You Could Be a Citizen Science Volunteer

Want to make a difference for Canada’s birds and their habitats? Looking for a new favourite activity? Maybe our owl survey, marsh monitoring program, or loon survey is right for you.

Give a hoot and help us monitor owls

As you will read in the Owl Survey Updates, additional Nocturnal Owl Survey volunteers are needed in some parts of Canada. These volunteers spend one spring evening counting owls along isolated roads to document population trends and breeding range limits. Find out more.

One rail, two rail, Green frog, Wood frog

Join the Marsh Monitoring Program for a unique and rewarding experience contributing to the understanding and conservation of wetlands, some of North America’s most vital and sensitive ecosystems. Whether you are new to identifying frogs or a top-notch birder, this more intensive program lets you get outside and spend your spring collecting data. Volunteers are needed to survey marshes on both sides of the Great Lakes, in Québec, and in the Maritimes. Find out how you can get involved helping wetlands in your region.

Do you summer at the lake?

Kayak your favourite bay? Return yearly to your traditional fishing hole? Then the Common Loon needs YOU! If you will be at a Canadian lake at least one day in each of June, July, and August, you can help steward your lake and loons by joining the Canadian Lakes Loon Survey and monitoring loon chick survival. To learn more visit the Canadian Lakes Loon Survey webpage or contact Kathy.

Citizen Scientists

In fall of 2018, Bird Studies Canada invited volunteers like from across the country to participate in a research study and I responded along with over 500 others. The research inquired about wellbeing, connection to the natural environment and experiences as Citizen Scientists (collecting and contributing information about birds or other species to add to scientific knowledge

The researchers are happy to report some preliminary results, which I would like to share with you.  The 510 of us who responded range in age from 9 to 85 years, with the average age being 52.1. The majority (63.5%) are female and live either in city suburbs (30.6%), a small town (21.8%), or a rural/farm area (32.9%).

It seems many Bird Studies Canada volunteers reside in places with good opportunities for viewing wildlife, whether they have a backyard feeder or are able to hike, walk, or paddle in nearby nature areas. Participants are engaged in a variety of Bird Studies Canada projects, with the Christmas Bird Count, Great Backyard Bird Count, and Project FeederWatch being some of the most popular. Many volunteers submit data to eBird Canada, and contribute to bird surveys and breeding bird atlases.

Overall, the survey respondents reported high levels of connectedness with nature. Unsurprisingly, these findings suggest that Bird Studies Canada volunteers have a strong bond with the natural environment. This includes a sense of identity or self-concept that includes the natural world, as well as a comfort with and desire to be in nature. Our relationship with animals such as birds is an important part of our connection with nature; survey respondents reported concern for all aspects of the biosphere. Participants’ environmental concern for all living things was strongest, followed by altruistic concern for other people and future generations, and concern for how the environment affects one’s self interests.

Bird Studies Canada volunteers also reported being happy. They have more positive than negative moods, feel vital and alive, and also experience feelings of awe, curiosity, and fascination (emotions often associated with time spent in nature). Although all survey respondents reported high levels of wellbeing, overall, people who feel the strongest bonds with the natural environment are also the happiest (connectedness with nature positively correlated with happiness indicators). It is possible that being happy causes us to feel more connected to nature (as opposed to the other way around), but research on nature’s benefits for human mental and physical health suggest the effect is likely in the alternate direction. That is, spending time in nature and developing a sense of connection with the natural world enhances our health and happiness.

The links between nature connectedness and environmental concern also tell us that spending time observing and learning about birds and other wildlife is essential for helping people to develop a conservation ethic.

Hello darkness my old friend

Travel enlightens you and awakens you to the differences there are among us. When you travel your friends will call you "lucky". But as you are becoming aware of the bigger world around you and as you share your vision, you may hope that your friends will move forward with their own dreams. But the reality is that:
Some will hear, but not listen. 
Some will listen, but not understand.
And some will understand, but not act.

Paul Simon wrote these words below and he and Art Garfunkel sang it to us in 1964, and today we still need to heed the words in this song.

Hello darkness, my old friend
I've come to talk with you again
Because a vision softly creeping
Left its seeds while I was sleeping
And the vision that was planted in my brain
Still remains
Within the sound of silence

In restless dreams, I walked alone
Narrow streets of cobblestone
'Neath the halo of a street lamp
I turned my collar to the cold and damp
When my eyes were stabbed by the flash of a neon light
That split the night
And touched the sound of silence

And in the naked light, I saw
Ten thousand people, maybe more
People talking without speaking
People hearing without listening
People writing songs that voices never share
No one dared
Disturb the sound of silence

"Fools," said I, "You do not know
Silence like a cancer grows
Hear my words that I might teach you
Take my arms that I might reach you"
But my words like silent raindrops fell
And echoed in the wells of silence

And the people bowed and prayed
To the neon god they made
And the sign flashed out its warning
In the words that it was forming
And the sign said, "The words of the prophets
Are written on the subway walls
And tenement halls"

And whispered in the sounds of silence

Warning signs Dementia 2

As I have said in earlier posts, my friend has been diagnosed with Vascular Dementia and is starting to show a decline in his ability to function. Dementia is a term that describes a variety of symptoms affecting a person's cognitive functioning, including their ability to think, remember, and reason. Dementia occurs when nerve cells in a person's brain stop working. Although it typically happens in older people, it is not an inevitable part of ageing. The brain's natural deterioration happens to everyone as they grow older, but it occurs more quickly in people with dementia. Dementia tends to get worse over time, and there are a few key early warning signs.

There are 10 typical early signs of dementia. Here are the last five, For a person to receive a diagnosis, they would usually experience two or more of these symptoms, and the symptoms would be severe enough to interfere with their daily life.

6. Problems speaking or writing

Handwriting may become less legible as dementia progresses. A person with dementia may find it hard to engage in conversations. They may forget what they are saying or what somebody else has said. It can be difficult to enter a conversation. People may also find their spelling, punctuation, and grammar get worse. Some people's handwriting becomes more difficult to read.

7. Misplacing things

A person with dementia may not be able to remember where they leave everyday objects, such as a remote control, important documents, cash, or their keys. Misplacing possessions can be frustrating and may mean they accuse other people of stealing.

8. Poor judgment or decision-making

It can be hard for someone with dementia to understand what is fair and reasonable. This may mean they pay too much for things, or become easily sure about buying things they do not need. Some people with dementia also pay less attention to keeping themselves clean and presentable.

9. Withdrawal from socializing

A person with dementia may become uninterested in socializing with other people, whether in their home life or at work.  They may become withdrawn and not talk to others, or not pay attention when others are speaking to them. They may stop doing hobbies or sports that involve other people.

10. Changes in personality or mood

A person with dementia may experience mood swings or personality changes. For example, they may become irritable, depressed, fearful, or anxious. They may also become more disinhibited or act inappropriately.

When to see a doctor

A person who experiences any of these symptoms or notices them in a loved one should speak to a medical professional. According to the Alzheimer's Association, it is a myth that cognitive functioning always gets worse as a person gets older. Signs of cognitive decline may be dementia or another illness for which doctors can provide support.

Although there is no cure for dementia yet, a doctor can help slow the progression of the disease and ease the symptoms, and so improve a person's quality of life.