Category Archives: General Info

Nominees for BCFO directors sought

With three directors stepping down in 2023, BCFO is seeking potential nominees to its Board of Directors from both within, and from outside its current membership.

Although BCFO membership is required for board members, we anticipate that non-members may have an interest in being active in the provincial ornithological community through engagement in BCFO at the director level.

Our organization not only manages the BC Bird Records program, but also publishes the refereed ornithological journal, British Columbia Birds. In addition it engages young birders through its annual Young Birder Awards. 

Most members are keen birders, including both amateur birders and professional ornithologists. Annual listing reports are published in our quarterly news magazine BC Birding, and members participate in many citizen science projects such as the Breeding Bird Survey, Coastal Waterbird Survey, Nocturnal Owl Survey, and Christmas Bird Counts.

Our annual conference is held at a different location each year, focusing on bird-rich areas of the Province. Elections of Board members will take place this year at our conference in Vernon, BC, June 10, 2023.

BCFO strives to maintain representation of the entire provincial birding community by selecting members from varied regions of the province and of varied backgrounds. To ensure that the Board is inclusive of the diversity within the provincial birding community, women, Indigenous Peoples, Black and people of colour, persons with disabilities, persons of diverse sexual orientation, gender identity or expression (LGBTQIA2S+), and others are strongly encouraged to apply.

To express your interest in being nominated, or to seek additional information, please contact Gary Davidson, BCFO president.

For current BCFO members, more details of the nomination process for directors is found at:<https://bcfo.ca/bcfo-members/https://bcfo.ca/bcfo-members/>

Bob Steventon, Featured Photographer #24  

Photo: Bob Steventon

BCFO is again pleased to present another of our ‘Featured Photographers’, #24 in this stimulating series.  Bob Steventon hails from Prince George.  See his story and images here.

Nominees for BCFO directors sought

With three directors reaching the end of their term limits in 2022, BCFO is seeking potential nominees to its Board of Directors from both within, and from outside its current membership.

Although BCFO membership is required for board members, we anticipate that non-members may have an interest in being active in the provincial ornithological community through engagement in BCFO at the director level.

Our organization not only manages the BC Bird Records program, but also publishes the refereed ornithological journal, British Columbia Birds. In addition it engages young birders through its annual Young Birder Awards. 

Most members are keen birders, including both amateur birders and professional ornithologists. Annual listing reports are published in our quarterly news magazine BC Birding, and members participate in many citizen science projects such as the Breeding Bird Survey, Coastal Waterbird Survey, Nocturnal Owl Survey, and Christmas Bird Counts.

Our annual conference is held at a different location each year, focusing on bird-rich areas of the Province. Elections of Board members will take place this year at our conference in Smithers, BC, June 25, 2022.

BCFO strives to maintain representation of the entire provincial birding community by selecting members from varied regions of the province and of varied backgrounds. To ensure that the Board is inclusive of the diversity within the provincial birding community, women, Indigenous Peoples, Black and people of colour, persons with disabilities, persons of diverse sexual orientation, gender identity or expression (LGBTQIA2S+), and others are strongly encouraged to apply.

To express your interest in being nominated, or to seek additional information, please contact Gary Davidson, BCFO president.

For current BCFO members, more details of the nomination process for directors is found at:<https://bcfo.ca/bcfo-members/https://bcfo.ca/bcfo-members/>

BCFO Bird Records Committee Vacancies

 – Invitation to Apply –

Needed – Two (2) individuals to serve as participating members of the Bird Records Committee (BRC).

Duration – We are seeking two individuals willing to commit to a three-year term, beginning March 2022. As per BRC operating guidelines, up to two consecutive terms may be served, for a total of six years. Renewal for a second term is optional and subject to BRC approval. Members may not sit for more than two-consecutive terms before taking a mandatory one-year absence. Following this absence, individuals may be re-nominated for additional terms, and placed in the candidate pool for available positions. Monthly time commitments vary, but candidates should be willing to put in approximately ten (non-consecutive) hours.

