Manning Park Bird Blitz
June 18 - 20, 2010
The Manning Park Bird Blitz is a fun event for expert and novice birders alike. Manning’s diverse mix of coastal, mountain, and interior climates supports a huge variety of birds — over 200 species. June is a great time to visit the park, when forests are alive with a riot of birds noisily advertising for mates and defending territory. This, combined with the park's extensive network of scenic trails, makes Manning a paradise for birders!
Established in 1983, the Manning Park Bird Blitz is one of BC’s longest-running bird counts. The event provides a vital service to Manning Park--birders are helping to build a database that now spans 28 years, giving biologists a better picture of the park’s changing species diversity over time.
Co-Sponsorship of the Bird Blitz:
The Bird Blitz is being supported and delivered by two non-profit organizations – BC Nature and Hope Mountain Centre for Outdoor Learning. Both organizations are devoted to nature appreciation and stewardship, and together, they bring long-term stability and increased promotion to this great Manning Park tradition.
Event Leader:
Kelly Pearce has coordinated the Bird Blitz since 2000, and enjoys the wonderful people that attend the event each year. Kelly is a former Manning Park naturalist, with 16 years experience in outdoor education.
Guest Speakers:
Dick Cannings will help to train birders on identification by call during the Friday night registration. It is an honour to have Dick back at Manning this year. Dick has authored and co-authored several award-winning books, including “British Columbia: A Natural History,” “The Birds of the Okanagan Valley,” “The BC Roadside Naturalist,” “The Rockies: a Natural History,” “Birds of Southwestern British Columbia,” and “An Enchantment of Birds.” Dick is an accomplished biologist, instructor, eco-tour guide, and conservation advocate, and he is a regular contributor to CBC Radio’s “BC Almanac” program.
Rick Wright presents "RTP's RBI: How Roger Tory Peterson invented Birding--Twice?" Rick lives in Tucson and in Vancouver, BC, with his wife, Alison Beringer. Rick grew up birding in southeast Nebraska and attended the University of Nebraska and Harvard Law School before taking the M.A. and Ph.D. at Princeton University. After a dozen years as an academic, he moved to Tucson in 2003, where he founded Aimophila Adventures, a guide service for birders in southeast Arizona. The former Managing Director of WINGS, Rick is a widely published writer, a popular lecturer at birding events, and an enthusiastic tour leader in Europe and North America. His time afield is documented in his blog, Aimophila Adventures.
Bird Blitz Itinerary:
Friday — Birders arrive and set up camp at Loneduck Campground
beside Lightning Lake, starting at noon. Some birders choose to stay at the Manning Park Lodge (see below for contact information to rent rooms, cabins, or chalets).
Orientation begins at 7:00 PM at Loneduck Campground. Birders will get an introduction to the park, form birding groups, choose a trail, and receive their birding kits. Late arrivals can register at Loneduck until 10:00 PM Friday, or anytime Saturday morning. See map for directions to Lone Duck Campground and the Manning Park Lodge.
Saturday — Birding groups will hike different trails in the park to record species and quantities of birds (by sight or call). After a full day of birding, birders will return to an evening barbecue with buns, salads, and drinks (bring your own protein!). After dinner, birders will meet around the campfire for a quick run-through of the day’s sightings, followed by a guest speaker (yet to be named!).
Sunday — More birding will occur in those areas not covered on Saturday, with people leaving Sunday afternoon.
Pre-registration and payment:
The cost is $45 per birder (FREE for children aged 18 and under, accompanied by an adult).
The fee applies to all birders--those camping at Lone Duck Campground and those staying at Manning Park Lodge (or other accomodation).
NEW FOR THIS YEAR - We ask that participants register and pay in advance on-line through our website - www.hopemountain.org. If on-line payment is not possible for you, please arrange payment by cheque with us well before the event. This will help us plan for the weekend, purchase food and arrange supplies for support/educational materials! Please contact us at 604-869-1274 or send us an e-mail if you have any questions.
The birding fee includes the following:
* Two nights camping at Lone Duck Campground on Lightning Lake noon Friday to Sunday.
* Guest speaker and barbecue, with salads, buns, and drinks provided
(bring your own protein!).
* Birding Kit--including park map, bird checklist, tally sheet, nesting record, and pencil.
* Educational displays and materials.
Accommodation:
Camping at Lone Duck Campground, a BC Parks "Group Campsite," with
plenty of room for at least 100 people. Come prepared for tenting or RV camping. No electrical or sewage hookups. Facilities include pit toilets, drinking water, two covered cook shelters with wood stoves for warmth and two group campfire rings. Bring your own table and chairs if possible, as picnic tables and seating are limited.
Hotel rooms, cabins, chalets at the Manning Park Lodge:
Call 250-840-8822 for hotel rooms, cabins and chalets. Special group rates available--just mention the Bird Blitz. The Manning Park Lodge has a restaurant, pub, and spa with hot tubs, sauna, gym, and swimming pool.
Cougar Ridge Bed & Breakfast is a 12 minute drive east of the Manning Park Resort - Call 250-840-8781 for lodging information.
What to Bring:
Be prepared to camp and provide your own food --- an exception is the Saturday night barbecue, when you can just arrive with protein for the grill.
