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Manning Park Bird Blitz

June 14-16, 2013

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 30 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.
 

Guest Speakers: 

John Gordon

John is an award-winning photographer and photo-journalist, and will be our special presenter on Saturday night. A professional photographer since 1984, John is a winner of many prestigious awards, including 2 Kodak Gallery Awards, a Fuji Masterpiece Award and a Nikon Digital Imaging trophy, as well as numerous community newspaper awards. He is a keen world traveller, a wildlife photographer, nature workshop leader, and a recognized author with his second book, The Langleys.
John's presentation is titled "How and where to photograph birds in the Lower Mainland and beyond."  He'll point you to the best spots, as well as some lesser known areas.  The presentation will also include a host of tips on technique, equipment choice and birding etiquette. John's images have appeared in Birders World, Pentax Magazine and recently on the front page of the Vancouver Sun when he photographed the rarest bird in Canada, a story that has resulted in over 6,000 visits to his blog: http://thecanadianwarbler.blogspot.ca/
John's website is at: www.johngordonphotography.com .
 

Event Leaders: 

Kelly has coordinated the Manning Park 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.

Bird Blitz Itinerary:

Friday — Birders arrive and set up camp at Loneduck Campground
beside Lightning Lake, starting at 2 PM.  Some birders choose to stay at nearby fixed roof accommodation.

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.  At 8:00 PM, legendary birder Al Grass presents "Birding for Beginners," a basic primer on identification techniques that will help you build your birding skills.  Late arrivals can register at Loneduck until 10:00 PM Friday, or anytime Saturday morning.  See map for directions to Lone Duck Campground and area.

Saturday — Birding groups will hike different trails in the park to record species and quantities of birds (by sight or call). 

For the first time this year, we will be leading an introductory birding outing for novices beginning at 9:00 AM at Lone Duck Camp and exploring the shores of Lightning Lake.

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 guest speaker, John Gordon.  John's presentation is titled "How and where to photograph birds in the Lower Mainland and beyond."

Sunday — More birding will occur in those areas not covered on Saturday, with people leaving Sunday afternoon.

Preregistration and payment:

* Full Weekend Birder - $50.  Fee covers Friday & Saturday camping, barbecue (bring own protein), guest speaker, learning and field data materials and company of friendly, like-minded birders!  

* Day Birder + Saturday BBQ & Guest Speaker - $40.  Fee covers Saturday camping, barbecue (bring own protein), guest speaker, learning and field data materials and company of friendly, like-minded birders!

* Day Birder - $25.  Fee covers Saturday OR Sunday birding with field data materials and company of friendly, like-minded birders!

* Young Birder - $0.  FREE for youth aged 18 and under, accompanied by an adult.

Fee applies to all birders--those camping at Lone Duck Campground and those staying at other fixed roof accommodation.
 

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.

MANNING PARK RESORT HAS BEEN PURCHASED AND IS OPEN FOR BUSINESS!

Manning Park Lodge
Call 250-840-8822 or 800-330-3321 for hotel rooms, cabins and chalets.  Special group rates may be available--just mention the Bird Blitz.  Manning Park Lodge has a restaurant, pub, spa with with hot tubs, sauna, gym and swimming pool.

Lodging outside Manning Park

East Gate Cabins (15 min. drive from Lightning Lake)
Contact: Kristina Davis
Phone: 250-840-8781
E-mail: riverrockgetaways@gmail.com

Sunshine Valley Cabins (35 min. from Lightning Lake)
Contact: Joanne Taylor, Holiday Trails Sunshine Valley Resort
Phone: 604-869-0066
Reasonably-priced 1-bedroom and 2-bedroom cabins
Let Joanne know you’re with the Bird Blitz to receive special pricing

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 +20 celsius during the day and -3 at night.  Snow will be found at higher elevations.  Gaiters can help to keep snow out of your boots.  Recommended items:

    *  Sturdy boots and gaters
    *  First aid kit
    *  Water container (at least 1 litre)
    *  High-energy lunches and snack food
    *  Warm clothes and rain gear 
    *  Sunglasses, hat, camera, binoculars, bird ID guide books

Cancellations:

If a registration is cancelled 14 days or more before a program starts, HMCOL will refund the program fee and equipment rental fees (as applicable) minus an administrative cost of $20 per person.  Program and equipment rental fees will not be refunded if a cancellation is received less than 14 days before the start of a program.  A program may be cancelled at the discretion of HMCOL.  If a program is cancelled, participants will receive a full refund of program and equipment fees.

A note about liability:

Hope Mountain Centre carries liability insurance and maintains excellent safety records.  Due to the nature of outdoor programs, these trips do involve some personal risk.  Hope Mountain Centre assumes 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 before participating in this program.

Please be aware that activities typical of this program involve many risks, dangers and hazards including, but not limited to: accidents which occur during transportation or travel to and from events; slips and falls; impact, cold water immersion; repetitive strain injuries; dislocated shoulders; hypothermia, frostbite, dehydration, sunstroke and heatstroke; changing and inclement weather conditions including storms, high wind and lightning; landslides and falling objects; encounters with domestic or wild animals; bites from insects, including ticks with the possibility of leading to disease; poisonous plant contact; campfire or fuel burns; choking, food poisoning, cuts; and negligence on the part of other participants, leaders, staff and volunteers.

While we love animals of all kinds, we ask that you please leave Fido 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.

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