3 Stories of Birding, Conservation, and Community
In the summer and fall of 2021, we collaborated with renowned biologist, birder and author, Dick Cannings and regional Bird Trail partners to highlight real stories of local birding, community, and conservation in British Columbia. The result was a 14-minute documentary short which is the first release of the ongoing series, ‘Stories from The BC Bird Trail’.
Dick Cannings, a birder, biologist, and published author living in the Okanagan Valley works for Bird Studies Canada coordinating Canadian Christmas Bird Counts, the Great Backyard Bird Count, the eBird program, the BC Breeding Bird Atlas and the British Columbia Owl Survey. As one of the province’s leading experts on birds, we were honoured to have Dick Cannings’ input and support in sharing his knowledge about birding in British Columbia.
“For more than two years, The BC Bird Trail has been connecting nature lovers from BC (and beyond) with unique original perspectives on the world of birding,” says Ceri Chong, Director, Destination and Industry Development at Tourism Richmond. “More than just an accessible, educational, family-friendly outdoor activity, birding experiences in our great outdoors has a proven positive effect on both physical and mental health. We hope that our ‘Stories from The BC Bird Trail’ will further inspire people to take a deep breath, get moving, and explore all that our spectacular province has to offer.”
Explore BC Bird Trail regions such as the South Fraser and Central Vancouver Island Bird Trail through the lens of local birders, conservationists, and community members. View the individual segments on our YouTube channel, or watch the full-length documentary right here. We hope this series inspires everyone to get outside, connect with their community, and learn more about birding in BC.
More about the three birding Stories featured in our first instalment.
Bird Banding & Migration Monitoring in Richmond, BC
This Story from the BC Bird Trail takes us to the Iona Island Bird Observatory in Richmond, British Columbia. Biologist Quinn McCallum explains the importance of the bird banding project run by the team at WildResearch, and the insights it provides to the habits of migratory birds throughout BC’s lower mainland. Click here to watch this story on the BC Bird Trail YouTube.
Community Bird Walks in Surrey, BC
Kris Cu is a Conservation Engagement & Outreach Worker at Birds Canada. In this Story from the BC Bird Trail, Kris leads a Filipino bird walk through Blackie Spit in Surrey, British Columbia and speaks to how community birding events help increase diversity and representation in the birding community. Click here to watch this story on the BC Bird Trail YouTube.
Bald Eagle Rehabilitation in Parksville Qualicum Beach, BC
Just outside of Parksville Qualicum Beach is the small community of Errington, BC – the home of the North Island Wildlife Recovery Association (NIWRA). In this Story from the BC Bird Trail, Animal Care Supervisor Derek Downes tells the story of NIWRA, and the important work they’re doing to rehabilitate the young bald eagles impacted by recent summer heatwaves across Vancouver Island. Click here to watch this story on the BC Bird Trail YouTube.
