Ottawa Bird Strategy2020

ii Ottawa Bird Strategy

Ottawa Bird Strategy iii

Ottawa Bird Strategy VisionOttawa is recognized as a bird-friendly city and important

birdwatching destination with a rich and diverse population of native birds enjoyed by people living in

Ottawa and visitors from around the globe

iv Ottawa Bird Strategy

Ottawa Bird Strategy Working Group

Ottawa Bird Strategy Working Group 2020 Ottawa Bird Strategy Safe Wings Ottawa

Acknowledgements

The Ottawa Bird Strategy working group would like to thank the City of Vancouver and the many partners who created the Vancouver Bird Strategy which inspired and

provided the blueprint for this document The working group would also like to thank the Ottawa Community Foundation which provided funding for this project

Ottawa Bird Strategy 1

Table of Contents

Introduction 2

Key opportunities 6

Key challenges 10

Action areas 22

Landscape design guidelines 24

Building design guidelines 26

Cat strategy 28

Research and monitoring 30

Arts awareness and education 32

Economic development and tourism 36

Summary of recommendations 39

Photo credits 43

Endnotes 44

2 Ottawa Bird Strategy

Introduction

Why are birds important to OttawaOne of Ottawarsquos greatest natural treasures is its abundance of wildlife You can find Chickadees and Nuthatches in the Greenbelt walk through local woods to see Great Horned Owls view an abundance of waterfowl along the cityrsquos rivers and the Rideau Canal or sit in your backyard or neighbourhood park enjoying American Robins Blue Jays Cedar and Bohemian Waxwings and many other species

Of the 690 species of birds that have been recorded in Canada nearly half have been found in the Ottawa region1 The city is located in the centre of the Atlantic Flyway an important North American migratory route

Birds have important economic social and environmental benefits Birds provide many essential ecosystem services they eat tree pests pollinate flowers disperse seeds scavenge carrion cycle nutrients and modify the environment in ways that benefit other species2 One study has calculated that birds provide $54 billion worth of pest control services each year in Canadarsquos boreal forest3

Simply observing birds is good for our mental health4 And like the canary in the coal mine birds can be an early warning system for changes in biodiversity and the health of ecosystems5

Yet bird populations are on the decline A 2016 report6 by the North American Bird Conservation Initiative found that one-third of bird species across the continent need

Some 500 bird species migrate along the Atlantic Flyway (in black) which travels through the Ottawa region

Ottawa Bird Strategy 3

urgent conservation action The State of Canadarsquos Birds (2019) revealed that entire groups of birds including aerial insectivores such as swallows and swifts long-distance migratory forest birds and species that depend on seeds and fruit from the forest have declined by 30 to 60 percent since 1970 Large numbers of these species live in and pass through Ottawa each year Hidden in that number is the fact that many species have lost over 90 percent of their population landing them on Canadarsquos Species at Risk Registry In Ontario 37 bird species are classified as special concern threatened or endangeredmdashall species in danger of disappearing from Canada

Legal obligations to protect birds are set out in the federal Migratory Birds Convention Act and Species at Risk Act as well as related provincial legislation But many cities in North America are going beyond this and have set out to address the most significant threats to birds by implementing bird-friendly design guidelines local ordinances bird strategies or bird treaties The Ottawa Bird Strategy sets out how we can do our part to safeguard the millions of birds that rely on this region for food shelter safe passage and breeding habitat

The strategy sets out three key opportunities to protect and restore bird habitat to promote the city as an important birdwatching destination and to make Ottawa a leader in bird-friendly design It also looks at the key challenges of habitat loss invasive

Ottawa is home to many bird species and

is on an important migratory route

species predation and disturbance by feral and pet cats building collisions light pollution fireworks and vehicle impacts

At the heart of the Ottawa Bird Strategy are recommendations for civic bodies local and national non-governmental organizations and academic partners organized under seven action areas landscape design guidelines building design guidelines cat strategy research and monitoring arts awareness and education and economic development and tourism A summary of recommendations is provided at the end of the report

4 Ottawa Bird Strategy

Ottawa Bird Strategy 5

Ottawarsquos Important Bird and Biodiversity Area The Lac Deschecircnes-Ottawa River Important Bird and Biodiversity Area (IBA) encompasses an area of 295 km2 and stretches along the river from Fitzroy Provincial Park to the Chaudiegravere Dam The IBA boundary extends to cover

terrestrial and wetland habitats such as at Constance Creek and Shirleys Bay (an Area of Natural and Scientific Interest)

This IBA was designated for congregations of birds such as Herring Gull and Brant which depend on the river It is also an important feeding area for the

federally threatened Chimney Swift and other aerial insectivore species

6 Ottawa Bird Strategy

Key Opportunities

Protect and restore habitatThe protection and restoration of bird habitat in the Ottawa area beginning in the early 20th century brought populations of many bird species back to healthy levels Yet habitat loss and degradation remain a threat Stepping up action to conserve bird habitat is essential to increase the health population size and diversity of the regionrsquos bird species

Passive conservation limits the conversion or degradation of existing habitat prioritizing habitat that has declined due to human influence and is difficult to restore Examples include mature natural forests especially those large enough to contain ldquointeriorrdquo habitat and historical wildflower prairie and wetlands Protecting habitat in this way includes monitoring the arrival and spread of invasive species as well as populations of rareuncommon native species

Active conservation meaning the restoration of habitat is more difficult and expensive It involves restoring habitat that has been historically lost and may target the re-establishment of habitats and species that have declined It could be a restoration ldquofrom scratchrdquo such as the transformation of a grassy lawn into a mature forest which would take decades of continuous effort It could also be the restoration of one or more ldquomissing piecesrdquo from mostly intact habitat such as reintroducing locally extirpated plant species (used by birds as food or shelter) which could take only a few years to accomplish

Examples of habitat restoration in the Ottawa area include three recent projects undertaken by the Rideau Valley Conservation Authority Brewer Park Pond Jock River Wetland and Black Rapids CreekSnags and a woodpile provide habitat at the Fletcher

Wildlife Garden

ii Ottawa Bird Strategy

Ottawa Bird Strategy iii

Ottawa Bird Strategy VisionOttawa is recognized as a bird-friendly city and important

birdwatching destination with a rich and diverse population of native birds enjoyed by people living in

Ottawa and visitors from around the globe

iv Ottawa Bird Strategy

Ottawa Bird Strategy Working Group

Ottawa Bird Strategy Working Group 2020 Ottawa Bird Strategy Safe Wings Ottawa

Acknowledgements

The Ottawa Bird Strategy working group would like to thank the City of Vancouver and the many partners who created the Vancouver Bird Strategy which inspired and

provided the blueprint for this document The working group would also like to thank the Ottawa Community Foundation which provided funding for this project

Ottawa Bird Strategy 1

Table of Contents

Introduction 2

Key opportunities 6

Key challenges 10

Action areas 22

Landscape design guidelines 24

Building design guidelines 26

Cat strategy 28

Research and monitoring 30

Arts awareness and education 32

Economic development and tourism 36

Summary of recommendations 39

Photo credits 43

Endnotes 44

2 Ottawa Bird Strategy

Introduction

Why are birds important to OttawaOne of Ottawarsquos greatest natural treasures is its abundance of wildlife You can find Chickadees and Nuthatches in the Greenbelt walk through local woods to see Great Horned Owls view an abundance of waterfowl along the cityrsquos rivers and the Rideau Canal or sit in your backyard or neighbourhood park enjoying American Robins Blue Jays Cedar and Bohemian Waxwings and many other species

Of the 690 species of birds that have been recorded in Canada nearly half have been found in the Ottawa region1 The city is located in the centre of the Atlantic Flyway an important North American migratory route

Birds have important economic social and environmental benefits Birds provide many essential ecosystem services they eat tree pests pollinate flowers disperse seeds scavenge carrion cycle nutrients and modify the environment in ways that benefit other species2 One study has calculated that birds provide $54 billion worth of pest control services each year in Canadarsquos boreal forest3

Simply observing birds is good for our mental health4 And like the canary in the coal mine birds can be an early warning system for changes in biodiversity and the health of ecosystems5

Yet bird populations are on the decline A 2016 report6 by the North American Bird Conservation Initiative found that one-third of bird species across the continent need

Some 500 bird species migrate along the Atlantic Flyway (in black) which travels through the Ottawa region

Ottawa Bird Strategy 3

urgent conservation action The State of Canadarsquos Birds (2019) revealed that entire groups of birds including aerial insectivores such as swallows and swifts long-distance migratory forest birds and species that depend on seeds and fruit from the forest have declined by 30 to 60 percent since 1970 Large numbers of these species live in and pass through Ottawa each year Hidden in that number is the fact that many species have lost over 90 percent of their population landing them on Canadarsquos Species at Risk Registry In Ontario 37 bird species are classified as special concern threatened or endangeredmdashall species in danger of disappearing from Canada

Legal obligations to protect birds are set out in the federal Migratory Birds Convention Act and Species at Risk Act as well as related provincial legislation But many cities in North America are going beyond this and have set out to address the most significant threats to birds by implementing bird-friendly design guidelines local ordinances bird strategies or bird treaties The Ottawa Bird Strategy sets out how we can do our part to safeguard the millions of birds that rely on this region for food shelter safe passage and breeding habitat

The strategy sets out three key opportunities to protect and restore bird habitat to promote the city as an important birdwatching destination and to make Ottawa a leader in bird-friendly design It also looks at the key challenges of habitat loss invasive

Ottawa is home to many bird species and

is on an important migratory route

species predation and disturbance by feral and pet cats building collisions light pollution fireworks and vehicle impacts

At the heart of the Ottawa Bird Strategy are recommendations for civic bodies local and national non-governmental organizations and academic partners organized under seven action areas landscape design guidelines building design guidelines cat strategy research and monitoring arts awareness and education and economic development and tourism A summary of recommendations is provided at the end of the report

4 Ottawa Bird Strategy

Ottawa Bird Strategy 5

Ottawarsquos Important Bird and Biodiversity Area The Lac Deschecircnes-Ottawa River Important Bird and Biodiversity Area (IBA) encompasses an area of 295 km2 and stretches along the river from Fitzroy Provincial Park to the Chaudiegravere Dam The IBA boundary extends to cover

terrestrial and wetland habitats such as at Constance Creek and Shirleys Bay (an Area of Natural and Scientific Interest)

This IBA was designated for congregations of birds such as Herring Gull and Brant which depend on the river It is also an important feeding area for the

federally threatened Chimney Swift and other aerial insectivore species

6 Ottawa Bird Strategy

Key Opportunities

Protect and restore habitatThe protection and restoration of bird habitat in the Ottawa area beginning in the early 20th century brought populations of many bird species back to healthy levels Yet habitat loss and degradation remain a threat Stepping up action to conserve bird habitat is essential to increase the health population size and diversity of the regionrsquos bird species

Passive conservation limits the conversion or degradation of existing habitat prioritizing habitat that has declined due to human influence and is difficult to restore Examples include mature natural forests especially those large enough to contain ldquointeriorrdquo habitat and historical wildflower prairie and wetlands Protecting habitat in this way includes monitoring the arrival and spread of invasive species as well as populations of rareuncommon native species

Active conservation meaning the restoration of habitat is more difficult and expensive It involves restoring habitat that has been historically lost and may target the re-establishment of habitats and species that have declined It could be a restoration ldquofrom scratchrdquo such as the transformation of a grassy lawn into a mature forest which would take decades of continuous effort It could also be the restoration of one or more ldquomissing piecesrdquo from mostly intact habitat such as reintroducing locally extirpated plant species (used by birds as food or shelter) which could take only a few years to accomplish

Examples of habitat restoration in the Ottawa area include three recent projects undertaken by the Rideau Valley Conservation Authority Brewer Park Pond Jock River Wetland and Black Rapids CreekSnags and a woodpile provide habitat at the Fletcher

Wildlife Garden

Ottawa Bird Strategy iii

Ottawa Bird Strategy VisionOttawa is recognized as a bird-friendly city and important

birdwatching destination with a rich and diverse population of native birds enjoyed by people living in

Ottawa and visitors from around the globe

iv Ottawa Bird Strategy

Ottawa Bird Strategy Working Group

Ottawa Bird Strategy Working Group 2020 Ottawa Bird Strategy Safe Wings Ottawa

Acknowledgements

The Ottawa Bird Strategy working group would like to thank the City of Vancouver and the many partners who created the Vancouver Bird Strategy which inspired and

provided the blueprint for this document The working group would also like to thank the Ottawa Community Foundation which provided funding for this project

Ottawa Bird Strategy 1

Table of Contents

Introduction 2

Key opportunities 6

Key challenges 10

Action areas 22

Landscape design guidelines 24

Building design guidelines 26

Cat strategy 28

Research and monitoring 30

Arts awareness and education 32

Economic development and tourism 36

Summary of recommendations 39

Photo credits 43

Endnotes 44

2 Ottawa Bird Strategy

Introduction

Why are birds important to OttawaOne of Ottawarsquos greatest natural treasures is its abundance of wildlife You can find Chickadees and Nuthatches in the Greenbelt walk through local woods to see Great Horned Owls view an abundance of waterfowl along the cityrsquos rivers and the Rideau Canal or sit in your backyard or neighbourhood park enjoying American Robins Blue Jays Cedar and Bohemian Waxwings and many other species

Of the 690 species of birds that have been recorded in Canada nearly half have been found in the Ottawa region1 The city is located in the centre of the Atlantic Flyway an important North American migratory route

Birds have important economic social and environmental benefits Birds provide many essential ecosystem services they eat tree pests pollinate flowers disperse seeds scavenge carrion cycle nutrients and modify the environment in ways that benefit other species2 One study has calculated that birds provide $54 billion worth of pest control services each year in Canadarsquos boreal forest3

Simply observing birds is good for our mental health4 And like the canary in the coal mine birds can be an early warning system for changes in biodiversity and the health of ecosystems5

Yet bird populations are on the decline A 2016 report6 by the North American Bird Conservation Initiative found that one-third of bird species across the continent need

Some 500 bird species migrate along the Atlantic Flyway (in black) which travels through the Ottawa region

Ottawa Bird Strategy 3

urgent conservation action The State of Canadarsquos Birds (2019) revealed that entire groups of birds including aerial insectivores such as swallows and swifts long-distance migratory forest birds and species that depend on seeds and fruit from the forest have declined by 30 to 60 percent since 1970 Large numbers of these species live in and pass through Ottawa each year Hidden in that number is the fact that many species have lost over 90 percent of their population landing them on Canadarsquos Species at Risk Registry In Ontario 37 bird species are classified as special concern threatened or endangeredmdashall species in danger of disappearing from Canada

Legal obligations to protect birds are set out in the federal Migratory Birds Convention Act and Species at Risk Act as well as related provincial legislation But many cities in North America are going beyond this and have set out to address the most significant threats to birds by implementing bird-friendly design guidelines local ordinances bird strategies or bird treaties The Ottawa Bird Strategy sets out how we can do our part to safeguard the millions of birds that rely on this region for food shelter safe passage and breeding habitat

The strategy sets out three key opportunities to protect and restore bird habitat to promote the city as an important birdwatching destination and to make Ottawa a leader in bird-friendly design It also looks at the key challenges of habitat loss invasive

Ottawa is home to many bird species and

is on an important migratory route

species predation and disturbance by feral and pet cats building collisions light pollution fireworks and vehicle impacts

At the heart of the Ottawa Bird Strategy are recommendations for civic bodies local and national non-governmental organizations and academic partners organized under seven action areas landscape design guidelines building design guidelines cat strategy research and monitoring arts awareness and education and economic development and tourism A summary of recommendations is provided at the end of the report

4 Ottawa Bird Strategy

Ottawa Bird Strategy 5

Ottawarsquos Important Bird and Biodiversity Area The Lac Deschecircnes-Ottawa River Important Bird and Biodiversity Area (IBA) encompasses an area of 295 km2 and stretches along the river from Fitzroy Provincial Park to the Chaudiegravere Dam The IBA boundary extends to cover

terrestrial and wetland habitats such as at Constance Creek and Shirleys Bay (an Area of Natural and Scientific Interest)

This IBA was designated for congregations of birds such as Herring Gull and Brant which depend on the river It is also an important feeding area for the

federally threatened Chimney Swift and other aerial insectivore species

6 Ottawa Bird Strategy

Key Opportunities

Protect and restore habitatThe protection and restoration of bird habitat in the Ottawa area beginning in the early 20th century brought populations of many bird species back to healthy levels Yet habitat loss and degradation remain a threat Stepping up action to conserve bird habitat is essential to increase the health population size and diversity of the regionrsquos bird species

Passive conservation limits the conversion or degradation of existing habitat prioritizing habitat that has declined due to human influence and is difficult to restore Examples include mature natural forests especially those large enough to contain ldquointeriorrdquo habitat and historical wildflower prairie and wetlands Protecting habitat in this way includes monitoring the arrival and spread of invasive species as well as populations of rareuncommon native species

Active conservation meaning the restoration of habitat is more difficult and expensive It involves restoring habitat that has been historically lost and may target the re-establishment of habitats and species that have declined It could be a restoration ldquofrom scratchrdquo such as the transformation of a grassy lawn into a mature forest which would take decades of continuous effort It could also be the restoration of one or more ldquomissing piecesrdquo from mostly intact habitat such as reintroducing locally extirpated plant species (used by birds as food or shelter) which could take only a few years to accomplish

Examples of habitat restoration in the Ottawa area include three recent projects undertaken by the Rideau Valley Conservation Authority Brewer Park Pond Jock River Wetland and Black Rapids CreekSnags and a woodpile provide habitat at the Fletcher

Wildlife Garden

iv Ottawa Bird Strategy

Ottawa Bird Strategy Working Group

Ottawa Bird Strategy Working Group 2020 Ottawa Bird Strategy Safe Wings Ottawa

Acknowledgements

The Ottawa Bird Strategy working group would like to thank the City of Vancouver and the many partners who created the Vancouver Bird Strategy which inspired and

provided the blueprint for this document The working group would also like to thank the Ottawa Community Foundation which provided funding for this project

Ottawa Bird Strategy 1

Table of Contents

Introduction 2

Key opportunities 6

Key challenges 10

Action areas 22

Landscape design guidelines 24

Building design guidelines 26

Cat strategy 28

Research and monitoring 30

Arts awareness and education 32

Economic development and tourism 36

Summary of recommendations 39

Photo credits 43

Endnotes 44

2 Ottawa Bird Strategy

Introduction

Why are birds important to OttawaOne of Ottawarsquos greatest natural treasures is its abundance of wildlife You can find Chickadees and Nuthatches in the Greenbelt walk through local woods to see Great Horned Owls view an abundance of waterfowl along the cityrsquos rivers and the Rideau Canal or sit in your backyard or neighbourhood park enjoying American Robins Blue Jays Cedar and Bohemian Waxwings and many other species

Of the 690 species of birds that have been recorded in Canada nearly half have been found in the Ottawa region1 The city is located in the centre of the Atlantic Flyway an important North American migratory route

Birds have important economic social and environmental benefits Birds provide many essential ecosystem services they eat tree pests pollinate flowers disperse seeds scavenge carrion cycle nutrients and modify the environment in ways that benefit other species2 One study has calculated that birds provide $54 billion worth of pest control services each year in Canadarsquos boreal forest3

Simply observing birds is good for our mental health4 And like the canary in the coal mine birds can be an early warning system for changes in biodiversity and the health of ecosystems5

Yet bird populations are on the decline A 2016 report6 by the North American Bird Conservation Initiative found that one-third of bird species across the continent need

Some 500 bird species migrate along the Atlantic Flyway (in black) which travels through the Ottawa region

Ottawa Bird Strategy 3

urgent conservation action The State of Canadarsquos Birds (2019) revealed that entire groups of birds including aerial insectivores such as swallows and swifts long-distance migratory forest birds and species that depend on seeds and fruit from the forest have declined by 30 to 60 percent since 1970 Large numbers of these species live in and pass through Ottawa each year Hidden in that number is the fact that many species have lost over 90 percent of their population landing them on Canadarsquos Species at Risk Registry In Ontario 37 bird species are classified as special concern threatened or endangeredmdashall species in danger of disappearing from Canada

Legal obligations to protect birds are set out in the federal Migratory Birds Convention Act and Species at Risk Act as well as related provincial legislation But many cities in North America are going beyond this and have set out to address the most significant threats to birds by implementing bird-friendly design guidelines local ordinances bird strategies or bird treaties The Ottawa Bird Strategy sets out how we can do our part to safeguard the millions of birds that rely on this region for food shelter safe passage and breeding habitat

The strategy sets out three key opportunities to protect and restore bird habitat to promote the city as an important birdwatching destination and to make Ottawa a leader in bird-friendly design It also looks at the key challenges of habitat loss invasive

Ottawa is home to many bird species and

is on an important migratory route

species predation and disturbance by feral and pet cats building collisions light pollution fireworks and vehicle impacts

At the heart of the Ottawa Bird Strategy are recommendations for civic bodies local and national non-governmental organizations and academic partners organized under seven action areas landscape design guidelines building design guidelines cat strategy research and monitoring arts awareness and education and economic development and tourism A summary of recommendations is provided at the end of the report

4 Ottawa Bird Strategy

Ottawa Bird Strategy 5

Ottawarsquos Important Bird and Biodiversity Area The Lac Deschecircnes-Ottawa River Important Bird and Biodiversity Area (IBA) encompasses an area of 295 km2 and stretches along the river from Fitzroy Provincial Park to the Chaudiegravere Dam The IBA boundary extends to cover

terrestrial and wetland habitats such as at Constance Creek and Shirleys Bay (an Area of Natural and Scientific Interest)

This IBA was designated for congregations of birds such as Herring Gull and Brant which depend on the river It is also an important feeding area for the

federally threatened Chimney Swift and other aerial insectivore species

6 Ottawa Bird Strategy

Key Opportunities

Protect and restore habitatThe protection and restoration of bird habitat in the Ottawa area beginning in the early 20th century brought populations of many bird species back to healthy levels Yet habitat loss and degradation remain a threat Stepping up action to conserve bird habitat is essential to increase the health population size and diversity of the regionrsquos bird species

Passive conservation limits the conversion or degradation of existing habitat prioritizing habitat that has declined due to human influence and is difficult to restore Examples include mature natural forests especially those large enough to contain ldquointeriorrdquo habitat and historical wildflower prairie and wetlands Protecting habitat in this way includes monitoring the arrival and spread of invasive species as well as populations of rareuncommon native species

Active conservation meaning the restoration of habitat is more difficult and expensive It involves restoring habitat that has been historically lost and may target the re-establishment of habitats and species that have declined It could be a restoration ldquofrom scratchrdquo such as the transformation of a grassy lawn into a mature forest which would take decades of continuous effort It could also be the restoration of one or more ldquomissing piecesrdquo from mostly intact habitat such as reintroducing locally extirpated plant species (used by birds as food or shelter) which could take only a few years to accomplish

Examples of habitat restoration in the Ottawa area include three recent projects undertaken by the Rideau Valley Conservation Authority Brewer Park Pond Jock River Wetland and Black Rapids CreekSnags and a woodpile provide habitat at the Fletcher

Wildlife Garden

Ottawa Bird Strategy 1

Table of Contents

Introduction 2

Key opportunities 6

Key challenges 10

Action areas 22

Landscape design guidelines 24

Building design guidelines 26

Cat strategy 28

Research and monitoring 30

Arts awareness and education 32

Economic development and tourism 36

Summary of recommendations 39

Photo credits 43

Endnotes 44

2 Ottawa Bird Strategy

Introduction

Why are birds important to OttawaOne of Ottawarsquos greatest natural treasures is its abundance of wildlife You can find Chickadees and Nuthatches in the Greenbelt walk through local woods to see Great Horned Owls view an abundance of waterfowl along the cityrsquos rivers and the Rideau Canal or sit in your backyard or neighbourhood park enjoying American Robins Blue Jays Cedar and Bohemian Waxwings and many other species

Of the 690 species of birds that have been recorded in Canada nearly half have been found in the Ottawa region1 The city is located in the centre of the Atlantic Flyway an important North American migratory route

Birds have important economic social and environmental benefits Birds provide many essential ecosystem services they eat tree pests pollinate flowers disperse seeds scavenge carrion cycle nutrients and modify the environment in ways that benefit other species2 One study has calculated that birds provide $54 billion worth of pest control services each year in Canadarsquos boreal forest3

Simply observing birds is good for our mental health4 And like the canary in the coal mine birds can be an early warning system for changes in biodiversity and the health of ecosystems5

Yet bird populations are on the decline A 2016 report6 by the North American Bird Conservation Initiative found that one-third of bird species across the continent need

Some 500 bird species migrate along the Atlantic Flyway (in black) which travels through the Ottawa region

Ottawa Bird Strategy 3

urgent conservation action The State of Canadarsquos Birds (2019) revealed that entire groups of birds including aerial insectivores such as swallows and swifts long-distance migratory forest birds and species that depend on seeds and fruit from the forest have declined by 30 to 60 percent since 1970 Large numbers of these species live in and pass through Ottawa each year Hidden in that number is the fact that many species have lost over 90 percent of their population landing them on Canadarsquos Species at Risk Registry In Ontario 37 bird species are classified as special concern threatened or endangeredmdashall species in danger of disappearing from Canada

Legal obligations to protect birds are set out in the federal Migratory Birds Convention Act and Species at Risk Act as well as related provincial legislation But many cities in North America are going beyond this and have set out to address the most significant threats to birds by implementing bird-friendly design guidelines local ordinances bird strategies or bird treaties The Ottawa Bird Strategy sets out how we can do our part to safeguard the millions of birds that rely on this region for food shelter safe passage and breeding habitat

The strategy sets out three key opportunities to protect and restore bird habitat to promote the city as an important birdwatching destination and to make Ottawa a leader in bird-friendly design It also looks at the key challenges of habitat loss invasive

Ottawa is home to many bird species and

is on an important migratory route

species predation and disturbance by feral and pet cats building collisions light pollution fireworks and vehicle impacts

At the heart of the Ottawa Bird Strategy are recommendations for civic bodies local and national non-governmental organizations and academic partners organized under seven action areas landscape design guidelines building design guidelines cat strategy research and monitoring arts awareness and education and economic development and tourism A summary of recommendations is provided at the end of the report

4 Ottawa Bird Strategy

Ottawa Bird Strategy 5

Ottawarsquos Important Bird and Biodiversity Area The Lac Deschecircnes-Ottawa River Important Bird and Biodiversity Area (IBA) encompasses an area of 295 km2 and stretches along the river from Fitzroy Provincial Park to the Chaudiegravere Dam The IBA boundary extends to cover

terrestrial and wetland habitats such as at Constance Creek and Shirleys Bay (an Area of Natural and Scientific Interest)

This IBA was designated for congregations of birds such as Herring Gull and Brant which depend on the river It is also an important feeding area for the

federally threatened Chimney Swift and other aerial insectivore species

6 Ottawa Bird Strategy

Key Opportunities

Protect and restore habitatThe protection and restoration of bird habitat in the Ottawa area beginning in the early 20th century brought populations of many bird species back to healthy levels Yet habitat loss and degradation remain a threat Stepping up action to conserve bird habitat is essential to increase the health population size and diversity of the regionrsquos bird species

