The SONG SPARROW - For the Birds since 1917 Pour les oiseaux depuis 1917 - Bird Protection Quebec
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The SONG SPARROW
Bird Protection Quebec - Protection des oiseaux du Québec June 2020 (vol: 62.5)
For the Birds since 1917
Pour les oiseaux depuis 1917
Bird Protection Quebec is a registered charity: Cover Photo
Donations are tax deductible.
Charity Registration #: 11925 2161 RR0001.
At the bird bath / Au bain d’oiseau © Richard Gregson
Principal Officers
President: Jane Cormack
Vice-Presidents: Sheldon Harvey, Connie Morgenstern
What’s Inside this Issue
Treasurer: Sheldon Harvey
President’s Word 1
Secretary: Helen Meredith
Is Your Garden Attractive to Birds? 3
Membership Secretary: Darlene Harvey
BPQ 2020 Grants 6
Contact: Bird Protection Quebec
Box 67089 – Lemoyne Bird Views 8 Parlons d’oiseaux 8
Saint-Lambert, QC J4R 2T8 AGM Monday, June 8, at 7:30 p.m. 11
Tel.: 514-637-2141
AGA lundi 8 juin à 18h45 12
E-mail: birdprotectionquebec@gmail.com
Quarantine Reading 17
Website: www.birdprotectionquebec.org
Online discussion group: Volunteers Needed 19
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Songsparrow Launching BPQ Bird Friendly® Decaffeinated Coffee 20
The Song Sparrow: ISSN 1710-3371 Field Trips 22
Legal Deposit: National Library and Archives of Canada
Publication Mail No.: 40044323
Newsletter Editor & Layout: Jane Cormack cormackjane@gmail.com
Cover Design: Richard Gregson sparroworks@gmail.com
Bird Views: Pierre Bannon pbannon@videotron.ca
i
President’s Word join the board. Let us know if you want to
learn more about what’s involved.
perhaps find some overlooked hotspot
within walking, biking, or other green-
powered means of your home? You might
by Jane Cormack This year, we received a record number of even be surprised by sitting still. The
Celebrating Migration grant applications. We are happy to be in other evening, I saw a Blue-headed Vireo,
a position where we can support Northern Parula, and Nashville Warbler
In the midst of these ever-changing, organizations and individuals who are out of my kitchen window as I was
uncertain and challenging times, we are carrying out research projects and washing dishes.
continuing to suspend all BPQ activities striving to further the education,
that involve public gatherings until it is conservation, and observation (eco) of
safe to pick up again where we left off birds.This work might be overlooked by
with monthly lectures, weekly field trips, other funding organizations. See “BPQ
educational talks, and special events. 2020 Grants” on page 6.
Nonetheless, these public events During these sensitive times, we are not
constitute only a part of what we do. changing the rules for visiting any of our
sanctuaries, but we ask that you take the
Our board of directors and committees time to read those rules, and that you
continue to meet via videoconference and respect the directives of the
other electronic means to carry out their governmental and health authorities and
activities and plan for the year ahead. experts.
We will hold our first electronic AGM on This season, and perhaps beyond, our
Monday, June 8. The agenda is packed, field trips committee is offering a series
and the evening will end with a fun quiz. of virtual field trips. Read about them on
Read more and visit the link to reserve page 22. Black-and-white Warbler / Paruline
your spot. See page 11. noir et blanc © Chuck Kling 2020
As much as we enjoy birding in groups
We have four strong candidates to fill four with the benefit of more pairs of eyes and You might try making your own backyard,
open positions on the board of directors. ears, this is a good time to explore garden, balcony, or patio more attractive
At the AGM, we will ask the members to birding on your own. It can be a to birds. Richard Gregson provides tips
elect them for the 2020-2022 term . Read wonderful solitary activity or something for gardening for the birds on page 3.
their bios on page 13. Just past the to share with your family. The media are
deadline, we received nominations for reporting multiple reports of increased At the same time, you might want to
three more equally qualified and talented wildlife activity within our cities and make your windows less attractive to
individuals. It is wonderful to have this suburbs. Why not take this time to birds. You could begin by walking around
interest. Perhaps you too would like to explore your own neighbourhood and
Bird Protection Quebec 1
your home and the buildings in your • Avoid using flash photography. • Inform the landowner of the find and
neighbourhood to see if there are any explain what may happen.
casualties. According to BirdSafe, over 25 If birds become agitated by • Reveal the sites of rare nesting birds
million birds fatally collide with windows your presence, BACK OFF. only to the proper conservation
in Canada every year. Visit their website authorities.
for tips on helping to keep birds safe.
Protect all Bird Habitat
Think about how you can keep your cats • Stay on roads, marked trails or paths. New Members
away from birds. Alison Hackney has • Avoid trampling vegetation.
reviewed a book on the subject. See by Darlene Harvey, Membership Secretary
• Do not remove any plants or fungi.
“Quarantine Reading” on page 17. bpqmembership@gmail.com
• Park sensibly.
Now, more than ever, it is important to Respect Private Property We wish to welcome the following new
pay attention to our birding ethics as we • Do not trespass. and returning members to BPQ:
move from migration to breeding season. • Leave immediately if asked to do so.
Lynn Brown, Charlotte Cushman, Marlene
• Do not block driveways. Hornstein, Tanja Schueler, Janet Rokas,
Birding Ethics • Inform landowners of interesting Shawna Sevigny and family, Patricia
sightings. Renaud, Mirna Massouh, Sandra Stock,
At all times of the year, but especially now Have Consideration for Other Robert Stocker, Christiane Voigt, Katie
when birds are exhausted from long Birders Tait, Alexander Tait, Diane Gillam, Marc
migrations and preparing to nest, it is Bouchard, Wojtek Wybranowski, Karine
• Do not disrupt other birders’
important to observe good birding ethics. Chouinard, Jennifer McKenzie, Margaret
activities.
