Birds, like most wildlife, are battling many threats to their survival each and every day. Due to threats like cities full of glass, habitat loss, invasive species, roaming cats, off-leash dogs, disease and poisons, bird populations and biodiversity are in a frightening decline.
In Canada, window collisions kill 16 to 42 million birds a year. Homes in Canada account for 90% of such deaths. The second-largest cause of bird mortality after collisions is predation by outdoor cats. You can read more here.
The Squamish Environment Society is leading an initiative to have Squamish certified as a Bird Friendly City under Nature Canada’s certification program. This certification requires that a bird action committee work with its municipality to reduce threats to birds; promote habitat protection, restoration, and climate resiliency; and provide community outreach and education.
The process towards certification includes many steps, and we know reaching the goal will take time as well as community-wide effort. We have started a committee called Bird Friendly Squamish and welcome anyone who would like to join us in making Squamish safer for birds. We have also started direct action in two separate areas:
Photo above courtesy of Kyle Kulas: A Ruby-crowned Kinglet in Squamish.