Passive conservation limits the conversion or degradation of existing habitat prioritizing habitat that has declined due to human influence and is difficult to restore Examples include mature natural forests especially those large enough to contain ldquointeriorrdquo habitat and historical wildflower prairie and wetlands Protecting habitat in this way includes monitoring the arrival and spread of invasive species as well as populations of rareuncommon native species

Active conservation meaning the restoration of habitat is more difficult and expensive It involves restoring habitat that has been historically lost and may target the re-establishment of habitats and species that have declined It could be a restoration ldquofrom scratchrdquo such as the transformation of a grassy lawn into a mature forest which would take decades of continuous effort It could also be the restoration of one or more ldquomissing piecesrdquo from mostly intact habitat such as reintroducing locally extirpated plant species (used by birds as food or shelter) which could take only a few years to accomplish

Examples of habitat restoration in the Ottawa area include three recent projects undertaken by the Rideau Valley Conservation Authority Brewer Park Pond Jock River Wetland and Black Rapids CreekSnags and a woodpile provide habitat at the Fletcher

Wildlife Garden

2 Ottawa Bird Strategy

Introduction

Why are birds important to OttawaOne of Ottawarsquos greatest natural treasures is its abundance of wildlife You can find Chickadees and Nuthatches in the Greenbelt walk through local woods to see Great Horned Owls view an abundance of waterfowl along the cityrsquos rivers and the Rideau Canal or sit in your backyard or neighbourhood park enjoying American Robins Blue Jays Cedar and Bohemian Waxwings and many other species

Of the 690 species of birds that have been recorded in Canada nearly half have been found in the Ottawa region1 The city is located in the centre of the Atlantic Flyway an important North American migratory route

Birds have important economic social and environmental benefits Birds provide many essential ecosystem services they eat tree pests pollinate flowers disperse seeds scavenge carrion cycle nutrients and modify the environment in ways that benefit other species2 One study has calculated that birds provide $54 billion worth of pest control services each year in Canadarsquos boreal forest3

Simply observing birds is good for our mental health4 And like the canary in the coal mine birds can be an early warning system for changes in biodiversity and the health of ecosystems5

Yet bird populations are on the decline A 2016 report6 by the North American Bird Conservation Initiative found that one-third of bird species across the continent need

Some 500 bird species migrate along the Atlantic Flyway (in black) which travels through the Ottawa region

Ottawa Bird Strategy 3

urgent conservation action The State of Canadarsquos Birds (2019) revealed that entire groups of birds including aerial insectivores such as swallows and swifts long-distance migratory forest birds and species that depend on seeds and fruit from the forest have declined by 30 to 60 percent since 1970 Large numbers of these species live in and pass through Ottawa each year Hidden in that number is the fact that many species have lost over 90 percent of their population landing them on Canadarsquos Species at Risk Registry In Ontario 37 bird species are classified as special concern threatened or endangeredmdashall species in danger of disappearing from Canada

Legal obligations to protect birds are set out in the federal Migratory Birds Convention Act and Species at Risk Act as well as related provincial legislation But many cities in North America are going beyond this and have set out to address the most significant threats to birds by implementing bird-friendly design guidelines local ordinances bird strategies or bird treaties The Ottawa Bird Strategy sets out how we can do our part to safeguard the millions of birds that rely on this region for food shelter safe passage and breeding habitat

The strategy sets out three key opportunities to protect and restore bird habitat to promote the city as an important birdwatching destination and to make Ottawa a leader in bird-friendly design It also looks at the key challenges of habitat loss invasive

Ottawa is home to many bird species and

is on an important migratory route

species predation and disturbance by feral and pet cats building collisions light pollution fireworks and vehicle impacts

At the heart of the Ottawa Bird Strategy are recommendations for civic bodies local and national non-governmental organizations and academic partners organized under seven action areas landscape design guidelines building design guidelines cat strategy research and monitoring arts awareness and education and economic development and tourism A summary of recommendations is provided at the end of the report

4 Ottawa Bird Strategy

Ottawa Bird Strategy 5

Ottawarsquos Important Bird and Biodiversity Area The Lac Deschecircnes-Ottawa River Important Bird and Biodiversity Area (IBA) encompasses an area of 295 km2 and stretches along the river from Fitzroy Provincial Park to the Chaudiegravere Dam The IBA boundary extends to cover

terrestrial and wetland habitats such as at Constance Creek and Shirleys Bay (an Area of Natural and Scientific Interest)

This IBA was designated for congregations of birds such as Herring Gull and Brant which depend on the river It is also an important feeding area for the

federally threatened Chimney Swift and other aerial insectivore species

6 Ottawa Bird Strategy

Key Opportunities

Protect and restore habitatThe protection and restoration of bird habitat in the Ottawa area beginning in the early 20th century brought populations of many bird species back to healthy levels Yet habitat loss and degradation remain a threat Stepping up action to conserve bird habitat is essential to increase the health population size and diversity of the regionrsquos bird species

Passive conservation limits the conversion or degradation of existing habitat prioritizing habitat that has declined due to human influence and is difficult to restore Examples include mature natural forests especially those large enough to contain ldquointeriorrdquo habitat and historical wildflower prairie and wetlands Protecting habitat in this way includes monitoring the arrival and spread of invasive species as well as populations of rareuncommon native species

Active conservation meaning the restoration of habitat is more difficult and expensive It involves restoring habitat that has been historically lost and may target the re-establishment of habitats and species that have declined It could be a restoration ldquofrom scratchrdquo such as the transformation of a grassy lawn into a mature forest which would take decades of continuous effort It could also be the restoration of one or more ldquomissing piecesrdquo from mostly intact habitat such as reintroducing locally extirpated plant species (used by birds as food or shelter) which could take only a few years to accomplish

Examples of habitat restoration in the Ottawa area include three recent projects undertaken by the Rideau Valley Conservation Authority Brewer Park Pond Jock River Wetland and Black Rapids CreekSnags and a woodpile provide habitat at the Fletcher

Wildlife Garden

Ottawa Bird Strategy 3

urgent conservation action The State of Canadarsquos Birds (2019) revealed that entire groups of birds including aerial insectivores such as swallows and swifts long-distance migratory forest birds and species that depend on seeds and fruit from the forest have declined by 30 to 60 percent since 1970 Large numbers of these species live in and pass through Ottawa each year Hidden in that number is the fact that many species have lost over 90 percent of their population landing them on Canadarsquos Species at Risk Registry In Ontario 37 bird species are classified as special concern threatened or endangeredmdashall species in danger of disappearing from Canada

Legal obligations to protect birds are set out in the federal Migratory Birds Convention Act and Species at Risk Act as well as related provincial legislation But many cities in North America are going beyond this and have set out to address the most significant threats to birds by implementing bird-friendly design guidelines local ordinances bird strategies or bird treaties The Ottawa Bird Strategy sets out how we can do our part to safeguard the millions of birds that rely on this region for food shelter safe passage and breeding habitat

The strategy sets out three key opportunities to protect and restore bird habitat to promote the city as an important birdwatching destination and to make Ottawa a leader in bird-friendly design It also looks at the key challenges of habitat loss invasive

Ottawa is home to many bird species and

is on an important migratory route

species predation and disturbance by feral and pet cats building collisions light pollution fireworks and vehicle impacts

At the heart of the Ottawa Bird Strategy are recommendations for civic bodies local and national non-governmental organizations and academic partners organized under seven action areas landscape design guidelines building design guidelines cat strategy research and monitoring arts awareness and education and economic development and tourism A summary of recommendations is provided at the end of the report

4 Ottawa Bird Strategy

Ottawa Bird Strategy 5

Ottawarsquos Important Bird and Biodiversity Area The Lac Deschecircnes-Ottawa River Important Bird and Biodiversity Area (IBA) encompasses an area of 295 km2 and stretches along the river from Fitzroy Provincial Park to the Chaudiegravere Dam The IBA boundary extends to cover

terrestrial and wetland habitats such as at Constance Creek and Shirleys Bay (an Area of Natural and Scientific Interest)

This IBA was designated for congregations of birds such as Herring Gull and Brant which depend on the river It is also an important feeding area for the

federally threatened Chimney Swift and other aerial insectivore species

6 Ottawa Bird Strategy

Key Opportunities

Protect and restore habitatThe protection and restoration of bird habitat in the Ottawa area beginning in the early 20th century brought populations of many bird species back to healthy levels Yet habitat loss and degradation remain a threat Stepping up action to conserve bird habitat is essential to increase the health population size and diversity of the regionrsquos bird species

Passive conservation limits the conversion or degradation of existing habitat prioritizing habitat that has declined due to human influence and is difficult to restore Examples include mature natural forests especially those large enough to contain ldquointeriorrdquo habitat and historical wildflower prairie and wetlands Protecting habitat in this way includes monitoring the arrival and spread of invasive species as well as populations of rareuncommon native species

Active conservation meaning the restoration of habitat is more difficult and expensive It involves restoring habitat that has been historically lost and may target the re-establishment of habitats and species that have declined It could be a restoration ldquofrom scratchrdquo such as the transformation of a grassy lawn into a mature forest which would take decades of continuous effort It could also be the restoration of one or more ldquomissing piecesrdquo from mostly intact habitat such as reintroducing locally extirpated plant species (used by birds as food or shelter) which could take only a few years to accomplish

Examples of habitat restoration in the Ottawa area include three recent projects undertaken by the Rideau Valley Conservation Authority Brewer Park Pond Jock River Wetland and Black Rapids CreekSnags and a woodpile provide habitat at the Fletcher

Wildlife Garden

4 Ottawa Bird Strategy

Ottawa Bird Strategy 5

Ottawarsquos Important Bird and Biodiversity Area The Lac Deschecircnes-Ottawa River Important Bird and Biodiversity Area (IBA) encompasses an area of 295 km2 and stretches along the river from Fitzroy Provincial Park to the Chaudiegravere Dam The IBA boundary extends to cover

terrestrial and wetland habitats such as at Constance Creek and Shirleys Bay (an Area of Natural and Scientific Interest)

This IBA was designated for congregations of birds such as Herring Gull and Brant which depend on the river It is also an important feeding area for the

federally threatened Chimney Swift and other aerial insectivore species

6 Ottawa Bird Strategy

Key Opportunities

Protect and restore habitatThe protection and restoration of bird habitat in the Ottawa area beginning in the early 20th century brought populations of many bird species back to healthy levels Yet habitat loss and degradation remain a threat Stepping up action to conserve bird habitat is essential to increase the health population size and diversity of the regionrsquos bird species

Passive conservation limits the conversion or degradation of existing habitat prioritizing habitat that has declined due to human influence and is difficult to restore Examples include mature natural forests especially those large enough to contain ldquointeriorrdquo habitat and historical wildflower prairie and wetlands Protecting habitat in this way includes monitoring the arrival and spread of invasive species as well as populations of rareuncommon native species

Active conservation meaning the restoration of habitat is more difficult and expensive It involves restoring habitat that has been historically lost and may target the re-establishment of habitats and species that have declined It could be a restoration ldquofrom scratchrdquo such as the transformation of a grassy lawn into a mature forest which would take decades of continuous effort It could also be the restoration of one or more ldquomissing piecesrdquo from mostly intact habitat such as reintroducing locally extirpated plant species (used by birds as food or shelter) which could take only a few years to accomplish

Examples of habitat restoration in the Ottawa area include three recent projects undertaken by the Rideau Valley Conservation Authority Brewer Park Pond Jock River Wetland and Black Rapids CreekSnags and a woodpile provide habitat at the Fletcher

Wildlife Garden

Ottawa Bird Strategy 5

Ottawarsquos Important Bird and Biodiversity Area The Lac Deschecircnes-Ottawa River Important Bird and Biodiversity Area (IBA) encompasses an area of 295 km2 and stretches along the river from Fitzroy Provincial Park to the Chaudiegravere Dam The IBA boundary extends to cover

terrestrial and wetland habitats such as at Constance Creek and Shirleys Bay (an Area of Natural and Scientific Interest)

This IBA was designated for congregations of birds such as Herring Gull and Brant which depend on the river It is also an important feeding area for the

federally threatened Chimney Swift and other aerial insectivore species

6 Ottawa Bird Strategy

Key Opportunities

Protect and restore habitatThe protection and restoration of bird habitat in the Ottawa area beginning in the early 20th century brought populations of many bird species back to healthy levels Yet habitat loss and degradation remain a threat Stepping up action to conserve bird habitat is essential to increase the health population size and diversity of the regionrsquos bird species

Passive conservation limits the conversion or degradation of existing habitat prioritizing habitat that has declined due to human influence and is difficult to restore Examples include mature natural forests especially those large enough to contain ldquointeriorrdquo habitat and historical wildflower prairie and wetlands Protecting habitat in this way includes monitoring the arrival and spread of invasive species as well as populations of rareuncommon native species

Active conservation meaning the restoration of habitat is more difficult and expensive It involves restoring habitat that has been historically lost and may target the re-establishment of habitats and species that have declined It could be a restoration ldquofrom scratchrdquo such as the transformation of a grassy lawn into a mature forest which would take decades of continuous effort It could also be the restoration of one or more ldquomissing piecesrdquo from mostly intact habitat such as reintroducing locally extirpated plant species (used by birds as food or shelter) which could take only a few years to accomplish

Examples of habitat restoration in the Ottawa area include three recent projects undertaken by the Rideau Valley Conservation Authority Brewer Park Pond Jock River Wetland and Black Rapids CreekSnags and a woodpile provide habitat at the Fletcher

Wildlife Garden

6 Ottawa Bird Strategy

Key Opportunities

Protect and restore habitatThe protection and restoration of bird habitat in the Ottawa area beginning in the early 20th century brought populations of many bird species back to healthy levels Yet habitat loss and degradation remain a threat Stepping up action to conserve bird habitat is essential to increase the health population size and diversity of the regionrsquos bird species

Passive conservation limits the conversion or degradation of existing habitat prioritizing habitat that has declined due to human influence and is difficult to restore Examples include mature natural forests especially those large enough to contain ldquointeriorrdquo habitat and historical wildflower prairie and wetlands Protecting habitat in this way includes monitoring the arrival and spread of invasive species as well as populations of rareuncommon native species

Active conservation meaning the restoration of habitat is more difficult and expensive It involves restoring habitat that has been historically lost and may target the re-establishment of habitats and species that have declined It could be a restoration ldquofrom scratchrdquo such as the transformation of a grassy lawn into a mature forest which would take decades of continuous effort It could also be the restoration of one or more ldquomissing piecesrdquo from mostly intact habitat such as reintroducing locally extirpated plant species (used by birds as food or shelter) which could take only a few years to accomplish

Examples of habitat restoration in the Ottawa area include three recent projects undertaken by the Rideau Valley Conservation Authority Brewer Park Pond Jock River Wetland and Black Rapids CreekSnags and a woodpile provide habitat at the Fletcher

Wildlife Garden

Ottawa Bird Strategy 7

Birdwatching and tourism

Birdwatching contributes billions of dollars to the North American economy each year and is one of the fastest-growing leisure activities

A report released by the US Fish and Wildlife Service revealed that birdwatchers in the United States spent an estimated US$103 billion on trip expenditures and US$288 billion on equipment expenditures in 20167 In Canada a 2012 survey8 found that an estimated 475 million adults participate in ldquobirdingrdquo (defined as watching monitoring photographing filming andor feeding wild birds) spending $537 million each year on transportation

accommodation food and equipment According to a 2013 study 25 percent of Canadian households watch birds at their feeders and nine percent of households buy birdwatching products (eg binoculars field guides) or take trips to watch birds9

The Ottawa area has dozens of diverse birding hotspots and is a year-round destination for birdwatchers There are opportunities to observe birds in open water marshes farmland forests and urban environments and to watch anything from warbler migration in the spring to northern owls in the winter A study assessing the current economic impact of birdwatching in Ottawa would enable the municipality and local organizations to better promote Ottawa as an important birding destination

8 Ottawa Bird Strategy

A bird-friendly NCC building in the Byward Market

Bird-friendly design Ottawa has an opportunity to become a global leader in bird-friendly design

The National Capital Commission endeavours to lead by example by incorporating bird-friendly design principles into new and refurbished buildings Etched glazing with bird-friendly patterns was used in the retrofitting of 7 Clarence Street in the Byward Market Efforts will need to be made to evaluate the efficacy of these bird-friendly design elements

Several commercial and institutional development projects such as the redesign of 160 Elgin Street10 and new buildings at the University of Ottawa and Carleton University have also incorporated bird-friendly design features

The City of Ottawa is developing bird-friendly design guidelines with input from organizations such as Safe Wings Ottawa New municipal developments including the light rail transit stations and the Ottawa Central Library provide opportunities to incorporate bird-friendly design principles at the planning stage

Ottawa Bird Strategy 9

10 Ottawa Bird Strategy

Key Challenges

Habitat loss The survival of our birds and other wildlife depends on sufficient habitat for food shelter and breeding As local habitats change over time so do the bird species they can support as well as the size and health of these populations

Human activities in the Ottawa area have brought enormous change to habitat mostly over the last 200 years By 1900 habitat changes and other pressures such as hunting drastically reduced the populations of many bird species particularly waterfowl Some species such as the Passenger Pigeon were driven to extinction

Fortunately conservation has brought many bird populations back to healthier levels but much more can be done In Ottawa as in other cities wildlife habitat is under pressure from urbanization and rural development Aggregate resource extraction intensification of agriculture residential sprawl and new and expanded transportation corridors exert pressure on bird populations The result is fragmented and degraded habitat able to support only a fraction of the original diversity and abundance of bird species in the region

The Ottawa River Watershed is home to the Least Bittern one of the smallest herons in the world Development and agriculture have destroyed or altered many of the cattail marshes that provide habitat for this threatened species

Ottawa Bird Strategy 11

Invasive speciesInvasive plants and animals can also be a threat to birds Invasive species are non-native plants and animals that are so abundant that they significantly affect local ecosystems

Invasive Phragmites (Phragmites australis subsp australis) and Dog-strangling vine (Cynanchum rossicum amp Cynanchum louiseae) for example threaten the survival of many bird species Wild Parsnip (Pastinaca sativa) and Japanese Knotweed (Reynoutria japonica var japonica) also pose a threat to the health of wildlife in the Ottawa region Feraloutdoor cats are an invasive species with a serious negative impact on populations of many bird species

Birds can be invasive themselves (eg European Starling and House Sparrow) make use of invasive species (eg Cedar Waxwings and Robins eat European Buckthorn) and spread invasive plants and insects (such as Hemlock Wolley Adelgid)

Some invasive insects are to a degree controlled by bird predation Most predation of the Emerald Ash Borer for example is done by native woodpecker speciesmdashthe impact of woodpeckers on reducing Emerald Ash Borer populations is insufficient to save the trees but the abundant food supply may be responsible for increasing the woodpecker population

Invasive Phragmites

12 Ottawa Bird Strategy

Feral cats and outdoor pet cats kill an estimated 100 to 350 million birds

each year in Canada

Predation and disturbance by feral and pet cats Canadians love their cats sharing their homes with approximately 93 million of them While 72 percent of these pets spend all their time indoors or are supervised outdoors the remainder pose a threat to birds as do the approximately 28 million feral cats11 living in Canada12 Of the average 3200 birds received each year by the Ottawa Valley Wild Bird Care Centre approximately 16 percent are injured by animals mainly cats

Cat attacks are the most difficult injuries to treat with cat scratches and bites often leading to infections that can kill birds within days A large study that compiled data across 82 wildlife rehabilitation centres reported that 78 percent of adult birds brought to rescue-rehab facilities as a result of a cat attack did not survive13

Cats that roam at large face serious risks as well They often suffer from exposure to the elements accidents starvation dehydration fights with other animals and diseases such as feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) cancer and heartworm14

Ottawa Bird Strategy 13

How to protect birds from cats (and dogs)The most effective solution is to keep cats from roaming The Ottawa Humane Society recommends keeping cats inside to keep them safe or on a harness or under supervision when let outside Other alternatives are outdoor enclosuresmdashoften called cat patios or ldquocatiosrdquomdashwhich allow cats to have outdoor access without endangering birds or themselves Feral cats are most effectively managed with removals Ideally feral cats are adopted or are transferred to an enclosed cat sanctuary

Dogs also pose a threat to birds when they run off-leash Dogs should be kept on-leash except in designated areas

A growing number of cities are recognizing that cats allowed to roam at large have no place in a bird- or cat-friendly city and have adopted bylaws and implemented educational campaigns that prevent the practice Calgary is an excellent model for how a municipality can implement a no-roam policy with public support Calgary took five years to prepare the City population for its no-roam bylaw through educational campaigns and mandatory licensing One result was significantly fewer cats in the shelters

14 Ottawa Bird Strategy

Building collisions An estimated one billion birds collide with clear and reflective glass on structures of all types and sizes each year in North America15 including 16 to 42 million in Canada16 and 250000 in Ottawa In addition window strikes leave birds vulnerable to cats and other predators and scavengers a significant number of birds attacked by cats may have been collision victims first Emissions and reflections of light from buildings which lure birds to their deaths contravene the federal Species at Risk Act and Ontariorsquos Environmental Protection Act

Volunteers with Safe Wings Ottawa have been monitoring buildings to document collisions rescue injured birds and collect dead ones for scientific purposes since 2014 and by late 2019 had recorded more than 12000 collisions by 133 species including 14 species at risk With research efforts limited by volunteer availability as well as scavengerpredator activity and other factors Safe Wings estimates that its volunteers document only 5 to 15 percent of collisions at buildings that are actively monitored and fewer than 1 percent of collisions throughout the entire city

While window strikes are often associated with high-rises research shows that most collisions happen within five storeys of the ground with the vast majority occurring at homes and low- to mid-rise buildings High-rises account for fewer than 1 percent of collisionsmdashnot because taller buildings are less dangerous to birds but because there are many more smaller buildings with which to collide

Safe Wings estimates that 250000 birds

collide with buildings of all sizes in Ottawa

each year

Ottawa Bird Strategy 15

16 Ottawa Bird Strategy

Light pollution Artificial light increases the risk of birds colliding with glass and vehicles and affects breeding and feeding behaviour It also exacerbates the effects of disease and other risksmdashnot only in birds but in all animals including humans

Many bird species especially songbirds migrate at night and are easily disoriented and confused by bright lights from buildings

beacons communication towers and even art installations They may flutter around sources of intense light until they collide or drop to the ground from exhaustion

Less intense light poses a threat as well Sky glow emanating from urban areas draws many birds into built environments they might otherwise bypass on migration When the sun rises and these birds begin foraging they find themselves surrounded by glass buildings and other urban dangers

FireworksAlthough no statistics are available bird mortality stemming from fireworks is another key challenge Most migratory birds travel at night to avoid predators At the same time fireworks in Ottawa are usually set off adjacent to large bodies of water known to be along the route of protected birds during the migration season Fireworks are also a problem for birds during the summer breeding season

Ottawa Bird Strategy 17

Vehicle impactsBirds are attracted to roads primarily as a source of food including small mammals (some attracted by food scraps tossed from cars) roadkill and insects as well as grit and road salt Many roads also bisect bird habitats which can make crossing lethal for low-flying species

Collisions with vehicles are estimated to kill 138 million birds annually in Canada17 As with window strikes vehicle collisions disproportionately affect healthy and mature breeding birds The loss of these adult birds also leads to high mortality in young birds left orphaned during nesting season

Owls are particularly susceptible to collisions with vehicles Most of the owls treated by the Ottawa Valley Wild Bird Care Centre were injured in vehicle collisions

How to prevent vehicle impacts

bull Slow down especially on roads that bisect wetlands or open water and in rural areas

bull Drive at or below the speed limit

bull Drive defensively Keep an eye out for birds or mammals on the roadside

bull Avoid swerving to avoid a collision Instead use the horn slow down and drive straight

bull Never put yourself or other road users at risk by stopping for a bird or other animal Instead pull well over onto the shoulder Only rescue or guide the animal off the road when the coast is clear

(adapted from Nature Canada)

Most of the owls treated by the Wild Bird Care Centre were injured in vehicle collisions

18 Ottawa Bird Strategy

Why Are Bird Numbers Falling18

Canada is home to more than 450 regularly occurring bird species Of these aproximately 300 can be found in Ontario The vast majority of species and individuals are highly migratory leaving Canada for long migrations These birds face challenges throughout their entire annual cycle

The State of Canadarsquos Birds (2019) reports that Canada has lost 40-60 of its shorebird grassland bird and aerial insectivore populations since 1970 In Ontario there are currently 41 bird species classified as special concern threatened or endangeredmdashall species in danger of disappearing from Canada

The threat is not confined to species at risk but includes common birds as well A grim example of this is aerial insectivores or birds that feed on flying insects A once common bird the Barn Swallow is estimated to have declined more than 75 percent in Canada and 66 percent in Ontario since 1970 The reasons for declines in Barn Swallow and other aerial insectivore populations are tough to pinpoint but are most likely a combination of pesticide use change in farming practices loss of breeding habitat and climate change which all influence insect availability

In the Ottawa area as in the rest of North America the top sources of bird mortality are predation from cats impacts (buildings and vehicles) and power lines In 2017 the Ottawa Valley Wild Bird Care Centre admitted 3158 birds the majority for impacts and animal attacks Since 2014 Safe Wings has recorded 119 species that have died because of building collisions including the Peregrine Falcon Eastern Whip-poor-will Canada Warbler and six other species at risk

There is some good news The State of Canadarsquos Birds (2019) also indicates that some populations of waterfowl and birds of prey species are increasing benefiting from conservation actions such as banning the pesticide DDT actively managing hunting and protecting and restoring important habitat These results show that targeted conservation actions do have an important positive impact on bird populations

This highlights the need for Ottawa and other cities to find better ways to meet their legal obligations under the Migratory Birds Convention Act the Species at Risk Act and provincial legislation to adopt bird-friendly policies to carry out research and monitoring and to make the public aware of the beauty of and dangers to birds and other wildlife

Ottawa Bird Strategy 19

A once common bird the Barn Swallow is estimated to have declined

more than 75 percent in Canada and 66 percent in Ontario since 1970

20 Ottawa Bird Strategy

Ottawa Bird Strategy 21

139

12

850

8

PRIMARY REASON FOR ADMISSION TO THE WILD BIRD CARE CENTRE 2017

animal attack diseaseillness environmental

human interference impact poor body condition

Half of the birds admitted to the Ottawa Valley Wild Bird Care Centre in 2017 were injured because of impactsmdashcollisions

with vehicles and buildings Another common reason for admission was attacks by animals (13 percent) primarily cats

A significant number of admissions (8 percent) result from human interference The Centre estimates it received about

250 baby birds in 2017 that did not need rescuing

22 Ottawa Bird Strategy

Ottawa Bird Strategy Action Areas

Ottawa Bird Strategy 23

1 Landscape Design Guidelines

2 Building Design Guidelines

4 Research and Monitoring

5 Arts awareness and education

6 Economic development and tourism

3 Cat Strategy

24 Ottawa Bird Strategy

Bird-friendly landscape design guidelines help to protect enhance and create bird habitat in the city as well as reduce threats to birds in the urban environment

