**  To visit BPBO’s Face Book page, click here.

Read BPBO’s “10 YEAR REPORT” by clicking here, or visiting the “Publications” section of this web site, for this and other documents.space

** 2011 Update for Bird Checklist for CHRS. To view, click here.

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BAILLIE BIRDATHON 2013:

Please support BPBO’s Presidents Choice Team in this year’s Baillie Birdathon.  All funds generated for BPBO will go towards supporting BPBO’s valuable migration monitoring program at the Cabot Head Research Station.  Please click here to make a Birdathon pledge online.  Click on “Sponsor Participant”, and enter either “Rod” ” Steinacher” or “Ted” “Cheskey”; either way your pledge goes towards the BPBO team. Thanks for your support!!

Breaking News!!  July 6 – 13, 2013 Stewardship Week now available at CHRS!!

Due to a cancellation, this week is now available in Wingfield Cottage.

Click here for more information on being a STEWARD at the Cabot Head Research Station, including the weekly rate, expectations, etc..

Click here to contact BPBO’s Don Douma for additional information or to book the week, or phone 519-795-7901.

Don’t delay – this week will go quickly!!

Important 2013 Dates

(links to details/maps will be added soon)

• Cabot Head Research Station spring monitoring begins – (about) April 15

Annual General Meeting (Ferndale Information Center) – Saturday, April 20

** Click here to go the AGM information page (with downloadable agenda and map).

• Spring Birdwatching Weekend – Friday evening, May 3 to Sunday afternoon, May 5 For details, click here.

Baillie Birdathon with BPBO’s Presidents Choice Team – Saturday, May 18 or Sunday, May 19, depending on the weather.

• Spring Photography Weekend – Friday evening, May 24 to Sunday afternoon, May 26  For details, click here.

• Monitoring stops for summer – (about) June 7

• CHRS station closed to the public between monitoring seasons.

• CHRS fall monitoring begins – (about) August 12

• CHRS Open House – Saturday, September 7 (9:00 AM – 2:00 PM)

• Monitoring stops for fall – October 31

• Annual Fundraising Dinner (Inn on the Bay, Owen Sound) – Saturday, November 16 (5:30 PM – 8:30 PM)

CURRENT INFORMATION, like our UPCOMING EVENTS, WORKSHOPS, and the STATION BLOG, are best accessed using the links in “CATEGORIES” along the right hand side of the page.

LONGER-TERM INFORMATION about the organization, its programs, and other important aspects of BPBO, is found in the BUTTONS across the top of this page.

The buttons at the top and the right will take you to the appropriate pages and posts. They are arranged to provide quick and easy access to information.  You can even see exactly the date they were posted or last updated (the little calendar page in the upper left corner of each post), so that you know you are getting the latest information.

Once you have visited the site and made use of the information, please feel free to make comments about BPBO’ program, events, and even the Cabot Head Research Station facility.

If you have comments or questions, please feel free to make them in the section at the bottom of this page.

Help band birds with Bruce Peninsula Bird Observatory as a Volunteer in 2013!

** Spaces are available for the Spring & Fall 2013 migration periods, April 15 to June 07, and August 12 to the end of October.

Are you interested in observing and banding migrating birds for science? Then, you can volunteer at Cabot Head Research Station on Bruce Peninsula in Ontario. The Bruce Peninsula Bird Observatory  is looking for experienced (or not) volunteers to assist the Station Scientist/ bander-in-charge, in spring (April 15 – June 07) and in fall (August 12 – October 31) migration monitoring. Ability to identify birds by sound, and or experience extracting birds from mist nets is most useful.

Housed on site in a well-furnished cottage (internet available), volunteers help in all aspects of the observatory activities. Every day, banding starts half an hour before sunrise. During 6 hours, the 15 mist nets are checked every half hour and captured birds are retrieved and brought back to the banding lab where they are banded. Observations also take place at the same time. Immediately after, data for the day are compiled.

Afternoons are time for housekeeping, small maintenance projects, and exploration of the wonderful Bruce Peninsula (National Park, Georgian Bay…). Volunteers who stay at least 3 weeks can receive $10/day for their food. Housing is offered for every one in a co-ed bedroom.

To get more information, visit our VOLUNTEER page and register as volunteer or contact  echeskey@videotron.net .

** It is important to note that BPBO has completed its exciting “off-the-grid” energy project during spring 2011.  Those people coming to the CHRS will find it operating on its own solar panels and propane appliances.  All visitors are reminded that personal energy conservation measures, such as reduced water and electrical consumption, are the environmental responsibility of everyone using the facility.

For more details about CHRS’s “off-the-grid program”, click here.

I hope you will find BPBO’s web site useful and informative!

Sincerely,

Rod Steinacher, President, BPBO

9th Annual Fundraising Dinner a Big Success!!

A sold out crowd of 120 attendees enjoyed a great evening and excellent buffet at the Best Western Inn on the Bay on Saturday, November 17, 2012.  Guest speaker Ted Cheskey, Head of Bird Conservation Programs with Nature Canada, spoke to the landmark document, “The State of Birds in Canada: 2012″, of which he was a co-author.  After discussing national bird population trends, some of which proved to be very disturbing, Ted linked the local Grey-Bruce area, and the work being done by BPBO with the “big picture”.  People were left with the feeling that there really is something that can be done to help avian species at risk in the local area.

Guests also enjoyed another in the series of stories by BPBO’s own Ron Baker, professional story teller, Dyers Bay resident, and former BPBO Administrator.  If the floor had not been carpeted, you would have been able to hear a pin drop during his mesmerizing performance.

One of the highlights of the evening was the Silent Auction, which somehow managed to top last year as the “best ever”.

Funds raised by the silent auction and the dinner play a major role in BPBO raising the necessary funds to keep its important migration monitoring and bird conservation programs operating.  Thanks again to everyone who came out to support BPBO, and we hope to see you again at next year.

Mark your calendars for Saturday, November 16, 2013 for next year’s 10th Annual Fundraising Dinner!

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Endowed Fund 50% Matching Funds Drive Successful

The Endowed Fund 50% Matching Funds Drive wrapped up in September and was successful!!  BPBO made use of the entire $10,000 in 50% matching funds that were available from the Community Foundation Grey Bruce ( http://www.communityfoundationgreybruce.com/).  Our endowed fund now has over $25,000 in it … another major goal for the fundraising drive.  As BPBO continues to work towards a financially secure future, people continue to be encouraged to contribute to the Endowed Fund.  While the 50% matching program has now ended, all donated funds will to grow the Endowed Fund.  To all who have contributed; thank you very much!!

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Still time to make a pledge for the 2012 Baillie Birdathon (until December 31).

Even though BPBO’s team (right) completed this year’s Birdathon in late May, you can still make a pledge to support BPBO’s valuable migration monitoring program at the Cabot Head Research Station.

Click here to make a pledge through Bird Studies Canada.

Click here to read Ted Cheskey’s excellent account of what went on during the ‘typical’ 2012 Birdathon day.

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