Birds are facing increased stress. Loss of Arnaudin, Gabriella Nudo and family, Le
• Be polite and helpful to other birders. Duing Yong Lang, Laura Robertson,
habitat means that the number of places
they can stop over is reduced. As well, the • Explain the impact of thoughtless Richard Allan, Carol Smith, Cheryl
size of each stopover is decreased. behaviour courteously. Rimmer, Marcia Mason, Peter Royle, Maya
Natural and unnatural predators are Rare Bird Sightings Longpré-Croteau, and Peter Oliveira.
concentrated into smaller areas. • Before advertising the presence of a
We look forward to a time when it is safe
rare bird, evaluate the circumstances
Birds Come First for us to resume our group activities and
carefully.
hopefully meet you in person. In the
• Avoid approaching too closely. • Consider whether an influx of birders meantime, you can stay in touch and
• Make as little noise as possible. will disturb the bird, people or other connect with other members by joining
• Limit the playing of recordings. species in the area. Will habitat will be our Songsparrow forum at: https://
damaged? Where will people park. groups.io/g/bpqsongsparrow and by
• Keep away from nests, nesting
colonies and breeding sites. following us on Facebook.
Bird Protection Quebec 2
Is Your Garden or small, there is always something we
can do to make our plots and our
butterflies and also the birds. Native
plants simply support more native birds
Attractive to balconies (many native plants mentioned
below can be grown on balconies in pots)
and bees. Simple as that. Be careful about
horticultural varieties of native plants –
Birds? a bit more attractive and appealing to the
birds that are in town – and what better
for example, Viburnum shrubs (for
example: high bush cranberry, one of the
time than this year to get outside and Viburnum varieties of choice hereabouts)
by Richard Gregson
start making a difference. Here are some bear crops of juicy red fruits and have
fundamental principles you want to pay gorgeous flowers. Most of the fruits look
attention to: the same regardless of which variety you
choose to plant out of the 150 in the
1. Think like a bird and a group. Nevertheless, some will be
gorged upon by birds while others are left
butterfly. alone for the squirrels. We can’t tell the
difference, but birds can and it probably
By that I mean consider what they are depends on the sugar content. Native
looking for in their ideal habitat and try to varieties also support more species of
provide it. Their needs are not that insects and their larvae which, in turn, are
different from ours – shelter, food, an food for birds trying to raise their young
opportunity to breed. That’s all. – even otherwise obligate seed-eating
birds turn to insects for food when there
are young in the nest. If in doubt, plant
2. Befriend the internet. dogwoods.
There is a lot of very useful information
out there. Just remember that a plant list 4. Try to have trees,
from Florida probably isn’t going to be a shrubs and lower ground
lot of use if, like us, you live a long way
north. cover plants if at all
Yellow Warbler / Paruline jaune possible.
© 2019 Richard Gregson 3. Always (always, always)
Different bird species require different
use native plants types of plants. Stop or reduce cutting
In these times of social distancing, the
minds of many birders have turned to your lawns, except for a few narrow
Why? because they are the species that access paths cut with the mower blades at
their gardens and the birds that we may, evolved in our area alongside the
or may not, be able to see in them. Large their very highest setting. Longer grass
pollinator insects, the bees and
Bird Protection Quebec 3
will give more shelter and also attract ours. They have plenty of resources, and end of summer. Do your main tidying in
more insects (fireflies anyone?), which in the members seem very willing to answer the spring.
turn are a potential food source. Plant, or questions … https://
encourage natural occurrence of, seed- www.facebook.com/groups/ Fruit-bearing trees and shrubs – https://
bearing plants in your now uncut lawn – wildlifefriendlyyardsandgardensontario/ www.thespruce.com/fruit-trees-for-
such as Rudbeckias, coneflowers, asters birds-386401
and golden rods. You will enjoy the
flowers and the butterflies and bees while
Reading and Plant Lists … Somewhere to nest … that doesn’t
later in the year if you let the flower • https://cvc.ca/wp-content/uploads/ necessarily mean put up nesting boxes,
heads, covered in seeds, stand into the 2015/05/21310-breeding-birds.pdf and anyway those are only useful to cavity
winter you will be feeding small birds • https://cvc.ca/wp-content/uploads/ nesting birds. Birds are looking for such
such as winter finches. Remember – 2015/05/21310-migrating-bird- things as dense shrubs or a corner with a
garden tidying in the bird garden is done sweb.pdf pile of old rotting branches.
in spring and not in the fall. • http://www.birdsinbackyards.net/
Choosing-Native-Plants Well-filled feeders with a variety of seeds
• http://www.inthezonegardens.ca and suet for different types of birds.
5. Have water in the • https://www.audubon.org/news/ Supportive in summer, essential in
garden – ideally a small plant-trees-turn-your-yard-bird- winter. There are many birds that are
oasis-and-carbon-sponge adapted to finding food on the ground –
pond with a waterfall. if the ground is two feet under snow they
But What to Plant? have nowhere to go but your feeders.
This will really bring in birds but even a Don’t put the feeders too far out in the
dripping tap or a regularly replenished open – most birds like to approach from
saucer will attract birds. Any water source Three layers – trees, shrubs, lower height
a safe shrub from which they can look for
is a bird and wildlife magnet, especially plants such as flowers and grasses.
threats before moving in for a snack –
during May migration. Different birds look for different micro-
about 8 to 12 feet from a shrub/bush
habitats.
such as dogwood or juniper is ideal, too
6. Join a Facebook group Provide shelter from weather and
far for squirrels to jump.
devoted to wildlife predators … so some dense plantings.
If in doubt, plant dogwoods, elderberries,
gardening Put in plenty of plants that produce good
native asters, goldenrod, rudbeckia, and
coneflowers (echinacea). Monarda (Bee
seed crops (Rudbeckia, coneflowers,
One was set up a couple of years ago by Balm) will attract hummingbirds.
thistles, “Indian Grass” etc.) and let them
some gardeners on the Ottawa area. It stand through fall and into winter for the
has members from all over, but many birds to exploit. Do not be too tidy at the
seem to be gardening in a climate like
Bird Protection Quebec 4
Where to Get Native Plants?