Targeted to developers planners designers andor public and private landowners these guidelines draw from best management practices relevant scientific literature and emerging strategies

1 Landscape Design Guidelines

Current Actionbull The City of Ottawa is developing

guidelines for bird-friendly landscape design as part of its work to develop bird-friendly design guidelines

bull The National Capital Commission will adopt bird-friendly standards for building design including landscaping and lighting for federal buildings and lands as part of its Sustainable Development Strategy 2018-2023

8 Ottawa Bird Strategy

A bird-friendly NCC building in the Byward Market

Bird-friendly design Ottawa has an opportunity to become a global leader in bird-friendly design

The National Capital Commission endeavours to lead by example by incorporating bird-friendly design principles into new and refurbished buildings Etched glazing with bird-friendly patterns was used in the retrofitting of 7 Clarence Street in the Byward Market Efforts will need to be made to evaluate the efficacy of these bird-friendly design elements

Several commercial and institutional development projects such as the redesign of 160 Elgin Street10 and new buildings at the University of Ottawa and Carleton University have also incorporated bird-friendly design features

The City of Ottawa is developing bird-friendly design guidelines with input from organizations such as Safe Wings Ottawa New municipal developments including the light rail transit stations and the Ottawa Central Library provide opportunities to incorporate bird-friendly design principles at the planning stage

Ottawa Bird Strategy 9

10 Ottawa Bird Strategy

Key Challenges

Habitat loss The survival of our birds and other wildlife depends on sufficient habitat for food shelter and breeding As local habitats change over time so do the bird species they can support as well as the size and health of these populations

Human activities in the Ottawa area have brought enormous change to habitat mostly over the last 200 years By 1900 habitat changes and other pressures such as hunting drastically reduced the populations of many bird species particularly waterfowl Some species such as the Passenger Pigeon were driven to extinction

Fortunately conservation has brought many bird populations back to healthier levels but much more can be done In Ottawa as in other cities wildlife habitat is under pressure from urbanization and rural development Aggregate resource extraction intensification of agriculture residential sprawl and new and expanded transportation corridors exert pressure on bird populations The result is fragmented and degraded habitat able to support only a fraction of the original diversity and abundance of bird species in the region

The Ottawa River Watershed is home to the Least Bittern one of the smallest herons in the world Development and agriculture have destroyed or altered many of the cattail marshes that provide habitat for this threatened species

Ottawa Bird Strategy 11

Invasive speciesInvasive plants and animals can also be a threat to birds Invasive species are non-native plants and animals that are so abundant that they significantly affect local ecosystems

Invasive Phragmites (Phragmites australis subsp australis) and Dog-strangling vine (Cynanchum rossicum amp Cynanchum louiseae) for example threaten the survival of many bird species Wild Parsnip (Pastinaca sativa) and Japanese Knotweed (Reynoutria japonica var japonica) also pose a threat to the health of wildlife in the Ottawa region Feraloutdoor cats are an invasive species with a serious negative impact on populations of many bird species

Birds can be invasive themselves (eg European Starling and House Sparrow) make use of invasive species (eg Cedar Waxwings and Robins eat European Buckthorn) and spread invasive plants and insects (such as Hemlock Wolley Adelgid)

Some invasive insects are to a degree controlled by bird predation Most predation of the Emerald Ash Borer for example is done by native woodpecker speciesmdashthe impact of woodpeckers on reducing Emerald Ash Borer populations is insufficient to save the trees but the abundant food supply may be responsible for increasing the woodpecker population

Invasive Phragmites

12 Ottawa Bird Strategy

Feral cats and outdoor pet cats kill an estimated 100 to 350 million birds

each year in Canada

Predation and disturbance by feral and pet cats Canadians love their cats sharing their homes with approximately 93 million of them While 72 percent of these pets spend all their time indoors or are supervised outdoors the remainder pose a threat to birds as do the approximately 28 million feral cats11 living in Canada12 Of the average 3200 birds received each year by the Ottawa Valley Wild Bird Care Centre approximately 16 percent are injured by animals mainly cats

Cat attacks are the most difficult injuries to treat with cat scratches and bites often leading to infections that can kill birds within days A large study that compiled data across 82 wildlife rehabilitation centres reported that 78 percent of adult birds brought to rescue-rehab facilities as a result of a cat attack did not survive13

Cats that roam at large face serious risks as well They often suffer from exposure to the elements accidents starvation dehydration fights with other animals and diseases such as feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) cancer and heartworm14

Ottawa Bird Strategy 13

How to protect birds from cats (and dogs)The most effective solution is to keep cats from roaming The Ottawa Humane Society recommends keeping cats inside to keep them safe or on a harness or under supervision when let outside Other alternatives are outdoor enclosuresmdashoften called cat patios or ldquocatiosrdquomdashwhich allow cats to have outdoor access without endangering birds or themselves Feral cats are most effectively managed with removals Ideally feral cats are adopted or are transferred to an enclosed cat sanctuary

Dogs also pose a threat to birds when they run off-leash Dogs should be kept on-leash except in designated areas

A growing number of cities are recognizing that cats allowed to roam at large have no place in a bird- or cat-friendly city and have adopted bylaws and implemented educational campaigns that prevent the practice Calgary is an excellent model for how a municipality can implement a no-roam policy with public support Calgary took five years to prepare the City population for its no-roam bylaw through educational campaigns and mandatory licensing One result was significantly fewer cats in the shelters

14 Ottawa Bird Strategy

Building collisions An estimated one billion birds collide with clear and reflective glass on structures of all types and sizes each year in North America15 including 16 to 42 million in Canada16 and 250000 in Ottawa In addition window strikes leave birds vulnerable to cats and other predators and scavengers a significant number of birds attacked by cats may have been collision victims first Emissions and reflections of light from buildings which lure birds to their deaths contravene the federal Species at Risk Act and Ontariorsquos Environmental Protection Act

Volunteers with Safe Wings Ottawa have been monitoring buildings to document collisions rescue injured birds and collect dead ones for scientific purposes since 2014 and by late 2019 had recorded more than 12000 collisions by 133 species including 14 species at risk With research efforts limited by volunteer availability as well as scavengerpredator activity and other factors Safe Wings estimates that its volunteers document only 5 to 15 percent of collisions at buildings that are actively monitored and fewer than 1 percent of collisions throughout the entire city

While window strikes are often associated with high-rises research shows that most collisions happen within five storeys of the ground with the vast majority occurring at homes and low- to mid-rise buildings High-rises account for fewer than 1 percent of collisionsmdashnot because taller buildings are less dangerous to birds but because there are many more smaller buildings with which to collide

Safe Wings estimates that 250000 birds

collide with buildings of all sizes in Ottawa

each year

Ottawa Bird Strategy 15

16 Ottawa Bird Strategy

Light pollution Artificial light increases the risk of birds colliding with glass and vehicles and affects breeding and feeding behaviour It also exacerbates the effects of disease and other risksmdashnot only in birds but in all animals including humans

Many bird species especially songbirds migrate at night and are easily disoriented and confused by bright lights from buildings

beacons communication towers and even art installations They may flutter around sources of intense light until they collide or drop to the ground from exhaustion

Less intense light poses a threat as well Sky glow emanating from urban areas draws many birds into built environments they might otherwise bypass on migration When the sun rises and these birds begin foraging they find themselves surrounded by glass buildings and other urban dangers

FireworksAlthough no statistics are available bird mortality stemming from fireworks is another key challenge Most migratory birds travel at night to avoid predators At the same time fireworks in Ottawa are usually set off adjacent to large bodies of water known to be along the route of protected birds during the migration season Fireworks are also a problem for birds during the summer breeding season

Ottawa Bird Strategy 17

Vehicle impactsBirds are attracted to roads primarily as a source of food including small mammals (some attracted by food scraps tossed from cars) roadkill and insects as well as grit and road salt Many roads also bisect bird habitats which can make crossing lethal for low-flying species

Collisions with vehicles are estimated to kill 138 million birds annually in Canada17 As with window strikes vehicle collisions disproportionately affect healthy and mature breeding birds The loss of these adult birds also leads to high mortality in young birds left orphaned during nesting season

Owls are particularly susceptible to collisions with vehicles Most of the owls treated by the Ottawa Valley Wild Bird Care Centre were injured in vehicle collisions

How to prevent vehicle impacts

bull Slow down especially on roads that bisect wetlands or open water and in rural areas

bull Drive at or below the speed limit

bull Drive defensively Keep an eye out for birds or mammals on the roadside

bull Avoid swerving to avoid a collision Instead use the horn slow down and drive straight

bull Never put yourself or other road users at risk by stopping for a bird or other animal Instead pull well over onto the shoulder Only rescue or guide the animal off the road when the coast is clear

(adapted from Nature Canada)

Most of the owls treated by the Wild Bird Care Centre were injured in vehicle collisions

18 Ottawa Bird Strategy

Why Are Bird Numbers Falling18

Canada is home to more than 450 regularly occurring bird species Of these aproximately 300 can be found in Ontario The vast majority of species and individuals are highly migratory leaving Canada for long migrations These birds face challenges throughout their entire annual cycle

The State of Canadarsquos Birds (2019) reports that Canada has lost 40-60 of its shorebird grassland bird and aerial insectivore populations since 1970 In Ontario there are currently 41 bird species classified as special concern threatened or endangeredmdashall species in danger of disappearing from Canada

The threat is not confined to species at risk but includes common birds as well A grim example of this is aerial insectivores or birds that feed on flying insects A once common bird the Barn Swallow is estimated to have declined more than 75 percent in Canada and 66 percent in Ontario since 1970 The reasons for declines in Barn Swallow and other aerial insectivore populations are tough to pinpoint but are most likely a combination of pesticide use change in farming practices loss of breeding habitat and climate change which all influence insect availability

In the Ottawa area as in the rest of North America the top sources of bird mortality are predation from cats impacts (buildings and vehicles) and power lines In 2017 the Ottawa Valley Wild Bird Care Centre admitted 3158 birds the majority for impacts and animal attacks Since 2014 Safe Wings has recorded 119 species that have died because of building collisions including the Peregrine Falcon Eastern Whip-poor-will Canada Warbler and six other species at risk

There is some good news The State of Canadarsquos Birds (2019) also indicates that some populations of waterfowl and birds of prey species are increasing benefiting from conservation actions such as banning the pesticide DDT actively managing hunting and protecting and restoring important habitat These results show that targeted conservation actions do have an important positive impact on bird populations

This highlights the need for Ottawa and other cities to find better ways to meet their legal obligations under the Migratory Birds Convention Act the Species at Risk Act and provincial legislation to adopt bird-friendly policies to carry out research and monitoring and to make the public aware of the beauty of and dangers to birds and other wildlife

Ottawa Bird Strategy 19

A once common bird the Barn Swallow is estimated to have declined

more than 75 percent in Canada and 66 percent in Ontario since 1970

20 Ottawa Bird Strategy

Ottawa Bird Strategy 21

139

12

850

8

PRIMARY REASON FOR ADMISSION TO THE WILD BIRD CARE CENTRE 2017

animal attack diseaseillness environmental

human interference impact poor body condition

Half of the birds admitted to the Ottawa Valley Wild Bird Care Centre in 2017 were injured because of impactsmdashcollisions

with vehicles and buildings Another common reason for admission was attacks by animals (13 percent) primarily cats

A significant number of admissions (8 percent) result from human interference The Centre estimates it received about

250 baby birds in 2017 that did not need rescuing

22 Ottawa Bird Strategy

Ottawa Bird Strategy Action Areas

Ottawa Bird Strategy 23

1 Landscape Design Guidelines

2 Building Design Guidelines

4 Research and Monitoring

5 Arts awareness and education

6 Economic development and tourism

3 Cat Strategy

24 Ottawa Bird Strategy

Bird-friendly landscape design guidelines help to protect enhance and create bird habitat in the city as well as reduce threats to birds in the urban environment

Targeted to developers planners designers andor public and private landowners these guidelines draw from best management practices relevant scientific literature and emerging strategies

1 Landscape Design Guidelines

Current Actionbull The City of Ottawa is developing

guidelines for bird-friendly landscape design as part of its work to develop bird-friendly design guidelines

bull The National Capital Commission will adopt bird-friendly standards for building design including landscaping and lighting for federal buildings and lands as part of its Sustainable Development Strategy 2018-2023

Ottawa Bird Strategy 9

10 Ottawa Bird Strategy

Key Challenges

Habitat loss The survival of our birds and other wildlife depends on sufficient habitat for food shelter and breeding As local habitats change over time so do the bird species they can support as well as the size and health of these populations

Human activities in the Ottawa area have brought enormous change to habitat mostly over the last 200 years By 1900 habitat changes and other pressures such as hunting drastically reduced the populations of many bird species particularly waterfowl Some species such as the Passenger Pigeon were driven to extinction

Fortunately conservation has brought many bird populations back to healthier levels but much more can be done In Ottawa as in other cities wildlife habitat is under pressure from urbanization and rural development Aggregate resource extraction intensification of agriculture residential sprawl and new and expanded transportation corridors exert pressure on bird populations The result is fragmented and degraded habitat able to support only a fraction of the original diversity and abundance of bird species in the region

The Ottawa River Watershed is home to the Least Bittern one of the smallest herons in the world Development and agriculture have destroyed or altered many of the cattail marshes that provide habitat for this threatened species

Ottawa Bird Strategy 11

Invasive speciesInvasive plants and animals can also be a threat to birds Invasive species are non-native plants and animals that are so abundant that they significantly affect local ecosystems

Invasive Phragmites (Phragmites australis subsp australis) and Dog-strangling vine (Cynanchum rossicum amp Cynanchum louiseae) for example threaten the survival of many bird species Wild Parsnip (Pastinaca sativa) and Japanese Knotweed (Reynoutria japonica var japonica) also pose a threat to the health of wildlife in the Ottawa region Feraloutdoor cats are an invasive species with a serious negative impact on populations of many bird species

Birds can be invasive themselves (eg European Starling and House Sparrow) make use of invasive species (eg Cedar Waxwings and Robins eat European Buckthorn) and spread invasive plants and insects (such as Hemlock Wolley Adelgid)

Some invasive insects are to a degree controlled by bird predation Most predation of the Emerald Ash Borer for example is done by native woodpecker speciesmdashthe impact of woodpeckers on reducing Emerald Ash Borer populations is insufficient to save the trees but the abundant food supply may be responsible for increasing the woodpecker population

Invasive Phragmites

12 Ottawa Bird Strategy

Feral cats and outdoor pet cats kill an estimated 100 to 350 million birds

each year in Canada

Predation and disturbance by feral and pet cats Canadians love their cats sharing their homes with approximately 93 million of them While 72 percent of these pets spend all their time indoors or are supervised outdoors the remainder pose a threat to birds as do the approximately 28 million feral cats11 living in Canada12 Of the average 3200 birds received each year by the Ottawa Valley Wild Bird Care Centre approximately 16 percent are injured by animals mainly cats

Cat attacks are the most difficult injuries to treat with cat scratches and bites often leading to infections that can kill birds within days A large study that compiled data across 82 wildlife rehabilitation centres reported that 78 percent of adult birds brought to rescue-rehab facilities as a result of a cat attack did not survive13

Cats that roam at large face serious risks as well They often suffer from exposure to the elements accidents starvation dehydration fights with other animals and diseases such as feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) cancer and heartworm14

Ottawa Bird Strategy 13

How to protect birds from cats (and dogs)The most effective solution is to keep cats from roaming The Ottawa Humane Society recommends keeping cats inside to keep them safe or on a harness or under supervision when let outside Other alternatives are outdoor enclosuresmdashoften called cat patios or ldquocatiosrdquomdashwhich allow cats to have outdoor access without endangering birds or themselves Feral cats are most effectively managed with removals Ideally feral cats are adopted or are transferred to an enclosed cat sanctuary

Dogs also pose a threat to birds when they run off-leash Dogs should be kept on-leash except in designated areas

A growing number of cities are recognizing that cats allowed to roam at large have no place in a bird- or cat-friendly city and have adopted bylaws and implemented educational campaigns that prevent the practice Calgary is an excellent model for how a municipality can implement a no-roam policy with public support Calgary took five years to prepare the City population for its no-roam bylaw through educational campaigns and mandatory licensing One result was significantly fewer cats in the shelters

14 Ottawa Bird Strategy

Building collisions An estimated one billion birds collide with clear and reflective glass on structures of all types and sizes each year in North America15 including 16 to 42 million in Canada16 and 250000 in Ottawa In addition window strikes leave birds vulnerable to cats and other predators and scavengers a significant number of birds attacked by cats may have been collision victims first Emissions and reflections of light from buildings which lure birds to their deaths contravene the federal Species at Risk Act and Ontariorsquos Environmental Protection Act

Volunteers with Safe Wings Ottawa have been monitoring buildings to document collisions rescue injured birds and collect dead ones for scientific purposes since 2014 and by late 2019 had recorded more than 12000 collisions by 133 species including 14 species at risk With research efforts limited by volunteer availability as well as scavengerpredator activity and other factors Safe Wings estimates that its volunteers document only 5 to 15 percent of collisions at buildings that are actively monitored and fewer than 1 percent of collisions throughout the entire city

While window strikes are often associated with high-rises research shows that most collisions happen within five storeys of the ground with the vast majority occurring at homes and low- to mid-rise buildings High-rises account for fewer than 1 percent of collisionsmdashnot because taller buildings are less dangerous to birds but because there are many more smaller buildings with which to collide

Safe Wings estimates that 250000 birds

collide with buildings of all sizes in Ottawa

each year

Ottawa Bird Strategy 15

16 Ottawa Bird Strategy

Light pollution Artificial light increases the risk of birds colliding with glass and vehicles and affects breeding and feeding behaviour It also exacerbates the effects of disease and other risksmdashnot only in birds but in all animals including humans

Many bird species especially songbirds migrate at night and are easily disoriented and confused by bright lights from buildings

beacons communication towers and even art installations They may flutter around sources of intense light until they collide or drop to the ground from exhaustion

Less intense light poses a threat as well Sky glow emanating from urban areas draws many birds into built environments they might otherwise bypass on migration When the sun rises and these birds begin foraging they find themselves surrounded by glass buildings and other urban dangers

FireworksAlthough no statistics are available bird mortality stemming from fireworks is another key challenge Most migratory birds travel at night to avoid predators At the same time fireworks in Ottawa are usually set off adjacent to large bodies of water known to be along the route of protected birds during the migration season Fireworks are also a problem for birds during the summer breeding season

Ottawa Bird Strategy 17

Vehicle impactsBirds are attracted to roads primarily as a source of food including small mammals (some attracted by food scraps tossed from cars) roadkill and insects as well as grit and road salt Many roads also bisect bird habitats which can make crossing lethal for low-flying species

Collisions with vehicles are estimated to kill 138 million birds annually in Canada17 As with window strikes vehicle collisions disproportionately affect healthy and mature breeding birds The loss of these adult birds also leads to high mortality in young birds left orphaned during nesting season

Owls are particularly susceptible to collisions with vehicles Most of the owls treated by the Ottawa Valley Wild Bird Care Centre were injured in vehicle collisions

How to prevent vehicle impacts

bull Slow down especially on roads that bisect wetlands or open water and in rural areas

bull Drive at or below the speed limit

bull Drive defensively Keep an eye out for birds or mammals on the roadside

bull Avoid swerving to avoid a collision Instead use the horn slow down and drive straight

bull Never put yourself or other road users at risk by stopping for a bird or other animal Instead pull well over onto the shoulder Only rescue or guide the animal off the road when the coast is clear

(adapted from Nature Canada)

Most of the owls treated by the Wild Bird Care Centre were injured in vehicle collisions

18 Ottawa Bird Strategy

Why Are Bird Numbers Falling18

Canada is home to more than 450 regularly occurring bird species Of these aproximately 300 can be found in Ontario The vast majority of species and individuals are highly migratory leaving Canada for long migrations These birds face challenges throughout their entire annual cycle

The State of Canadarsquos Birds (2019) reports that Canada has lost 40-60 of its shorebird grassland bird and aerial insectivore populations since 1970 In Ontario there are currently 41 bird species classified as special concern threatened or endangeredmdashall species in danger of disappearing from Canada

The threat is not confined to species at risk but includes common birds as well A grim example of this is aerial insectivores or birds that feed on flying insects A once common bird the Barn Swallow is estimated to have declined more than 75 percent in Canada and 66 percent in Ontario since 1970 The reasons for declines in Barn Swallow and other aerial insectivore populations are tough to pinpoint but are most likely a combination of pesticide use change in farming practices loss of breeding habitat and climate change which all influence insect availability

In the Ottawa area as in the rest of North America the top sources of bird mortality are predation from cats impacts (buildings and vehicles) and power lines In 2017 the Ottawa Valley Wild Bird Care Centre admitted 3158 birds the majority for impacts and animal attacks Since 2014 Safe Wings has recorded 119 species that have died because of building collisions including the Peregrine Falcon Eastern Whip-poor-will Canada Warbler and six other species at risk

There is some good news The State of Canadarsquos Birds (2019) also indicates that some populations of waterfowl and birds of prey species are increasing benefiting from conservation actions such as banning the pesticide DDT actively managing hunting and protecting and restoring important habitat These results show that targeted conservation actions do have an important positive impact on bird populations

This highlights the need for Ottawa and other cities to find better ways to meet their legal obligations under the Migratory Birds Convention Act the Species at Risk Act and provincial legislation to adopt bird-friendly policies to carry out research and monitoring and to make the public aware of the beauty of and dangers to birds and other wildlife

Ottawa Bird Strategy 19

A once common bird the Barn Swallow is estimated to have declined

more than 75 percent in Canada and 66 percent in Ontario since 1970

20 Ottawa Bird Strategy

Ottawa Bird Strategy 21

139

12

850

8

PRIMARY REASON FOR ADMISSION TO THE WILD BIRD CARE CENTRE 2017

animal attack diseaseillness environmental

human interference impact poor body condition

Half of the birds admitted to the Ottawa Valley Wild Bird Care Centre in 2017 were injured because of impactsmdashcollisions

with vehicles and buildings Another common reason for admission was attacks by animals (13 percent) primarily cats

A significant number of admissions (8 percent) result from human interference The Centre estimates it received about

250 baby birds in 2017 that did not need rescuing

22 Ottawa Bird Strategy

Ottawa Bird Strategy Action Areas

Ottawa Bird Strategy 23

1 Landscape Design Guidelines

2 Building Design Guidelines

4 Research and Monitoring

5 Arts awareness and education

6 Economic development and tourism

3 Cat Strategy

24 Ottawa Bird Strategy

Bird-friendly landscape design guidelines help to protect enhance and create bird habitat in the city as well as reduce threats to birds in the urban environment

Targeted to developers planners designers andor public and private landowners these guidelines draw from best management practices relevant scientific literature and emerging strategies

1 Landscape Design Guidelines

Current Actionbull The City of Ottawa is developing

guidelines for bird-friendly landscape design as part of its work to develop bird-friendly design guidelines

bull The National Capital Commission will adopt bird-friendly standards for building design including landscaping and lighting for federal buildings and lands as part of its Sustainable Development Strategy 2018-2023

10 Ottawa Bird Strategy

Key Challenges

Habitat loss The survival of our birds and other wildlife depends on sufficient habitat for food shelter and breeding As local habitats change over time so do the bird species they can support as well as the size and health of these populations

Human activities in the Ottawa area have brought enormous change to habitat mostly over the last 200 years By 1900 habitat changes and other pressures such as hunting drastically reduced the populations of many bird species particularly waterfowl Some species such as the Passenger Pigeon were driven to extinction

Fortunately conservation has brought many bird populations back to healthier levels but much more can be done In Ottawa as in other cities wildlife habitat is under pressure from urbanization and rural development Aggregate resource extraction intensification of agriculture residential sprawl and new and expanded transportation corridors exert pressure on bird populations The result is fragmented and degraded habitat able to support only a fraction of the original diversity and abundance of bird species in the region

The Ottawa River Watershed is home to the Least Bittern one of the smallest herons in the world Development and agriculture have destroyed or altered many of the cattail marshes that provide habitat for this threatened species

Ottawa Bird Strategy 11

Invasive speciesInvasive plants and animals can also be a threat to birds Invasive species are non-native plants and animals that are so abundant that they significantly affect local ecosystems

Invasive Phragmites (Phragmites australis subsp australis) and Dog-strangling vine (Cynanchum rossicum amp Cynanchum louiseae) for example threaten the survival of many bird species Wild Parsnip (Pastinaca sativa) and Japanese Knotweed (Reynoutria japonica var japonica) also pose a threat to the health of wildlife in the Ottawa region Feraloutdoor cats are an invasive species with a serious negative impact on populations of many bird species

Birds can be invasive themselves (eg European Starling and House Sparrow) make use of invasive species (eg Cedar Waxwings and Robins eat European Buckthorn) and spread invasive plants and insects (such as Hemlock Wolley Adelgid)

Some invasive insects are to a degree controlled by bird predation Most predation of the Emerald Ash Borer for example is done by native woodpecker speciesmdashthe impact of woodpeckers on reducing Emerald Ash Borer populations is insufficient to save the trees but the abundant food supply may be responsible for increasing the woodpecker population

Invasive Phragmites

12 Ottawa Bird Strategy

Feral cats and outdoor pet cats kill an estimated 100 to 350 million birds

each year in Canada

Predation and disturbance by feral and pet cats Canadians love their cats sharing their homes with approximately 93 million of them While 72 percent of these pets spend all their time indoors or are supervised outdoors the remainder pose a threat to birds as do the approximately 28 million feral cats11 living in Canada12 Of the average 3200 birds received each year by the Ottawa Valley Wild Bird Care Centre approximately 16 percent are injured by animals mainly cats

Cat attacks are the most difficult injuries to treat with cat scratches and bites often leading to infections that can kill birds within days A large study that compiled data across 82 wildlife rehabilitation centres reported that 78 percent of adult birds brought to rescue-rehab facilities as a result of a cat attack did not survive13

Cats that roam at large face serious risks as well They often suffer from exposure to the elements accidents starvation dehydration fights with other animals and diseases such as feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) cancer and heartworm14

Ottawa Bird Strategy 13

How to protect birds from cats (and dogs)The most effective solution is to keep cats from roaming The Ottawa Humane Society recommends keeping cats inside to keep them safe or on a harness or under supervision when let outside Other alternatives are outdoor enclosuresmdashoften called cat patios or ldquocatiosrdquomdashwhich allow cats to have outdoor access without endangering birds or themselves Feral cats are most effectively managed with removals Ideally feral cats are adopted or are transferred to an enclosed cat sanctuary

Dogs also pose a threat to birds when they run off-leash Dogs should be kept on-leash except in designated areas

A growing number of cities are recognizing that cats allowed to roam at large have no place in a bird- or cat-friendly city and have adopted bylaws and implemented educational campaigns that prevent the practice Calgary is an excellent model for how a municipality can implement a no-roam policy with public support Calgary took five years to prepare the City population for its no-roam bylaw through educational campaigns and mandatory licensing One result was significantly fewer cats in the shelters

