What is the Eastern Loggerhead Shrike Recovery Program? After a precipitous drop in the wild eastern loggerhead shrike population in the 1990s, Environment Canada invited Wildlife Preservation Canada to lead the multi-partner recovery effort in 2003. Since then, the wild population size has fluctuated. Studies have shown that although the recovery effort has prevented the species from disappearing from Canada, more work is required to identify and address the causes of the species’ decline. WPC works to prevent the eastern loggerhead shrike from disappearing by building the wild population in Ontario, and studying the species to learn more about the threats they face.
The Adopt-A-Site Program (AAS) has been engaging volunteers to help locate shrikes throughout their range in Ontario since 2012. The Eastern Loggerhead Shrike (Lanius ludovicianus migrans) was designated Endangered in Canada in 1991, and in Ontario in 1992. Since 2003, Wildlife Preservation Canada has been leading the recovery effort for this species, and volunteer participation in the AAS Survey is a direct and vital contribution to these efforts. While surveying for shrikes, volunteers also record the presence of a subset of birds, including a number of grassland species at risk, and these data are submitted to the province each year through the Natural Heritage Information Centre.
We’re thrilled to share that surveys for this year’s Adopt-A-Site community science program are officially underway! Volunteers across the province are heading out to look for birds in grassland habitats, with one specific target in mind: the endangered Eastern Loggerhead Shrike.
This year, we have 42 volunteers surveying 183 sites across Ontario, ranging from Pembroke to Manitoulin Island! The habitats they are visiting serve as vital nesting and foraging areas for a whole suite of grassland birds, many of which are federally and provincially designated species at risk. Grassland birds are facing steep population declines across Canada, and data collected by AAS volunteers will support not only Wildlife Preservation Canada’s recovery efforts for the Eastern Loggerhead Shrike, they also will inform provincial records of other species of conservation concern like Eastern Meadowlarks, Bobolinks, and Grasshopper Sparrows.
Our community science program wouldn’t be possible without the dedication of our amazing AAS volunteers. Each survey they conduct helps paint a clearer picture about shrike distribution across Ontario, and where our recovery efforts should be focused. In fact, just last year, 5 shrikes of the confirmed 51 in Eastern Canada were found by AAS volunteers. Without these extra eyes on the ground, we would have a much harder time finding and conserving these incredible birds.
Curious about what else was found during last year’s AAS surveys? You can check out the 2024 Adopt-A-Site Summary to see highlights, trends, and some photos from the field.
While sign-ups for the 2025 season are now closed, we’re always looking ahead! If you’d like to get involved with shrike conservation next year, keep an eye on our social media for our volunteer call-out in early 2026, or email us at birds@wildlifepreservation.ca to be added to the list for next season.
As surveys continue over the coming weeks, we’re looking forward to seeing what our volunteers have observed, and what stories the data will tell us about grassland birds in Ontario. Here’s to another season of community science in action!
Annika Wilcox
Research Biologist, Eastern Loggherhead Shrike Recovery Program
Annika joined the WPC Loggerhead Shrike team as a Research Biologist in 2025. She has ample experience in environmental outreach, wildlife rehabilitation, and the ecological monitoring of birds, at-risk amphibians, reptiles, and insects. Annika holds a Master’s degree in Integrative Biology from the University of Guelph, where she researched the limiting factors of restored agricultural wetlands as a breeding habitat for birds, with an emphasis on Species at Risk.
Recent articles on the project
We need your help