UPDATE : SEPTEMBER 28, 2013

The temporary closure is no longer in effect. Iona is now open to birders as per usual.

Long-billed Dowitchers

BCFO member, Ben Keen, has released a script, which ties in with eBird.org and allows you to search entire regions to see what hotspots have had reported sightings within a given timeframe. Mobile support and other features will be added shortly.

You can give it a try at eBird search.

The latest Christmas Bird Count calendar is now available under the CBC’s tab above. It contains all the information we have received to date.

As you will see when you go there, there are a number of new features this year.

First, is timeliness. Unlike previous years when the information here was not regularly updated, this year will be different. We are committed to update the calendar with new information within two-days of receiving it.

Second, is to report provisional results from around the Province as they occur.

With your help, we will improve the communication and engagement around CBC’s this year. Please take a look at what we’re trying to do.

We  have received an urgent plea for help at the Mugaha Marsh Banding Station situated near Mackenzie BC. If any members could volunteer some time to the banding station it would be sincerely appreciated. The following is the plea from Vi Lambie, and a link to a Bird Studies Canada page describing the site.

Hi All,

We truly need more volunteers. If you can help please consider coming out. If you know others who may like to get involved please let them know we need volunteers. We will have two banders on most days so there are great opportunities to learn. Opening round is currently 5:30, so the first net round is 6:00 and the station is open until 11:30am. Times changes slightly as sunrise gets later.

Sincerely,

Vi Lambie,

Mackenzie Nature Observatory – 250-997-6876

Link for Mugaha Marsh Banding Station.

http://www.bsc-eoc.org/volunteer/cmmn/index.jsp?targetpg=mno

The BCFO Members area of the web site is now online. Here is where you can find the latest issue of BC Birding along with the BCFO journal, British Columbia Birds, and the journal’s current In press articles. You will be asked to enter your current password in order to gain access but once you’ve done that, a cookie stored on your machine will allow access each time you return until the password is changed. This saves having to enter a password each time you want to look at a document.

We’ve just gone “live” with our new, updated website. Please browse around, and let us know what you think.

There are still a few fixes to be made involved in the transfer from old to new. Please be patient, but feel free to let us know any problems you’ve encountered by using the comment link below.

This new blog format will enable us to update our information much more quickly, and also take feedback from members in a timely manner.

Thanks, and good birding at the Princeton AGM and beyond.

BCFO Directors