Sadly, there are not many nurseries Cedar Waxwings /
specializing in natives so you will have to Jaseurs
search around … one supplier I have come d’Amérique
across is based in southern Ontario and even © Richard
if they won’t ship to Quebec (you will need to Gregson 2019
ask) their website has plenty of good ideas
and photographs. https://
www.onplants.ca/
Do as many of the above
things as you can over a
series of successive seasons.
Then sit back until the birds and insects find
you. No need to do it all in your first season
– start small and gradually expand to • Bluestem goldenrod – Solidago caesia • Bluejoint grass – Calamagrostis
transform your entire garden. canadensis
Perennials that produce seed for
No insecticides please. If you want birds, birds Shrubs etc.
what’s the point of killing the insects they
are feeding on and rearing their young on? • Showy goldenrod – Solidago speciosa • Viburnums - Hugh bush cranberry
• Smooth aster – Aster laevis • Dogwoods – Cornus spp.
• Lanceleaf coreopsis – Coreopsis lan- • Serviceberries such as Amelanchier
Plants to Consider: ceolata canadensis
• Purple coneflower – Echinacea purpu- • Winterberry
Plants that support insects such as rea
butterflies/caterpillars • Black-eyed susan – Rudbeckia hirta Note: For information on bird feeders
start with this article on the BPQ website:
• Butterfly milkweed – Asclepias tuberosa Grasses that produce seed for birds https://pqspb.org/bpqpoq/
• Common milkweed – Asclepias syriaca conservation/information/feeding-
• White snakeroot – Eupatorium rugosum • Virginia wild rye – Elymus virginicus birds/
• Woodland sunflower – Helianthus divari- • Indian grass – Sorghastrum nutans
catus
Bird Protection Quebec 5
BPQ 2020 Grants Gilles Dufour, Biologist and
Advisor for Agriconseils –
Granby Zoo – Chimney Swifts
The Granby
by Mélanie Guigueno, Bobolinks
Zoo received
Chair of the Grant Committee
$2,285 from
BPQ awarded BPQ to study
$1,500 to
New in 2020 Mr. Dufour to
Chimney
Swifts’ use of
increase natural
We had considerable interest in the grant landowners’ forest
program this year. The number of awareness of habitat
requests was double that of last year! Bobolinks, during breeding, a poorly known
Here is a summary of the new grants we grassland behaviour, and their migratory behaviour
are funding this year. birds, their habitat and the threats to using radio telemetry. The work will be
their survival in Quebec. According to carried out in the Lac Édouard area.
Dévelopement Mr. Dufour, “Better awareness, actions in
the prairies and pastures, mobilized
Ortnithologique Argenteuil Kristen Lalla – Purple Martins
government entities may, step-by-step,
(DOA) – Chimney Swifts reduce fragmentation and loss of habitat
allowing Bobolinks and grassland species Ms. Kristen
BPQ fully funded to self-sustain.” Lalla, MSc
DOA-Chimney student at
Swift’s Macdonald
Falcon Environmental –
application to Campus,
cover the costs
Snowy Owls received
($2,300) $1,500 to
associated with BPQ awarded continue
drone visits in $7,500 to her
the fall, which will allow them to verify the Falcon research on
presence of nests in chimneys visited by Environmental the foraging ecology of Purple Martins,
the swifts. This work will follow up on to examine which are aerial insectivores, the most
efforts made in 2019 in which potential movements of rapidly declining group of birds in
nesting sites were identified and the Snowy Owls at the Montréal-Trudeau Canada. Kristen will use miniaturized GPS
owners of chimneys were encouraged to Airport. The goal of the project is to units to calculate foraging range and
make their structures accessible for the optimize relocation procedures to avoid identify crucial foraging habitats in the
birds. collisions with aircraft. breeding and non-breeding grounds of
Purple Martins.
Bird Protection Quebec 6
Sereena Moore – Pesticides the survey will be used to support The goal of this project will be to
conservation of habitat within Hudson. determine whether swallows switched
and Migration
from nesting in and on the owner’s
Observatoire d’oiseaux de building to these new structures made for
Ms. nesting, thus promoting cohabitation
Sereena Tadoussac (OOT) – Migratory between humans and these swallows.
Moore, MSc Corridors
student at
McGill
Education Grants
BPQ awarded OOT
Downtown, $10,000 for 2020 and
received BPQ funded three new education grants in
$12,000 for 2021. 2020; $3,000 to the Riverside School
$3,000 to OOT will assess
examine Board, $3,000/year for three years to St-
migratory corridors of Patrick & A.S. Johnson Schools, and
the effect of chlorpyrifos on the migratory three vulnerable
behaviour and neurogenesis of a $1,000 to Valcartier School. These grants
species of birds: will be used to increase the knowledge,
migratory population of European Rusty Blackbirds,
Starlings. Chropyrifos is an appreciation, and awareness of birds by
American Pipits, and Horned Larks. OOT students, staff, and community
organophosphate insecticide that is will use the Motus network and
widely used in Canada, including Quebec, members.
collaborate with other researchers to
but is potentially of great concern to expand datasets.
migratory birds as it may disrupt their
spatial behaviour.
Pre-committed Grants
SETHY Foundation –
Dr. Briony Lalor – Nature In 2020, BPQ will give out just over
Swallow Nest Boxes $21,000 in pre-committed grants.
Hudson Funding will go to Université du Québec à
BPQ awarded the Rimouski ($5,000), Corridor Appalachien
BPQ ($2,745), McGill Bird Observatory (Fall
Fondation pour la
awarded Migration - $4,500, MAPS at Biggar -
sauvegarde des
$2,645 to $2,958), DOA – Amphibia Nest Boxes
écosystèmes du
Dr. Briony ($1,500), Golden Valley School ($3,000),
territoire de la
Lalor to and Pierre Elliott Trudeau School
Haute-Yamaska
conduct a ($1,500).
