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We are back for our 3rd season of the Bird Babble Podcast!  Our guest on this episode is long time volunteer Julie Howe. Over the winter, Julie decided to take on the role of Education Director for the Rocky Point Bird Observatory and she brings a ton of energy and passion to the position.  Julie talks to us about the second annual Victoria Bird Week presented by the Rocky Point Bird Observatory that is set to begin on Sunday, May 8th! It's a week long event ending with a World Migratory Bird Day celebration at Beaver Lake Park (Saanich, BC) on Saturday, May 14th! You can find out more about Victoria Bird Week by checking the Rocky Point Bird Observatory website or Facebook Page.  Julie mentions that the Rocky Point Bird Observatory is looking to hire a Lead Educator. It's a part-time paid position and you can contact Education Director Julie Howe at [email protected] or at [email protected] It's spring which means the RPBO banding station projects are getting ready to start and we let you know what's coming up next and who's the who (no pun intended LOL) in each project. The Rocky Pointer's 2022 are once again participating in the Birds Canada Great Canadian Birdathon and at the same time raising funds for the Rocky Point Bird Observatory.  The goal for 2022 is $5000.00 and you can support the team by following this link Rocky Pointer's 2022 or support team members Bird Babbler's directly.  Check out the Rocky Point Bird Observatory website at rpbo.org and visit their Facebook Page or Instagram Page for photographs from the 2021 banding seasons. The Rocky Point Bird Observatory is a non-profit organization and relies upon donations and grants to operate. If you would like to support the organization or this podcast you can do so by following this link: Donate to the Rocky Point Bird Observatory To find out more about the Rocky Point Bird Observatory, become a member or even volunteer with them please visit the website at rpbo.org Please be sure to visit and follow us on the Bird Babble Podcast Facebook Page and the Bird Babble Instagram Page If you have any questions or comments, they can be sent to us at [email protected] Music for this Bird Babble episode is provided with thanks by Purple Planet and their website can be found at purple-planet.com

Sooooooo many Northern Saw-whet Owls!!  Lots of other amazing birds and adventures during 2021 at the Rocky Point Bird Observatory too! On this episode Ann Nightingale and Jannaca Chick joined us with a wrap-up of the banding season and to do a bit of a deep dive into the second busiest year of Northern Saw-whet Owl banding at RPBO. This year a pilot project was launched to deploy 38 Motus tags on Northern Saw-whet Owls in collaboration with the Vancouver Island University and the Tatlayoko Lake Bird Observatory. Curious about what Motus is? Check out this amazing technology by visiting motus.org and search for Project 434 - Tracking movement of Northern Saw-whet Owls in Coastal BC (#434) Want to support (adopt) and follow a Northern Saw-whet Owl with a Motus tag? The Adopt a Motus-tagged Northern Saw-whet Owl program is now available by visiting Adopt a Motus Tagged NSWO  Follow the Rocky Point Bird Observatory Fall Migration Blog that was written each week by a banding team member by clicking on this link.  RPBO Blog The Team Rocky Pointers completed their Big Sit on October 9th to raise funds for the Birds Canada Great Canadian Birdathon and the Rocky Point Bird Observatory.  So far $5,450.00 has been raised and the team is still accepting donations until December 31, 2021.  You can support them by following this link The Rocky Pointers . A BIG shout out to the team members who participated in both of the 2021 Global Big Day's and a special thank you to those who made a donation.  Are you interested in joining the Rocky Point Bird Observatory team as a Lead Educator? It's a part-time paid position and you can contact President Jennifer Armstrong for more information at [email protected] or at [email protected] Check out the Rocky Point Bird Observatory website at rpbo.org and visit their Facebook Page or Instagram Page for photographs from the 2021 banding seasons. The Rocky Point Bird Observatory is a non-profit organization and relies upon donations and grants to operate. If you would like to support the organization or this podcast you can do so by following this link: Donate to the Rocky Point Bird Observatory To find out more about the Rocky Point Bird Observatory, become a member or even volunteer with them please visit the website at rpbo.org Please be sure to visit and follow us on the Bird Babble Podcast Facebook Page and the Bird Babble Instagram Page If you have any questions or comments, they can be sent to us at [email protected] Music for this Bird Babble episode is provided with thanks by Purple Planet and their website can be found at purple-planet.com

