Greetings Bird Lovers!
You're invited to the 25th annual Manning Park BIRD BLITZ .
Happy spring everyone...the snowpack it beginning to melt in the Cascade Mountains,
and millions of song birds are soon returning to Canada's forests to breed.
Manning Park will be going wild by mid-June, with hundreds of bird species building
nests and singing in the canopy. You're invited to join with dozens of expert
and novice birders, in celebration of Manning's avian abundance!
Special thanks must go to BC Nature, for adopting the Bird Blitz this year.
As the new event sponsor, BC Nature is helping to secure the future of a birding
tradition that stretches back a quarter century.
Below, you'll find lots of information about the event. Please feel free
to forward this message to anyone on your e-mail list.
DATES:
June 15, 16 & 17, 2007
PLACE:
E.C. Manning Provincial Park (a three-hour drive east of Vancouver,
in the beautiful Cascade Mountains)
DESCRIPTION:
The Manning Park “Bird Blitz” is a fun event for expert and novice
birders alike. Manning’s rich blend of coastal, mountain, and interior
climates support 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 advertizing for mates and defending territory.
This, combined with the park's extensive network of scenic trails,
makes Manning a paradise for birders!
HISTORY:
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 25 years, giving park managers a better picture of the
park’s changing species diversity over time.
ITINERARY:
Friday --- Birders arrive and set up camp at Loneduck Campground
beside Lightning Lake, or stay at a nearby resort (options listed below
on this e-mail). Registration begins at Loneduck Group Campsite at 7:00 PM.
Form birding groups, choose a trail, and receive your birding kits.
Late arrivals can register at Loneduck until 10:00 PM Friday, or
Saturday morning.
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.
Sunday --- More birding in those areas not covered on Saturday,
with people leaving Sunday afternoon.
FEES:
$35 per birder (FREE for children aged 18 and under, accompanied by an adult).
The fee applies to all birders --- those camping at Lone Duck and
those staying at nearby resorts.
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.
* Birding displays and bird call playback station.
PLEASE PAY BY CHEQUE, made payable to: BC Nature
Mail your cheque with name/address/email to:
Kelly Pearce
P.O. Box 234
Hope, BC
V0X 1L0
Receipt of payment will confirm your booking, so advance
payment is recommended (at least two weeks prior to event).
No receipt will be mailed out.
ACCOMMODATION:
Camping:
Lone Duck Campground is 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, additional weather-proof tent shelters,
two group campfire rings...bring your own table and chairs if
possible, as picnic tables and seating are limited.
Hotel or Bed & Breakfast
Manning Park Lodge
Call 250-840-8822 for hotel rooms, cabins and chalets.
Cougar Ridge Bed & Breakfast is operated by friendly
proprietors Bob and Barb, and they have a nice variety of
comfortable rooms and cabins at Manning Park's East Gate,
just a 15-minute drive from the lodge. Phone Bob & Barb at
250-840-8781. You'll still be close enough to take part in all
birding activities (barbecue, guest speaker, etc) and get
to park trailheads easily.
Cabins sleep several people, making them very affordable.
All cabins are close to the Similkameen River (great birding!),
have barbecues, and fully-equipped kitchens. Some have hot tubs!
FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE BIRD BLITZ:
Contact Kelly Pearce
Phone: (604) 869-3745
Fax: (604) 869-3755
E-mail: kpearce@uniserve.com
I can e-mail you the following items upon request:
* Bird checklist for Manning Park
* Map showing location of Loneduck Campground
* Previous species tallies