Blasted past bird records

Photo: Matthias Bieber

The busy year at Vaseux Lake Observatory has continued and broken a previous record of most birds banded in one season. 

"We are now entering uncharted territory for VLBO as we approach 3,000 birds banded, finishing the week with 2,852," writes Matthias Bieber, bander-in-charge, in his weekly update.

The previous season record was set back in 2006. And it isn't just the numbers that are astonishing for Bieber — the sheer variety of species has also been remarkable. 

"Our species total now sits at 64 which is also nearing the record of 66," he says. 

Six new species for the 2019 season were found in the harmless nets the researchers use to catch the birds before banding them this past week: Townsend’s Warbler, only the 8th ever banded at the observatory, Cooper’s Hawk, Cassin’s Vireo, Fox Sparrow, Brown Creeper and Pacific Wren.

Bieber speculates that the high numbers this week may be tied to the unusually wet September the area has seen. August was also unusually busy, seeing three times the average number of birds. 

The banding project, which allows researchers to track species' progress year over year, operates from Aug.1 through to Oct. 15 — plenty of time left to break more records. 

Keep up with the observatory's work or learn about volunteering and donating here.