Barn Swallow: photo by John Reynolds Gina Calabrese, Postdoctoral Researcher, is part of a team of biologists at University of Colorado, working on a project studying migration and genetic diversity in Barn Swallows, to better understand their evolution and conservation. The team will be sampling BARS in BC in late May/early June, and are looking for sites between Vancouver and Calgary (Hwy 99 /Transcanada 1), where Barn Swallows regularly nest, and are hoping that BCFO members have information that could help. Ideally they are looking for barns/sites where swallows are known to build nests, a ..read more

Scott Denkers, BCFO Member and former coordinator of the annual Manning Park Bird Blitz, will be leading a two-day field trip for BCFO members in Manning Provincial Park on July 2nd and 3rd, 2024. More details here: https://bcfo.ca/two-day-field-trips-schedule/ This field trip is free for BCFO members. There is a maximum of 10 participants. Registration will be on a first-come, first-served basis. Canada Jay: photo by Krista Kaptein To register, email Paul Foth at gopishingbc AT gmail DOT com ..read more

Zoom presentation Wednesday, 17th April 2024 Canada Jay: photo by Dan Strickland Reminder for BCFO members: The next in our very popular series of birding presentations will take place on Wednesday, April 17th. Please join Dan Strickland for this presentation on Canada Jays: the three distinct varieties, and how distinct the Pacific form is from its eastern counterpart. More details on this Zoom presentation: https://bcfo.ca/canada-jays-east-west-are-they-different-species/ For overview of the Zoom series: https://bcfo.ca/zoom-presentations-schedule/ For BCFO Members, the invitation ..read more

Zoom presentation Wednesday, 20th March 2024 Black and While Warbler: photo by Ryan Wagner Reminder for BCFO members: The next in our very popular series of birding presentations will take place on Wednesday, March 20th. Please join Shae Turner for this presentation on the winter lives of our migratory songbirds and the important links between their winter habitat, feather moult, and spring migration. More details on this Zoom presentation: https://bcfo.ca/understanding-role-of-feather-moult/ For overview of the Zoom series: https://bcfo.ca/zoom-presentations-schedule/ For BCFO Memb ..read more

In accordance with BCFO policy, nominations are now open for election to the board of directors. No current directors are reaching the end of their term limits in 2024. Members may nominate others or put forward their own name. If putting forward their own name, endorsement from an existing BCFO member is required. Nominations must be received by the Board at least 30 days prior to the scheduled AGM, which in 2024 is being held on June 8. Although BCFO membership is required for board members, we anticipate that non-members may have an interest in being active in the provincial ornithological ..read more

The March 2024 edition of BC Birding is now available on the BCFO website in the Members Only section. You will be emailed the URL if you prefer to access it directly or if you’ve forgotten the password. This is a very full 48-page edition which includes, along with much else: Details of the upcoming Creston Conference, including field trips and the pre-conference trip Plenty for philatelists, photographers, book collectors and penguin enthusiasts A report of a Christmas Bird Count like none other A hoot of a tale about birding in Botswana and Namibia An invitation to cruise the Dempster High ..read more

Zoom presentation Wednesday, 21st February 2024 Group of Swainson’s Hawks: photo by Perla Torres Reminder for BCFO members: The next in our very popular series of birding presentations will take place on Wednesday, February 21st. Please join Zinthia López-Vázquez and Pilar González  for this presentation titled: Veracruz, Mexico: sky in motion, raptors in migration. The migratory phenomenon in Veracruz, Mexico has amazed birders around the world for the past three decades, since Mexican biologists began the journey to understand, document and conserve the world’s most abundant migratory c ..read more

BCFO offers Research Grants and is currently accepting submission of proposals from groups or organizations for financial assistance for bird surveys and other ornithological research. It also wishes to foster greater connections between applicants and the society. The BCFO has an Education & Conservation subcommittee that reviews grant applications.  More info on our website here: https://bcfo.ca/bcfo-research-grants/ BCFO also offers the Young Birder Award, inaugurated in 2014, which is given to outstanding youth birders, aged 11 to 18, in recognition of their accomplishments ..read more

The 2024 BCFO Annual General Meeting & Conference will be held in beautiful Creston BC from June 7-9, 2024. Full details will be posted soon online, under Events tab in the top menu, and in the next issue of BC Birding magazine. Registration will open at the end of February. In order to register for the AGM & Conference, paid-up membership to BCFO is required. You can join or renew here: https://bcfo.ca/joinrenew-2/ Photo courtesy crestonwildlife.ca BCFO 34th AGM & CONFERENCE, June 7-9, 2024, Creston, BC Location: Ramada by Wyndham Creston 1 1809 Highway 3A , Creston,&nbs ..read more

BCFO has posted a statement on Equity, Diversity & Inclusion on our website here along with our initial commitments to action. Input is welcome, contact us at  diversity@bcfo.ca.  ..read more