14 Ottawa Bird Strategy

Building collisions An estimated one billion birds collide with clear and reflective glass on structures of all types and sizes each year in North America15 including 16 to 42 million in Canada16 and 250000 in Ottawa In addition window strikes leave birds vulnerable to cats and other predators and scavengers a significant number of birds attacked by cats may have been collision victims first Emissions and reflections of light from buildings which lure birds to their deaths contravene the federal Species at Risk Act and Ontariorsquos Environmental Protection Act

Volunteers with Safe Wings Ottawa have been monitoring buildings to document collisions rescue injured birds and collect dead ones for scientific purposes since 2014 and by late 2019 had recorded more than 12000 collisions by 133 species including 14 species at risk With research efforts limited by volunteer availability as well as scavengerpredator activity and other factors Safe Wings estimates that its volunteers document only 5 to 15 percent of collisions at buildings that are actively monitored and fewer than 1 percent of collisions throughout the entire city

While window strikes are often associated with high-rises research shows that most collisions happen within five storeys of the ground with the vast majority occurring at homes and low- to mid-rise buildings High-rises account for fewer than 1 percent of collisionsmdashnot because taller buildings are less dangerous to birds but because there are many more smaller buildings with which to collide

Safe Wings estimates that 250000 birds

collide with buildings of all sizes in Ottawa

each year

Ottawa Bird Strategy 15

16 Ottawa Bird Strategy

Light pollution Artificial light increases the risk of birds colliding with glass and vehicles and affects breeding and feeding behaviour It also exacerbates the effects of disease and other risksmdashnot only in birds but in all animals including humans

Many bird species especially songbirds migrate at night and are easily disoriented and confused by bright lights from buildings

beacons communication towers and even art installations They may flutter around sources of intense light until they collide or drop to the ground from exhaustion

Less intense light poses a threat as well Sky glow emanating from urban areas draws many birds into built environments they might otherwise bypass on migration When the sun rises and these birds begin foraging they find themselves surrounded by glass buildings and other urban dangers

FireworksAlthough no statistics are available bird mortality stemming from fireworks is another key challenge Most migratory birds travel at night to avoid predators At the same time fireworks in Ottawa are usually set off adjacent to large bodies of water known to be along the route of protected birds during the migration season Fireworks are also a problem for birds during the summer breeding season

Ottawa Bird Strategy 17

Vehicle impactsBirds are attracted to roads primarily as a source of food including small mammals (some attracted by food scraps tossed from cars) roadkill and insects as well as grit and road salt Many roads also bisect bird habitats which can make crossing lethal for low-flying species

Collisions with vehicles are estimated to kill 138 million birds annually in Canada17 As with window strikes vehicle collisions disproportionately affect healthy and mature breeding birds The loss of these adult birds also leads to high mortality in young birds left orphaned during nesting season

Owls are particularly susceptible to collisions with vehicles Most of the owls treated by the Ottawa Valley Wild Bird Care Centre were injured in vehicle collisions

How to prevent vehicle impacts

bull Slow down especially on roads that bisect wetlands or open water and in rural areas

bull Drive at or below the speed limit

bull Drive defensively Keep an eye out for birds or mammals on the roadside

bull Avoid swerving to avoid a collision Instead use the horn slow down and drive straight

bull Never put yourself or other road users at risk by stopping for a bird or other animal Instead pull well over onto the shoulder Only rescue or guide the animal off the road when the coast is clear

(adapted from Nature Canada)

Most of the owls treated by the Wild Bird Care Centre were injured in vehicle collisions

18 Ottawa Bird Strategy

Why Are Bird Numbers Falling18

Canada is home to more than 450 regularly occurring bird species Of these aproximately 300 can be found in Ontario The vast majority of species and individuals are highly migratory leaving Canada for long migrations These birds face challenges throughout their entire annual cycle

The State of Canadarsquos Birds (2019) reports that Canada has lost 40-60 of its shorebird grassland bird and aerial insectivore populations since 1970 In Ontario there are currently 41 bird species classified as special concern threatened or endangeredmdashall species in danger of disappearing from Canada

The threat is not confined to species at risk but includes common birds as well A grim example of this is aerial insectivores or birds that feed on flying insects A once common bird the Barn Swallow is estimated to have declined more than 75 percent in Canada and 66 percent in Ontario since 1970 The reasons for declines in Barn Swallow and other aerial insectivore populations are tough to pinpoint but are most likely a combination of pesticide use change in farming practices loss of breeding habitat and climate change which all influence insect availability

In the Ottawa area as in the rest of North America the top sources of bird mortality are predation from cats impacts (buildings and vehicles) and power lines In 2017 the Ottawa Valley Wild Bird Care Centre admitted 3158 birds the majority for impacts and animal attacks Since 2014 Safe Wings has recorded 119 species that have died because of building collisions including the Peregrine Falcon Eastern Whip-poor-will Canada Warbler and six other species at risk

There is some good news The State of Canadarsquos Birds (2019) also indicates that some populations of waterfowl and birds of prey species are increasing benefiting from conservation actions such as banning the pesticide DDT actively managing hunting and protecting and restoring important habitat These results show that targeted conservation actions do have an important positive impact on bird populations

This highlights the need for Ottawa and other cities to find better ways to meet their legal obligations under the Migratory Birds Convention Act the Species at Risk Act and provincial legislation to adopt bird-friendly policies to carry out research and monitoring and to make the public aware of the beauty of and dangers to birds and other wildlife

Ottawa Bird Strategy 19

A once common bird the Barn Swallow is estimated to have declined

more than 75 percent in Canada and 66 percent in Ontario since 1970

20 Ottawa Bird Strategy

Ottawa Bird Strategy 21

139

12

850

8

PRIMARY REASON FOR ADMISSION TO THE WILD BIRD CARE CENTRE 2017

animal attack diseaseillness environmental

human interference impact poor body condition

Half of the birds admitted to the Ottawa Valley Wild Bird Care Centre in 2017 were injured because of impactsmdashcollisions

with vehicles and buildings Another common reason for admission was attacks by animals (13 percent) primarily cats

A significant number of admissions (8 percent) result from human interference The Centre estimates it received about

250 baby birds in 2017 that did not need rescuing

22 Ottawa Bird Strategy

Ottawa Bird Strategy Action Areas

Ottawa Bird Strategy 23

1 Landscape Design Guidelines

2 Building Design Guidelines

4 Research and Monitoring

5 Arts awareness and education

6 Economic development and tourism

3 Cat Strategy

24 Ottawa Bird Strategy

Bird-friendly landscape design guidelines help to protect enhance and create bird habitat in the city as well as reduce threats to birds in the urban environment

Targeted to developers planners designers andor public and private landowners these guidelines draw from best management practices relevant scientific literature and emerging strategies

1 Landscape Design Guidelines

Current Actionbull The City of Ottawa is developing

guidelines for bird-friendly landscape design as part of its work to develop bird-friendly design guidelines

bull The National Capital Commission will adopt bird-friendly standards for building design including landscaping and lighting for federal buildings and lands as part of its Sustainable Development Strategy 2018-2023

Ottawa Bird Strategy 11

Invasive speciesInvasive plants and animals can also be a threat to birds Invasive species are non-native plants and animals that are so abundant that they significantly affect local ecosystems

Invasive Phragmites (Phragmites australis subsp australis) and Dog-strangling vine (Cynanchum rossicum amp Cynanchum louiseae) for example threaten the survival of many bird species Wild Parsnip (Pastinaca sativa) and Japanese Knotweed (Reynoutria japonica var japonica) also pose a threat to the health of wildlife in the Ottawa region Feraloutdoor cats are an invasive species with a serious negative impact on populations of many bird species

Birds can be invasive themselves (eg European Starling and House Sparrow) make use of invasive species (eg Cedar Waxwings and Robins eat European Buckthorn) and spread invasive plants and insects (such as Hemlock Wolley Adelgid)

Some invasive insects are to a degree controlled by bird predation Most predation of the Emerald Ash Borer for example is done by native woodpecker speciesmdashthe impact of woodpeckers on reducing Emerald Ash Borer populations is insufficient to save the trees but the abundant food supply may be responsible for increasing the woodpecker population

Invasive Phragmites

12 Ottawa Bird Strategy

Feral cats and outdoor pet cats kill an estimated 100 to 350 million birds

each year in Canada

Predation and disturbance by feral and pet cats Canadians love their cats sharing their homes with approximately 93 million of them While 72 percent of these pets spend all their time indoors or are supervised outdoors the remainder pose a threat to birds as do the approximately 28 million feral cats11 living in Canada12 Of the average 3200 birds received each year by the Ottawa Valley Wild Bird Care Centre approximately 16 percent are injured by animals mainly cats

Cat attacks are the most difficult injuries to treat with cat scratches and bites often leading to infections that can kill birds within days A large study that compiled data across 82 wildlife rehabilitation centres reported that 78 percent of adult birds brought to rescue-rehab facilities as a result of a cat attack did not survive13

Cats that roam at large face serious risks as well They often suffer from exposure to the elements accidents starvation dehydration fights with other animals and diseases such as feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) cancer and heartworm14

Ottawa Bird Strategy 13

How to protect birds from cats (and dogs)The most effective solution is to keep cats from roaming The Ottawa Humane Society recommends keeping cats inside to keep them safe or on a harness or under supervision when let outside Other alternatives are outdoor enclosuresmdashoften called cat patios or ldquocatiosrdquomdashwhich allow cats to have outdoor access without endangering birds or themselves Feral cats are most effectively managed with removals Ideally feral cats are adopted or are transferred to an enclosed cat sanctuary

Dogs also pose a threat to birds when they run off-leash Dogs should be kept on-leash except in designated areas

A growing number of cities are recognizing that cats allowed to roam at large have no place in a bird- or cat-friendly city and have adopted bylaws and implemented educational campaigns that prevent the practice Calgary is an excellent model for how a municipality can implement a no-roam policy with public support Calgary took five years to prepare the City population for its no-roam bylaw through educational campaigns and mandatory licensing One result was significantly fewer cats in the shelters

14 Ottawa Bird Strategy

Building collisions An estimated one billion birds collide with clear and reflective glass on structures of all types and sizes each year in North America15 including 16 to 42 million in Canada16 and 250000 in Ottawa In addition window strikes leave birds vulnerable to cats and other predators and scavengers a significant number of birds attacked by cats may have been collision victims first Emissions and reflections of light from buildings which lure birds to their deaths contravene the federal Species at Risk Act and Ontariorsquos Environmental Protection Act

Volunteers with Safe Wings Ottawa have been monitoring buildings to document collisions rescue injured birds and collect dead ones for scientific purposes since 2014 and by late 2019 had recorded more than 12000 collisions by 133 species including 14 species at risk With research efforts limited by volunteer availability as well as scavengerpredator activity and other factors Safe Wings estimates that its volunteers document only 5 to 15 percent of collisions at buildings that are actively monitored and fewer than 1 percent of collisions throughout the entire city

While window strikes are often associated with high-rises research shows that most collisions happen within five storeys of the ground with the vast majority occurring at homes and low- to mid-rise buildings High-rises account for fewer than 1 percent of collisionsmdashnot because taller buildings are less dangerous to birds but because there are many more smaller buildings with which to collide

Safe Wings estimates that 250000 birds

collide with buildings of all sizes in Ottawa

each year

Ottawa Bird Strategy 15

16 Ottawa Bird Strategy

Light pollution Artificial light increases the risk of birds colliding with glass and vehicles and affects breeding and feeding behaviour It also exacerbates the effects of disease and other risksmdashnot only in birds but in all animals including humans

Many bird species especially songbirds migrate at night and are easily disoriented and confused by bright lights from buildings

beacons communication towers and even art installations They may flutter around sources of intense light until they collide or drop to the ground from exhaustion

Less intense light poses a threat as well Sky glow emanating from urban areas draws many birds into built environments they might otherwise bypass on migration When the sun rises and these birds begin foraging they find themselves surrounded by glass buildings and other urban dangers

FireworksAlthough no statistics are available bird mortality stemming from fireworks is another key challenge Most migratory birds travel at night to avoid predators At the same time fireworks in Ottawa are usually set off adjacent to large bodies of water known to be along the route of protected birds during the migration season Fireworks are also a problem for birds during the summer breeding season

Ottawa Bird Strategy 17

Vehicle impactsBirds are attracted to roads primarily as a source of food including small mammals (some attracted by food scraps tossed from cars) roadkill and insects as well as grit and road salt Many roads also bisect bird habitats which can make crossing lethal for low-flying species

Collisions with vehicles are estimated to kill 138 million birds annually in Canada17 As with window strikes vehicle collisions disproportionately affect healthy and mature breeding birds The loss of these adult birds also leads to high mortality in young birds left orphaned during nesting season

Owls are particularly susceptible to collisions with vehicles Most of the owls treated by the Ottawa Valley Wild Bird Care Centre were injured in vehicle collisions

How to prevent vehicle impacts

bull Slow down especially on roads that bisect wetlands or open water and in rural areas

bull Drive at or below the speed limit

bull Drive defensively Keep an eye out for birds or mammals on the roadside

bull Avoid swerving to avoid a collision Instead use the horn slow down and drive straight

bull Never put yourself or other road users at risk by stopping for a bird or other animal Instead pull well over onto the shoulder Only rescue or guide the animal off the road when the coast is clear

(adapted from Nature Canada)

Most of the owls treated by the Wild Bird Care Centre were injured in vehicle collisions

18 Ottawa Bird Strategy

Why Are Bird Numbers Falling18

Canada is home to more than 450 regularly occurring bird species Of these aproximately 300 can be found in Ontario The vast majority of species and individuals are highly migratory leaving Canada for long migrations These birds face challenges throughout their entire annual cycle

The State of Canadarsquos Birds (2019) reports that Canada has lost 40-60 of its shorebird grassland bird and aerial insectivore populations since 1970 In Ontario there are currently 41 bird species classified as special concern threatened or endangeredmdashall species in danger of disappearing from Canada

The threat is not confined to species at risk but includes common birds as well A grim example of this is aerial insectivores or birds that feed on flying insects A once common bird the Barn Swallow is estimated to have declined more than 75 percent in Canada and 66 percent in Ontario since 1970 The reasons for declines in Barn Swallow and other aerial insectivore populations are tough to pinpoint but are most likely a combination of pesticide use change in farming practices loss of breeding habitat and climate change which all influence insect availability

In the Ottawa area as in the rest of North America the top sources of bird mortality are predation from cats impacts (buildings and vehicles) and power lines In 2017 the Ottawa Valley Wild Bird Care Centre admitted 3158 birds the majority for impacts and animal attacks Since 2014 Safe Wings has recorded 119 species that have died because of building collisions including the Peregrine Falcon Eastern Whip-poor-will Canada Warbler and six other species at risk

There is some good news The State of Canadarsquos Birds (2019) also indicates that some populations of waterfowl and birds of prey species are increasing benefiting from conservation actions such as banning the pesticide DDT actively managing hunting and protecting and restoring important habitat These results show that targeted conservation actions do have an important positive impact on bird populations

This highlights the need for Ottawa and other cities to find better ways to meet their legal obligations under the Migratory Birds Convention Act the Species at Risk Act and provincial legislation to adopt bird-friendly policies to carry out research and monitoring and to make the public aware of the beauty of and dangers to birds and other wildlife

Ottawa Bird Strategy 19

A once common bird the Barn Swallow is estimated to have declined

more than 75 percent in Canada and 66 percent in Ontario since 1970

20 Ottawa Bird Strategy

Ottawa Bird Strategy 21

139

12

850

8

PRIMARY REASON FOR ADMISSION TO THE WILD BIRD CARE CENTRE 2017

animal attack diseaseillness environmental

human interference impact poor body condition

Half of the birds admitted to the Ottawa Valley Wild Bird Care Centre in 2017 were injured because of impactsmdashcollisions

with vehicles and buildings Another common reason for admission was attacks by animals (13 percent) primarily cats

A significant number of admissions (8 percent) result from human interference The Centre estimates it received about

250 baby birds in 2017 that did not need rescuing

22 Ottawa Bird Strategy

Ottawa Bird Strategy Action Areas

Ottawa Bird Strategy 23

1 Landscape Design Guidelines

2 Building Design Guidelines

4 Research and Monitoring

5 Arts awareness and education

6 Economic development and tourism

3 Cat Strategy

24 Ottawa Bird Strategy

Bird-friendly landscape design guidelines help to protect enhance and create bird habitat in the city as well as reduce threats to birds in the urban environment

Targeted to developers planners designers andor public and private landowners these guidelines draw from best management practices relevant scientific literature and emerging strategies

1 Landscape Design Guidelines

Current Actionbull The City of Ottawa is developing

guidelines for bird-friendly landscape design as part of its work to develop bird-friendly design guidelines

bull The National Capital Commission will adopt bird-friendly standards for building design including landscaping and lighting for federal buildings and lands as part of its Sustainable Development Strategy 2018-2023

12 Ottawa Bird Strategy

Feral cats and outdoor pet cats kill an estimated 100 to 350 million birds

each year in Canada

Predation and disturbance by feral and pet cats Canadians love their cats sharing their homes with approximately 93 million of them While 72 percent of these pets spend all their time indoors or are supervised outdoors the remainder pose a threat to birds as do the approximately 28 million feral cats11 living in Canada12 Of the average 3200 birds received each year by the Ottawa Valley Wild Bird Care Centre approximately 16 percent are injured by animals mainly cats

Cat attacks are the most difficult injuries to treat with cat scratches and bites often leading to infections that can kill birds within days A large study that compiled data across 82 wildlife rehabilitation centres reported that 78 percent of adult birds brought to rescue-rehab facilities as a result of a cat attack did not survive13

Cats that roam at large face serious risks as well They often suffer from exposure to the elements accidents starvation dehydration fights with other animals and diseases such as feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) cancer and heartworm14

Ottawa Bird Strategy 13

How to protect birds from cats (and dogs)The most effective solution is to keep cats from roaming The Ottawa Humane Society recommends keeping cats inside to keep them safe or on a harness or under supervision when let outside Other alternatives are outdoor enclosuresmdashoften called cat patios or ldquocatiosrdquomdashwhich allow cats to have outdoor access without endangering birds or themselves Feral cats are most effectively managed with removals Ideally feral cats are adopted or are transferred to an enclosed cat sanctuary

Dogs also pose a threat to birds when they run off-leash Dogs should be kept on-leash except in designated areas

A growing number of cities are recognizing that cats allowed to roam at large have no place in a bird- or cat-friendly city and have adopted bylaws and implemented educational campaigns that prevent the practice Calgary is an excellent model for how a municipality can implement a no-roam policy with public support Calgary took five years to prepare the City population for its no-roam bylaw through educational campaigns and mandatory licensing One result was significantly fewer cats in the shelters

14 Ottawa Bird Strategy

Building collisions An estimated one billion birds collide with clear and reflective glass on structures of all types and sizes each year in North America15 including 16 to 42 million in Canada16 and 250000 in Ottawa In addition window strikes leave birds vulnerable to cats and other predators and scavengers a significant number of birds attacked by cats may have been collision victims first Emissions and reflections of light from buildings which lure birds to their deaths contravene the federal Species at Risk Act and Ontariorsquos Environmental Protection Act

Volunteers with Safe Wings Ottawa have been monitoring buildings to document collisions rescue injured birds and collect dead ones for scientific purposes since 2014 and by late 2019 had recorded more than 12000 collisions by 133 species including 14 species at risk With research efforts limited by volunteer availability as well as scavengerpredator activity and other factors Safe Wings estimates that its volunteers document only 5 to 15 percent of collisions at buildings that are actively monitored and fewer than 1 percent of collisions throughout the entire city

While window strikes are often associated with high-rises research shows that most collisions happen within five storeys of the ground with the vast majority occurring at homes and low- to mid-rise buildings High-rises account for fewer than 1 percent of collisionsmdashnot because taller buildings are less dangerous to birds but because there are many more smaller buildings with which to collide

Safe Wings estimates that 250000 birds

collide with buildings of all sizes in Ottawa

each year

Ottawa Bird Strategy 15

16 Ottawa Bird Strategy

Light pollution Artificial light increases the risk of birds colliding with glass and vehicles and affects breeding and feeding behaviour It also exacerbates the effects of disease and other risksmdashnot only in birds but in all animals including humans

Many bird species especially songbirds migrate at night and are easily disoriented and confused by bright lights from buildings

beacons communication towers and even art installations They may flutter around sources of intense light until they collide or drop to the ground from exhaustion

Less intense light poses a threat as well Sky glow emanating from urban areas draws many birds into built environments they might otherwise bypass on migration When the sun rises and these birds begin foraging they find themselves surrounded by glass buildings and other urban dangers

FireworksAlthough no statistics are available bird mortality stemming from fireworks is another key challenge Most migratory birds travel at night to avoid predators At the same time fireworks in Ottawa are usually set off adjacent to large bodies of water known to be along the route of protected birds during the migration season Fireworks are also a problem for birds during the summer breeding season

Ottawa Bird Strategy 17

Vehicle impactsBirds are attracted to roads primarily as a source of food including small mammals (some attracted by food scraps tossed from cars) roadkill and insects as well as grit and road salt Many roads also bisect bird habitats which can make crossing lethal for low-flying species

Collisions with vehicles are estimated to kill 138 million birds annually in Canada17 As with window strikes vehicle collisions disproportionately affect healthy and mature breeding birds The loss of these adult birds also leads to high mortality in young birds left orphaned during nesting season

Owls are particularly susceptible to collisions with vehicles Most of the owls treated by the Ottawa Valley Wild Bird Care Centre were injured in vehicle collisions

How to prevent vehicle impacts

bull Slow down especially on roads that bisect wetlands or open water and in rural areas

bull Drive at or below the speed limit

bull Drive defensively Keep an eye out for birds or mammals on the roadside

bull Avoid swerving to avoid a collision Instead use the horn slow down and drive straight

bull Never put yourself or other road users at risk by stopping for a bird or other animal Instead pull well over onto the shoulder Only rescue or guide the animal off the road when the coast is clear

(adapted from Nature Canada)

Most of the owls treated by the Wild Bird Care Centre were injured in vehicle collisions

18 Ottawa Bird Strategy

Why Are Bird Numbers Falling18

Canada is home to more than 450 regularly occurring bird species Of these aproximately 300 can be found in Ontario The vast majority of species and individuals are highly migratory leaving Canada for long migrations These birds face challenges throughout their entire annual cycle

The State of Canadarsquos Birds (2019) reports that Canada has lost 40-60 of its shorebird grassland bird and aerial insectivore populations since 1970 In Ontario there are currently 41 bird species classified as special concern threatened or endangeredmdashall species in danger of disappearing from Canada

The threat is not confined to species at risk but includes common birds as well A grim example of this is aerial insectivores or birds that feed on flying insects A once common bird the Barn Swallow is estimated to have declined more than 75 percent in Canada and 66 percent in Ontario since 1970 The reasons for declines in Barn Swallow and other aerial insectivore populations are tough to pinpoint but are most likely a combination of pesticide use change in farming practices loss of breeding habitat and climate change which all influence insect availability

In the Ottawa area as in the rest of North America the top sources of bird mortality are predation from cats impacts (buildings and vehicles) and power lines In 2017 the Ottawa Valley Wild Bird Care Centre admitted 3158 birds the majority for impacts and animal attacks Since 2014 Safe Wings has recorded 119 species that have died because of building collisions including the Peregrine Falcon Eastern Whip-poor-will Canada Warbler and six other species at risk

There is some good news The State of Canadarsquos Birds (2019) also indicates that some populations of waterfowl and birds of prey species are increasing benefiting from conservation actions such as banning the pesticide DDT actively managing hunting and protecting and restoring important habitat These results show that targeted conservation actions do have an important positive impact on bird populations

This highlights the need for Ottawa and other cities to find better ways to meet their legal obligations under the Migratory Birds Convention Act the Species at Risk Act and provincial legislation to adopt bird-friendly policies to carry out research and monitoring and to make the public aware of the beauty of and dangers to birds and other wildlife

Ottawa Bird Strategy 19

A once common bird the Barn Swallow is estimated to have declined

more than 75 percent in Canada and 66 percent in Ontario since 1970

20 Ottawa Bird Strategy

Ottawa Bird Strategy 21

139

12

850

8

PRIMARY REASON FOR ADMISSION TO THE WILD BIRD CARE CENTRE 2017

animal attack diseaseillness environmental

human interference impact poor body condition

Half of the birds admitted to the Ottawa Valley Wild Bird Care Centre in 2017 were injured because of impactsmdashcollisions

with vehicles and buildings Another common reason for admission was attacks by animals (13 percent) primarily cats

A significant number of admissions (8 percent) result from human interference The Centre estimates it received about

250 baby birds in 2017 that did not need rescuing

22 Ottawa Bird Strategy

Ottawa Bird Strategy Action Areas

Ottawa Bird Strategy 23

1 Landscape Design Guidelines

2 Building Design Guidelines

4 Research and Monitoring

5 Arts awareness and education

6 Economic development and tourism

3 Cat Strategy

24 Ottawa Bird Strategy

Bird-friendly landscape design guidelines help to protect enhance and create bird habitat in the city as well as reduce threats to birds in the urban environment

Targeted to developers planners designers andor public and private landowners these guidelines draw from best management practices relevant scientific literature and emerging strategies

1 Landscape Design Guidelines

Current Actionbull The City of Ottawa is developing

guidelines for bird-friendly landscape design as part of its work to develop bird-friendly design guidelines

bull The National Capital Commission will adopt bird-friendly standards for building design including landscaping and lighting for federal buildings and lands as part of its Sustainable Development Strategy 2018-2023

Ottawa Bird Strategy 13

How to protect birds from cats (and dogs)The most effective solution is to keep cats from roaming The Ottawa Humane Society recommends keeping cats inside to keep them safe or on a harness or under supervision when let outside Other alternatives are outdoor enclosuresmdashoften called cat patios or ldquocatiosrdquomdashwhich allow cats to have outdoor access without endangering birds or themselves Feral cats are most effectively managed with removals Ideally feral cats are adopted or are transferred to an enclosed cat sanctuary

Dogs also pose a threat to birds when they run off-leash Dogs should be kept on-leash except in designated areas

A growing number of cities are recognizing that cats allowed to roam at large have no place in a bird- or cat-friendly city and have adopted bylaws and implemented educational campaigns that prevent the practice Calgary is an excellent model for how a municipality can implement a no-roam policy with public support Calgary took five years to prepare the City population for its no-roam bylaw through educational campaigns and mandatory licensing One result was significantly fewer cats in the shelters

14 Ottawa Bird Strategy

Building collisions An estimated one billion birds collide with clear and reflective glass on structures of all types and sizes each year in North America15 including 16 to 42 million in Canada16 and 250000 in Ottawa In addition window strikes leave birds vulnerable to cats and other predators and scavengers a significant number of birds attacked by cats may have been collision victims first Emissions and reflections of light from buildings which lure birds to their deaths contravene the federal Species at Risk Act and Ontariorsquos Environmental Protection Act

Volunteers with Safe Wings Ottawa have been monitoring buildings to document collisions rescue injured birds and collect dead ones for scientific purposes since 2014 and by late 2019 had recorded more than 12000 collisions by 133 species including 14 species at risk With research efforts limited by volunteer availability as well as scavengerpredator activity and other factors Safe Wings estimates that its volunteers document only 5 to 15 percent of collisions at buildings that are actively monitored and fewer than 1 percent of collisions throughout the entire city