(SETHY) $620/
spring bird
year for three
survey.
years to carry out biological monitoring
Results of
of Tree Swallow, Barn Swallow and Cliff
Swallow nest boxes with a farm owner.
Bird Protection Quebec 7
Bird Views Parlons d’oiseaux
A summary of interesting bird sightings Un bilan des observations intéressantes à
in Montréal and around the province of Montréal et à travers la province de
Québec Québec
February - March 2020 Février - mars 2020
by Pierre Bannon par Pierre Bannon
Greater White-fronted Goose : 6 at Hinchinbrooke 27 March, an
unusually large group for the region (I. Chavez). Pink-footed
Eastern Bluebird /
Goose : singles at Saint-Blaise 16 March (A. Lanouette) and at
Merlebleu de l’Est
Sainte-Catherine 22-23 March (J. Cadieux). Barnacle Goose : two
© Chuck Kling 2019
at Saint-Blaise 15 March (T. Jobin, m.ob., ph.). Singles were also
at Granby 23 March (M. Berlinguette), at Salaberry-de-
Valleyfield 25 March (R. Fortin), at Pointe-aux-Trembles 26
March (A. & I. Goyer), at Saint-Blaise 27-28 March (M. Landry,
m.ob.) and at Drummondville 28-30 March (J. Charrette).
Trumpeter Swan : one at Fort Coulonge 25 March, a record early
date for the province (M. Baril). Tundra Swan : 6 to 8 at Saint-
Anicet 16-20 March (Jean Côté, m.ob.) down to two 31 March.
Eurasian Collared-Dove : one at Mandeville 9 March (Daniel
Coderre). Lesser Black-backed Gull : one at Deux-Montagnes
until 12 March+ (T. Grandmont). Black Vulture : the 2 birds Oie rieuse: 6 à Hinchinbrooke 27 mars, un groupe inhabituel
present near a landfill at Mont-Laurier in late Nov 2019 pour la région (I. Chavez). Oie à bec court: des indiv à Saint-
remained undetected in Dec-Jan but were surprisingly found Blaise 16 mars (A. Lanouette) et à Sainte-Catherine 22-23 mars
again 21 Feb-25 March exactly at the same place, which would (J. Cadieux). Bernache nonette : deux à Saint-Blaise 15 mars
make sense to conclude to an overwintering occurrence, (T. Jobin, m.ob., ph.). Des indiv aussi repérés à Granby 23 mars
probably the northernmost in North America (A. Boisclair et al.). (M. Berlinguette), à Salaberry-de-Valleyfield 25 mars (R. Fortin),
Two birds were also found at Saint-Armand 31 March (JG. à Pointe-aux-Trembles 26 mars (A. & I. Goyer), à Saint-Blaise
Papineau). Red-shouldered Hawk : a pair at Laval still present 23 27-28 mars (M. Landry, m.ob.) et à Drummondville 28-30 mars
Feb (J. Roger). Eastern Bluebird : groups still present in 8 (J. Charrette). Cygne trompette: un à Fort Coulonge 25 mars,
different localities in Feb. Hermit Thrush : one continuing at
8Québec City until 12 March; singles also reported at Gatineau 1 une date record pour la province (M. Baril). Cygne siffleur: 6 à 8
Feb (P. Blanchet), at Hudson 25 Feb (W. Grubert) and at Entrelacs à Saint-Anicet 16-20 mars (Jean Côté, pl.ob.) en baisse à deux
13 March (M. Carbonneau) were also probably wintering birds. le 31 mars . Tourterelle turque : une à Mandeville 9 mars (Daniel
Varied Thrush : a male at Saint-Antoine-Abbé 20 Jan-3 Mar (fide Coderre). Goéland brun: un encore à Deux-Montagnes vers la fin
D. Simon) and another at Trois-Rivières 21 Jan-12 Apr (L. de mars (T. Grandmont). Urubu noir: les 2 oiseaux présents dans
Provencher, m.ob.). Gray Catbird: one continuing at Gatineau 8 un dépotoir à Mont-Laurier à la fin de nov 2019 n’ont pas été
March. Brown Thrasher : reported in 5 different localities in Feb. signalés en déc-janv, mais ont été étonnamment retrouvés 21
fév-25 mars exactement au même endroit, ce qui évoque un
hivernage réussi, probablement le plus nordique en Amérique
du Nord (A. Boisclair et al.). Deux autres oiseaux ont été
Fox Sparrow / Bruant découverts à Saint-Armand 31 mars (JG. Papineau). Buse à
fauve © Chuck Kling épaulettes : un couple à Laval encore présent 23 fév (J. Roger).
2019 Merlebleu de l’Est: des groupes encore présents dans 8
municipalités différentes en fév. Grive solitaire: une toujours
présente à Québec le 12 mars; des oiseaux aussi signalés à
Gatineau 1 fév (P. Blanchet), à Hudson 25 fév (W. Grubert) et à
Entrelacs 13 mars (M. Carbonneau) étaient probablement des
hivernants. Grive à collier: un mâle à Saint-Antoine-Abbé 20
janv-3 mars (fide D. Simon) et un autre à Trois-Rivières 21 janv-
12 avril (L. Provencher, m.ob.). Moqueur chat: un toujours
présent à Gatineau 8 mars. Moqueur roux: des indiv signalés
dans 5 municipalités différentes en fév.
