It’s Time for Birds! 37th Yukon Birdathon
In spring &, the Yukon comes alive with birds. The 24-hour birdfest, always held at the end of May, runs this year May 27/28 2022.
A chance on winter
The process of watching, listening and trying to identify a bird will help you remember that species, and perhaps that particular bird, forever.
Christmas bird counts are fun for kids too
Julie Bauer loves birding with kids. The-long-time Haines Junction resident and birder is leading Canada’s most northerly Christmas Bird Count (CBC) for Kids on Dec. 14. The unique event is part of an international citizen science program for monitoring and conserving birds.
Catch the action in Teslin
With its northwest orientation, Teslin Lake is considered a sort of bird funnel, directing birds south during fall migration. Many migrating birds are attracted to the lakeshore near the mouth of 10-Mile Creek. So many that a seasonal bird banding and monitoring station—the Teslin Lake Bird Observatory—was started there in 2005.
Wildlife viewing program offers free nature walks and talks
What do mushrooms, squirrels, Kokanee salmon, a salt lake and elk have in common? They’re all things you can see in the upcoming Wild Discoveries events hosted by Environment Yukon over the next month. From a focus on fungi to how elk attract mates, the free evening hikes and talks are being held in and around …
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Counting birds is a social affair
The International Christmas Bird Count (CBC) is Dec. 14 – Jan 5. last year (2017) saw 12 in The Yukon from Watson Lake to the Tombstones.
What’s on the river? – A winter warm-up to the Christmas Bird Count
It’s snowy and cold outside, and most of the Yukon’s migratory birds, such as swans, pretty yellow warblers, ducks and shorebirds, have long fled the territory. There’s always a few species, however, that linger. A favoured habitat for some of these birds is the Yukon River, just below the Rotary Centennial Bridge (“blue bridge”) near …
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Feeding our feathered friends … do it for joy, and do it for science
It’s winter—time to check out the bird feeders and stock up on “fast food” for our feathered friends. A huge variety of bird feeders are available in local stores or can be made easily from milk jugs or cartons. The cheerful black-capped chickadee is the most frequently reported “feeder bird” in the Yukon and in …
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A bird’s-eye view
Whether it’s for the annual bike race or a fishing holiday, Yukoners love Haines. The small southeast-Alaska port is a special destination for many. Come fall, the arrival of thousands of American Bald Eagles, in the nearby Chilkat River Valley, offers another reason to visit. From October to January, between two- and four-thousand bald eagles …
Going from Whitehorse to Dawson on the Yukon River? You better believe that’s a paddlin’
The world’s longest annual paddling race is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year with the largest slate of international teams and racers ever.
Garage Sales – Doing it for (the) community
In early April, 79-year-old Lorraine White did what lots of Yukoners do: she held a garage sale. White, who was moving to Vancouver Island, sold her furniture and old china at her Takhini senior’s residence, and gave away the rest. Moving on or moving out are two reasons for garage sales. Connecting with community is …
Nothing says spring more than the sounds of birds
The Yukon Bird Club’s new president is Shyloh van Delft (shown here leading a field trip at Tagish). The club has launched a new season of free field trips and special events. PHOTO: Jenny Trapnell The North is a nursery for millions of migratory birds returning from winters in places as far south as South …
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Mixing it up at the Mad(am) Trapper Contest
The multi-event Mad(am) Trapper competition, slated for Feb. 23 through 25, usually attracts dozens of women and men vying for the title of Mad Trapper or Madam Trapper.
Whitehorse Walks!
In a city renowned for its trails, Whitehorse has several informal walking groups to help us connect socially – and stay fit mentally and physically – all year-round. Most Sundays and sometimes Wednesdays, Peter Long and his partner, Wynne Krangle, plan “Blue Moon” hikes with a group of friends and “anyone willing to join us.” …
Who’s still here?
Fall migration is over, but you can still see some pretty cool birds around if you know where to look.