While window strikes are often associated with high-rises research shows that most collisions happen within five storeys of the ground with the vast majority occurring at homes and low- to mid-rise buildings High-rises account for fewer than 1 percent of collisionsmdashnot because taller buildings are less dangerous to birds but because there are many more smaller buildings with which to collide

Safe Wings estimates that 250000 birds

collide with buildings of all sizes in Ottawa

each year

Ottawa Bird Strategy 15

16 Ottawa Bird Strategy

Light pollution Artificial light increases the risk of birds colliding with glass and vehicles and affects breeding and feeding behaviour It also exacerbates the effects of disease and other risksmdashnot only in birds but in all animals including humans

Many bird species especially songbirds migrate at night and are easily disoriented and confused by bright lights from buildings

beacons communication towers and even art installations They may flutter around sources of intense light until they collide or drop to the ground from exhaustion

Less intense light poses a threat as well Sky glow emanating from urban areas draws many birds into built environments they might otherwise bypass on migration When the sun rises and these birds begin foraging they find themselves surrounded by glass buildings and other urban dangers

FireworksAlthough no statistics are available bird mortality stemming from fireworks is another key challenge Most migratory birds travel at night to avoid predators At the same time fireworks in Ottawa are usually set off adjacent to large bodies of water known to be along the route of protected birds during the migration season Fireworks are also a problem for birds during the summer breeding season

Ottawa Bird Strategy 17

Vehicle impactsBirds are attracted to roads primarily as a source of food including small mammals (some attracted by food scraps tossed from cars) roadkill and insects as well as grit and road salt Many roads also bisect bird habitats which can make crossing lethal for low-flying species

Collisions with vehicles are estimated to kill 138 million birds annually in Canada17 As with window strikes vehicle collisions disproportionately affect healthy and mature breeding birds The loss of these adult birds also leads to high mortality in young birds left orphaned during nesting season

Owls are particularly susceptible to collisions with vehicles Most of the owls treated by the Ottawa Valley Wild Bird Care Centre were injured in vehicle collisions

How to prevent vehicle impacts

bull Slow down especially on roads that bisect wetlands or open water and in rural areas

bull Drive at or below the speed limit

bull Drive defensively Keep an eye out for birds or mammals on the roadside

bull Avoid swerving to avoid a collision Instead use the horn slow down and drive straight

bull Never put yourself or other road users at risk by stopping for a bird or other animal Instead pull well over onto the shoulder Only rescue or guide the animal off the road when the coast is clear

(adapted from Nature Canada)

Most of the owls treated by the Wild Bird Care Centre were injured in vehicle collisions

18 Ottawa Bird Strategy

Why Are Bird Numbers Falling18

Canada is home to more than 450 regularly occurring bird species Of these aproximately 300 can be found in Ontario The vast majority of species and individuals are highly migratory leaving Canada for long migrations These birds face challenges throughout their entire annual cycle

The State of Canadarsquos Birds (2019) reports that Canada has lost 40-60 of its shorebird grassland bird and aerial insectivore populations since 1970 In Ontario there are currently 41 bird species classified as special concern threatened or endangeredmdashall species in danger of disappearing from Canada

The threat is not confined to species at risk but includes common birds as well A grim example of this is aerial insectivores or birds that feed on flying insects A once common bird the Barn Swallow is estimated to have declined more than 75 percent in Canada and 66 percent in Ontario since 1970 The reasons for declines in Barn Swallow and other aerial insectivore populations are tough to pinpoint but are most likely a combination of pesticide use change in farming practices loss of breeding habitat and climate change which all influence insect availability

In the Ottawa area as in the rest of North America the top sources of bird mortality are predation from cats impacts (buildings and vehicles) and power lines In 2017 the Ottawa Valley Wild Bird Care Centre admitted 3158 birds the majority for impacts and animal attacks Since 2014 Safe Wings has recorded 119 species that have died because of building collisions including the Peregrine Falcon Eastern Whip-poor-will Canada Warbler and six other species at risk

There is some good news The State of Canadarsquos Birds (2019) also indicates that some populations of waterfowl and birds of prey species are increasing benefiting from conservation actions such as banning the pesticide DDT actively managing hunting and protecting and restoring important habitat These results show that targeted conservation actions do have an important positive impact on bird populations

This highlights the need for Ottawa and other cities to find better ways to meet their legal obligations under the Migratory Birds Convention Act the Species at Risk Act and provincial legislation to adopt bird-friendly policies to carry out research and monitoring and to make the public aware of the beauty of and dangers to birds and other wildlife

Ottawa Bird Strategy 19

A once common bird the Barn Swallow is estimated to have declined

more than 75 percent in Canada and 66 percent in Ontario since 1970

20 Ottawa Bird Strategy

Ottawa Bird Strategy 21

139

12

850

8

PRIMARY REASON FOR ADMISSION TO THE WILD BIRD CARE CENTRE 2017

animal attack diseaseillness environmental

human interference impact poor body condition

Half of the birds admitted to the Ottawa Valley Wild Bird Care Centre in 2017 were injured because of impactsmdashcollisions

with vehicles and buildings Another common reason for admission was attacks by animals (13 percent) primarily cats

A significant number of admissions (8 percent) result from human interference The Centre estimates it received about

250 baby birds in 2017 that did not need rescuing

22 Ottawa Bird Strategy

Ottawa Bird Strategy Action Areas

Ottawa Bird Strategy 23

1 Landscape Design Guidelines

2 Building Design Guidelines

4 Research and Monitoring

5 Arts awareness and education

6 Economic development and tourism

3 Cat Strategy

24 Ottawa Bird Strategy

Bird-friendly landscape design guidelines help to protect enhance and create bird habitat in the city as well as reduce threats to birds in the urban environment

Targeted to developers planners designers andor public and private landowners these guidelines draw from best management practices relevant scientific literature and emerging strategies

1 Landscape Design Guidelines

Current Actionbull The City of Ottawa is developing

guidelines for bird-friendly landscape design as part of its work to develop bird-friendly design guidelines

bull The National Capital Commission will adopt bird-friendly standards for building design including landscaping and lighting for federal buildings and lands as part of its Sustainable Development Strategy 2018-2023

14 Ottawa Bird Strategy

Building collisions An estimated one billion birds collide with clear and reflective glass on structures of all types and sizes each year in North America15 including 16 to 42 million in Canada16 and 250000 in Ottawa In addition window strikes leave birds vulnerable to cats and other predators and scavengers a significant number of birds attacked by cats may have been collision victims first Emissions and reflections of light from buildings which lure birds to their deaths contravene the federal Species at Risk Act and Ontariorsquos Environmental Protection Act

Volunteers with Safe Wings Ottawa have been monitoring buildings to document collisions rescue injured birds and collect dead ones for scientific purposes since 2014 and by late 2019 had recorded more than 12000 collisions by 133 species including 14 species at risk With research efforts limited by volunteer availability as well as scavengerpredator activity and other factors Safe Wings estimates that its volunteers document only 5 to 15 percent of collisions at buildings that are actively monitored and fewer than 1 percent of collisions throughout the entire city

While window strikes are often associated with high-rises research shows that most collisions happen within five storeys of the ground with the vast majority occurring at homes and low- to mid-rise buildings High-rises account for fewer than 1 percent of collisionsmdashnot because taller buildings are less dangerous to birds but because there are many more smaller buildings with which to collide

Safe Wings estimates that 250000 birds

collide with buildings of all sizes in Ottawa

each year

Ottawa Bird Strategy 15

16 Ottawa Bird Strategy

Light pollution Artificial light increases the risk of birds colliding with glass and vehicles and affects breeding and feeding behaviour It also exacerbates the effects of disease and other risksmdashnot only in birds but in all animals including humans

Many bird species especially songbirds migrate at night and are easily disoriented and confused by bright lights from buildings

beacons communication towers and even art installations They may flutter around sources of intense light until they collide or drop to the ground from exhaustion

Less intense light poses a threat as well Sky glow emanating from urban areas draws many birds into built environments they might otherwise bypass on migration When the sun rises and these birds begin foraging they find themselves surrounded by glass buildings and other urban dangers

FireworksAlthough no statistics are available bird mortality stemming from fireworks is another key challenge Most migratory birds travel at night to avoid predators At the same time fireworks in Ottawa are usually set off adjacent to large bodies of water known to be along the route of protected birds during the migration season Fireworks are also a problem for birds during the summer breeding season

Ottawa Bird Strategy 17

Vehicle impactsBirds are attracted to roads primarily as a source of food including small mammals (some attracted by food scraps tossed from cars) roadkill and insects as well as grit and road salt Many roads also bisect bird habitats which can make crossing lethal for low-flying species

Collisions with vehicles are estimated to kill 138 million birds annually in Canada17 As with window strikes vehicle collisions disproportionately affect healthy and mature breeding birds The loss of these adult birds also leads to high mortality in young birds left orphaned during nesting season

Owls are particularly susceptible to collisions with vehicles Most of the owls treated by the Ottawa Valley Wild Bird Care Centre were injured in vehicle collisions

How to prevent vehicle impacts

bull Slow down especially on roads that bisect wetlands or open water and in rural areas

bull Drive at or below the speed limit

bull Drive defensively Keep an eye out for birds or mammals on the roadside

bull Avoid swerving to avoid a collision Instead use the horn slow down and drive straight

bull Never put yourself or other road users at risk by stopping for a bird or other animal Instead pull well over onto the shoulder Only rescue or guide the animal off the road when the coast is clear

(adapted from Nature Canada)

Most of the owls treated by the Wild Bird Care Centre were injured in vehicle collisions

18 Ottawa Bird Strategy

Why Are Bird Numbers Falling18

Canada is home to more than 450 regularly occurring bird species Of these aproximately 300 can be found in Ontario The vast majority of species and individuals are highly migratory leaving Canada for long migrations These birds face challenges throughout their entire annual cycle

The State of Canadarsquos Birds (2019) reports that Canada has lost 40-60 of its shorebird grassland bird and aerial insectivore populations since 1970 In Ontario there are currently 41 bird species classified as special concern threatened or endangeredmdashall species in danger of disappearing from Canada

The threat is not confined to species at risk but includes common birds as well A grim example of this is aerial insectivores or birds that feed on flying insects A once common bird the Barn Swallow is estimated to have declined more than 75 percent in Canada and 66 percent in Ontario since 1970 The reasons for declines in Barn Swallow and other aerial insectivore populations are tough to pinpoint but are most likely a combination of pesticide use change in farming practices loss of breeding habitat and climate change which all influence insect availability

In the Ottawa area as in the rest of North America the top sources of bird mortality are predation from cats impacts (buildings and vehicles) and power lines In 2017 the Ottawa Valley Wild Bird Care Centre admitted 3158 birds the majority for impacts and animal attacks Since 2014 Safe Wings has recorded 119 species that have died because of building collisions including the Peregrine Falcon Eastern Whip-poor-will Canada Warbler and six other species at risk

There is some good news The State of Canadarsquos Birds (2019) also indicates that some populations of waterfowl and birds of prey species are increasing benefiting from conservation actions such as banning the pesticide DDT actively managing hunting and protecting and restoring important habitat These results show that targeted conservation actions do have an important positive impact on bird populations

This highlights the need for Ottawa and other cities to find better ways to meet their legal obligations under the Migratory Birds Convention Act the Species at Risk Act and provincial legislation to adopt bird-friendly policies to carry out research and monitoring and to make the public aware of the beauty of and dangers to birds and other wildlife

Ottawa Bird Strategy 19

A once common bird the Barn Swallow is estimated to have declined

more than 75 percent in Canada and 66 percent in Ontario since 1970

20 Ottawa Bird Strategy

Ottawa Bird Strategy 21

139

12

850

8

PRIMARY REASON FOR ADMISSION TO THE WILD BIRD CARE CENTRE 2017

animal attack diseaseillness environmental

human interference impact poor body condition

Half of the birds admitted to the Ottawa Valley Wild Bird Care Centre in 2017 were injured because of impactsmdashcollisions

with vehicles and buildings Another common reason for admission was attacks by animals (13 percent) primarily cats

A significant number of admissions (8 percent) result from human interference The Centre estimates it received about

250 baby birds in 2017 that did not need rescuing

22 Ottawa Bird Strategy

Ottawa Bird Strategy Action Areas

Ottawa Bird Strategy 23

1 Landscape Design Guidelines

2 Building Design Guidelines

4 Research and Monitoring

5 Arts awareness and education

6 Economic development and tourism

3 Cat Strategy

24 Ottawa Bird Strategy

Bird-friendly landscape design guidelines help to protect enhance and create bird habitat in the city as well as reduce threats to birds in the urban environment

Targeted to developers planners designers andor public and private landowners these guidelines draw from best management practices relevant scientific literature and emerging strategies

1 Landscape Design Guidelines

Current Actionbull The City of Ottawa is developing

guidelines for bird-friendly landscape design as part of its work to develop bird-friendly design guidelines

bull The National Capital Commission will adopt bird-friendly standards for building design including landscaping and lighting for federal buildings and lands as part of its Sustainable Development Strategy 2018-2023

Ottawa Bird Strategy 15

16 Ottawa Bird Strategy

Light pollution Artificial light increases the risk of birds colliding with glass and vehicles and affects breeding and feeding behaviour It also exacerbates the effects of disease and other risksmdashnot only in birds but in all animals including humans

Many bird species especially songbirds migrate at night and are easily disoriented and confused by bright lights from buildings

beacons communication towers and even art installations They may flutter around sources of intense light until they collide or drop to the ground from exhaustion

Less intense light poses a threat as well Sky glow emanating from urban areas draws many birds into built environments they might otherwise bypass on migration When the sun rises and these birds begin foraging they find themselves surrounded by glass buildings and other urban dangers

FireworksAlthough no statistics are available bird mortality stemming from fireworks is another key challenge Most migratory birds travel at night to avoid predators At the same time fireworks in Ottawa are usually set off adjacent to large bodies of water known to be along the route of protected birds during the migration season Fireworks are also a problem for birds during the summer breeding season

Ottawa Bird Strategy 17

Vehicle impactsBirds are attracted to roads primarily as a source of food including small mammals (some attracted by food scraps tossed from cars) roadkill and insects as well as grit and road salt Many roads also bisect bird habitats which can make crossing lethal for low-flying species

Collisions with vehicles are estimated to kill 138 million birds annually in Canada17 As with window strikes vehicle collisions disproportionately affect healthy and mature breeding birds The loss of these adult birds also leads to high mortality in young birds left orphaned during nesting season

Owls are particularly susceptible to collisions with vehicles Most of the owls treated by the Ottawa Valley Wild Bird Care Centre were injured in vehicle collisions

How to prevent vehicle impacts

bull Slow down especially on roads that bisect wetlands or open water and in rural areas

bull Drive at or below the speed limit

bull Drive defensively Keep an eye out for birds or mammals on the roadside

bull Avoid swerving to avoid a collision Instead use the horn slow down and drive straight

bull Never put yourself or other road users at risk by stopping for a bird or other animal Instead pull well over onto the shoulder Only rescue or guide the animal off the road when the coast is clear

(adapted from Nature Canada)

Most of the owls treated by the Wild Bird Care Centre were injured in vehicle collisions

18 Ottawa Bird Strategy

Why Are Bird Numbers Falling18

Canada is home to more than 450 regularly occurring bird species Of these aproximately 300 can be found in Ontario The vast majority of species and individuals are highly migratory leaving Canada for long migrations These birds face challenges throughout their entire annual cycle

The State of Canadarsquos Birds (2019) reports that Canada has lost 40-60 of its shorebird grassland bird and aerial insectivore populations since 1970 In Ontario there are currently 41 bird species classified as special concern threatened or endangeredmdashall species in danger of disappearing from Canada

The threat is not confined to species at risk but includes common birds as well A grim example of this is aerial insectivores or birds that feed on flying insects A once common bird the Barn Swallow is estimated to have declined more than 75 percent in Canada and 66 percent in Ontario since 1970 The reasons for declines in Barn Swallow and other aerial insectivore populations are tough to pinpoint but are most likely a combination of pesticide use change in farming practices loss of breeding habitat and climate change which all influence insect availability

In the Ottawa area as in the rest of North America the top sources of bird mortality are predation from cats impacts (buildings and vehicles) and power lines In 2017 the Ottawa Valley Wild Bird Care Centre admitted 3158 birds the majority for impacts and animal attacks Since 2014 Safe Wings has recorded 119 species that have died because of building collisions including the Peregrine Falcon Eastern Whip-poor-will Canada Warbler and six other species at risk

There is some good news The State of Canadarsquos Birds (2019) also indicates that some populations of waterfowl and birds of prey species are increasing benefiting from conservation actions such as banning the pesticide DDT actively managing hunting and protecting and restoring important habitat These results show that targeted conservation actions do have an important positive impact on bird populations

This highlights the need for Ottawa and other cities to find better ways to meet their legal obligations under the Migratory Birds Convention Act the Species at Risk Act and provincial legislation to adopt bird-friendly policies to carry out research and monitoring and to make the public aware of the beauty of and dangers to birds and other wildlife

Ottawa Bird Strategy 19

A once common bird the Barn Swallow is estimated to have declined

more than 75 percent in Canada and 66 percent in Ontario since 1970

20 Ottawa Bird Strategy

Ottawa Bird Strategy 21

139

12

850

8

PRIMARY REASON FOR ADMISSION TO THE WILD BIRD CARE CENTRE 2017

animal attack diseaseillness environmental

human interference impact poor body condition

Half of the birds admitted to the Ottawa Valley Wild Bird Care Centre in 2017 were injured because of impactsmdashcollisions

with vehicles and buildings Another common reason for admission was attacks by animals (13 percent) primarily cats

A significant number of admissions (8 percent) result from human interference The Centre estimates it received about

250 baby birds in 2017 that did not need rescuing

22 Ottawa Bird Strategy

Ottawa Bird Strategy Action Areas

Ottawa Bird Strategy 23

1 Landscape Design Guidelines

2 Building Design Guidelines

4 Research and Monitoring

5 Arts awareness and education

6 Economic development and tourism

3 Cat Strategy

24 Ottawa Bird Strategy

Bird-friendly landscape design guidelines help to protect enhance and create bird habitat in the city as well as reduce threats to birds in the urban environment

Targeted to developers planners designers andor public and private landowners these guidelines draw from best management practices relevant scientific literature and emerging strategies

1 Landscape Design Guidelines

Current Actionbull The City of Ottawa is developing

guidelines for bird-friendly landscape design as part of its work to develop bird-friendly design guidelines

bull The National Capital Commission will adopt bird-friendly standards for building design including landscaping and lighting for federal buildings and lands as part of its Sustainable Development Strategy 2018-2023

16 Ottawa Bird Strategy

Light pollution Artificial light increases the risk of birds colliding with glass and vehicles and affects breeding and feeding behaviour It also exacerbates the effects of disease and other risksmdashnot only in birds but in all animals including humans

Many bird species especially songbirds migrate at night and are easily disoriented and confused by bright lights from buildings

beacons communication towers and even art installations They may flutter around sources of intense light until they collide or drop to the ground from exhaustion

Less intense light poses a threat as well Sky glow emanating from urban areas draws many birds into built environments they might otherwise bypass on migration When the sun rises and these birds begin foraging they find themselves surrounded by glass buildings and other urban dangers

FireworksAlthough no statistics are available bird mortality stemming from fireworks is another key challenge Most migratory birds travel at night to avoid predators At the same time fireworks in Ottawa are usually set off adjacent to large bodies of water known to be along the route of protected birds during the migration season Fireworks are also a problem for birds during the summer breeding season

Ottawa Bird Strategy 17

Vehicle impactsBirds are attracted to roads primarily as a source of food including small mammals (some attracted by food scraps tossed from cars) roadkill and insects as well as grit and road salt Many roads also bisect bird habitats which can make crossing lethal for low-flying species

Collisions with vehicles are estimated to kill 138 million birds annually in Canada17 As with window strikes vehicle collisions disproportionately affect healthy and mature breeding birds The loss of these adult birds also leads to high mortality in young birds left orphaned during nesting season

Owls are particularly susceptible to collisions with vehicles Most of the owls treated by the Ottawa Valley Wild Bird Care Centre were injured in vehicle collisions

How to prevent vehicle impacts

bull Slow down especially on roads that bisect wetlands or open water and in rural areas

bull Drive at or below the speed limit

bull Drive defensively Keep an eye out for birds or mammals on the roadside

bull Avoid swerving to avoid a collision Instead use the horn slow down and drive straight

bull Never put yourself or other road users at risk by stopping for a bird or other animal Instead pull well over onto the shoulder Only rescue or guide the animal off the road when the coast is clear

(adapted from Nature Canada)

Most of the owls treated by the Wild Bird Care Centre were injured in vehicle collisions

18 Ottawa Bird Strategy

Why Are Bird Numbers Falling18

Canada is home to more than 450 regularly occurring bird species Of these aproximately 300 can be found in Ontario The vast majority of species and individuals are highly migratory leaving Canada for long migrations These birds face challenges throughout their entire annual cycle

The State of Canadarsquos Birds (2019) reports that Canada has lost 40-60 of its shorebird grassland bird and aerial insectivore populations since 1970 In Ontario there are currently 41 bird species classified as special concern threatened or endangeredmdashall species in danger of disappearing from Canada

The threat is not confined to species at risk but includes common birds as well A grim example of this is aerial insectivores or birds that feed on flying insects A once common bird the Barn Swallow is estimated to have declined more than 75 percent in Canada and 66 percent in Ontario since 1970 The reasons for declines in Barn Swallow and other aerial insectivore populations are tough to pinpoint but are most likely a combination of pesticide use change in farming practices loss of breeding habitat and climate change which all influence insect availability

In the Ottawa area as in the rest of North America the top sources of bird mortality are predation from cats impacts (buildings and vehicles) and power lines In 2017 the Ottawa Valley Wild Bird Care Centre admitted 3158 birds the majority for impacts and animal attacks Since 2014 Safe Wings has recorded 119 species that have died because of building collisions including the Peregrine Falcon Eastern Whip-poor-will Canada Warbler and six other species at risk

There is some good news The State of Canadarsquos Birds (2019) also indicates that some populations of waterfowl and birds of prey species are increasing benefiting from conservation actions such as banning the pesticide DDT actively managing hunting and protecting and restoring important habitat These results show that targeted conservation actions do have an important positive impact on bird populations

This highlights the need for Ottawa and other cities to find better ways to meet their legal obligations under the Migratory Birds Convention Act the Species at Risk Act and provincial legislation to adopt bird-friendly policies to carry out research and monitoring and to make the public aware of the beauty of and dangers to birds and other wildlife

Ottawa Bird Strategy 19

A once common bird the Barn Swallow is estimated to have declined

more than 75 percent in Canada and 66 percent in Ontario since 1970

20 Ottawa Bird Strategy

Ottawa Bird Strategy 21

139

12

850

8

PRIMARY REASON FOR ADMISSION TO THE WILD BIRD CARE CENTRE 2017

animal attack diseaseillness environmental

human interference impact poor body condition

Half of the birds admitted to the Ottawa Valley Wild Bird Care Centre in 2017 were injured because of impactsmdashcollisions

with vehicles and buildings Another common reason for admission was attacks by animals (13 percent) primarily cats

A significant number of admissions (8 percent) result from human interference The Centre estimates it received about

250 baby birds in 2017 that did not need rescuing

22 Ottawa Bird Strategy

Ottawa Bird Strategy Action Areas

Ottawa Bird Strategy 23

1 Landscape Design Guidelines

2 Building Design Guidelines

4 Research and Monitoring

5 Arts awareness and education

6 Economic development and tourism

3 Cat Strategy

24 Ottawa Bird Strategy

Bird-friendly landscape design guidelines help to protect enhance and create bird habitat in the city as well as reduce threats to birds in the urban environment

Targeted to developers planners designers andor public and private landowners these guidelines draw from best management practices relevant scientific literature and emerging strategies

1 Landscape Design Guidelines

Current Actionbull The City of Ottawa is developing

guidelines for bird-friendly landscape design as part of its work to develop bird-friendly design guidelines

bull The National Capital Commission will adopt bird-friendly standards for building design including landscaping and lighting for federal buildings and lands as part of its Sustainable Development Strategy 2018-2023

Ottawa Bird Strategy 17

Vehicle impactsBirds are attracted to roads primarily as a source of food including small mammals (some attracted by food scraps tossed from cars) roadkill and insects as well as grit and road salt Many roads also bisect bird habitats which can make crossing lethal for low-flying species

Collisions with vehicles are estimated to kill 138 million birds annually in Canada17 As with window strikes vehicle collisions disproportionately affect healthy and mature breeding birds The loss of these adult birds also leads to high mortality in young birds left orphaned during nesting season

Owls are particularly susceptible to collisions with vehicles Most of the owls treated by the Ottawa Valley Wild Bird Care Centre were injured in vehicle collisions

How to prevent vehicle impacts

bull Slow down especially on roads that bisect wetlands or open water and in rural areas

bull Drive at or below the speed limit

bull Drive defensively Keep an eye out for birds or mammals on the roadside

bull Avoid swerving to avoid a collision Instead use the horn slow down and drive straight

bull Never put yourself or other road users at risk by stopping for a bird or other animal Instead pull well over onto the shoulder Only rescue or guide the animal off the road when the coast is clear

(adapted from Nature Canada)

Most of the owls treated by the Wild Bird Care Centre were injured in vehicle collisions

18 Ottawa Bird Strategy

Why Are Bird Numbers Falling18

Canada is home to more than 450 regularly occurring bird species Of these aproximately 300 can be found in Ontario The vast majority of species and individuals are highly migratory leaving Canada for long migrations These birds face challenges throughout their entire annual cycle

The State of Canadarsquos Birds (2019) reports that Canada has lost 40-60 of its shorebird grassland bird and aerial insectivore populations since 1970 In Ontario there are currently 41 bird species classified as special concern threatened or endangeredmdashall species in danger of disappearing from Canada

The threat is not confined to species at risk but includes common birds as well A grim example of this is aerial insectivores or birds that feed on flying insects A once common bird the Barn Swallow is estimated to have declined more than 75 percent in Canada and 66 percent in Ontario since 1970 The reasons for declines in Barn Swallow and other aerial insectivore populations are tough to pinpoint but are most likely a combination of pesticide use change in farming practices loss of breeding habitat and climate change which all influence insect availability

In the Ottawa area as in the rest of North America the top sources of bird mortality are predation from cats impacts (buildings and vehicles) and power lines In 2017 the Ottawa Valley Wild Bird Care Centre admitted 3158 birds the majority for impacts and animal attacks Since 2014 Safe Wings has recorded 119 species that have died because of building collisions including the Peregrine Falcon Eastern Whip-poor-will Canada Warbler and six other species at risk

There is some good news The State of Canadarsquos Birds (2019) also indicates that some populations of waterfowl and birds of prey species are increasing benefiting from conservation actions such as banning the pesticide DDT actively managing hunting and protecting and restoring important habitat These results show that targeted conservation actions do have an important positive impact on bird populations