Chipping Sparrow : at least 10 birds reported in Feb. Field
Sparrow : one at Cap Tourmente until 1 Feb (G. Cyr) and one at Bruant familier: au moins 10 oiseaux signalés en fév. Bruant des
Saint-Anicet 16-19 Feb (M. Juteau). Fox Sparrow : one at Saint- champs: un à Cap Tourmente jusqu’au 1er fév (G. Cyr) et un à
Anicet 14-Feb-7 March (D. Simon, R. Reduc). White-crowned Saint-Anicet 16-19 fév (M. Juteau). Bruant fauve: un à Saint-
Sparrow : one wintering at Saint-Georges-de-Beauce until April Anicet 14-fév-7 mars (D. Simon, R. Reduc). Bruant à couronne
(A. Beauchamp). Harris’s Sparrow : one continued at Rivière- blanche: un hivernant à Saint-Georges-de-Beauce jusqu’en avril
Madeleine until 27 Apr (G. Blanchette, ph.) and another one was (A. Beauchamp). Bruant à face noire: un encore à Rivière-
still at Saint-Anicet 8 March (m.ob.). Vesper Sparrow : a Madeleine 27 avril (G. Blanchette, ph.) et un autre encore présent
continuing bird at Saint-Anicet still present 29 Feb. Savannah à Saint-Anicet 8 mars (pl. ob.). Bruant vespéral: un toujours à
Sparrow: one at Saint-Philippe 9 Feb (S. Denault). Lincoln’s Saint-Anicet 29 fév. Bruant des prés: un à Saint-Philippe 9 fév
Sparrow : one continuing at Saint-Georges de Beauce until 18 (S. Denault). Bruant de Lincoln: un toujours à Saint-Georges de
April (A. Beauchamp, ph.). Swamp Sparrow : singles in Montreal Beauce 18 avril (A. Beauchamp, ph.). Bruant des marais: des indiv
until at least 26 March (m.ob.) and at Beauport 2 Feb-9 March toujours à Montréal 26 mars (pl.ob.) et à Beauport 2 fév-9 mars
(R. Simard et al.). Eastern Towhee : 6 records in Feb, including (R. Simard et al.). Tohi à flancs roux: 6 mentions en fév, incluant
one at Dolbeau-Mistassini until 27 March when it was found un à Dolbeau-Mistassini jusqu’au 27 mars, alors trouvé mort
9dead (D. Lavoie) and one at Belles-Amours, near Blanc-Sablon (D. Lavoie) et un à Belles-Amours, près de Blanc-Sablon au
until at least 9 March (fide J. Joncas). moins jusqu’au 9 mars (fide J. Joncas).
Yellow-headed Blackbird: a male still at Rouyn-Noranda 6 March Carouge à tête jaune: un mâle encore à Rouyn-Noranda 6 mars
(C. Dion, m.ob., ph.) and one appeared at Saint-Étienne-de- (C. Dion, pl.ob., ph.) puis un à Saint-Étienne-de-Beauharnois 26
Beauharnois 26 March (B. Perras). Eastern Meadowlark: one still mars (B. Perras). Sturnelle des prés: une toujours à Ogden 4 fév,
at Ogden 4 Feb, a record late date for the province (C. Breton). une date tardive record pour la province (C. Breton). Carouge à
Red-winged Blackbird : one at Waskaganish 9-16 Feb, the épaulettes : un à Waskaganish 9-16 fév, la mention hivernale la
northernmost winter record for the province (B. Paré). plus nordique pour la province (B. Paré).
Yellow-rumped
Warbler / Paruline à
croupion jaune
© Chuck Kling 2019
Indigo Bunting /
Passerin indigo
© Chuck Kling 2019
Pine Warbler : 2 birds continued at Park Jean-Drapeau (Montreal)
until at least 7 March (m. ob.), and one at Val-d’Or since 30 Nov Paruline des pins: 2 oiseaux toujours au parc Jean-Drapeau
until 2 Apr (C. Siano, R. Ladurantaye, ph.). Yellow-rumped (Montréal) 7 mars (pl. ob.), et une encore à Val-d’Or 2 avril
Warbler : one overwintered successfully at Victoriaville (m. ob.). depuis le 30 nov (C. Siano, R. Ladurantaye, ph.). Paruline à
Indigo Bunting : a first-year male was seen occasionally at Mont croupion jaune: une a hiverné avec succès à Victoriaville (pl. ob.).
Saint-Hilaire 5 Feb-16 Mar, a first record in the province for the Passerin indigo : un jeune mâle aperçu irrégulièrement à Mont
period extending from Jan to March (R. Allie). Saint-Hilaire 5 fév-16 mars, une première présence dans la
province pour la période s’étendant de janv à mars (R. Allie).
Please report your interesting bird observations by email at
pbannon@videotron.ca Signalez vos observations intéressantes par courriel à
pbannon@videotron.ca
10AGM the members of BPQ to vote on the
following resolution:
Agenda
Monday, June 8, “The directors may participate in a
• 6:45 - 7:00 Login & Welcome
at 7:30 p.m. meeting of the board of directors • 7:00 - 7:10 Special General
Assembly
by such means, as permit all
This year, we are holding our AGM via persons participating in the • 7:10 - 7:20 Acceptance of the
videoconference on Monday, June 8, at meeting to communicate directly AGM Minutes from May 27,
7:30 p.m. We hope you will join us! We’d with one another. 2019
like to see as many members as possible!
A vote may then be held entirely by • 7:20 - 7:40 President's Report,
The agenda for the AGM will include any means of communication Jane Cormack
annual reports by the president and enabling votes to be cast in a way • 7:40 - 7:55 Grants, Mélanie
treasurer and the election of directors to that allows them to be verified Guigueno
the board. See their bios on page 13. afterwards.”
• 7:55 - 8:10 Treasurer's Report,
Sheldon Harvey
A mandatory RSVP is required.
Zoom link:eAGM 2020 Documents for the • 8:10 - 8:15 Appointment of the
Auditors for 2020-2021
AGM
Special General • 2019-2020 Audited Financial
• 8:15 - 8:25 Election of the New
Board of Directors
Meeting (SGM) Statement
• 8:25 - 8:40 Gardening for the
• Minutes of the 2019 AGM Birds, Richard Gregson
A Special General Meeting (SGM) will be
held immediately before the AGM. • 8:40 - 8:45 Announcement of
Bird Trivia Quiz the New Officers to the Board
Our current bylaws make it difficult for us • 8:45 - 9:15 Bird Trivia Quiz,
to hold our board meetings by video Join us for a fun trivia quiz following the Kyle Elliott & Chris Cloutier
conference.They stipulate that a director AGM with our quizmasters Kyle Elliott and
Chris Cloutier. • 9:15 - 9:20 Announcement of
can participate in a meeting remotely
the Quiz Winners
only if all the directors consent to this in
writing before the meeting takes place. For more information including the list of • 9:20: Adjournment
prizes, see page 15.