While school was out for most students a couple of young Rocky Point Bird Observatory volunteers spent their summer as interns, learning how to band passerines during the Fall Migration project that is currently underway.  We talk with Liam Singh and Rebecca Reader-Lee about how the intern experience has been and put them through a lightning round of questions. The Fall Migration project is nearing the midpoint for this year and things are starting to pick up at both stations although on some days we have to wonder where are the birds? On this episode we let you know how things are going after week 6 as well as some of the surprises experienced at the stations. Follow the Rocky Point Bird Observatory Blog that is written each week by the banding team by clicking on this link.  RPBO Blog Another great banding station that is being managed and staffed by former RPBO members is the Tatlayoko Lake Bird Observatory.  They also have a daily blog that you can read by clicking on this link. TLBO Blog The Team Rocky Pointers are back at it on October 9th to do another Big Day of Birding to raise funds for the Birds Canada's Great Canadian Birdathon and the Rocky Point Bird Observatory. You can support the team by donating at this link. The Rocky Pointers   Are you interested in joining the Rocky Point Bird Observatory team as a Lead Educator? It's a paid position and you can contact President Jennifer Armstrong for more information at [email protected]   Check out the Rocky Point Bird Observatory website at rpbo.org and visit their Facebook Page or Instagram Page for photographs from the recent banding sessions. The Rocky Point Bird Observatory is a non-profit organization and relies upon donations and grants to operate. If you would like to support the organization or this podcast you can do so by following this link: Donate to the Rocky Point Bird Observatory To find out more about the Rocky Point Bird Observatory visit rpbo.org Please be sure to visit and follow us on the Bird Babble Podcast Facebook Page and the Bird Babble Instagram Page If you have any questions or comments, they can be sent to us at [email protected] Music for this Bird Babble episode is provided with thanks by Purple Planet and their website can be found at purple-planet.com

It's the Rocky Point Bird Observatory's busiest time of the year as they transition from the MAPS project into the Fall Migration project with four banding stations operating at the same time. On this episode we bring you up to date with the projects underway including a discussion with the Seawatch Coordinator Daniel Donnecke and the trouble with fog during the heat domes that BC has experienced. We also talk to RPBO volunteer Jacquie Taylor who is the Project Coordinator for the Cowichan Bring Back the Bluebirds project.   Race Rocks Eco-Guardian Blog Ann Nightingale's Adventures Blog Cowichan Bring Back The Bluebirds    Check out the Rocky Point Bird Observatory website at rpbo.org to find out more about the Hummingbird Project and visit their Facebook Page or Instagram Page for photographs from the recent banding sessions. The Rocky Point Bird Observatory is a non-profit organization and relies upon donations and grants to operate. If you would like to support the organization or this podcast you can do so by following this link: Donate to the Rocky Point Bird Observatory To find out more about the Rocky Point Bird Observatory visit rpbo.org Please be sure to visit and follow us on the Bird Babble Podcast Facebook Page and the Bird Babble Instagram Page If you have any questions or comments, they can be sent to us at [email protected] Music for this Bird Babble episode is provided with thanks by Purple Planet and their website can be found at purple-planet.com