This highlights the need for Ottawa and other cities to find better ways to meet their legal obligations under the Migratory Birds Convention Act the Species at Risk Act and provincial legislation to adopt bird-friendly policies to carry out research and monitoring and to make the public aware of the beauty of and dangers to birds and other wildlife

Ottawa Bird Strategy 19

A once common bird the Barn Swallow is estimated to have declined

more than 75 percent in Canada and 66 percent in Ontario since 1970

20 Ottawa Bird Strategy

Ottawa Bird Strategy 21

139

12

850

8

PRIMARY REASON FOR ADMISSION TO THE WILD BIRD CARE CENTRE 2017

animal attack diseaseillness environmental

human interference impact poor body condition

Half of the birds admitted to the Ottawa Valley Wild Bird Care Centre in 2017 were injured because of impactsmdashcollisions

with vehicles and buildings Another common reason for admission was attacks by animals (13 percent) primarily cats

A significant number of admissions (8 percent) result from human interference The Centre estimates it received about

250 baby birds in 2017 that did not need rescuing

22 Ottawa Bird Strategy

Ottawa Bird Strategy Action Areas

Ottawa Bird Strategy 23

1 Landscape Design Guidelines

2 Building Design Guidelines

4 Research and Monitoring

5 Arts awareness and education

6 Economic development and tourism

3 Cat Strategy

24 Ottawa Bird Strategy

Bird-friendly landscape design guidelines help to protect enhance and create bird habitat in the city as well as reduce threats to birds in the urban environment

Targeted to developers planners designers andor public and private landowners these guidelines draw from best management practices relevant scientific literature and emerging strategies

1 Landscape Design Guidelines

Current Actionbull The City of Ottawa is developing

guidelines for bird-friendly landscape design as part of its work to develop bird-friendly design guidelines

bull The National Capital Commission will adopt bird-friendly standards for building design including landscaping and lighting for federal buildings and lands as part of its Sustainable Development Strategy 2018-2023

18 Ottawa Bird Strategy

Why Are Bird Numbers Falling18

Canada is home to more than 450 regularly occurring bird species Of these aproximately 300 can be found in Ontario The vast majority of species and individuals are highly migratory leaving Canada for long migrations These birds face challenges throughout their entire annual cycle

The State of Canadarsquos Birds (2019) reports that Canada has lost 40-60 of its shorebird grassland bird and aerial insectivore populations since 1970 In Ontario there are currently 41 bird species classified as special concern threatened or endangeredmdashall species in danger of disappearing from Canada

The threat is not confined to species at risk but includes common birds as well A grim example of this is aerial insectivores or birds that feed on flying insects A once common bird the Barn Swallow is estimated to have declined more than 75 percent in Canada and 66 percent in Ontario since 1970 The reasons for declines in Barn Swallow and other aerial insectivore populations are tough to pinpoint but are most likely a combination of pesticide use change in farming practices loss of breeding habitat and climate change which all influence insect availability

In the Ottawa area as in the rest of North America the top sources of bird mortality are predation from cats impacts (buildings and vehicles) and power lines In 2017 the Ottawa Valley Wild Bird Care Centre admitted 3158 birds the majority for impacts and animal attacks Since 2014 Safe Wings has recorded 119 species that have died because of building collisions including the Peregrine Falcon Eastern Whip-poor-will Canada Warbler and six other species at risk

There is some good news The State of Canadarsquos Birds (2019) also indicates that some populations of waterfowl and birds of prey species are increasing benefiting from conservation actions such as banning the pesticide DDT actively managing hunting and protecting and restoring important habitat These results show that targeted conservation actions do have an important positive impact on bird populations

This highlights the need for Ottawa and other cities to find better ways to meet their legal obligations under the Migratory Birds Convention Act the Species at Risk Act and provincial legislation to adopt bird-friendly policies to carry out research and monitoring and to make the public aware of the beauty of and dangers to birds and other wildlife

Ottawa Bird Strategy 19

A once common bird the Barn Swallow is estimated to have declined

more than 75 percent in Canada and 66 percent in Ontario since 1970

20 Ottawa Bird Strategy

Ottawa Bird Strategy 21

139

12

850

8

PRIMARY REASON FOR ADMISSION TO THE WILD BIRD CARE CENTRE 2017

animal attack diseaseillness environmental

human interference impact poor body condition

Half of the birds admitted to the Ottawa Valley Wild Bird Care Centre in 2017 were injured because of impactsmdashcollisions

with vehicles and buildings Another common reason for admission was attacks by animals (13 percent) primarily cats

A significant number of admissions (8 percent) result from human interference The Centre estimates it received about

250 baby birds in 2017 that did not need rescuing

22 Ottawa Bird Strategy

Ottawa Bird Strategy Action Areas

Ottawa Bird Strategy 23

1 Landscape Design Guidelines

2 Building Design Guidelines

4 Research and Monitoring

5 Arts awareness and education

6 Economic development and tourism

3 Cat Strategy

24 Ottawa Bird Strategy

Bird-friendly landscape design guidelines help to protect enhance and create bird habitat in the city as well as reduce threats to birds in the urban environment

Targeted to developers planners designers andor public and private landowners these guidelines draw from best management practices relevant scientific literature and emerging strategies

1 Landscape Design Guidelines

Current Actionbull The City of Ottawa is developing

guidelines for bird-friendly landscape design as part of its work to develop bird-friendly design guidelines

bull The National Capital Commission will adopt bird-friendly standards for building design including landscaping and lighting for federal buildings and lands as part of its Sustainable Development Strategy 2018-2023

Ottawa Bird Strategy 19

A once common bird the Barn Swallow is estimated to have declined

more than 75 percent in Canada and 66 percent in Ontario since 1970

20 Ottawa Bird Strategy

Ottawa Bird Strategy 21

139

12

850

8

PRIMARY REASON FOR ADMISSION TO THE WILD BIRD CARE CENTRE 2017

animal attack diseaseillness environmental

human interference impact poor body condition

Half of the birds admitted to the Ottawa Valley Wild Bird Care Centre in 2017 were injured because of impactsmdashcollisions

with vehicles and buildings Another common reason for admission was attacks by animals (13 percent) primarily cats

A significant number of admissions (8 percent) result from human interference The Centre estimates it received about

250 baby birds in 2017 that did not need rescuing

22 Ottawa Bird Strategy

Ottawa Bird Strategy Action Areas

Ottawa Bird Strategy 23

1 Landscape Design Guidelines

2 Building Design Guidelines

4 Research and Monitoring

5 Arts awareness and education

6 Economic development and tourism

3 Cat Strategy

24 Ottawa Bird Strategy

Bird-friendly landscape design guidelines help to protect enhance and create bird habitat in the city as well as reduce threats to birds in the urban environment

Targeted to developers planners designers andor public and private landowners these guidelines draw from best management practices relevant scientific literature and emerging strategies

1 Landscape Design Guidelines

Current Actionbull The City of Ottawa is developing

guidelines for bird-friendly landscape design as part of its work to develop bird-friendly design guidelines

bull The National Capital Commission will adopt bird-friendly standards for building design including landscaping and lighting for federal buildings and lands as part of its Sustainable Development Strategy 2018-2023

20 Ottawa Bird Strategy

Ottawa Bird Strategy 21

139

12

850

8

PRIMARY REASON FOR ADMISSION TO THE WILD BIRD CARE CENTRE 2017

animal attack diseaseillness environmental

human interference impact poor body condition

Half of the birds admitted to the Ottawa Valley Wild Bird Care Centre in 2017 were injured because of impactsmdashcollisions

with vehicles and buildings Another common reason for admission was attacks by animals (13 percent) primarily cats

A significant number of admissions (8 percent) result from human interference The Centre estimates it received about

250 baby birds in 2017 that did not need rescuing

22 Ottawa Bird Strategy

Ottawa Bird Strategy Action Areas

Ottawa Bird Strategy 23

1 Landscape Design Guidelines

2 Building Design Guidelines

4 Research and Monitoring

5 Arts awareness and education

6 Economic development and tourism

3 Cat Strategy

24 Ottawa Bird Strategy

Bird-friendly landscape design guidelines help to protect enhance and create bird habitat in the city as well as reduce threats to birds in the urban environment

Targeted to developers planners designers andor public and private landowners these guidelines draw from best management practices relevant scientific literature and emerging strategies

1 Landscape Design Guidelines

Current Actionbull The City of Ottawa is developing

guidelines for bird-friendly landscape design as part of its work to develop bird-friendly design guidelines

bull The National Capital Commission will adopt bird-friendly standards for building design including landscaping and lighting for federal buildings and lands as part of its Sustainable Development Strategy 2018-2023

Ottawa Bird Strategy 21

139

12

850

8

PRIMARY REASON FOR ADMISSION TO THE WILD BIRD CARE CENTRE 2017

animal attack diseaseillness environmental

human interference impact poor body condition

Half of the birds admitted to the Ottawa Valley Wild Bird Care Centre in 2017 were injured because of impactsmdashcollisions

with vehicles and buildings Another common reason for admission was attacks by animals (13 percent) primarily cats

A significant number of admissions (8 percent) result from human interference The Centre estimates it received about

250 baby birds in 2017 that did not need rescuing

22 Ottawa Bird Strategy

Ottawa Bird Strategy Action Areas

Ottawa Bird Strategy 23

1 Landscape Design Guidelines

2 Building Design Guidelines

4 Research and Monitoring

5 Arts awareness and education

6 Economic development and tourism

3 Cat Strategy

24 Ottawa Bird Strategy

Bird-friendly landscape design guidelines help to protect enhance and create bird habitat in the city as well as reduce threats to birds in the urban environment

Targeted to developers planners designers andor public and private landowners these guidelines draw from best management practices relevant scientific literature and emerging strategies

1 Landscape Design Guidelines

Current Actionbull The City of Ottawa is developing

guidelines for bird-friendly landscape design as part of its work to develop bird-friendly design guidelines

bull The National Capital Commission will adopt bird-friendly standards for building design including landscaping and lighting for federal buildings and lands as part of its Sustainable Development Strategy 2018-2023

22 Ottawa Bird Strategy

Ottawa Bird Strategy Action Areas

Ottawa Bird Strategy 23

1 Landscape Design Guidelines

2 Building Design Guidelines

4 Research and Monitoring

5 Arts awareness and education

6 Economic development and tourism

3 Cat Strategy

24 Ottawa Bird Strategy

Bird-friendly landscape design guidelines help to protect enhance and create bird habitat in the city as well as reduce threats to birds in the urban environment

Targeted to developers planners designers andor public and private landowners these guidelines draw from best management practices relevant scientific literature and emerging strategies

1 Landscape Design Guidelines

Current Actionbull The City of Ottawa is developing

guidelines for bird-friendly landscape design as part of its work to develop bird-friendly design guidelines

bull The National Capital Commission will adopt bird-friendly standards for building design including landscaping and lighting for federal buildings and lands as part of its Sustainable Development Strategy 2018-2023

Ottawa Bird Strategy 23

1 Landscape Design Guidelines

2 Building Design Guidelines

4 Research and Monitoring

5 Arts awareness and education

6 Economic development and tourism

3 Cat Strategy

24 Ottawa Bird Strategy

Bird-friendly landscape design guidelines help to protect enhance and create bird habitat in the city as well as reduce threats to birds in the urban environment

Targeted to developers planners designers andor public and private landowners these guidelines draw from best management practices relevant scientific literature and emerging strategies

1 Landscape Design Guidelines

Current Actionbull The City of Ottawa is developing

guidelines for bird-friendly landscape design as part of its work to develop bird-friendly design guidelines

bull The National Capital Commission will adopt bird-friendly standards for building design including landscaping and lighting for federal buildings and lands as part of its Sustainable Development Strategy 2018-2023

24 Ottawa Bird Strategy

Bird-friendly landscape design guidelines help to protect enhance and create bird habitat in the city as well as reduce threats to birds in the urban environment

Targeted to developers planners designers andor public and private landowners these guidelines draw from best management practices relevant scientific literature and emerging strategies

1 Landscape Design Guidelines

Current Actionbull The City of Ottawa is developing

guidelines for bird-friendly landscape design as part of its work to develop bird-friendly design guidelines

bull The National Capital Commission will adopt bird-friendly standards for building design including landscaping and lighting for federal buildings and lands as part of its Sustainable Development Strategy 2018-2023

Ottawa Bird Strategy 25

Recommendations11 The City of Ottawa adopt and

promote voluntary bird-friendly landscape design guidelines for developers planners and designers and public and private landowners

12 The City of Ottawa develop and promote bird-friendly landscape operational guidelines for use by Public Works and Environment Services stewardship groups and landscape industry personnel The City of Vancouverrsquos Bird Friendly Landscape Operational Guidelines are an excellent example

13 The City of Ottawa develop and promote voluntary bird-friendly residential landscape design guidelines and other resources for homeowners and renters

14 The City of Ottawa apply the bird-friendly landscape design guidelines and bird-friendly landscape operational guidelines to parks school grounds and other properties working with public partners to address potential challenges

26 Ottawa Bird Strategy

2 Building Design Guidelines

Collisions with glass are one of the largest sources of direct human-related mortality for birds in North America with up to one billion birds killed annually19

Thanks to the sustained work of FLAP Canada since the mid-1990s the City of Toronto has been a pioneer in promoting a more bird-friendly urban environment and requires new buildings to meet bird-friendly design requirements as set out in the Toronto Green Standard As awareness of this problem grows cities such as Vancouver Calgary and Markham have also introduced

bird-friendly building design guidelines for use by planners architects designers builders and homeowners These guidelines provide a basic understanding of bird-friendly building design and offer solutions for new buildings and existing structures

The Canadian Standards Association (CSA) recently published a national bird-friendly building design standard This voluntary standard is simple to follow and can assist planners architects facility managers and developers to incorporate bird-friendly design into new and existing buildings It also paves the way for future changes to provincial building codes

Current Actionbull The City of Ottawa is developing bird-

friendly building design guidelines with input from organizations such as Safe Wings Ottawa

bull As part of its Sustainable Development Strategy 2018-2023 the National Capital Commission is currently undertaking an assessment of its buildings to determine their risk for bird-window collisions and is also developing bird-friendly guidelines which will incorporate the new CSA standard All new projects on federal lands and buildings will have to meet bird-friendly design standards by 2023 The NCCrsquos Capital Illumination Plan 2017-2027 includes guidelines for reducing light pollution

There are an estimated 250000 bird collisions

in Ottawa each year

Ottawa Bird Strategy 27

Recommendations21 The City of Ottawa apply and promote

voluntary bird-friendly building design guidelines for planners architects designers builders and homeowners to provide a basic understanding of the issue of bird collisions and bird-friendly building design

22 The City of Ottawa the National Capital Commission and other partners initiate pilot projects on public facilities to reduce the threat of bird collisions and explore further integration into all new publicly owned buildings and infrastructure developments

23 The City of Ottawa develop and promote voluntary bird-friendly building design guidelines and other resources for homeowners and renters

24 The City of Ottawa the National Capital Commission and other partners explore solutions to the impact of light pollution on birds and select buildings and infrastructure of special concern to demonstrate light pollution reduction

25 The City of Ottawa launch a city-wide ldquoLights Outrdquo campaign to reduce light pollution saving energy as well as birds

In addition to bird-friendly glass the following design features can reduce bird collisions

bull Bird-friendly landscapingmdashAdjacent habitat increases the incidence of bird collisions Locating vegetation to reduce reflections placing vegetation less than one metre from glass and avoiding landscaping that creates a flight path towards glass (eg rows of trees leading to a glass curtain wall) can all help reduce collisions

bull Design features such as large overhangsmdashThese limit the amount of reflection on glazed surfaces in turn limiting the amount of habitat birds see reflected in the glass They also limit the vantage point from which birds above buildings can see the glass and allow for minimal light spillage

bull Light abatementmdashThis ensures that buildings and their exterior spaces are not over-lit thereby minimizing urban glow and its tendency to attract migratory or other birds flying above building height

A treated residential window

28 Ottawa Bird Strategy

3 Cat Strategy

A 2013 Environment Canada study examining more than 25 sources of human-caused bird mortality determined that domestic catsmdashboth pets and cats that roam freemdashare the most lethal threats to birds in Canada The researchers estimated that 100 to 350 million birds are killed by cats in Canada annually about eight

times more than the 25 million birds killed each year by collisions with power lines the second leading cause of mortality

Keep Cats Safe and Save Bird Lives (catsandbirdsca) a Nature Canada-led coalition of individuals and organizations concerned about the well-being of cats and birds works with national regional and local partners to promote progressive policies and bylaws that protect birds people and pet cats

It recommends that municipalities adopt no-roam bylaws for cats as part of a larger strategy to improve cat and bird welfare which would include public education licensing (a revenue stream) low cost spay-neuter services and feral cat care programs The City of Calgary has an effective self-financing model that includes licensing no roaming at large a subsidized spay-neuter program a promise to return escaped cats and a public awareness campaign

Current Actionbull The Ottawa Humane Society and the

Ottawa Valley Wild Bird Care Centre are local partners with Nature Canadarsquos Keep Cats Safe and Save Bird Lives coalition Birds Canada is a national partner

28 Ottawa Bird Strategy

3 Cat Strategy

A 2013 Environment Canada study examining more than 25 sources of human-caused bird mortality determined that domestic catsmdashboth pets and cats that roam freemdashare the most lethal threats to birds in Canada The researchers estimated that 100 to 350 million birds are killed by cats in Canada annually about eight

times more than the 25 million birds killed each year by collisions with power lines the second leading cause of mortality

Keep Cats Safe and Save Bird Lives (catsandbirdsca) a Nature Canada-led coalition of individuals and organizations concerned about the well-being of cats and birds works with national regional and local partners to promote progressive policies and bylaws that protect birds people and pet cats

It recommends that municipalities adopt no-roam bylaws for cats as part of a larger strategy to improve cat and bird welfare which would include public education licensing (a revenue stream) low cost spay-neuter services and feral cat care programs The City of Calgary has an effective self-financing model that includes licensing no roaming at large a subsidized spay-neuter program a promise to return escaped cats and a public awareness campaign

Current Actionbull The Ottawa Humane Society and the

Ottawa Valley Wild Bird Care Centre are local partners with Nature Canadarsquos Keep Cats Safe and Save Bird Lives coalition Birds Canada is a national partner

Ottawa Bird Strategy 29

Recommendations31 The City of Ottawa strike a taskforce

of community representatives veterinarians rescue organizations and other stakeholders to effectively address the risks that cats allowed to roam at large pose to birds and other wildlife cat welfare and human health

32 The City of Ottawa in consultation

with the taskforce look at enacting a no-roam bylaw to regulate owned cats with provisions to empower the Ottawa Humane Society to effectively manage

unowned cat populations with the long term goal of reducing the outdoor population of unowned cats through sterilization campaigns rehoming and other humane means

33 The City of Ottawa connect with Nature Canadarsquos Cats and Birds program for examples of cat-positive bird-positive communications strategies to encourage citizens to participate in local efforts to improve cat and bird welfare

A sampling of municipalities that have adopted no-roam bylaws for cats (from catsandbirdsca)

30 Ottawa Bird Strategy

Several organizations conduct bird research and monitoring in Ottawa Local naturalist groups have been collecting data and national initiatives such as Christmas Bird Counts have been ongoing for many years

Data on birds in the city have been increasing with the growing movement of citizen science and through online checklist management resources such as eBird (Canada) The primary data management location for monitoring and sightings in Ottawa is Birds Canadarsquos Nature Counts website Although much is known about birds in Ottawa the data are stored in a variety of places More could be done to centralize access to this information

Current Action bull The primary non-governmental

organizations that monitor birds in Ottawa are

raquo Birds CanadamdashChristmas Bird Counts Breeding Bird Atlas SwiftWatch Important Bird and Biodiversity Area program (with Nature Canada) Project FeederWatch and the Great Backyard Bird Count All data are publicly and freely available at wwwnaturecountsca

raquo Ottawa Field-Naturalistsrsquo ClubmdashSafe Wings Ottawa (studies the local bird collision problem but also notes unusual sightings)

raquo Innis Point Bird ObservatorymdashSpring summer and fall bird banding for migration and bird population research (part of the Canadian Migration Monitoring Network and the Monitoring Avian Productivity and Survivorship Program)

raquo Ottawa Bird CountmdashPoint Count and Census Plot Programs

Run by Birds Canada in partnership with the Cornell Lab of Ornithology eBird (Canada) provides data on bird abundance and distribution at a variety of spatial and temporal scales The Ottawa area had an increase of eBird checklists from 4300 in 2011 to nearly 17000 in 2016

4Research and Monitoring

30 Ottawa Bird Strategy

Several organizations conduct bird research and monitoring in Ottawa Local naturalist groups have been collecting data and national initiatives such as Christmas Bird Counts have been ongoing for many years

Data on birds in the city have been increasing with the growing movement of citizen science and through online checklist management resources such as eBird (Canada) The primary data management location for monitoring and sightings in Ottawa is Birds Canadarsquos Nature Counts website Although much is known about birds in Ottawa the data are stored in a variety of places More could be done to centralize access to this information

Current Action bull The primary non-governmental

organizations that monitor birds in Ottawa are

raquo Birds CanadamdashChristmas Bird Counts Breeding Bird Atlas SwiftWatch Important Bird and Biodiversity Area program (with Nature Canada) Project FeederWatch and the Great Backyard Bird Count All data are publicly and freely available at wwwnaturecountsca

raquo Ottawa Field-Naturalistsrsquo ClubmdashSafe Wings Ottawa (studies the local bird collision problem but also notes unusual sightings)

raquo Innis Point Bird ObservatorymdashSpring summer and fall bird banding for migration and bird population research (part of the Canadian Migration Monitoring Network and the Monitoring Avian Productivity and Survivorship Program)

raquo Ottawa Bird CountmdashPoint Count and Census Plot Programs

Run by Birds Canada in partnership with the Cornell Lab of Ornithology eBird (Canada) provides data on bird abundance and distribution at a variety of spatial and temporal scales The Ottawa area had an increase of eBird checklists from 4300 in 2011 to nearly 17000 in 2016

4Research and Monitoring

Ottawa Bird Strategy 31

Recommendations 41 Establish a bird research and

monitoring advisory group with associated agencies organizations and academic partners and create new monitoring programs such as species at risk (Chimney Swift and Common Nighthawk) and Important Bird and Biodiversity Area-wide surveys for waterfowl

42 Explore opportunities for a citywide research and monitoring program to conduct and compile data from bird surveys create habitat maps monitor bird collisions and investigate other important research topics on urban bird populations

43 Continue to evaluate publicly owned and other buildings for bird collisions to assess the extent of the problem

44 Monitor and assess the effectiveness of the City of Ottawarsquos new bird-friendly design guidelines

45 Continue to work with Environment and Climate Change Canada among others and to implement the recovery strategies developed by ECCC for birds protected under the Species at Risk Act

46 Implement the research and monitoring recommendations in the IBA Conservation Plan

32 Ottawa Bird Strategy

Public education is key to reducing human-bird conflicts while empowering people to live successfully alongside wildlife in an increasingly urbanized world As a public engagement tool the arts are a particularly effective way of communicating the importance of birds bird habitat and urban biodiversity

Current Actionbull Each May Nature Canada hosts

a major public event to celebrate World Migratory Bird Day with the support and participation of the Ottawa Field Naturalistsrsquo Club the Club des Ornithologues de lrsquoOutaouais and many other groups

Nature Canada hosted an event to celebrate World Migratory Bird Day as part of the Ottawa Childrenrsquos Festival

5 Arts Awareness and Education

bull Safe Wings Ottawa educates the public and advises building owners on how they can save birdsrsquo lives through window treatments architecture and landscaping Safe Wingsrsquo Annual Bird Display held since 2015 educates the public about the extent of the window strike problem by showcasing birds killed the previous year

bull The Ottawa Valley Wild Bird Care Centre (WBCC) educates people of all ages on the natural history conservation and rehabilitation of wild birds through guided tours and off-site presentations to local schools and community groups The Centre recently expanded its education program to focus even more on prevention including pets building

Ottawa Bird Strategy 33

DONT BE A BIRDNAPPER A BABYS BEST CHANCE IS WITH ITS PARENTS

I F O UND A B A B Y B I R D W H A T S H O UL D I D O W W W W I L DB I R DC A R E C E NT R E O R G

Recommendations51 Launch an annual Ottawa bird

celebration with a ldquoCity Birdrdquo competition to draw people to birding spots around Ottawa and highlight the importance of birds to the urban landscape

52 Develop a residential bird habitat program and educational material to engage the public in bird conservation on private property

53 Engage artists and the creative community in highlighting profiling and involving the larger community in discussion and awareness of birds

54 Local animal welfare organizations collaborate on a campaign to educate the public on the main threats facing birds in Ottawa including pets (especially cats) building impacts feeding ldquodonrsquotsrdquo and unnecessary rescues of baby birds

The WBCC developed this poster to help residents assess whether a baby bird needs rescuing

55 Nature Canada convene a local coalition of cat-care and nature organizations to launch a pilot project based on a similar initiative in Guelph Ontario to improve the welfare of both birds and cats by informing the public about the risks to cats that roam unsupervised and the threat they pose to birds

56 Undertake awareness and threat mitigation campaigns (eg by distributing feather-friendly window tape) in neighbourhoods where the risk to birds from collisions with residential house glass is high such as along the Ottawa River corridor and in the IBA

window collisions and feeding ldquodonrsquotsrdquo As well a ldquoDonrsquot be a Birdnapperrdquo poster was developed to help residents assess whether a baby bird needs rescuing

bull The WBCC piloted a new Junior Avian Ambassadors education program in area schools in Spring 2018 Developed with local elementary school teachers and leaders from the Girl Guides and Scout programs the program aims to educate children in fun and creative ways through hands-on interactive presentations that teach practical knowledge The pilot program is funded by the Ontario Trillium Foundation

34 Ottawa Bird Strategy

Safe Wings Ottawarsquos Annual

Bird Display showcased more than 1000 birds

who fell victim to window strikes

in 2017

Ottawa Bird Strategy 35

36 Ottawa Bird Strategy

Ecotourism is a growing global market and one of the biggest drivers is the opportunity to view birds and other wildlife in their natural habitats Ecotourism is a natural growth market for the Ottawa region home to three major rivers 20000 hectares of Greenbelt and an abundance of wetlands Ottawa is fortunate in that about 60 percent

of its original wetlands remain in Southern Ontario development activities have contributed to the loss of approximately 70 percent of historic wetlands20

Birdwatching has become one of the fastest-growing recreational activities in North America with birders spending an average of 133 days a year on the activity21 According to a US Fish and Wildlife Service study birdwatchers spent $39 billion on trips and equipment in 201622 In Canada an estimated 475 million people take part in ldquobirdingrdquo (watching monitoring photographing filming andor feeding wild birds) spending $537 million each year on transportation accommodation food and equipment23

The wealth and diversity of birds in the Ottawa area has fueled a vibrant birding community Shirleys Bay the Britannia Conservation Area Andrew Haydon Park Petrie Island and the Central Experimental Farm Arboretum are some of the arearsquos birding hotspots

