Migration is underway, if somewhat slowly because of the cold weather and snow. Yet interesting observations are made daily. The highlight of the week came in the few hours we were able to open the nets and captured a Townsend’s Solitaire – only the fifth time we have banded this species since 1994! Other bird… Read more »
Weekly Reports
April 17 – 21, 2021
Beginning in March and wrapping up this week, the Lesser Slave Lake Bird Observatory completed roadside owl surveys as part of a collaborative project with Strix Environmental Consulting on behalf of West Fraser. These surveys involve driving out to predetermined locations and listening for calling owls, as well as playing recordings of different owl songs,… Read more »
September 24 – 30, 2020
Pictured: This Brown Creeper was the last bird banded in our Fall Migration Monitoring program, 2020. After a week of high winds and few birds, on September 30 the Lesser Slave Lake Bird Observatory completed the 2020 Fall Migration Monitoring season. And what a season it’s been! With approximately 3,944 birds banded (Table 1), this… Read more »
September 17 – 23, 2020
It’s official, Fall Migration Monitoring 2020 has been the busiest for bird banding in the Lesser Slave Lake Bird Observatory’s 26 years of standardized monitoring. If you recall, this record was recently broken last fall when 3,761 birds were banded. With a week left to go in the fall program, we are already at 3,936… Read more »
September 10 – 16, 2020
At the Lesser Slave Lake Bird Observatory, the progression of the seasons is measured not only by the date on the calendar but also by the birds we see around us. As we approach the autumn equinox, Slave Lake is beginning to see an influx of later-migrating birds, among them Myrtle and Orange-crowned Warblers. A… Read more »
September 3 – 9, 2020
On September 1st, the Lesser Slave Lake Bird Observatory began its fall owl banding program. While the LSLBO never captures huge numbers of owls, this year had an especially slow start – it wasn’t until September 8th that the first Northern Saw-whet Owl was captured for the year! Pictured: The Northern Saw-whet Owl is one… Read more »
August 27 – September 2, 2020
By Robyn Perkins, Bander in Charge September brings the beginning of the Lesser Slave Lake Bird Observatory’s owl migration monitoring program, and with it sleep loss for our banders as they juggle a program that runs nightly (owls) and another that begins at sunrise (songbirds). Concern over our sleep got me wondering how birds sleep… Read more »
August 20 – 26, 2020
With a few busy days scattered amongst those with poor weather which were predictably slower, this week at the Lesser Slave Lake Bird Observatory we’ve banded 557 birds, bringing our total for the fall to 2718 of 52 species. Capturing birds involves more finesse than one might expect. The location of the mist-nets is important…. Read more »
August 13 -19, 2020
The LSLBO has been busy. Although we monitor bird activity daily rain or shine, we can only open the nets we use to capture birds when the weather is calm and warm, which we experienced with this latest glimpse of summer. With good netting coverage, we have banded 511 birds this week, bringing our fall… Read more »
August 6 – 12, 2020
While the past week has forced our nets closed due to high winds and other unfavourable weather, since fall migration started we have been seeing an influx of young birds eager to head south as soon as possible. We’ve also finally finished the Monitoring Avian Productivity and Survivorship (MAPS) program for this season. With stations… Read more »
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The 30th Annual Slave Lake Christmas Bird Count will be taking place on Sunday, December 15th this year. This one-day census of the wintering birds in the Slave Lake Area is always a highlight for local residents. Join one of our birding groups to search for birds in town or local forest routes. Or you can help us out by recording the number and type of birds visiting your feeder that day. New participants are always welcome for this fun event. ![]()
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Feeling a little rusty on your bird ID? We will be holding a special Winter Bird ID Crash Course on Thursday, Dec 12th at the local Library for anyone wanting to brush up on their winter bird ID before the Christmas Bird Count. ![]()
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For more information or to sign up for the Christmas Bird Count or the Winter Bird ID presentation, just call 780-849-8240 or email info@borealbirdcentre.ca
Today, the Lesser Slave Forest Education Society and Lesser Slave Lake Bird Observatory said goodbye to Danika Wack; our wonderful Boreal Educator. After spending 2 and a half years with us delivering school fieldtrips, bird observatory tours, and community outreach programs, Danika is heading off on some well deserved travel adventures. Thank you for everything you have done for our education programs, your kind and generous spirit, and for being such an integral part of our team. Movie nights won't be the same without you, but we wish you well on your exciting adventures to come! ![]()
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(L to R) Patti - LSLBO Executive Director, Danika, Cori - LSFES Executive Director. And if it looks like we are trying to keep her from leaving, we were!
Last night was our Assistant Bander Bronwyn's last shift on our Fall Owl Monitoring Program as she gets ready to head home after a long season. Staff came out to enjoy the evening with her and we were very lucky to have a Northern Saw-whet Owl and a very feisty Boreal Owl stop by as well! Wishing safe travels to Bronwyn as well as the owls!