Spring is here! What do you see in your forests? Are the buds swelling on trees, does the bark of young trees scar easily, are some flowers blooming, like skunk cabbage flowers, or do you notice many more birds singing in the forest. It’s that time of year when the birds are returning to our regions and our forests to begin their nesting.
The Migratory Bird Regulation places responsibility on a person for migratory birds and their nests, whether on crown or private land. Incidental take is the damage or destruction of eggs or nests during routine industrial activities, such as woodlot harvesting. While our woodlot area is a small forest within the bigger region, the cumulative impact of this kind of loss to birds in all sectors is quite large.
As a woodlot manager, what can you do? Here is a quick four step approach for your woodlot area:
- Know the migratory birds that use the forest habitat in your region.
- Learn the nesting habitats of those migratory birds in your area.
- Understand the periods, locations and your activities that create the greatest risk of nest damage on your woodlot.
- Plan your woodlot activities to accommodate the nesting habits and habitats of migratory birds.
Environment Canada provides many tools to build some knowledge, understand risks and generate best forest management practices on your woodlot.
Furthermore, a registered professional biologist can provide you with specific local knowledge of migratory birds, and together with your forest professional, tailor best management practices for migratory bird conservation for your woodlot area.
Finally, the Association of Professional Biologists has also produced a YouTube video, which is a great start to learning about the Migratory Bird Regulation.
