Seeking Shrike Personnel

Wildlife Preservation Canada is seeking experienced field assistants and biologists in two areas  for the Eastern Loggerhead Shrike (ELOSH) Recovery Program.  The Eastern Loggerhead Shrike is critically endangered with a total of only 21 known pairs breeding in Ontario in 2011.  The Carden Alvar is one of the two core areas where ELOSH continue to breed.  Wildlife Preservation Canada has been managing a unique and model recovery program for ELOSH since 2001 including wild population monitoring, captive breeding and release, and habitat stewardship projects.

At minimum, applicants should have prior experience with animal care and/or captive breeding, possess knowledge and experience in avian biology, and have completed an undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline (or possess equivalent knowledge/experience).  Bird rehabilitation experience is a major asset.  Some bird handling and/or banding experience is also required.  Keen observation skills and attention to detail are essential.  Successful candidates must be able to work independently, be willing to work long hours in the field and live in rustic field quarters. Applicants should be physically fit, able to endure working in variable weather conditions with exposure to biting insects and enjoy living and working as part of a small team.  Additionally, this position requires staff to handle live insects, mice, and occasionally, endangered species.

Positions run from early March through October 2012. Applications will not be considered after February 1, 2012.  Check the  job postings.

Our Shrikes Spotted on their Winter Migration

With only 21 breeding pairs in Ontario in 2011, the Eastern Loggerhead Shrike is critically endangered.  Although the cause of decline has been largely attributed to conditions experienced on the wintering grounds, we still don’t know exactly where our shrikes go.  Therefore sightings of our banded birds are extremely valuable.

Thanks to keen birders in the migration path, as of November 21, 2011, two of our banded shrikes have been spotted and reported to us.

First Spotting:

We were first notified of a banded shrike in early November.  This individual bred in Napanee in 2011 and appears to be spending the winter in Delaware.  This is one of only two confirmed records of Ontario shrikes on the wintering grounds!  Thanks to Chuck Fullmer for spotting this bird, notifying us and sending the above photo.

Second Spotting:

And another one!  Luck is with the shrikes this winter as a second Ontario bird was spotted in the US.  This time, a banded bird from Carden was found in Virgina Beach, Virgina. Thanks to Elise Enders for sending us this photo.

To help identify shrikes from the Ontario population, each year both wild and captive-bred birds are banded.  Shrikes receive a stainless steel identification band, and a unique combination of plastic colour bands that allow field staff and other birders to individually identify the birds.  Shrikes that have been released from our captive breeding and release sites wearing geolocators receive a silver ID band plus a red band, while all other captive and wild birds receive a silver ID band and 3 colour bands.  Bands are read top to bottom, starting with the bird’s left leg, then top to bottom on the bird’s right leg.  Can you decipher the band combinations in these two pictures?

Project SOAR

WPC’s Project SOAR  was selected for the $50,000 category of Shell’s Fuelling Change competition running November 2011 through April 2012.  A partnership of Wildlife Preservation Canada and the Mountsberg Conservation Centre, Project SOAR is designed to:

• increase the number of captive-bred shrikes released into the wild every year,
• increase our knowledge of the life story and mortality risk factors faced by this migratory songbird by studying it year-round, throughout its migratory cycle, and
• restore and protect more critical habitat so a growing population of shrikes will have a place to call home.

Each project selected for the competition receives $10,000 from Shell.  The projects receiving the most votes in each category will receive the full amount.  All you need to vote for Project SOAR is an email address and a receipt from a Shell store, so please, vote now and vote often!

Auction Thanks

We wrapped up our annual auction on October 16, 2011 in Toronto.  All items were donated and all funds raised go directly to our endangered species recovery programs.  Thanks to all who attended, our item donors and our sponsors.  See you next year!