Calling all birders and bird-lovers, especially those of you who live in Ottawa!
- WWW.GLEL.CARLETON.CA/OTTAWABIRDS - An annual, volunteer-based, scientifically rigorous survey of breeding birds in the urban areas of Ottawa - Fledging, Spring 2007 - An exciting new project is starting in Ottawa this spring. In cooperation with the Ottawa Field Naturalists' Club, the Geomatics and Landscape Ecology Research Laboratory (GLEL) at Carleton University is launching an annual, volunteer-based, scientifically rigorous survey of breeding birds in the urban areas of Ottawa. - THE OTTAWA BREEDING BIRD COUNT - The Ottawa Breeding Bird Count (OBBC) will create an openly available, long-term database that will monitor and study the effects of development on bird populations in the city. By coordinating the efforts and knowledge of birders, naturalists, scientists, and the broader public we can create a powerful tool for clearly measuring the impacts of development and for learning how to modify and mitigate urban development to create better conditions for biodiversity. The OBBC incorporates all of the best parts of the Ontario Breeding Bird Atlas, the North American Breeding Bird Survey, and Project Nestwatch/ONRS. The program combines focused and rigorously designed surveys, an online system for entering data and viewing results, and a range of survey programs to suit volunteers of ALMOST any skill level. The program will reach a broad audience, lead to applicable and conservation-focused results, provide numerous opportunities for volunteer and public education, and be a lot of fun for volunteers. The OBBC needs your help to succeed. Please visit our website and/or email us to stay up to date on the projects progress ( [EMAIL PROTECTED] ). Spread the word. If you maintain a website, post an announcement and link to our site ( www.glel.carleton.ca/ottawabirds ). Most importantly, if you live near Ottawa, adopt a point count route and/or census plots and keep your eyes peeled for active nests. If you don't live in Ottawa, you're still more than welcome to visit our website and send us any comments you may have. Adam C. Smith Coordinator - Ottawa Breeding Bird Count [EMAIL PROTECTED] PhD Candidate Geomatics and Landscape Ecology Research Laboratory Ottawa-Carleton Institute of Biology Carleton University, Tel: (613) 520-2600 ext 3859 Home: 819 772-4382 The Ottawa Breeding Bird Count: a Scientifically Rigorous, Volunteer-based Survey of Birds in an Expanding City. www.glel.carleton.ca/ottawabirds Those who dwell among the beauties and mysteries of the earth are never alone or weary of life. ~Rachel Carson
