birds

Officials have announced a non-commercial operation near Port McNeill is the site of one of a series of new cases of the H5N1 avian influenza virus. Photo by Kira Erickson/South Whidbey Record

Ministry reports avian flu on rural property near Port McNeill

This brings the total to 16 confirmed cases in B.C. since Oct. 20, 2023

 

Brants were once an abundant bird in North America until overhutning led to their decline (Courtesy of —- Victoria Harbour Bird Sanctuary) Brants were once an abundant bird in North America until overhutning led to their decline (Courtesy of —- Victoria Harbour Bird Sanctuary) Brants were once an abundant bird in North America until overhutning led to their decline (Courtesy of —- Victoria Harbour Bird Sanctuary)

Victoria bird sanctuary celebrates 100 years keeping nature alive in city

The sanctuary occupies the marine front yard of Greater Victoria.

 

An Australian couple vacationing in the Shuswap captured photos of a bald eagle that appears to have been ensnared by a fishing line on Aug. 3, 2023. (Neil Poh photo)

Bald eagle snagged by fishing line spotted at B.C. lake

An Australian couple captured photos of the eagle while vacationing in the area

 

A marbled murrelet is shown in mid flight over the waters near Mitlenatch Island, B.C., in this undated handout photo. Bird watcher Royann Petrell, a retired University of B.C. assocate professor, is pushing the provincial government to create protected wildlife habitat areas to help sustain the threatened population of the marbled murrelet on Vancouver Island. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-Deb Freeman

Island professor pushing marbled murrelet old growth habitat protection plan

Scientist wants more data on murrelet nesting grounds in face of continued logging

A marbled murrelet is shown in mid flight over the waters near Mitlenatch Island, B.C., in this undated handout photo. Bird watcher Royann Petrell, a retired University of B.C. assocate professor, is pushing the provincial government to create protected wildlife habitat areas to help sustain the threatened population of the marbled murrelet on Vancouver Island. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-Deb Freeman
The spotting of a white-tailed kite this far north is rare according to local wild bird enthusiasts. This viewing created a birdwatching frenzy for a few days in North Langley’s Glen Valley neighbourhood. Fort Langley’s Lou Fasullo was among those who stopped in for a peek. (Lou Fasullo/Special to Langley Advance Times)

Birdwatchers flock to Langley to glimpse rare hawk

A white-tailed kite was spotted in Glen Valley Sunday through Tuesday, but has vanished since

The spotting of a white-tailed kite this far north is rare according to local wild bird enthusiasts. This viewing created a birdwatching frenzy for a few days in North Langley’s Glen Valley neighbourhood. Fort Langley’s Lou Fasullo was among those who stopped in for a peek. (Lou Fasullo/Special to Langley Advance Times)
FILE - In this June 21, 2017, file photo, a California condor takes flight in the Ventana Wilderness east of Big Sur, Calif. Three California condors have died from avian flu in northern Arizona and authorities are trying to determine what killed five others in the flock. The National Park Service on Friday, April 7, 2023 said the birds that died last month tested positive for Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez, File)

Avian flu kills 3 California condors in northern Arizona

Birds are part of a population that moves throughout northern Arizona and southern Utah

FILE - In this June 21, 2017, file photo, a California condor takes flight in the Ventana Wilderness east of Big Sur, Calif. Three California condors have died from avian flu in northern Arizona and authorities are trying to determine what killed five others in the flock. The National Park Service on Friday, April 7, 2023 said the birds that died last month tested positive for Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez, File)
Denise Foster of the French Creek Estuary Nature Preserve releases the rehabilitated eagle back to its natural elements, with North Island Wildlife Recovery Centre’s Animal care supervisor Derek Downes assisting her. (Deb Freeman photo)

