Bird Friendly Calgary

Turns out, being bird-brained is good for your brain health.

Indulging in the bird world can reshape your brain, new study finds - The Weather Network A new study suggests that avid birdwatching can lead to changes in brain structure and function

Calgary has a very handsome guest that's attracting a lot of attention! Please make sure to observe good birder etiquette if trying to find the red-headed woodpecker. No picture is worth that bird or any other animal in the vicinity's life. Give the bird space, stay on the paths (there are critters in that grass!) and keep voices low to avoid stressing the animal. Also, don't be tempted to feed him, he knows what he's doing! https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1cfV9qyCLE/?mibextid=wwXIfr

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(Working Copy) Fragile Ground: Rare Plants and Coal Mines Rare Plant Occurrences within Coal Leases of the Eastern Slopes of Alberta

The value of native plants for birds; the vast majority of native insects that eat plants require native plants that they have coevolved with as host plants and those same insects are the foundation for a whole lot of other critters! With the exception of goldfinches and house finches, all other songbirds feed their babies insects, and lots of them! Each nest will need thousands of caterpillars and larvae to raise the next generation of birds just to fledging! Help support our birds but supporting our bugs and what better way than planting more native plants!
This pic shows a police car moth caterpillar that feeds on Mertensia (aka tall lungwort or tall bluebells). While they do have some toxicity, it’s not enough to stop all the birds! ❤️🐛🐦‍⬛

Such a cool idea.

Scotland passed a law that will require “nest bricks” to be included in all new buildings. These special blocks are built into facades and serve as a safe shelter for urban birds, especially swifts.

The measure aims to address the sharp decline of these birds, whose population has fallen by nearly 60% since 1995. Experts explain that modern architecture eliminated the cracks and spaces where they used to nest.

The bricks do not affect the insulation of homes and also provide benefits for people, since a single swift can eat thousands of mosquitoes a day, helping control insects naturally.

Thanks to one of our partners, Calgary Urban Species Response Team for rescuing this beauty after striking a window in downtown Calgary! Did you know a dedicated group of volunteers is out every morning (and sometimes afternoon) searching for bats, birds and other wildlife that has found themselves in trouble downtown from window strikes and other urban hazards? Pretty awesome team and this owl is but one life they have had a part in rescuing ❤️

Species: Northern Saw-whet Owl
Patient Number: 383 of 2026
Reason for Admission: Window Strike

Giant thanks to Calgary Urban Species Response Team for spotting this wee one and getting it to us for treatment!

Happy ! It's easy to dismiss the importance of all the living things we share our world with but they are out there helping keep our ecosystems functioning without us even paying attention! Thank you City of Calgary – Your Local Government for supporting the proclamation for today! It's a beautiful day to get out and see some biodiversity!

Provincially, the Christmas Bird Count was a record-breaking success. On a partisan note, how did Calgary, one of Canada’s first certified Bird-Friendly Cities, get out numbered on the volunteer side by Edmonton? We need to step it up next time!

naturealberta.ca

Experts know: mark your windows with tightly-spaced graphics (in this case, 5X5 cm grid of Feather Friendly tm) decals to reduce bird strikes.

The is taking place now! Help raise money for research and conservation with .canada and be a bird nerd at the same time! For more information visit birdscanada.org