To give us more flexibility in how we hold
our board of directors meetings, we ask
Bird Protection Quebec 11AGA – lundi 8 Pour permettre plus de flexibilité quant à
la manière se tiendront les réunions,
Ordre du Jour
juin à 18h45 nous demandons aux membres de voter
la résolution suivante: • 6:45 -7:00: Connexion et
Bienvenue
L’Assemblée générale (AGA) aura lieu le
Les administrateurs peuvent participer à • 7:00 - 7:10: Assemblée
lundi 8 juin 2020 à 19 h 30 via
une assemblée du conseil générale extraordinaire
vidéoconférence. Venez nous joindre!
Nous vous attendons en grand nombre. d’administration à l’aide de moyens • 7:10 - 7:20: L’acceptation du
permettant à tous les participants de procès-verbal de l’AGA du 27
Un RSVP obligatoire sera requis. communiquer immédiatement entre mai 2019
Lien Zoom: eAGM 2020 eux.
• 7:20 - 7:40: Rapport du
Un vote peut alors être entièrement tenu président, Jane Cormack
L’ordre du jour de l’AGA inclura comme
d’habitude les rapports annuels par tout moyen de communication • 7:40 -7:55: Subventions,
respectifs du président et du trésorier, permettant, à la fois, de recueillir les Mélanie Guigueno
ainsi que l’élection des membres du votes de façon à ce qu’ils puissent être
vérifiés subséquemment. • 7:55 - 8:10: Rapport du
conseil d’administration. Veuillez lire les trésorier, Sheldon Harvey
notes biographiques des candidats en
élection sur page 13. • 8:10 - 8:15: Nomination des
Documents pour l’AGA vérificateurs pour 2020-2021
• États financiers • 8:15 - 8:25: Élection du
Assemblée générale nouveau CA
• Procès-verbal d’AGA 2019 (en anglais)
extraordinaire • 8:25 - 8:40: Jardinage pour les
oiseaux, Richard Gregson
Une assemblée générale extraordinaire
aura lieu immédiatement avant
Jeu- • 8:40 - 8:45: L’annonce des
nouveaux dirigeants du conseil
l'assemblée générale annuelle. Questionnaire d’administration
Actuellement, les règlements de POQ
stipulent qu’un directeur peut participer
ornithologique • 8:45 - 9:15: Jeu-Questionnaire
ornithologique, Kyle Elliott &
dans une réunion à la distance seulement À la suite d’AGA, venez nous joindre pour Chris Cloutier
si tous les directeurs donnent leur notre grand Jeu-Questionnaire • 9:15 - 9:20: L’annonce des
consentement de manière écrit avant la ornithologique avec les grands gagnants du Jeu-Questionnaire
réunion. animateurs de jeu, Kyle Elliott et Chris
• 9:20: Adjournement
Cloutier. Soyez prêt. Voir page 15.
Bird Protection Quebec 12Joining the BPQ Anne Archambault Sue Denoncourt
Board of Anne is an Sue began
Directors educator with
over 25 years’
birding in
2017, during a
experience private tour in
At our AGM each year, we ask the working with Sedona,
members to elect new and returning groups who have Arizona, she
directors to the board for a two-year different needs. was mes-
term. After this, they can run for re- She has served merized and
election. as a part-time has been fully
faculty member immersed ever
Mid-way through a two-year term and at Concordia since. She
staying on the board are: Émile Brisson University in the discovered BPQ
Curadeau, Claude Cloutier, Chris Applied Human online, among
Cloutier, Simon Duval, Darlene Harvey, Science other
Don-Jean Léandri Breton, Helen Meredith, Department since 2001. resources, and
Connie Morgenstern, and Bonnie Soutar. became a life
She trained as a Recreation Therapist at member after
The following directors are not renewing: UBC and worked at Alberta Hospital just a few field trips. Her birding outings
Nick Acheson, Antoine Turcotte-van de Ponoka for a number of years as Program were augmented by business travel,
Rydt, Anthony Zerafa, and Jane Cormack. Supervisor. She later completed a Masters which brought her to the four corners of
Both Nick and Jane have completed ten in Adult Education at UdeM. She has since the continent – binoculars having become
years of service and are obliged to step gained experience as a Corporate Trainer part of her standard carry-on luggage.
down for at least a year. at Steelcase Canada, a Program Director To accelerate her learning, she completed
at Cummings Centre (overseeing 300 several online courses with Cornell’s Lab
Standing for re-election are: Kyle Elliott, programs per season), and more recently of Ornithology and continues to do so.
Mélanie Guigueno, Jeff Harrison, Sheldon as the Director of Development at Le An avid hiker and outdoor enthusiast, she
Harvey, Kristen Lalla, and Ana Morales. Nichoir. Currently working as has now integrated birding into every
Coordinator of Community Initiatives possible activity in her life. It has become
To join them, we are pleased to present under a program funded by Centraide, a true passion.
four strong nominees for election to the she is working with non-profit
board for the first time. Their bios follow. organizations helping to support the In her corporate life, she has participated
quality of life for all West Island residents. in various not-for-profit boards over the
past five years. From advisor to
chairperson, she has held a variety of
Bird Protection Quebec 13roles and is quite experienced with the Le Duing Yong Lang Maya Longpré-Croteau
general inner workings. In her words, “If
my business background can
complement existing BPQ board Le Duing Yong A long-time
dynamics, I would welcome the Lang is a birder, Maya
opportunity to contribute to the evolution biologist. She Longpré-
of this valued association.” worked for Croteau
Québec- recently
Oiseaux for completed her
more than 10 master’s
years before degree in
joining the Wildlife
team of Management
analysts at the at the
Ministère des Université du Québec à Rimouski, where
Forêts, de la Faune et des Parcs, in April her thesis focused on the influence of
2019. landscape structure on post-breeding
movements in Ovenbirds.