Vancouver Island wildlife recovery centre releases rehabilitated eagle

Save Estuary Land Society member selected to free bird of prey

Denise Foster of the French Creek Estuary Nature Preserve releases the rehabilitated eagle back to its natural elements, with North Island Wildlife Recovery Centre’s Animal care supervisor Derek Downes assisting her. (Deb Freeman photo)
Correctional officers came across a pigeon with a mini backpack on Feb. 27 at Matsqui Institution in Abbotsford. (Stock photo by Couleur from Pixabay)

Backpack-wearing pigeon caught ‘in training’ at Abbotsford prison

Officers’ union president says no drugs found, unlike previous incident in December

Correctional officers came across a pigeon with a mini backpack on Feb. 27 at Matsqui Institution in Abbotsford. (Stock photo by Couleur from Pixabay)
The CRD wants to cull geese in Greater Victoria. (Black Press file photo)

‘Perpetual killing’: Group opposes CRD proposal to cull geese

Residents have a chance to oppose Canada Goose proposal

  • Jan 11, 2023
The CRD wants to cull geese in Greater Victoria. (Black Press file photo)
The avian flu has been detected on two, small non-commercial chicken coops in the Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District. (Pixabay photo)

Two cases of deadly bird flu reported in Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District

One case was detected in Tofino and the other in the Alberni Valley

The avian flu has been detected on two, small non-commercial chicken coops in the Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District. (Pixabay photo)
Avid birder Andrew MacDonald scooped a photo of the puffin while changing the settings on his camera on Wednesday, January 4. (Courtesy Andrew MacDonald)

Rare sighting of puffin in Victoria a positive result of windstorms

Birdwatchers in the area said it was likely the bird was blown into the area by recent high winds

Avid birder Andrew MacDonald scooped a photo of the puffin while changing the settings on his camera on Wednesday, January 4. (Courtesy Andrew MacDonald)
Matt Pistell holds the owl that flew into his windshield when he heading home to 100 Mile House from hockey in Lac la Hache. (Photo credit Murray Zelt)

‘Lucky’ the owl may be partially blind after colliding with vehicle in northern B.C.

Great Horned Owl recovering at Lower Mainland rehab centre

Matt Pistell holds the owl that flew into his windshield when he heading home to 100 Mile House from hockey in Lac la Hache. (Photo credit Murray Zelt)
The B.C. SPCA continues to ask the public to temporarily take down seed and suet bird feeders to help discourage the unnecessary gatherings of wild birds that may facilitate spread of ‘bird flu’. (Photo credit: Stephanie Watson)

B.C. SPCA asks people to put away bird feeders to reduce spread of avian flu

Society noted confirmed cases in all regions of the province

The B.C. SPCA continues to ask the public to temporarily take down seed and suet bird feeders to help discourage the unnecessary gatherings of wild birds that may facilitate spread of ‘bird flu’. (Photo credit: Stephanie Watson)
A Prothonotary Warbler is shown in this handout image. A tiny warbler spotted flying in a Vancouver parking garage is not only on the wrong side of the country, its on the wrong continent for this time of year. The Wildlife Rescue Association says it captured the Prothonotary warbler without incident out of concern for its health. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-Wildlife Rescue Association of BC-Melissa Hafting

B.C. rescue group captures wrong-way warbler that should be wintering far south

Endangered bird rarely in B.C. and should be in South America the Gulf of Mexico right now

A Prothonotary Warbler is shown in this handout image. A tiny warbler spotted flying in a Vancouver parking garage is not only on the wrong side of the country, its on the wrong continent for this time of year. The Wildlife Rescue Association says it captured the Prothonotary warbler without incident out of concern for its health. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-Wildlife Rescue Association of BC-Melissa Hafting
Oak Bay birders hope to spot a rock sandpiper during the 2022 Christmas Bird Count. (Photo Geoffrey Newell)