On this episode we provide updates on the RPBO projects that have been underway for the past few months as well as what's happening now that the Fall Migration project is up and running. The last couple of weeks have to be the busiest time for the observatory with the overlapping projects and a lot of planning and hard work by the staff and volunteers has made it possible. The Pedder Bay banding station had a very special visitor,  Lieutenant Governor of BC Janet Austin stopped by to see the amazing research being done and Pedder Bay also had a few surprises in the nets too! Check out the Rocky Point Bird Observatory website at rpbo.org to find out more about the Hummingbird Project and visit their Facebook Page or Instagram Page for photographs from the recent banding sessions. The Rocky Point Bird Observatory is a non-profit organization and relies upon donations and grants to operate. If you would like to support the organization or this podcast you can do so by following this link: Donate to the Rocky Point Bird Observatory To find out more about the Rocky Point Bird Observatory visit rpbo.org Please be sure to visit and follow us on the Bird Babble Podcast Facebook Page and the Bird Babble Instagram Page If you have any questions or comments, they can be sent to us at [email protected] Music for this Bird Babble episode is provided with thanks by Purple Planet and their website can be found at purple-planet.com

Hummingbirds ….. they're more than just iridescent gems that come to our backyard feeders. On this episode we have a talk with RPBO Director Dr. Alison Moran about what hummingbirds can tell us by doing DNA analysis of their poop!! Check out the Rocky Point Bird Observatory website at rpbo.org to find out more about the Hummingbird Project and visit their Facebook Page or Instagram Page for photographs from the recent banding sessions. The Rocky Point Bird Observatory is a non-profit organization and relies upon donations and grants to operate. If you would like to support the organization or this podcast you can do so by following this link: Donate to the Rocky Point Bird Observatory To find out more about the Rocky Point Bird Observatory visit rpbo.org Please be sure to visit and follow us on the Bird Babble Podcast Facebook Page and the Bird Babble Instagram Page If you have any questions or comments, they can be sent to us at [email protected] Music for this Bird Babble episode is provided with thanks by Purple Planet and their website can be found at purple-planet.com

On this episode we talk to Bander in Charge Jannaca Chick about the RPBO MAPS project (Monitoring Avian Productivity and Survivorship). RPBO is back to banding at two locations this year, Witty's Lagoon and its new location at Power To Be on the old Prospect Lake Golf Course property.  Check out the Rocky Point Bird Observatory website at rpbo.org to find out more about the MAPS project and visit their Facebook Page or Instagram Page for photographs from the recent banding sessions. The Rocky Point Bird Observatory is a non-profit organization and relies upon donations and grants to operate. If you would like to support the organization or this podcast you can do so by following this link: Donate to the Rocky Point Bird Observatory To find out more about the Rocky Point Bird Observatory visit rpbo.org Please be sure to visit and follow us on the Bird Babble Podcast Facebook Page and the Bird Babble Instagram Page If you have any questions or comments, they can be sent to us at [email protected] Music for this Bird Babble episode is provided with thanks by Purple Planet and their website can be found at purple-planet.com

On this episode we talk to The Rocky Pointers on the evening of May 8th who have each just completed a Big Day of Birding to raise funds for the Birds Canada's Great Canadian Birdathon and the Rocky Point Bird Observatory.  Robyn and I participated with The Rocky Pointers as The Bird Babbler's Big Day and you can still help support bird conservation as well as RPBO by making a donation up until December 31, 2021 in the team links above.  Check out the Rocky Point Bird Observatory website at rpbo.org to see what is being planned for the first Victoria Bird Week presented by the Rocky Point Bird Observatory during the week of May 8th -16th.  The Rocky Point Bird Observatory is a non-profit organization and relies upon donations and grants to operate. If you would like to support the organization or this podcast you can do so by following this link: Donate to the Rocky Point Bird Observatory To find out more about the Rocky Point Bird Observatory visit rpbo.org Please be sure to visit and follow us on the Bird Babble Podcast Facebook Page and the Bird Babble Instagram Page If you have any questions or comments, they can be sent to us at [email protected] Music for this Bird Babble episode is provided with thanks by Purple Planet and their website can be found at purple-planet.com