Current Actionbull The Ottawa Field Naturalistsrsquo Club has

identified more than 30 prime birding sites in the region The OFNC has also produced a printed bird checklist of all bird species found within 50 kilometres of Parliament Hill

The sightings of this Bullockrsquos Oriole drew hundreds of birdwatchers to Pakenham Ontario in December 2015 This western Canadian bird had apparently blown off her migration course and was found a month later in the snow near death She was brought to the Ottawa Valley Wild Bird Care Centre where she was treated for dehydration weakness and hypothermia before being flown back to British Columbia for release back into nature

6 Economic Developmentand Tourism

32 Ottawa Bird Strategy

Public education is key to reducing human-bird conflicts while empowering people to live successfully alongside wildlife in an increasingly urbanized world As a public engagement tool the arts are a particularly effective way of communicating the importance of birds bird habitat and urban biodiversity

Current Actionbull Each May Nature Canada hosts

a major public event to celebrate World Migratory Bird Day with the support and participation of the Ottawa Field Naturalistsrsquo Club the Club des Ornithologues de lrsquoOutaouais and many other groups

Nature Canada hosted an event to celebrate World Migratory Bird Day as part of the Ottawa Childrenrsquos Festival

5 Arts Awareness and Education

bull Safe Wings Ottawa educates the public and advises building owners on how they can save birdsrsquo lives through window treatments architecture and landscaping Safe Wingsrsquo Annual Bird Display held since 2015 educates the public about the extent of the window strike problem by showcasing birds killed the previous year

bull The Ottawa Valley Wild Bird Care Centre (WBCC) educates people of all ages on the natural history conservation and rehabilitation of wild birds through guided tours and off-site presentations to local schools and community groups The Centre recently expanded its education program to focus even more on prevention including pets building

Ottawa Bird Strategy 33

DONT BE A BIRDNAPPER A BABYS BEST CHANCE IS WITH ITS PARENTS

I F O UND A B A B Y B I R D W H A T S H O UL D I D O W W W W I L DB I R DC A R E C E NT R E O R G

Recommendations51 Launch an annual Ottawa bird

celebration with a ldquoCity Birdrdquo competition to draw people to birding spots around Ottawa and highlight the importance of birds to the urban landscape

52 Develop a residential bird habitat program and educational material to engage the public in bird conservation on private property

53 Engage artists and the creative community in highlighting profiling and involving the larger community in discussion and awareness of birds

54 Local animal welfare organizations collaborate on a campaign to educate the public on the main threats facing birds in Ottawa including pets (especially cats) building impacts feeding ldquodonrsquotsrdquo and unnecessary rescues of baby birds

The WBCC developed this poster to help residents assess whether a baby bird needs rescuing

55 Nature Canada convene a local coalition of cat-care and nature organizations to launch a pilot project based on a similar initiative in Guelph Ontario to improve the welfare of both birds and cats by informing the public about the risks to cats that roam unsupervised and the threat they pose to birds

56 Undertake awareness and threat mitigation campaigns (eg by distributing feather-friendly window tape) in neighbourhoods where the risk to birds from collisions with residential house glass is high such as along the Ottawa River corridor and in the IBA

window collisions and feeding ldquodonrsquotsrdquo As well a ldquoDonrsquot be a Birdnapperrdquo poster was developed to help residents assess whether a baby bird needs rescuing

bull The WBCC piloted a new Junior Avian Ambassadors education program in area schools in Spring 2018 Developed with local elementary school teachers and leaders from the Girl Guides and Scout programs the program aims to educate children in fun and creative ways through hands-on interactive presentations that teach practical knowledge The pilot program is funded by the Ontario Trillium Foundation

34 Ottawa Bird Strategy

Safe Wings Ottawarsquos Annual

Bird Display showcased more than 1000 birds

who fell victim to window strikes

in 2017

Ottawa Bird Strategy 35

36 Ottawa Bird Strategy

Ecotourism is a growing global market and one of the biggest drivers is the opportunity to view birds and other wildlife in their natural habitats Ecotourism is a natural growth market for the Ottawa region home to three major rivers 20000 hectares of Greenbelt and an abundance of wetlands Ottawa is fortunate in that about 60 percent

of its original wetlands remain in Southern Ontario development activities have contributed to the loss of approximately 70 percent of historic wetlands20

Birdwatching has become one of the fastest-growing recreational activities in North America with birders spending an average of 133 days a year on the activity21 According to a US Fish and Wildlife Service study birdwatchers spent $39 billion on trips and equipment in 201622 In Canada an estimated 475 million people take part in ldquobirdingrdquo (watching monitoring photographing filming andor feeding wild birds) spending $537 million each year on transportation accommodation food and equipment23

The wealth and diversity of birds in the Ottawa area has fueled a vibrant birding community Shirleys Bay the Britannia Conservation Area Andrew Haydon Park Petrie Island and the Central Experimental Farm Arboretum are some of the arearsquos birding hotspots

Current Actionbull The Ottawa Field Naturalistsrsquo Club has

identified more than 30 prime birding sites in the region The OFNC has also produced a printed bird checklist of all bird species found within 50 kilometres of Parliament Hill

The sightings of this Bullockrsquos Oriole drew hundreds of birdwatchers to Pakenham Ontario in December 2015 This western Canadian bird had apparently blown off her migration course and was found a month later in the snow near death She was brought to the Ottawa Valley Wild Bird Care Centre where she was treated for dehydration weakness and hypothermia before being flown back to British Columbia for release back into nature

6 Economic Developmentand Tourism

Ottawa Bird Strategy 33

DONT BE A BIRDNAPPER A BABYS BEST CHANCE IS WITH ITS PARENTS

I F O UND A B A B Y B I R D W H A T S H O UL D I D O W W W W I L DB I R DC A R E C E NT R E O R G

Recommendations51 Launch an annual Ottawa bird

celebration with a ldquoCity Birdrdquo competition to draw people to birding spots around Ottawa and highlight the importance of birds to the urban landscape

52 Develop a residential bird habitat program and educational material to engage the public in bird conservation on private property

53 Engage artists and the creative community in highlighting profiling and involving the larger community in discussion and awareness of birds

54 Local animal welfare organizations collaborate on a campaign to educate the public on the main threats facing birds in Ottawa including pets (especially cats) building impacts feeding ldquodonrsquotsrdquo and unnecessary rescues of baby birds

The WBCC developed this poster to help residents assess whether a baby bird needs rescuing

55 Nature Canada convene a local coalition of cat-care and nature organizations to launch a pilot project based on a similar initiative in Guelph Ontario to improve the welfare of both birds and cats by informing the public about the risks to cats that roam unsupervised and the threat they pose to birds

56 Undertake awareness and threat mitigation campaigns (eg by distributing feather-friendly window tape) in neighbourhoods where the risk to birds from collisions with residential house glass is high such as along the Ottawa River corridor and in the IBA

window collisions and feeding ldquodonrsquotsrdquo As well a ldquoDonrsquot be a Birdnapperrdquo poster was developed to help residents assess whether a baby bird needs rescuing

bull The WBCC piloted a new Junior Avian Ambassadors education program in area schools in Spring 2018 Developed with local elementary school teachers and leaders from the Girl Guides and Scout programs the program aims to educate children in fun and creative ways through hands-on interactive presentations that teach practical knowledge The pilot program is funded by the Ontario Trillium Foundation

34 Ottawa Bird Strategy

Safe Wings Ottawarsquos Annual

Bird Display showcased more than 1000 birds

who fell victim to window strikes

in 2017

Ottawa Bird Strategy 35

36 Ottawa Bird Strategy

Ecotourism is a growing global market and one of the biggest drivers is the opportunity to view birds and other wildlife in their natural habitats Ecotourism is a natural growth market for the Ottawa region home to three major rivers 20000 hectares of Greenbelt and an abundance of wetlands Ottawa is fortunate in that about 60 percent

of its original wetlands remain in Southern Ontario development activities have contributed to the loss of approximately 70 percent of historic wetlands20

Birdwatching has become one of the fastest-growing recreational activities in North America with birders spending an average of 133 days a year on the activity21 According to a US Fish and Wildlife Service study birdwatchers spent $39 billion on trips and equipment in 201622 In Canada an estimated 475 million people take part in ldquobirdingrdquo (watching monitoring photographing filming andor feeding wild birds) spending $537 million each year on transportation accommodation food and equipment23

The wealth and diversity of birds in the Ottawa area has fueled a vibrant birding community Shirleys Bay the Britannia Conservation Area Andrew Haydon Park Petrie Island and the Central Experimental Farm Arboretum are some of the arearsquos birding hotspots

Current Actionbull The Ottawa Field Naturalistsrsquo Club has

identified more than 30 prime birding sites in the region The OFNC has also produced a printed bird checklist of all bird species found within 50 kilometres of Parliament Hill

The sightings of this Bullockrsquos Oriole drew hundreds of birdwatchers to Pakenham Ontario in December 2015 This western Canadian bird had apparently blown off her migration course and was found a month later in the snow near death She was brought to the Ottawa Valley Wild Bird Care Centre where she was treated for dehydration weakness and hypothermia before being flown back to British Columbia for release back into nature

6 Economic Developmentand Tourism

34 Ottawa Bird Strategy

Safe Wings Ottawarsquos Annual

Bird Display showcased more than 1000 birds

who fell victim to window strikes

in 2017

Ottawa Bird Strategy 35

36 Ottawa Bird Strategy

Ecotourism is a growing global market and one of the biggest drivers is the opportunity to view birds and other wildlife in their natural habitats Ecotourism is a natural growth market for the Ottawa region home to three major rivers 20000 hectares of Greenbelt and an abundance of wetlands Ottawa is fortunate in that about 60 percent

of its original wetlands remain in Southern Ontario development activities have contributed to the loss of approximately 70 percent of historic wetlands20

Birdwatching has become one of the fastest-growing recreational activities in North America with birders spending an average of 133 days a year on the activity21 According to a US Fish and Wildlife Service study birdwatchers spent $39 billion on trips and equipment in 201622 In Canada an estimated 475 million people take part in ldquobirdingrdquo (watching monitoring photographing filming andor feeding wild birds) spending $537 million each year on transportation accommodation food and equipment23

The wealth and diversity of birds in the Ottawa area has fueled a vibrant birding community Shirleys Bay the Britannia Conservation Area Andrew Haydon Park Petrie Island and the Central Experimental Farm Arboretum are some of the arearsquos birding hotspots

Current Actionbull The Ottawa Field Naturalistsrsquo Club has

identified more than 30 prime birding sites in the region The OFNC has also produced a printed bird checklist of all bird species found within 50 kilometres of Parliament Hill

The sightings of this Bullockrsquos Oriole drew hundreds of birdwatchers to Pakenham Ontario in December 2015 This western Canadian bird had apparently blown off her migration course and was found a month later in the snow near death She was brought to the Ottawa Valley Wild Bird Care Centre where she was treated for dehydration weakness and hypothermia before being flown back to British Columbia for release back into nature

6 Economic Developmentand Tourism

Ottawa Bird Strategy 35

36 Ottawa Bird Strategy

Ecotourism is a growing global market and one of the biggest drivers is the opportunity to view birds and other wildlife in their natural habitats Ecotourism is a natural growth market for the Ottawa region home to three major rivers 20000 hectares of Greenbelt and an abundance of wetlands Ottawa is fortunate in that about 60 percent

of its original wetlands remain in Southern Ontario development activities have contributed to the loss of approximately 70 percent of historic wetlands20

Birdwatching has become one of the fastest-growing recreational activities in North America with birders spending an average of 133 days a year on the activity21 According to a US Fish and Wildlife Service study birdwatchers spent $39 billion on trips and equipment in 201622 In Canada an estimated 475 million people take part in ldquobirdingrdquo (watching monitoring photographing filming andor feeding wild birds) spending $537 million each year on transportation accommodation food and equipment23

The wealth and diversity of birds in the Ottawa area has fueled a vibrant birding community Shirleys Bay the Britannia Conservation Area Andrew Haydon Park Petrie Island and the Central Experimental Farm Arboretum are some of the arearsquos birding hotspots

Current Actionbull The Ottawa Field Naturalistsrsquo Club has

identified more than 30 prime birding sites in the region The OFNC has also produced a printed bird checklist of all bird species found within 50 kilometres of Parliament Hill

The sightings of this Bullockrsquos Oriole drew hundreds of birdwatchers to Pakenham Ontario in December 2015 This western Canadian bird had apparently blown off her migration course and was found a month later in the snow near death She was brought to the Ottawa Valley Wild Bird Care Centre where she was treated for dehydration weakness and hypothermia before being flown back to British Columbia for release back into nature

6 Economic Developmentand Tourism

36 Ottawa Bird Strategy

Ecotourism is a growing global market and one of the biggest drivers is the opportunity to view birds and other wildlife in their natural habitats Ecotourism is a natural growth market for the Ottawa region home to three major rivers 20000 hectares of Greenbelt and an abundance of wetlands Ottawa is fortunate in that about 60 percent

of its original wetlands remain in Southern Ontario development activities have contributed to the loss of approximately 70 percent of historic wetlands20

Birdwatching has become one of the fastest-growing recreational activities in North America with birders spending an average of 133 days a year on the activity21 According to a US Fish and Wildlife Service study birdwatchers spent $39 billion on trips and equipment in 201622 In Canada an estimated 475 million people take part in ldquobirdingrdquo (watching monitoring photographing filming andor feeding wild birds) spending $537 million each year on transportation accommodation food and equipment23

The wealth and diversity of birds in the Ottawa area has fueled a vibrant birding community Shirleys Bay the Britannia Conservation Area Andrew Haydon Park Petrie Island and the Central Experimental Farm Arboretum are some of the arearsquos birding hotspots

Current Actionbull The Ottawa Field Naturalistsrsquo Club has

identified more than 30 prime birding sites in the region The OFNC has also produced a printed bird checklist of all bird species found within 50 kilometres of Parliament Hill

The sightings of this Bullockrsquos Oriole drew hundreds of birdwatchers to Pakenham Ontario in December 2015 This western Canadian bird had apparently blown off her migration course and was found a month later in the snow near death She was brought to the Ottawa Valley Wild Bird Care Centre where she was treated for dehydration weakness and hypothermia before being flown back to British Columbia for release back into nature

6 Economic Developmentand Tourism

Ottawa Bird Strategy 37

Birdwatching has become one of the

fastest-growing recreational activities

in North America

Recommendations61 Launch an annual birding

festival to promote Ottawa as a birdwatching destination

62 Seek out opportunities to host bird conferences meetings and workshops

38 Ottawa Bird Strategy

Ottawa Bird Strategy 39

Summary of Recommendations

Landscape design guidelines11 The City of Ottawa adopt and

promote voluntary bird-friendly landscape design guidelines for developers planners and designers and public and private landowners

12 The City of Ottawa develop and promote bird-friendly landscape operational guidelines for use by Public Works and Environment Services stewardship groups and landscape industry personnel The City of Vancouverrsquos Bird Friendly Landscape Operational Guidelines are an excellent example

13 The City of Ottawa develop and promote voluntary bird-friendly residential landscape design guidelines and other resources for homeowners and renters

14 The City of Ottawa apply the bird-friendly landscape design guidelines and bird-friendly landscape operational guidelines to parks school grounds and other properties working with public partners to address potential challenges

Building design guidelines

21 The City of Ottawa apply and promote voluntary bird-friendly building design guidelines for planners architects designers builders and homeowners to provide a basic understanding of the issue of bird collisions and bird-friendly building design

22 The City of Ottawa the National Capital Commission and other partners initiate pilot projects on public facilities to reduce the threat of bird collisions and explore further integration into all new publicly owned buildings and infrastructure developments

23 The City of Ottawa develop and promote voluntary bird-friendly building design guidelines and other resources for homeowners and renters

24 The City of Ottawa the National Capital Commission and other partners explore solutions to the impact of light pollution on birds and select buildings and infrastructure of special concern to demonstrate light pollution reduction

25 The City of Ottawa launch a city-wide ldquoLights Outrdquo campaign to reduce light pollution saving energy as well as birds

38 Ottawa Bird Strategy

Ottawa Bird Strategy 39

Summary of Recommendations

Landscape design guidelines11 The City of Ottawa adopt and

promote voluntary bird-friendly landscape design guidelines for developers planners and designers and public and private landowners

12 The City of Ottawa develop and promote bird-friendly landscape operational guidelines for use by Public Works and Environment Services stewardship groups and landscape industry personnel The City of Vancouverrsquos Bird Friendly Landscape Operational Guidelines are an excellent example

13 The City of Ottawa develop and promote voluntary bird-friendly residential landscape design guidelines and other resources for homeowners and renters

14 The City of Ottawa apply the bird-friendly landscape design guidelines and bird-friendly landscape operational guidelines to parks school grounds and other properties working with public partners to address potential challenges

Building design guidelines

21 The City of Ottawa apply and promote voluntary bird-friendly building design guidelines for planners architects designers builders and homeowners to provide a basic understanding of the issue of bird collisions and bird-friendly building design

22 The City of Ottawa the National Capital Commission and other partners initiate pilot projects on public facilities to reduce the threat of bird collisions and explore further integration into all new publicly owned buildings and infrastructure developments

23 The City of Ottawa develop and promote voluntary bird-friendly building design guidelines and other resources for homeowners and renters

24 The City of Ottawa the National Capital Commission and other partners explore solutions to the impact of light pollution on birds and select buildings and infrastructure of special concern to demonstrate light pollution reduction

25 The City of Ottawa launch a city-wide ldquoLights Outrdquo campaign to reduce light pollution saving energy as well as birds

Ottawa Bird Strategy 39

Summary of Recommendations

Landscape design guidelines11 The City of Ottawa adopt and

promote voluntary bird-friendly landscape design guidelines for developers planners and designers and public and private landowners

12 The City of Ottawa develop and promote bird-friendly landscape operational guidelines for use by Public Works and Environment Services stewardship groups and landscape industry personnel The City of Vancouverrsquos Bird Friendly Landscape Operational Guidelines are an excellent example

13 The City of Ottawa develop and promote voluntary bird-friendly residential landscape design guidelines and other resources for homeowners and renters

14 The City of Ottawa apply the bird-friendly landscape design guidelines and bird-friendly landscape operational guidelines to parks school grounds and other properties working with public partners to address potential challenges

Building design guidelines

21 The City of Ottawa apply and promote voluntary bird-friendly building design guidelines for planners architects designers builders and homeowners to provide a basic understanding of the issue of bird collisions and bird-friendly building design

22 The City of Ottawa the National Capital Commission and other partners initiate pilot projects on public facilities to reduce the threat of bird collisions and explore further integration into all new publicly owned buildings and infrastructure developments

23 The City of Ottawa develop and promote voluntary bird-friendly building design guidelines and other resources for homeowners and renters

24 The City of Ottawa the National Capital Commission and other partners explore solutions to the impact of light pollution on birds and select buildings and infrastructure of special concern to demonstrate light pollution reduction

25 The City of Ottawa launch a city-wide ldquoLights Outrdquo campaign to reduce light pollution saving energy as well as birds

40 Ottawa Bird Strategy

Cat strategy

31 The City of Ottawa strike a taskforce of community representatives veterinarians rescue organizations and other stakeholders to effectively address the risks that cats allowed to roam at large pose to birds and other wildlife cat welfare and human health

32 The City of Ottawa in consultation

with the taskforce look at enacting a no-roam bylaw to regulate owned cats with provisions to empower the Ottawa Humane Society to effectively manage unowned cat populations with the long term goal of reducing outdoor population of unowned cats through sterilization campaigns rehoming and other humane means

33 The City of Ottawa connect with Nature Canadarsquos Cats and Birds program for examples of cat-positive bird-positive communications strategies to encourage citizens to participate in local efforts to improve cat and bird welfare

Research and monitoring

41 Establish a bird research and monitoring advisory group with associated agencies organizations and academic partners and create new monitoring programs such as species at risk (Chimney Swift and Common Nighthawk) and Important Bird and Biodiversity Area-wide surveys for waterfowl

42 Explore opportunities for a citywide research and monitoring program to conduct and compile data from bird surveys create habitat maps monitor bird collisions and investigate other important research topics on urban bird populations

43 Continue to evaluate publicly owned and other buildings for bird collisions to assess the extent of the problem

44 Monitor and assess the effectiveness of the City of Ottawarsquos new bird-friendly building design guidelines

45 Continue to work with Environment

and Climate Change Canada among others and to implement the recovery strategies developed by ECCC for birds protected under the Species at Risk Act

46 Implement the research and monitoring recommendations in the IBA Conservation Plan

Ottawa Bird Strategy 41

Arts awareness and education

51 Launch an annual Ottawa bird celebration with a ldquoCity Birdrdquo competition to draw people to birding spots around Ottawa and highlight the importance of birds to the urban landscape

52 Develop a residential bird habitat program and educational material to engage the public in bird conservation on private property

53 Engage artists and the creative community in highlighting profiling and involving the larger community in discussion and awareness of birds

54 Local animal welfare organizations collaborate on a campaign to educate the public on the main threats facing birds in Ottawa including pets (especially cats) building impacts feeding ldquodonrsquotsrdquo and unnecessary rescues of baby birds

55 Nature Canada convene a local coalition of cat-care and nature organizations to launch a pilot project based on a similar initiative in Guelph Ontario to improve the welfare of both birds and cats by informing the public about the risks to cats that roam unsupervised and the threat they pose to birds

56 Undertake awareness and threat

mitigation campaigns (eg by distributing feather-friendly window tape) in neighbourhoods where the risk to birds from collisions with residential house glass is high such as along the Ottawa River corridor and in the IBA

Economic development and tourism

61 Launch an annual birding festival to promote Ottawa as a birdwatching destination

62 Seek out opportunities to host bird conferences meetings and workshops

42 Ottawa Bird Strategy

Ottawa Bird Strategy 43

Photo Credits

Cover (Chickadee at Jack Pine Trail) Meryl Raddatz

Pages ii and iii (Male Wood Duck) Barbara Adams

Page iv (Canada Goose) Raghavendra Rampur

Page 1 (Osprey) Louise Bradley

Page 2 (Atlantic Flyway Map) US Fish and Wildlife Service

Flickr ((httpscreativecommonsorglicensesby20) (Cardinal) Meryl Raddatz

Page 3 (Hooded Merganser) Jan Przybylo

Page 4 (Herring Gull) Corine Bliek Flickr (httpscreativecommonsorglicensesby-nc20)

Page 5 (IBA map) Birds Canada

Page 6 (Fletcher Wildlife Garden) Deborah Doherty

Page 7 (Birders in winter) Ellen Jakubowski

Page 8 (Bird-friendly NCC building) Anouk Hoedeman

Page 9 (Bird in hand) Christina Young

Page 10 (Least Bittern) Barbara Adams

Page 11 (Invasive Phragmites) antefixus21 Flickr (httpscreativecommonsorglicensesby-nc-nd20)

Page 12 (Cat with bird) Will Keightley Flickr (httpscreativecommonsorglicensesby-sa20)

Page 13 (Catio) Barbara Adams

Page 14 (Bird on gravel) Christina Young

Page 15 (Glass building) Anouk Hoedeman

Page 16 (Light pollution) Duncan Flickr (httpscreativecommonsorglicensesby20)

Page 17 (Owlet) Barbara Adams

Page 19 (Barn Swallow) Sean Marshall Flickr (httpscreativecommonsorglicensesby20)

Page 20 (Release of a Bittern) Barbara Adams

Page 21 (Baby Birds) Rick Sellick (Goslings) Shawn Middleton

Page 22 (Junco) Raghavendra Rampur

Page 23 (Red-winged Blackbird) Jan Przyblo (Building) Anouk Hoedeman (Cat) Barbara Adams

(Birds at Feeder) Rick Sellick (Girl with Bird Mask) Nature Canada (Birders) Ellen Jakubowski

Page 24 (Red-winged Blackbird) Jan Przybylo

Page 25 (Green Heron) Rod Van Volsen

Page 26 (Building) Anouk Hoedeman

Page 27 (Treated Window) Anouk Hoedeman

Page 28 (Cat on Leash) Barbara Adams

Page 29 (Cities graphic) Nature Canada (catsandbirdsca)

Page 30 (Woman) Retha Ferguson wwwpexelscom

Page 31 (Birds at Feeder) Rick Sellick

Page 32 (Girl with bird mask) Nature Canada

Page 33 (Birdnapper poster) Ottawa Valley Wild Bird Care Centre

Pages 34 and 35 all photos by Kristen Hines

Page 36 (Bullockrsquos Oriole) Ottawa Valley Wild Bird Care Centre

Page 37 (Birders) Ellen Jakubowski

Page 38 (Snowy Owl) Rick Sellick

Page 42 (Great Blue Heron) Louise Bradley

Page 46 (Hummingbird) Jan Przybylo

44 Ottawa Bird Strategy

Endnotes

1 httpavibasebsc-eocorgchecklistjspregion=CAonocamplist=howardmoore2 httpslinkspringercomarticle101007s10336-015-1229-y3 httpswwwpembinaorgreportsBoreal_FINALpdf4 httpswwwgoodnewsnetworkorgwatching-birds-near-home-good-mental-health5 httpswwwcanadacaenservicesenvironmentconservationsustainabilityfederal-sustainable-devel-opment-strategy2015-progress-reportprotecting-naturehtml6 httpwwwstateofthebirdsorg20167 US Fish amp Wildlife Service Birding in the United States Addendum to the 2016 National Survey of Fishing Hunting and Wildlife-Associated Recreation Report 2016-2 httpsdigitalmediafwsgovcdmrefcollectiondocumentid1874 8 Federal Provincial and Territorial Governments of Canada 2014 2012 Canadian Nature Survey Aware-ness participation and expenditures in nature-based recreation conservation and subsistence activities Otta-wa ON Canadian Councils of Resource Ministers httpwwwbiodivcanadaca2A0569A9-77BE-4E16-B2A4-C0A64C2B98432012_Canadian_Nature_Survey_Report28accessible_opt29pdf9 Enviro Fact Sheet Canadians and Nature Birds 2013 by Environment Energy and Transportation Sta-tistics Division Release date March 10 2015 httppublicationsgccacollectionscollection_2015statcan16-508-x2015001-engpdf10 Toronto Architect familiar with bird-friendly guidelines 11 Blancher P Estimated Number of Birds Killed by House Cats (Felis catus) in Canada Avian Conserv Ecol 2013 8 art3 doi105751ACE-00557-08020312 Canadian Federation of Humane Societies Cats in Canada 2017 A Five-Year Review of Cat Overpopula-tion (httpswwwhumanecanadacacats_in_canada_2017)13 Loyd K Hernandez S McRuer D The Role of Domestic Cats in the Admission of Injured Wildlife at Rehabili-tation and Rescue Centers Wildlife Society Bulletin 2017 41(1)55ndash61 DOI 101002wsb73714 wwwcatsandbirdsca15 httpsabcbirdsorgarticleup-to-one-billion-birds-may-be-killed-annually-in-building-collisions-new-study-says16 httpwwwace-ecoorgvol8iss2art617 httpwwwace-ecoorgvol8iss2art218 North American Bird Conservation Initiative Canada 2012 The State of Canadarsquos Birds 2012 Environ-ment Canada Ottawa Canada 36 pages K V Rosenberg J A Kennedy R Dettmers R P Ford D Reynolds JD Alex-ander C J Beardmore P J Blancher R E Bogart G S Butcher A F Camfield A Couturier D W Demarest W E Easton JJ Giocomo RH Keller A E Mini A O Panjabi D N Pashley T D Rich J M Ruth H Stabins J Stan-ton T Will 2016 Partners in Flight Landbird Conservation Plan 2016 Revision for Canada and Continental United States Partners in Flight Science Committee Heagy A D Badzinski D Bradley M Falconer J McCracken RA Reid and K Richardson 2014 Recovery Strategy for the Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica) in Ontario Ontario Recovery Strategy Series Prepared for the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry Peterborough Ontario vii + 64 pp19 httpsabcbirdsorgarticleup-to-one-billion-birds-may-be-killed-annually-in-building-collisions-new-study-says20 httpswwwontariocapageassessing-economic-value-protecting-great-lakes-ecosystems21 Federal Provincial and Territorial Governments of Canada 2014 2012 Canadian Nature Survey Aware-ness participation and expenditures in nature-based recreation conservation and subsistence activities Otta-wa ON Canadian Councils of Resource Ministers httpwwwbiodivcanadaca2A0569A9-77BE-4E16-B2A-