Birders hunt the elusive blue jay in Victoria this Christmas count

South Island backyard enthusiasts welcome to count the birds from their window

Oak Bay birders hope to spot a rock sandpiper during the 2022 Christmas Bird Count. (Photo Geoffrey Newell)
Western Sandpipers require clean intertidal habitats in estuaries to gain the strength for their transcontinental migration journeys. They slurp biofilm from mud flats rich with bacteria and diatoms. (Kurlene Wenberg photo) Western Sandpipers slurp biofilm from mud flats rich with bacteria and diatoms. (Kurlene Wenberg photo)

Saanich certified as ‘bird-friendly’ city by feds

City recognized for efforts to protect bird habitat

Western Sandpipers require clean intertidal habitats in estuaries to gain the strength for their transcontinental migration journeys. They slurp biofilm from mud flats rich with bacteria and diatoms. (Kurlene Wenberg photo) Western Sandpipers slurp biofilm from mud flats rich with bacteria and diatoms. (Kurlene Wenberg photo)
B.C. Minister of Agriculture Lana Popham speaks during a news conference, in Vancouver, on Friday July 5, 2019. Farmers in British Columbia’s Fraser Valley are facing “intense disease pressure,” with an avian flu outbreak in commercial farms that the agriculture minister says is concerning. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

B.C. ‘doing everything’ it can to stop bird flu, minister says, as infections spread

Lana Popham says normally avian flu aligns with bird migration seasons, but not this year

B.C. Minister of Agriculture Lana Popham speaks during a news conference, in Vancouver, on Friday July 5, 2019. Farmers in British Columbia’s Fraser Valley are facing “intense disease pressure,” with an avian flu outbreak in commercial farms that the agriculture minister says is concerning. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
A chicken looks in the barn at Honey Brook Farm in Schuylkill Haven, Pa., on Monday, April 18, 2022. Experts say outbreaks of H5N1 represent an unprecedented threat to Canada, infecting about 200 flocks with about 3.5 million birds nationwide. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Republican-Herald, Lindsey Shuey

Bird flu fighters in B.C. face unprecedented challenge, as H5N1 spreads across Canada

H5N1 has infected about 200 flocks with more than 3.5 million birds Canada-wide this year

A chicken looks in the barn at Honey Brook Farm in Schuylkill Haven, Pa., on Monday, April 18, 2022. Experts say outbreaks of H5N1 represent an unprecedented threat to Canada, infecting about 200 flocks with about 3.5 million birds nationwide. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Republican-Herald, Lindsey Shuey
Dr. Chris Shepherd, right, with his daughters Raven, left, and Robyn, at the Scout Island Nature Centre on Oct. 20, 2022. (Ruth Lloyd photo - Williams Lake Tribune)

B.C.-based researcher working to address global illegal wildlife trade

Dr. Chris Shepherd is based in Big Lake after decades in Malaysia and Indonesia

Dr. Chris Shepherd, right, with his daughters Raven, left, and Robyn, at the Scout Island Nature Centre on Oct. 20, 2022. (Ruth Lloyd photo - Williams Lake Tribune)
FILE - Luke DeGroote holds a Tennessee warbler for a closeup after getting caught in a long net at the Powdermill Avian Research center on May 8, 2018, near Rector, Pa. A new online atlas of bird migration, published on Thursday, Sept. 15, 2022, draws from an unprecedented number of scientific and community data sources to illustrate the routes of about 450 bird species in the Americas. (Darrell Sapp/Pittsburgh Post-Gazette via AP, File)

New atlas of bird migration shows extraordinary journeys

Online collection illustrates the routes of about 450 bird species in the Americas

FILE - Luke DeGroote holds a Tennessee warbler for a closeup after getting caught in a long net at the Powdermill Avian Research center on May 8, 2018, near Rector, Pa. A new online atlas of bird migration, published on Thursday, Sept. 15, 2022, draws from an unprecedented number of scientific and community data sources to illustrate the routes of about 450 bird species in the Americas. (Darrell Sapp/Pittsburgh Post-Gazette via AP, File)