On this episode we talk to the Rocky Point Bird Observatory Education Director Kristine Heilmann and Lead Educator Renee Cenerini who are just getting settled into their new roles with the organization. With World Migratory Bird Day on May 8, 2021 Kristine and Renee decided that maybe, just maybe something bigger could be hatched to celebrate the birds in Victoria, BC. Check out the Rocky Point Bird Observatory website at rpbo.org to see what is being planned for World Migratory Bird Day as well as some amazing events planned for the first Victoria Bird Week presented by the Rocky Point Bird Observatory during the week of May 8th -16th.  The Birds Canada Great Canadian Birdathon is also taking place on May 8th and several members of the observatory are banding together as The Rocky Pointers. Robyn and I will be joining the team as The Bird Babbler's Big Day and you can help support bird conservation as well as RPBO by making a donation in the team links above. The Rocky Point Bird Observatory is a non-profit organization and relies upon donations and grants to operate. If you would like to support the organization or this podcast you can do so by following this link: Donate to the Rocky Point Bird Observatory To find out more about the Rocky Point Bird Observatory visit rpbo.org Please be sure to visit and follow us on the Bird Babble Podcast Facebook Page and the Bird Babble Instagram Page If you have any questions or comments, they can be sent to us at [email protected] Music for this Bird Babble episode is provided with thanks by Purple Planet and their website can be found at purple-planet.com

On this episode we talk to the Rocky Point Bird Observatory Seawatch Coordinator, Daniel Donnecke during an actual observation session. Daniel's passion for this project is second to none and it's evident during the discussion when the migrating birds come into view! The Rocky Point Bird Observatory is partnering with Power To Be to conduct MAPS (Monitoring Avian Productivity and Survivorship) at their Prospect Lake, BC location this year. To find out more about this project you can follow this link: Maps Project Seawatch observations are recorded using eBird and you can check out what birds were seen during this episode by following this link: Seawatch eBird Checklist Also, here is the eBird checklist of our walk to the Seawatch location with a recording of the Pygmy Owl that we heard by following this link: Aylard Farms eBird Checklist   The Rocky Point Bird Observatory is a non-profit organization and relies upon donations and grants to operate. If you would like to support the organization or this podcast you can do so by following this link: Donate to the Rocky Point Bird Observatory To find out more about the Rocky Point Bird Observatory visit rpbo.org Please be sure to visit and follow us on the Bird Babble Podcast Facebook Page and the Bird Babble Instagram Page If you have any questions or comments, they can be sent to us at [email protected] Music for this Bird Babble episode is provided with thanks by Purple Planet and their website can be found at purple-planet.com

Winter is working its way out the back door which means that the Rocky Point Bird Observatory is getting ready for another exciting year. Actually, a lot of its members and volunteers have been busy over the winter months so we decided to touch base with Ann Nightingale to get some insider information of what we can expect this year.   Link to Dave Bell's published paper Donate to the Rocky Point Bird Observatory To find out more about the Rocky Point Bird Observatory visit rpbo.org Please be sure to visit and follow us on the Bird Babble Podcast Facebook Page or on Bird Babble Instagram . If you have any questions or comments, they can be sent to us at [email protected] Music for this Bird Babble episode is provided with thanks by Purple Planet and their website can be found at purple-planet.com

2020 .... It's been a crazy year but the Rocky Point Bird Observatory was able to complete the MAPS (Monitoring Avian Productivity and Survivorship), the Fall Migration and Northern Saw-whet Owl projects after having to implementing COVID-19 protocols earlier in the year. On this episode we talk about the some of the final banding numbers and thank the banders, volunteers and board members that made it happen.   Donate to the Rocky Point Bird Observatory Rocky Point Bird Observatory Blog To find out more about the Rocky Point Bird Observatory visit rpbo.org Please be sure to visit and follow us on the Bird Babble Podcast Facebook Page or on Bird Babble Instagram . If you have any questions or comments, they can be sent to us at [email protected] Music for this Bird Babble episode is provided with thanks by Purple Planet and their website can be found at purple-planet.com