Come prepared to hike in a variety of weather conditions, with temperatures ranging between +25 celsius during the day and -3 at night. Some snow will be found at higher elevations, so gators can help to keep snow out of your boots. Recommended items:
* Water container (at least 1 litre)
* High-energy lunches and snack food
* Hiking boots or sturdy runners
* Warm clothes and rain gear
* Sunglasses, hat, camera, binoculars, guide books
Cancellations:
If a registration is cancelled 14 days or more before a program starts, we will refund the program cost minus an administrative fee of $20. Cancellations received less than 14 days before the start of a program will not receive a refund. If we are forced to cancel a program, participants will receive a full refund.
A note about liability:
Hope Mountain Centre and BC Nature carry liability insurance and maintain excellent safety records. Due to the nature of outdoor programs, these trips do involve some personal risk. Hope Mountain Centre and BC Nature assume no responsibility for personal injury or damage to personal property and we will require each participant to sign a liability release and assumption of risk form.
While we love dogs, we ask that you please leave yours at home.
Reserve a spot now by registering through this website, or call us at 604-869-1274 or by email at info@hopemountain.org for more information.
The Manning Park Bird Blitz is a fun event for expert and novice birders alike. Manning’s diverse mix of coastal, mountain, and interior climates supports a huge variety of birds — over 200 species. June is a great time to visit the park, when forests are alive with a riot of birds noisily advertising for mates and defending territory. This, combined with the park's extensive network of scenic trails, makes Manning a paradise for birders!
Established in 1983, the Manning Park Bird Blitz is one of BC’s longest-running bird counts. The event provides a vital service to Manning Park--birders are helping to build a database that now spans 28 years, giving biologists a better picture of the park’s changing species diversity over time.
Co-Sponsorship of the Bird Blitz:
Event Leader:
Kelly Pearce has coordinated the Bird Blitz since 2000, and enjoys the wonderful people that attend the event each year. Kelly is a former Manning Park naturalist, with 16 years experience in outdoor education. Dick Cannings will help to train birders on identification by call during the Friday night registration. It is an honour to have Dick back at Manning this year. Dick has authored and co-authored several award-winning books, including “British Columbia: A Natural History,” “The Birds of the Okanagan Valley,” “The BC Roadside Naturalist,” “The Rockies: a Natural History,” “Birds of Southwestern British Columbia,” and “An Enchantment of Birds.” Dick is an accomplished biologist, instructor, eco-tour guide, and conservation advocate, and he is a regular contributor to CBC Radio’s “BC Almanac” program. Rick Wright presents "RTP's RBI: How Roger Tory Peterson invented Birding--Twice?" Rick lives in Tucson and in Vancouver, BC, with his wife, Alison Beringer. Rick grew up birding in southeast Nebraska and attended the University of Nebraska and Harvard Law School before taking the M.A. and Ph.D. at Princeton University. After a dozen years as an academic, he moved to Tucson in 2003, where he founded Aimophila Adventures, a guide service for birders in southeast Arizona. The former Managing Director of WINGS, Rick is a widely published writer, a popular lecturer at birding events, and an enthusiastic tour leader in Europe and North America. His time afield is documented in his blog, Aimophila Adventures.beside Lightning Lake, starting at noon. Some birders choose to stay at the Manning Park Lodge (see below for contact information to rent rooms, cabins, or chalets).
Saturday — Birding groups will hike different trails in the park to record species and quantities of birds (by sight or call). After a full day of birding, birders will return to an evening barbecue with buns, salads, and drinks (bring your own protein!). After dinner, birders will meet around the campfire for a quick run-through of the day’s sightings, followed by a guest speaker (yet to be named!).
Sunday — More birding will occur in those areas not covered on Saturday, with people leaving Sunday afternoon.
Pre-registration and payment:
The fee applies to all birders--those camping at Lone Duck Campground and those staying at Manning Park Lodge (or other accomodation).
The birding fee includes the following:
* Two nights camping at Lone Duck Campground on Lightning Lake noon Friday to Sunday.
* Guest speaker and barbecue, with salads, buns, and drinks provided
(bring your own protein!).
* Birding Kit--including park map, bird checklist, tally sheet, nesting record, and pencil.
* Educational displays and materials.
Accommodation:
Camping at Lone Duck Campground, a BC Parks "Group Campsite," with
plenty of room for at least 100 people. Come prepared for tenting or RV camping. No electrical or sewage hookups. Facilities include pit toilets, drinking water, two covered cook shelters with wood stoves for warmth and two group campfire rings. Bring your own table and chairs if possible, as picnic tables and seating are limited.
Call 250-840-8822 for hotel rooms, cabins and chalets. Special group rates available--just mention the Bird Blitz. The Manning Park Lodge has a restaurant, pub, and spa with hot tubs, sauna, gym, and swimming pool.
Be prepared to camp and provide your own food --- an exception is the Saturday night barbecue, when you can just arrive with protein for the grill.
* Water container (at least 1 litre)
* High-energy lunches and snack food
* Hiking boots or sturdy runners
* Warm clothes and rain gear
* Sunglasses, hat, camera, binoculars, guide books
If a registration is cancelled 14 days or more before a program starts, we will refund the program cost minus an administrative fee of $20. Cancellations received less than 14 days before the start of a program will not receive a refund. If we are forced to cancel a program, participants will receive a full refund.
Hope Mountain Centre and BC Nature carry liability insurance and maintain excellent safety records. Due to the nature of outdoor programs, these trips do involve some personal risk. Hope Mountain Centre and BC Nature assume no responsibility for personal injury or damage to personal property and we will require each participant to sign a liability release and assumption of risk form.
Sep 06, 2010