need?
The more volunteers we have, the more accurate our local picture of birds will be, so sign up today! No amount of volunteers is too much! Our bird census data is shared with Cornell University through eBird.
“eBird transforms the global birding community’s passion for birds into a powerful resource for research, conversation and education”
Download the Eagle Point-Blue Rapids Parks Bird Species Checklist or our Family Friendly 50 Birds of Eagle Point-Blue Rapids Checklist
Bird Tour Itinerary
Join the Bird Tour at any of the following stops (text Kathy to let her know that you will be meeting up with bird tour at 780-542-1932).
- 7:30 am – Hilltop Trails Trailhead, Eagle Point Provincial Park (53.21321 N, 114.916.29 W), 4 km walk
- 9:30 am – Blue Rapids Prov. Rec. Area (meet at 53.19286 N, 114.90374 W), 1 to 2 km walk
- 11:30 am – Buck Creek (meet at Buck Creek Community Hall parking lot), roadside stops, 1 to 2 km walk
- 1:00 pm – Buck Lake North Shore (meet at lake shore on Twp 470), roadside stops, 1 to 3 km walk