See the Amazing Journey
Now’s the time to visit the Whitehorse fish ladder. This month the Yukon River Chinook salmon are migrating through Whitehorse, and the Whitehorse Rapids Fishway, located in Riverdale at the end of Nisutlin Road,is a good place to seem them in action. The wooden fish ladder is the longest of its kind in the world …
Hiking Miles Canyon to Canyon City: A Landscape with a Past
One of the most visited attractions in Whitehorse, the Miles Canyon Suspension Bridge, is a great launching point for interesting half-day hikes. Located about 10 minutes from downtown by road, the historic 95-year-old suspension bridge (which has been recently repaired) is connected to a well-established network of trails east of the Yukon River, in Chadburn …
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Look Who’s Parking in Whitehorse
Dr. Katie Aitken, an ornithology instructor at Yukon College, says it’s “unknown” if Yukon’s house sparrow population will expand to become a problem downtown or with bird lovers. She admits she has a soft spot for them. “It was the first species I identified when I started birding as a child down south,” she told …
Birding on the Fly
I’ve joined her in a Riverdale neighbourhood in search of a rare Mountain chickadee. The first species we see, however, is a noisy woodpecker, a “Hairy.” Whitehorse resident Tracy Allard brings out her smartphone and taps an app called eBird to start her checklist: the type, number and location of each bird she’ll see on this …
The Yukon’s Winter Mermaid: The American Dipper
A happy melodic song rings along the Yukon River below the dam, and you imagine it’s a pretty little bird singing in a tree. But it’s 10 below. Then you notice a small chubby bird, coloured like slate, sitting on boulders near the rushing water. Its body is bobbing up and down. It suddenly plunges into …
Getting Ready for Fall and Winter Birding
We’re getting ready for winter and so are the birds. They’re chirping and feeding everywhere and the sky is alive with flocks of all kinds. It’s so busy one of Yukon’s most avid birders, Tracey Allard, says fall can seem like spring for a few weeks. “There are so many sparrows and warblers and you’ll …
Summer Birding: It’s All About the Kids
In summer, birding is all about the kids. Or, chicks. After the spring blitz of migration and mating, many birds are rearing offspring and staying closer to their nests. It’s a time when many Yukoners stop birding. “Our forests are usually more silent and less colourful as males no longer have to advertise for mates or rivals,” …
Putting the WOW in Tombstone Park
Looking for a memorable northern road trip? The 17th annual Tombstone Weekend on the Wing (WOW) offers three days of fabulous hiking, a birding festival and interpretive events for all ages. The weekend of free events takes place June 3 to 5 and will start from the Tombstone Territorial Park campground, at kilometre 71 of …
Oh, Chickadee!
Of all the birds of the forest, the chickadee is my favourite. Growing up in Nova Scotia, it was one of the first birds I knew. My family had a cottage in the forest on the shore of St. Margaret’s Bay, outside Halifax. The black caps regularly shared our play areas. This tiny, cheery bird …
One-Two-Tweet…
There’s nothing like a bird count to inspire new and seasoned birders. This Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC) takes place Feb. 12-15 and it’s a family-friendly event for any skill level. The GBBC helps to give a snapshot of bird life throughout Canada, the continent, and the world. Last year 5,090 species were recorded – …
Tips on Winter Birding
Yes, baby, it’s cold outside. But birding can get you out of the house, connect you with nature, and other people. During December’s Christmas bird counts – an annual winter birding tradition – hundreds of participants recorded birds in 14 different communities. (The numbers aren’t all in yet.) In Whitehorse, 46 people gave up Boxing …
Yukon Birdathon
There are 284 bird species recorded in Yukon. This weekend is your chance to count as many as you can. The Yukon Birdathon is designed to get you out birding, and raise funds for bird conservation. Held the last weekend in May, the goal is to identify as many species as possible from Friday, May …
Homage to a Yukon Birder
Yukon birds, and its birding community, have lost a true friend. When he died last month, at 75, Helmut Grünberg had spent over 40 years promoting the enjoyment, study, and conservation of Yukon’s bird life. He found his way to Whitehorse in the early ‘70s when, en route to climb Denali in Alaska, he was …
Happiness is a Warm Bird
It’s a season of traditions, and for thousands of Canadians this means taking part in the annual Christmas Bird Count. Called the “longest-running science project in the world” by the Audubon Society, this annual winter event — the 115th — can be fun, and it also has a purpose. This year the Yukon Bird Club …
Spring migration means a busy time for birders
The end of April’s Celebration of Swans at Marsh Lake comes at a good time. That’s because at least a hundred other bird species are now arriving as part of the long-awaited spring migration. This year, the Yukon Bird Club is offering free guided field trips in Whitehorse and 10 other locations to help both visitors …
Time For Birds: Birds are Counting on Us
Looking for a break from the seasonal frenzy of eating, partying, and shopping? Think about signing up for another holiday tradition: your local Christmas bird count. For fun, or for friendly competition, you’ll be in good company. This year’s 114th annual Christmas Bird Count will involve people in more than 2,000 towns and cities throughout …
Use Time for Birds: The Black-billed Magpie
The laughing, cackling black-billed magpie is one of the noisiest birds in the Yukon and one of the most noticeable at this time of year. Like its kin in the corvidae family of crows, ravens and jays, the magpie loves to talk and is drawn closer to communities for food in early winter. While other …
Songbirds Need Our Help
Recent reports indicate that populations of northern boreal forest birds are doing better here than in other parts of Canada. Local biologist Katie Aitken says it’s mainly due to Yukon‘s relatively pristine natural environment. “While research has been limited, there are indications Yukon birds are somewhat protected from the declines underway in other parts of …
Celebrating the Return of the Swans
Thinking spring? Think birds. A great way to do both is at the popular Celebration of Swans festival getting underway this weekend. Swan viewing, talks, games and story telling – complete with bannock – are planned for the festival, which runs from April 13-21 this year. “It’s a great time to just come out and …
The Yukon is One, Big, Public Garden
I don’t remember the first time I went birdwatching as an adult, but I know that it started when I was just a kid. