It’s the most wonderful time of the year, for those keeping track of the annual COSEWIC status reports! COSEWIC (Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada) is an independent advisory panel that provides information to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change in Canada. This group of experts is responsible for identifying and assessing the conservation status of wildlife species across Canada. Each year, these committees meet, assess, and determine the urgency rankings of wildlife species across Canada and rank them into different categories: not at risk, special concern, t ..read more

This fall was a gorgeous and warm one to get out in nature. Luckily, our dedicated volunteers and staff were able to get out before the weather turned, to conduct our annual fall International Shorebird Surveys (ISS) within the province. These ISS surveys allow us to obtain data and track long-term global trends of shorebird populations. The fall survey period goes from July 11 until October 25 each year. Within the province of Manitoba, we survey 4 IBAs using the ISS protocol. They include Whitewater Lake; North, East, and West Shoal Lakes; Oak Lake/Plum Lakes; and Oak Hammock Marsh. Each IBA ..read more

On September 9th, the Manitoba IBA program held a Red-headed Woodpecker (RHWO) Blitz in the North, East and West Shoal Lakes IBA. Back in July, IBA program staff conducted Red-headed Woodpecker surveys in this area and observed a total of 14 adult Red-headed Woodpeckers. We were not sure how many Red-headed Woodpeckers would still be around, especially as many species seem to be migrating a week or two earlier than usual this year. Our blitz was divided into 3 groups of 3 people. Just like our Oak Lake blitz, each group was given an area within the IBA to cover with suggested survey routes to ..read more

The Manitoba IBA program held a Red-headed Woodpecker blitz in the Oak Lake/Plum Lakes IBA on Saturday, July 15th. This is the third consecutive year that we blitz this IBA for Red-headed Woodpeckers (RHWO). Although windy, our 5 groups all managed to spot some Red-headed Woodpeckers. Our blitzing group was comprised of 11 people, split up into 5 groups for maximum coverage of the IBA. Each group was assigned an area, two of which included a pre-determined survey route. Below is a map of the areas covered: Map of our blitz area.Our group, missing Tom, Renee, Glennis and Sandy. Photo by Marissa ..read more

This past Saturday, August 12th, we ran our first weed pull at the Riverton Sandy Bar since 2021. Last year, the water levels on Lake Winnipeg were so high that the Sandy Bar was underwater – instead, we ended up doing a purple loosestrife pull at Oak Hammock Marsh, and shoreline clean-ups at Delta Beach and Lockport. This year, the water levels cooperated and we were able to do a weed pull once again. The purpose of our weed pulls is to restore habitat for Piping Plovers (an Endangered species) as well as other shorebirds, gulls and terns. The Riverton Sandy Bar was designated as a Special Co ..read more

This past weekend, we ran our second ‘Purple Loosestrife Pull’ at Oak Hammock Marsh IBA. Our group of 15 met outside of the Harry J. Enns Wetland Discovery Centre at 10 am. Once we got organized, did some introductions, and handed out some outreach materials, we headed out to the stand which is about a 15-minute drive away, on the eastern edge of the WMA. The sun was hot, but thankfully there was a nice breeze once we got to our destination. Our group spent the next few hours building connections, beating the heat with some cool refreshments, and successfully removing a full truckload of Purpl ..read more

The Manitoba IBA program is looking for volunteers for our upcoming events, including a purple loosestrife pull at Oak Hammock Marsh, a weed pull at Riverton Sandy Bar, and a bird blitz at Whitewater Lake. Keep reading for more details. The more the merrier! Purple Loosestrife Pull – Saturday, August 5th We organized our first Purple Loosestrife pull last September, after a stand of Purple Loosestrife (an invasive wetland plant) was discovered on the east side of Oak Hammock Marsh. Join us again this year to protect the wetland habitat at Oak Hammock Marsh on Saturday, August 5th from 10 am ..read more

This past spring our wonderful volunteers and Manitoba IBA staff conducted International Shorebird Surveys (ISS) within the province. Started by Manomet, the goal of these surveys is to track long-term global shorebird trends. Spring International Shorebird Surveys are conducted annually between April 1st and June 15th, with the peak of the season occurring between April 24th and May 16th. In Manitoba, four of our IBAs are surveyed using the ISS protocol: Whitewater Lake; North, East, and West Shoal Lakes; Oak Lake/Plum Lakes; and Oak Hammock Marsh. Within each site, there are pre-set routes ..read more

On Saturday June 17th, the Manitoba IBA program led a bird walk at the Oak Hammock Marsh IBA. Our group of 8 met in the parking lot of the Harry J. Enns Interpretive Centre at 10am. Marissa, our coordinator, led our voyage! I (Aynsley) was also there to assist. Before embarking on our journey, we spoke with Paula, Oak Hammock Marsh’s Resident Naturalist and IBA Steering Committee Member. She informed us that the trails were in good condition, and that there is a variety of birds around due to the late migratory season. Our group consisted of a mix of intermediate and beginner birders! With the ..read more

The Manitoba IBA program has been coordinating annual spring and fall International Shorebird Surveys (ISS) in 4 of our IBAs: Whitewater Lake IBA, Oak/Plum Lakes IBA, Oak Hammock Marsh IBA, and Shoal Lakes IBA. The goal of these surveys is to track trends of global shorebirds long-term. Thanks our incredibly dedicated volunteers and staff, 2022 was another great season surveying for shorebirds across Manitoba! Each year presents its own challenges and unique weather patterns, and 2022 was no different. The high spring water levels carried into the fall, which resulted in flooded fields, ditche ..read more