Qualifications – Candidates should be knowledgeable on bird identification and distribution of all bird species in the province, as well as familiar with the identification and distribution of avian taxa from the remainder of North America, and ideally also Eurasia and Mexico. Preferred candidates will have first-hand experience with the majority of species that may be reported (see the current Review List). In addition to field experience, candidates should have access to sufficient resources (e.g., books, web resources) to provide critical, independent commentary and evaluations of bird records by set deadlines. Knowledge of aging and sexing of birds is a plus.

Candidates must be courteous and respectful of fellow committee members and to individuals whose records are being reviewed, including confidentiality of observer names and committee discussions. Previous experience with committees is beneficial, but not mandatory; however, candidates must be able to work effectively in a committee operating under a consensus framework.

In addition to birding experience, candidates must be able to reliably communicate electronically. This includes frequent and reliable access to the internet and the ability to email, Skype/Zoom, and send/receive files in MS Word and MS Excel formats.

Prior membership to BCFO is not a requirement, but non-members are expected to join the organization upon appointment to the committee. All BRC members are expected to maintain their membership to BCFO in good standing for the duration of their tenure. Candidates should reside in British Columbia for the majority of each calendar year for which they are serving.

Selection – The committee strives to maintain representation of the entire provincial birding community by selecting members from varied regions of the province and of varied backgrounds. To ensure that the committee is inclusive of the diversity within the provincial birding community, women, Indigenous Peoples, Black and people of colour, persons with disabilities, persons of diverse sexual orientation, gender identity or expression (LGBTQ2S+), and others are strongly encouraged to apply.

The BRC is a committee of the BCFO. Applicants, or a shortlist of applicants, will be discussed by the current BRC membership for nomination to the committee. Final appointments are confirmed by the BCFO Board of Directors.

How to apply – You may nominate yourself or someone else who you believe is qualified. All nominations should be sent electronically to Catherine Craig, Chair of the BRC, at bcbrc.chair@gmail.com. In the email include a brief description of your qualifications, or, if nominating someone else, highlight why you think that person would fit well on the committee. Make sure to include your full name and contact information (email address and/or phone number), or the full name and contact information of the nominee. All information should appear in the body of the email; formal cover letters, CVs, etc., are not required.

Please apply as soon as possible. The deadline for applications has been extended to 4 April 2022. The positions will remain open until filled.

Bird Records Committee – November/December 2017 Accepted Records, Rounds 18, 19, 20, & 21

The BCFO Bird Records Committee is pleased to report the latest 36 records accepted to the Main Provincial List, including one provincial first record.

You will also find the BCFO Rare Bird Report Form and the Provincial Review List under the BRC drop-down menu above or via the link here. Submissions of rare bird sightings in British Columbia are invited and encouraged.

Photo: Ilya Povalyaev

Bird Records Committee – October 2017 Accepted Records, Rounds 15, 16 and 17

The latest sets of accepted records of the BCFO Bird Records Committee are now posted here. Included in these records are four provincial first records, and one new addition to the provincial list.

You will also find the BCFO Rare Bird Report Form and the Provincial Review List under the BRC drop-down menu above or via the link here. Submissions of rare bird sightings in British Columbia are invited and encouraged.

Photo: Tom Lowery

Bird Records Committee – October 2016 Accepted Records, Round 13

The latest set of accepted records (Round 13) of the BCFO Bird Records Committee is now posted in BRC Public under the BRC drop-down menu above. Included in this set is one new bird for the provincial list.

You will also find the BCFO Rare Bird Report Form and the Provincial Review List under the same drop-down menu or link here. Submissions of rare bird sightings in British Columbia are invited and encouraged.

LUWA_Sandvig

Photo: Craig Sandvig

While you’re here, make sure you check out BCFO’s destination for our AGM in 2017. See Annual Conference under the Events tab above.

BC Birding – September, 2013 Issue

The September 2013 issue of the BCFO newsletter, BC Birding, is now available in the Members Area where you can read the copy online, or download the issue to read at your leisure. Inside you’ll find a wide range of topics including fascinating articles about birds, the AGM, trip reports, rare bird reports, and lots more.

Sept2013NwslttrCov

 

March 2012 newsletter now available

Click on the link below for the March 2012 issue of BC Birding. Use your BCFO password to unlock the document.

BC Birding March 2012