She specialized in species at risk, such as
the Chimney Swift, the Golden-Winged Since finishing her degree, she has
Warbler and the Grasshopper Sparrow. worked on the conservation of
endangered bird species with
Longtime members of BPQ will She shares her curiosity for birds and QuébecOiseaux, as well as bird
remember Le Duing Yong Lang’s nature through her enthusiasm and her observatories from coast to coast.
presentations: communication skills. Yong is a life
member of Bird Protection Quebec. Maya's enthusiasm for birds and
• Saving the Chimney Swift: conservation originated while she was
Issues and Initiatives for Its pursuing her bachelors in Environmental
Protection in November 2015 Biology at McGill University, where she
co-founded the McGill Student Birding
• The Golden-Winged Warbler, a Club. She remains an active member of
rare and threatened bird:in the organization to this day. Maya is a life
November 2011 member of Bird Protection Quebec.
Bird Protection Quebec 14Bird Trivia Quiz
If you think you know your bird lore,
come challenge yourself to 'Chris & Kyle's
Quiz' at our AGM. Prizes will abound, and,
even better, you can win prestige and
envy from your fellow bird nerds.
The Quizmasters
Chris Cloutier, BPQ director,
dreaming up quiz questions.
The Prizes
BPQ has amassed a selection of prizes
from long-standing BPQ members and
supporters, David Bird and Richard
Gregson.
Green Birding
During this time of confinement, why not
embrace the moment to get out and
explore your neighbourhood? Discover
Dr. Kyle Elliott. BPQ director, and the birds within it by green-powered The winner of this prize will receive the
professor of ornithology at McGill means. ebook version of Green Birding.
University, cramming for the quiz Instructions will be sent. Read a review of
Learn all about the Green Birding this book: http://www.pqspb.org/newsletters/
movement from longtime BPQ member 56‐2_oct2013.pdf
and past president, Richard Gregson.
Bird Protection Quebec 15Pocket Birds of Canada Squirrel Buster Feeder Birds of Eastern
2nd Edition A squirrel
Canada 2nd Edition
buster
feeder,
similar to
the one in
this photo,
was
donated
by David
Bird and
will be
delivered
to the
winner.
Birds and
bird seed
not
included.
American Goldfinch © 2020
Connie Morgenstern. Published April 9, 2019.
Save critical bird A paperback copy of this book will
habitat, one cup be mailed to the winner.
at a time.
Published April 7, 2020.
Learn more:
A paperback copy of this book will BPQ Bird Friendly Coffee
be mailed to the winner. A review https://
of the first edition was published in A 1 kg bag of BPQ branded bird-
www.cafebirdfriend
The Song Sparrow, http://pqspb.org/ friendly coffee will be awarded to
ly.org/
newsletters/60‐1.pdf this winner, with a choice of decaf,
medium, or dark roast, whole bean,
filter or espresso grinds.
Bird Protection Quebec 16Quarantine The American Bird Conservancy
estimates that cats kill 2.4 billion birds a
heart, they might be moved to take action
against those threats that imperil these
Reading year in the United States. creatures…” (You can’t look into a
songbird’s eyes because they aren’t
The authors describe the loss of placed on the front of its face as human
by Alison Hackney innumerable island bird species and eyes are, they are on either side of its
precipitous decline of other wildlife, head).
Cat Wars: The Devastating describe research on cat-wildlife
dynamics and conservation efforts by Peter Marra is the director of the
Consequences of a Cuddly biologists around the world, propose cat Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center. Chris
Killer control solutions, and explain why trap- Santella is an author and essayist.
neuter-release does not reduce the
impact of cat predation on native birds.
By Peter P. Marra and Chris Santella
Their descriptions of very nasty cat-
Birdwatchingwatching:
© 2016 Princeton University Press
transmitted diseases in humans will make One Year, Two Men,Three
Anyone who cares you queasy. Rules, Ten Thousand
about wildlife
conservation Although the authors endorse controlling Birds
should read this (which includes killing) feral cats, I found
By Alex Horne
overview of the no evidence to support some critics’
© 2009, Virgin Books (Random House)
impact of feral and claim that they don’t care how the cats
domestic cats on are killed.
Read this book!
native wildlife. The It’s hilarious and
title refers to the This book needed to be written. It is well
delightfully
extreme animosity documented, although I would have
written. Alex
of some cat lovers appreciated a more thorough discussion
Horne, recently
to any suggestion of cat-to-human disease transmission
married and
that cats’ right to and more references to scientific research
expecting to
roam free and hunt on the subject.
become a dad fairly
should be curtailed. Indeed, Professor soon, decided he
Stanley Temple of the University of It is worth suffering the occasionally
wanted to really
Wisconsin-Madison in Michigan received sexist tone and tedious and clumsy
understand his
death threats and hate mail when the writing to get a full grasp of the terrible
dad, a keen birder,
results of his research on the hunting impact of cats on our birds. For
known as Duncton
habits of farm cats were published. example:“If more Americans had the
in the book.
chance to hold a songbird, look closely
Duncton received his nickname when
into its tiny eyes, and feel its fluttering
Bird Protection Quebec 17responding by text to his son; the Of a Feather: A Brief protagonists. Elliot Coues, a founding
predictive automatic typing supplied the member of the American Ornithologists’
name of his favourite birding location History of American Union, detested amateur birders. The
instead of “Dad.” Alex, who is a stand-up Birding contribution they make to present-day
comic, proposed a year-long birding ornithology was anathema to him.
challenge. by Scott Weidensaul
© 2008 Harcourt Books. Scott Weidensaul concludes his
Full of funny anecdotes about birders book with a plea to all birders to be
exactly like the stereotypical birders he Now I want to read conservationists as well, in
expects, rare sightings that Duncton is all Scott gratitude for the joy that birds
thrilled over but that look like “lumps of Weidensaul’s bring them.
wood” to Alex, but also surprising books! This most
tenderness and love, this book is pure entertaining
fun. On one outing Alex sees “… a account of early
brightly coloured jester of a duck. If he bird illustrators,
had been a student, he would have been collectors,
one of those amazingly cool ones who scientists, and
dress so trendily they very nearly look like taxidermists is
idiots…. The duck was trying hard, maybe well researched
just a bit too hard…” and very well
written.