Ottawa Bird Strategy 41

Arts awareness and education

51 Launch an annual Ottawa bird celebration with a ldquoCity Birdrdquo competition to draw people to birding spots around Ottawa and highlight the importance of birds to the urban landscape

52 Develop a residential bird habitat program and educational material to engage the public in bird conservation on private property

53 Engage artists and the creative community in highlighting profiling and involving the larger community in discussion and awareness of birds

54 Local animal welfare organizations collaborate on a campaign to educate the public on the main threats facing birds in Ottawa including pets (especially cats) building impacts feeding ldquodonrsquotsrdquo and unnecessary rescues of baby birds

55 Nature Canada convene a local coalition of cat-care and nature organizations to launch a pilot project based on a similar initiative in Guelph Ontario to improve the welfare of both birds and cats by informing the public about the risks to cats that roam unsupervised and the threat they pose to birds

56 Undertake awareness and threat

mitigation campaigns (eg by distributing feather-friendly window tape) in neighbourhoods where the risk to birds from collisions with residential house glass is high such as along the Ottawa River corridor and in the IBA

Economic development and tourism

61 Launch an annual birding festival to promote Ottawa as a birdwatching destination

62 Seek out opportunities to host bird conferences meetings and workshops

42 Ottawa Bird Strategy

Ottawa Bird Strategy 43

Photo Credits

Cover (Chickadee at Jack Pine Trail) Meryl Raddatz

Pages ii and iii (Male Wood Duck) Barbara Adams

Page iv (Canada Goose) Raghavendra Rampur

Page 1 (Osprey) Louise Bradley

Page 2 (Atlantic Flyway Map) US Fish and Wildlife Service

Flickr ((httpscreativecommonsorglicensesby20) (Cardinal) Meryl Raddatz

Page 3 (Hooded Merganser) Jan Przybylo

Page 4 (Herring Gull) Corine Bliek Flickr (httpscreativecommonsorglicensesby-nc20)

Page 5 (IBA map) Birds Canada

Page 6 (Fletcher Wildlife Garden) Deborah Doherty

Page 7 (Birders in winter) Ellen Jakubowski

Page 8 (Bird-friendly NCC building) Anouk Hoedeman

Page 9 (Bird in hand) Christina Young

Page 10 (Least Bittern) Barbara Adams

Page 11 (Invasive Phragmites) antefixus21 Flickr (httpscreativecommonsorglicensesby-nc-nd20)

Page 12 (Cat with bird) Will Keightley Flickr (httpscreativecommonsorglicensesby-sa20)

Page 13 (Catio) Barbara Adams

Page 14 (Bird on gravel) Christina Young

Page 15 (Glass building) Anouk Hoedeman

Page 16 (Light pollution) Duncan Flickr (httpscreativecommonsorglicensesby20)

Page 17 (Owlet) Barbara Adams

Page 19 (Barn Swallow) Sean Marshall Flickr (httpscreativecommonsorglicensesby20)

Page 20 (Release of a Bittern) Barbara Adams

Page 21 (Baby Birds) Rick Sellick (Goslings) Shawn Middleton

Page 22 (Junco) Raghavendra Rampur

Page 23 (Red-winged Blackbird) Jan Przyblo (Building) Anouk Hoedeman (Cat) Barbara Adams

(Birds at Feeder) Rick Sellick (Girl with Bird Mask) Nature Canada (Birders) Ellen Jakubowski

Page 24 (Red-winged Blackbird) Jan Przybylo

Page 25 (Green Heron) Rod Van Volsen

Page 26 (Building) Anouk Hoedeman

Page 27 (Treated Window) Anouk Hoedeman

Page 28 (Cat on Leash) Barbara Adams

Page 29 (Cities graphic) Nature Canada (catsandbirdsca)

Page 30 (Woman) Retha Ferguson wwwpexelscom

Page 31 (Birds at Feeder) Rick Sellick

Page 32 (Girl with bird mask) Nature Canada

Page 33 (Birdnapper poster) Ottawa Valley Wild Bird Care Centre

Pages 34 and 35 all photos by Kristen Hines

Page 36 (Bullockrsquos Oriole) Ottawa Valley Wild Bird Care Centre

Page 37 (Birders) Ellen Jakubowski

Page 38 (Snowy Owl) Rick Sellick

Page 42 (Great Blue Heron) Louise Bradley

Page 46 (Hummingbird) Jan Przybylo

44 Ottawa Bird Strategy

Endnotes

1 httpavibasebsc-eocorgchecklistjspregion=CAonocamplist=howardmoore2 httpslinkspringercomarticle101007s10336-015-1229-y3 httpswwwpembinaorgreportsBoreal_FINALpdf4 httpswwwgoodnewsnetworkorgwatching-birds-near-home-good-mental-health5 httpswwwcanadacaenservicesenvironmentconservationsustainabilityfederal-sustainable-devel-opment-strategy2015-progress-reportprotecting-naturehtml6 httpwwwstateofthebirdsorg20167 US Fish amp Wildlife Service Birding in the United States Addendum to the 2016 National Survey of Fishing Hunting and Wildlife-Associated Recreation Report 2016-2 httpsdigitalmediafwsgovcdmrefcollectiondocumentid1874 8 Federal Provincial and Territorial Governments of Canada 2014 2012 Canadian Nature Survey Aware-ness participation and expenditures in nature-based recreation conservation and subsistence activities Otta-wa ON Canadian Councils of Resource Ministers httpwwwbiodivcanadaca2A0569A9-77BE-4E16-B2A4-C0A64C2B98432012_Canadian_Nature_Survey_Report28accessible_opt29pdf9 Enviro Fact Sheet Canadians and Nature Birds 2013 by Environment Energy and Transportation Sta-tistics Division Release date March 10 2015 httppublicationsgccacollectionscollection_2015statcan16-508-x2015001-engpdf10 Toronto Architect familiar with bird-friendly guidelines 11 Blancher P Estimated Number of Birds Killed by House Cats (Felis catus) in Canada Avian Conserv Ecol 2013 8 art3 doi105751ACE-00557-08020312 Canadian Federation of Humane Societies Cats in Canada 2017 A Five-Year Review of Cat Overpopula-tion (httpswwwhumanecanadacacats_in_canada_2017)13 Loyd K Hernandez S McRuer D The Role of Domestic Cats in the Admission of Injured Wildlife at Rehabili-tation and Rescue Centers Wildlife Society Bulletin 2017 41(1)55ndash61 DOI 101002wsb73714 wwwcatsandbirdsca15 httpsabcbirdsorgarticleup-to-one-billion-birds-may-be-killed-annually-in-building-collisions-new-study-says16 httpwwwace-ecoorgvol8iss2art617 httpwwwace-ecoorgvol8iss2art218 North American Bird Conservation Initiative Canada 2012 The State of Canadarsquos Birds 2012 Environ-ment Canada Ottawa Canada 36 pages K V Rosenberg J A Kennedy R Dettmers R P Ford D Reynolds JD Alex-ander C J Beardmore P J Blancher R E Bogart G S Butcher A F Camfield A Couturier D W Demarest W E Easton JJ Giocomo RH Keller A E Mini A O Panjabi D N Pashley T D Rich J M Ruth H Stabins J Stan-ton T Will 2016 Partners in Flight Landbird Conservation Plan 2016 Revision for Canada and Continental United States Partners in Flight Science Committee Heagy A D Badzinski D Bradley M Falconer J McCracken RA Reid and K Richardson 2014 Recovery Strategy for the Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica) in Ontario Ontario Recovery Strategy Series Prepared for the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry Peterborough Ontario vii + 64 pp19 httpsabcbirdsorgarticleup-to-one-billion-birds-may-be-killed-annually-in-building-collisions-new-study-says20 httpswwwontariocapageassessing-economic-value-protecting-great-lakes-ecosystems21 Federal Provincial and Territorial Governments of Canada 2014 2012 Canadian Nature Survey Aware-ness participation and expenditures in nature-based recreation conservation and subsistence activities Otta-wa ON Canadian Councils of Resource Ministers httpwwwbiodivcanadaca2A0569A9-77BE-4E16-B2A-

42 Ottawa Bird Strategy

Ottawa Bird Strategy 43

Photo Credits

Cover (Chickadee at Jack Pine Trail) Meryl Raddatz

Pages ii and iii (Male Wood Duck) Barbara Adams

Page iv (Canada Goose) Raghavendra Rampur

Page 1 (Osprey) Louise Bradley

Page 2 (Atlantic Flyway Map) US Fish and Wildlife Service

Flickr ((httpscreativecommonsorglicensesby20) (Cardinal) Meryl Raddatz

Page 3 (Hooded Merganser) Jan Przybylo

Page 4 (Herring Gull) Corine Bliek Flickr (httpscreativecommonsorglicensesby-nc20)

Page 5 (IBA map) Birds Canada

Page 6 (Fletcher Wildlife Garden) Deborah Doherty

Page 7 (Birders in winter) Ellen Jakubowski

Page 8 (Bird-friendly NCC building) Anouk Hoedeman

Page 9 (Bird in hand) Christina Young

Page 10 (Least Bittern) Barbara Adams

Page 11 (Invasive Phragmites) antefixus21 Flickr (httpscreativecommonsorglicensesby-nc-nd20)

Page 12 (Cat with bird) Will Keightley Flickr (httpscreativecommonsorglicensesby-sa20)

Page 13 (Catio) Barbara Adams

Page 14 (Bird on gravel) Christina Young

Page 15 (Glass building) Anouk Hoedeman

Page 16 (Light pollution) Duncan Flickr (httpscreativecommonsorglicensesby20)

Page 17 (Owlet) Barbara Adams

Page 19 (Barn Swallow) Sean Marshall Flickr (httpscreativecommonsorglicensesby20)

Page 20 (Release of a Bittern) Barbara Adams

Page 21 (Baby Birds) Rick Sellick (Goslings) Shawn Middleton

Page 22 (Junco) Raghavendra Rampur

Page 23 (Red-winged Blackbird) Jan Przyblo (Building) Anouk Hoedeman (Cat) Barbara Adams

(Birds at Feeder) Rick Sellick (Girl with Bird Mask) Nature Canada (Birders) Ellen Jakubowski

Page 24 (Red-winged Blackbird) Jan Przybylo

Page 25 (Green Heron) Rod Van Volsen

Page 26 (Building) Anouk Hoedeman

Page 27 (Treated Window) Anouk Hoedeman

Page 28 (Cat on Leash) Barbara Adams

Page 29 (Cities graphic) Nature Canada (catsandbirdsca)

Page 30 (Woman) Retha Ferguson wwwpexelscom

Page 31 (Birds at Feeder) Rick Sellick

Page 32 (Girl with bird mask) Nature Canada

Page 33 (Birdnapper poster) Ottawa Valley Wild Bird Care Centre

Pages 34 and 35 all photos by Kristen Hines

Page 36 (Bullockrsquos Oriole) Ottawa Valley Wild Bird Care Centre

Page 37 (Birders) Ellen Jakubowski

Page 38 (Snowy Owl) Rick Sellick

Page 42 (Great Blue Heron) Louise Bradley

Page 46 (Hummingbird) Jan Przybylo

44 Ottawa Bird Strategy

Endnotes

1 httpavibasebsc-eocorgchecklistjspregion=CAonocamplist=howardmoore2 httpslinkspringercomarticle101007s10336-015-1229-y3 httpswwwpembinaorgreportsBoreal_FINALpdf4 httpswwwgoodnewsnetworkorgwatching-birds-near-home-good-mental-health5 httpswwwcanadacaenservicesenvironmentconservationsustainabilityfederal-sustainable-devel-opment-strategy2015-progress-reportprotecting-naturehtml6 httpwwwstateofthebirdsorg20167 US Fish amp Wildlife Service Birding in the United States Addendum to the 2016 National Survey of Fishing Hunting and Wildlife-Associated Recreation Report 2016-2 httpsdigitalmediafwsgovcdmrefcollectiondocumentid1874 8 Federal Provincial and Territorial Governments of Canada 2014 2012 Canadian Nature Survey Aware-ness participation and expenditures in nature-based recreation conservation and subsistence activities Otta-wa ON Canadian Councils of Resource Ministers httpwwwbiodivcanadaca2A0569A9-77BE-4E16-B2A4-C0A64C2B98432012_Canadian_Nature_Survey_Report28accessible_opt29pdf9 Enviro Fact Sheet Canadians and Nature Birds 2013 by Environment Energy and Transportation Sta-tistics Division Release date March 10 2015 httppublicationsgccacollectionscollection_2015statcan16-508-x2015001-engpdf10 Toronto Architect familiar with bird-friendly guidelines 11 Blancher P Estimated Number of Birds Killed by House Cats (Felis catus) in Canada Avian Conserv Ecol 2013 8 art3 doi105751ACE-00557-08020312 Canadian Federation of Humane Societies Cats in Canada 2017 A Five-Year Review of Cat Overpopula-tion (httpswwwhumanecanadacacats_in_canada_2017)13 Loyd K Hernandez S McRuer D The Role of Domestic Cats in the Admission of Injured Wildlife at Rehabili-tation and Rescue Centers Wildlife Society Bulletin 2017 41(1)55ndash61 DOI 101002wsb73714 wwwcatsandbirdsca15 httpsabcbirdsorgarticleup-to-one-billion-birds-may-be-killed-annually-in-building-collisions-new-study-says16 httpwwwace-ecoorgvol8iss2art617 httpwwwace-ecoorgvol8iss2art218 North American Bird Conservation Initiative Canada 2012 The State of Canadarsquos Birds 2012 Environ-ment Canada Ottawa Canada 36 pages K V Rosenberg J A Kennedy R Dettmers R P Ford D Reynolds JD Alex-ander C J Beardmore P J Blancher R E Bogart G S Butcher A F Camfield A Couturier D W Demarest W E Easton JJ Giocomo RH Keller A E Mini A O Panjabi D N Pashley T D Rich J M Ruth H Stabins J Stan-ton T Will 2016 Partners in Flight Landbird Conservation Plan 2016 Revision for Canada and Continental United States Partners in Flight Science Committee Heagy A D Badzinski D Bradley M Falconer J McCracken RA Reid and K Richardson 2014 Recovery Strategy for the Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica) in Ontario Ontario Recovery Strategy Series Prepared for the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry Peterborough Ontario vii + 64 pp19 httpsabcbirdsorgarticleup-to-one-billion-birds-may-be-killed-annually-in-building-collisions-new-study-says20 httpswwwontariocapageassessing-economic-value-protecting-great-lakes-ecosystems21 Federal Provincial and Territorial Governments of Canada 2014 2012 Canadian Nature Survey Aware-ness participation and expenditures in nature-based recreation conservation and subsistence activities Otta-wa ON Canadian Councils of Resource Ministers httpwwwbiodivcanadaca2A0569A9-77BE-4E16-B2A-

Ottawa Bird Strategy 43

Photo Credits

Cover (Chickadee at Jack Pine Trail) Meryl Raddatz

Pages ii and iii (Male Wood Duck) Barbara Adams

Page iv (Canada Goose) Raghavendra Rampur

Page 1 (Osprey) Louise Bradley

Page 2 (Atlantic Flyway Map) US Fish and Wildlife Service

Flickr ((httpscreativecommonsorglicensesby20) (Cardinal) Meryl Raddatz

Page 3 (Hooded Merganser) Jan Przybylo

Page 4 (Herring Gull) Corine Bliek Flickr (httpscreativecommonsorglicensesby-nc20)

Page 5 (IBA map) Birds Canada

Page 6 (Fletcher Wildlife Garden) Deborah Doherty

Page 7 (Birders in winter) Ellen Jakubowski

Page 8 (Bird-friendly NCC building) Anouk Hoedeman

Page 9 (Bird in hand) Christina Young

Page 10 (Least Bittern) Barbara Adams

Page 11 (Invasive Phragmites) antefixus21 Flickr (httpscreativecommonsorglicensesby-nc-nd20)

Page 12 (Cat with bird) Will Keightley Flickr (httpscreativecommonsorglicensesby-sa20)

Page 13 (Catio) Barbara Adams

Page 14 (Bird on gravel) Christina Young

Page 15 (Glass building) Anouk Hoedeman

Page 16 (Light pollution) Duncan Flickr (httpscreativecommonsorglicensesby20)

Page 17 (Owlet) Barbara Adams

Page 19 (Barn Swallow) Sean Marshall Flickr (httpscreativecommonsorglicensesby20)

Page 20 (Release of a Bittern) Barbara Adams

Page 21 (Baby Birds) Rick Sellick (Goslings) Shawn Middleton

Page 22 (Junco) Raghavendra Rampur

Page 23 (Red-winged Blackbird) Jan Przyblo (Building) Anouk Hoedeman (Cat) Barbara Adams

(Birds at Feeder) Rick Sellick (Girl with Bird Mask) Nature Canada (Birders) Ellen Jakubowski

Page 24 (Red-winged Blackbird) Jan Przybylo

Page 25 (Green Heron) Rod Van Volsen

Page 26 (Building) Anouk Hoedeman

Page 27 (Treated Window) Anouk Hoedeman

Page 28 (Cat on Leash) Barbara Adams

Page 29 (Cities graphic) Nature Canada (catsandbirdsca)

Page 30 (Woman) Retha Ferguson wwwpexelscom

Page 31 (Birds at Feeder) Rick Sellick

Page 32 (Girl with bird mask) Nature Canada

Page 33 (Birdnapper poster) Ottawa Valley Wild Bird Care Centre

Pages 34 and 35 all photos by Kristen Hines

Page 36 (Bullockrsquos Oriole) Ottawa Valley Wild Bird Care Centre

Page 37 (Birders) Ellen Jakubowski

Page 38 (Snowy Owl) Rick Sellick

Page 42 (Great Blue Heron) Louise Bradley

Page 46 (Hummingbird) Jan Przybylo

44 Ottawa Bird Strategy

Endnotes

1 httpavibasebsc-eocorgchecklistjspregion=CAonocamplist=howardmoore2 httpslinkspringercomarticle101007s10336-015-1229-y3 httpswwwpembinaorgreportsBoreal_FINALpdf4 httpswwwgoodnewsnetworkorgwatching-birds-near-home-good-mental-health5 httpswwwcanadacaenservicesenvironmentconservationsustainabilityfederal-sustainable-devel-opment-strategy2015-progress-reportprotecting-naturehtml6 httpwwwstateofthebirdsorg20167 US Fish amp Wildlife Service Birding in the United States Addendum to the 2016 National Survey of Fishing Hunting and Wildlife-Associated Recreation Report 2016-2 httpsdigitalmediafwsgovcdmrefcollectiondocumentid1874 8 Federal Provincial and Territorial Governments of Canada 2014 2012 Canadian Nature Survey Aware-ness participation and expenditures in nature-based recreation conservation and subsistence activities Otta-wa ON Canadian Councils of Resource Ministers httpwwwbiodivcanadaca2A0569A9-77BE-4E16-B2A4-C0A64C2B98432012_Canadian_Nature_Survey_Report28accessible_opt29pdf9 Enviro Fact Sheet Canadians and Nature Birds 2013 by Environment Energy and Transportation Sta-tistics Division Release date March 10 2015 httppublicationsgccacollectionscollection_2015statcan16-508-x2015001-engpdf10 Toronto Architect familiar with bird-friendly guidelines 11 Blancher P Estimated Number of Birds Killed by House Cats (Felis catus) in Canada Avian Conserv Ecol 2013 8 art3 doi105751ACE-00557-08020312 Canadian Federation of Humane Societies Cats in Canada 2017 A Five-Year Review of Cat Overpopula-tion (httpswwwhumanecanadacacats_in_canada_2017)13 Loyd K Hernandez S McRuer D The Role of Domestic Cats in the Admission of Injured Wildlife at Rehabili-tation and Rescue Centers Wildlife Society Bulletin 2017 41(1)55ndash61 DOI 101002wsb73714 wwwcatsandbirdsca15 httpsabcbirdsorgarticleup-to-one-billion-birds-may-be-killed-annually-in-building-collisions-new-study-says16 httpwwwace-ecoorgvol8iss2art617 httpwwwace-ecoorgvol8iss2art218 North American Bird Conservation Initiative Canada 2012 The State of Canadarsquos Birds 2012 Environ-ment Canada Ottawa Canada 36 pages K V Rosenberg J A Kennedy R Dettmers R P Ford D Reynolds JD Alex-ander C J Beardmore P J Blancher R E Bogart G S Butcher A F Camfield A Couturier D W Demarest W E Easton JJ Giocomo RH Keller A E Mini A O Panjabi D N Pashley T D Rich J M Ruth H Stabins J Stan-ton T Will 2016 Partners in Flight Landbird Conservation Plan 2016 Revision for Canada and Continental United States Partners in Flight Science Committee Heagy A D Badzinski D Bradley M Falconer J McCracken RA Reid and K Richardson 2014 Recovery Strategy for the Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica) in Ontario Ontario Recovery Strategy Series Prepared for the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry Peterborough Ontario vii + 64 pp19 httpsabcbirdsorgarticleup-to-one-billion-birds-may-be-killed-annually-in-building-collisions-new-study-says20 httpswwwontariocapageassessing-economic-value-protecting-great-lakes-ecosystems21 Federal Provincial and Territorial Governments of Canada 2014 2012 Canadian Nature Survey Aware-ness participation and expenditures in nature-based recreation conservation and subsistence activities Otta-wa ON Canadian Councils of Resource Ministers httpwwwbiodivcanadaca2A0569A9-77BE-4E16-B2A-

44 Ottawa Bird Strategy

Endnotes

1 httpavibasebsc-eocorgchecklistjspregion=CAonocamplist=howardmoore2 httpslinkspringercomarticle101007s10336-015-1229-y3 httpswwwpembinaorgreportsBoreal_FINALpdf4 httpswwwgoodnewsnetworkorgwatching-birds-near-home-good-mental-health5 httpswwwcanadacaenservicesenvironmentconservationsustainabilityfederal-sustainable-devel-opment-strategy2015-progress-reportprotecting-naturehtml6 httpwwwstateofthebirdsorg20167 US Fish amp Wildlife Service Birding in the United States Addendum to the 2016 National Survey of Fishing Hunting and Wildlife-Associated Recreation Report 2016-2 httpsdigitalmediafwsgovcdmrefcollectiondocumentid1874 8 Federal Provincial and Territorial Governments of Canada 2014 2012 Canadian Nature Survey Aware-ness participation and expenditures in nature-based recreation conservation and subsistence activities Otta-wa ON Canadian Councils of Resource Ministers httpwwwbiodivcanadaca2A0569A9-77BE-4E16-B2A4-C0A64C2B98432012_Canadian_Nature_Survey_Report28accessible_opt29pdf9 Enviro Fact Sheet Canadians and Nature Birds 2013 by Environment Energy and Transportation Sta-tistics Division Release date March 10 2015 httppublicationsgccacollectionscollection_2015statcan16-508-x2015001-engpdf10 Toronto Architect familiar with bird-friendly guidelines 11 Blancher P Estimated Number of Birds Killed by House Cats (Felis catus) in Canada Avian Conserv Ecol 2013 8 art3 doi105751ACE-00557-08020312 Canadian Federation of Humane Societies Cats in Canada 2017 A Five-Year Review of Cat Overpopula-tion (httpswwwhumanecanadacacats_in_canada_2017)13 Loyd K Hernandez S McRuer D The Role of Domestic Cats in the Admission of Injured Wildlife at Rehabili-tation and Rescue Centers Wildlife Society Bulletin 2017 41(1)55ndash61 DOI 101002wsb73714 wwwcatsandbirdsca15 httpsabcbirdsorgarticleup-to-one-billion-birds-may-be-killed-annually-in-building-collisions-new-study-says16 httpwwwace-ecoorgvol8iss2art617 httpwwwace-ecoorgvol8iss2art218 North American Bird Conservation Initiative Canada 2012 The State of Canadarsquos Birds 2012 Environ-ment Canada Ottawa Canada 36 pages K V Rosenberg J A Kennedy R Dettmers R P Ford D Reynolds JD Alex-ander C J Beardmore P J Blancher R E Bogart G S Butcher A F Camfield A Couturier D W Demarest W E Easton JJ Giocomo RH Keller A E Mini A O Panjabi D N Pashley T D Rich J M Ruth H Stabins J Stan-ton T Will 2016 Partners in Flight Landbird Conservation Plan 2016 Revision for Canada and Continental United States Partners in Flight Science Committee Heagy A D Badzinski D Bradley M Falconer J McCracken RA Reid and K Richardson 2014 Recovery Strategy for the Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica) in Ontario Ontario Recovery Strategy Series Prepared for the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry Peterborough Ontario vii + 64 pp19 httpsabcbirdsorgarticleup-to-one-billion-birds-may-be-killed-annually-in-building-collisions-new-study-says20 httpswwwontariocapageassessing-economic-value-protecting-great-lakes-ecosystems21 Federal Provincial and Territorial Governments of Canada 2014 2012 Canadian Nature Survey Aware-ness participation and expenditures in nature-based recreation conservation and subsistence activities Otta-wa ON Canadian Councils of Resource Ministers httpwwwbiodivcanadaca2A0569A9-77BE-4E16-B2A-

Ottawa Bird Strategy 45

4C0A64C2B98432012_Canadian_Nature_Survey_Report28accessible_opt29pdf22 US Fish amp Wildlife Service Birding in the United States Addendum to the 2016 National Survey of Fishing Hunting and Wildlife-Associated Recreation Report 2016-2 httpsdigitalmediafwsgovdigitalcollec-tiondocumentid225223 Federal Provincial and Territorial Governments of Canada 2014 2012 Canadian Nature Survey Aware-ness participation and expenditures in nature-based recreation conservation and subsistence activities Otta-wa ON Canadian Councils of Resource Ministers httpwwwbiodivcanadaca2A0569A9-77BE-4E16-B2A-4C0A64C2B98432012_Canadian_Nature_Survey_Report28accessible_opt29pdf

46 Ottawa Bird Strategy