Finally, Alex concludes, “So to be a dad
you don’t need to know everything. It Weidensaul brings to life the men
just helps to look like you do.” (practically exclusively) for which many of
our birds are named, often army officers
posted at the edge of the American
frontier who sometimes risked their lives
to collect specimens of birds or eggs. He
documents the birth of the conservation
movement, and gives full credit to the
work of the women outraged by the Great Egret / Grande aigrette
wastefulness and cruelty of the fashion © Chuck Kling 2020
industry. The book is gossipy and fun but
also a very interesting history of birding
and conservation, highlighting some of
the conflicting attitudes of the
Bird Protection Quebec 18Volunteers Needed Bénévoles Recherchés
19Launching BPQ Bird Friendly® Decaffeinated Coffee
The coffee you choose can change the world
BPQ’s decaffeinated Bird Friendly® coffee is
available either in bean format or ground for
espresso or filter machines. Cost is $45.50
+ shipping. Due to the covid-19 situation it
is currently available only in the 1 kg bag
size. Regular coffee is still available in 342
kg,1 kg and 1.5 kg packaging.
Learn more about shade-grown coffee
plantations and their role in protecting
critical habitat for migratory birds here or
read our article in a previous edition of The
Song Sparrow here.
A while ago we partnered with Le Nichoir to offer you BPQ
branded Bird Friendly® coffee. Now, we are pleased to announce To order coffee visit cafebirdfriendly.org
that we are expanding our line of shade-grown coffee with a new
single origin decaffeinated option, sourced from the La Florida
Cooperative in the Chanchamayo valley of Peru. Bird Quiz
This strictly high altitude, shade-grown coffee is decaffeinated
Participate in the bird quiz following our AGM on
using the High Mountain Water Process - a totally organic,
June 8.
chemical-free method that removes up to 99.99% of caffeine,
without sacrificing the full-bodied, balanced flavour
Test your knowledge of bird lore. You could win the
characteristics of the beans you enjoy.
BPQ Bird Friendly coffee of your choice or one of four
other stunning bird-related prizes. See page 15.
Bird Protection Quebec 20Lancement de notre café décaféiné certifié Bird Friendly
Le café que vous choisissez peut changer le monde
Visitez cafebirdfriendly.org pour l’acheter ou
pour en savoir davantage sur les cafés
certifiés Bird Friendly.
Pour de plus amples renseignements sur des
plantations de café cultivées à l’ombre et
leur rôle en matière de la protection de
l’habitat critique des oiseaux, veuillez visiter
ce lien ou lire notre article dans l’édition
d’août 2017 ici.
Jeu-Questionnaire
Nous avons le plaisir de vous annoncer que notre gamme de
cafés Le Nichoir certifiés Bird Friendly s’est désormais enrichie ornithologique
d’un café décaféiné.
Participez dans notre jeu-questionnaire
Notre nouveau café décaféiné d’origine unique provient de la ornithologique à la suite de notre AGA le 8 juin.
coopérative La Florida dans la vallée de Chanchamayo, au Pérou.
Tentez votre chance pour gagner le café de
Ce café de haute altitude cultivé à l’ombre est décaféiné selon le votre choix ou un de quatre autres prix
procédé à l’eau de haute montagne – une méthode entièrement merveilleux.
biologique, sans solvant chimique, qui élimine jusqu’à 99,99 %
de caféine sans altérer son intensité et sa saveur équilibrées
caractéristiques.
Offert en format 1 kg, il est disponible en grains ou moulu pour
les machines à expresso ou à filtres – 45,50 $ / sac de 1 kg,
Bird Protection Quebec 21Field Trips Bay-breasted
Warbler and Cape
We have cancelled our field trips for the May Warbler © 2019
foreseeable future due to concerns Richard Gregson
related to the COVID -19 pandemic. This
is unfortunate especially given that being What will show up in
out in nature is a small respite from the your garden?
everyday worries associated with this
disease, but the health and safety of our
members come first.
The inability to venture forth to see birds
with like-minded individuals is even
more disconcerting at this time of year.
Spring migration is the time we all want to
welcome back our favourite feathered
friends from more southerly climes. With
this in mind, we have initiated a set of
We will summarize all the observations in After your day's birding, email your results
weekly "Virtual Field Trips.” Many birders
a weekly "trip list,” and post a full-trip to us at birdprotectionquebec@yahoo.ca
have participated since early April.
report on all BPQ’s social media sites. Include the following:
Join us. Every Saturday do your birding • Your name, location and number of
We are not treating this as a competition
from home. We recommend observing birders
but more a team effort as we build up a
between 7:00 a.m. and noon, but any • Species observed and the numbers of
group list. We hope participants will gain
time will do. Keep a list of the birds you birds
a better appreciation of the birdlife in
see or hear from your own property. Then • Your nomination for “Bird of the Day”
their immediate vicinity and will enjoy
share your list with us each week. (optional)
watching the progression of species
• Photographs, anecdotes, comments
throughout migration.
Feel free to include anecdotes of special (optional)
sightings and behaviours along with
We know this is not the same as visiting
photographs you are willing to share with We recommend submitting a report to
our favourite spring locales, but we
the public. Give us your "Bird of the Day" eBird and forwarding the link to us. It will
believe that this will be a unique and
nominations if you feel you have a give us what we need for our summary.
enjoyable way to experience the birdlife
suitable candidate.
around us. We invite all to participate,
Happy Birding and Stay Safe!
alone or with your family members.
The BPQ Field Trip Committee
Bird Protection Quebec 22You can also read
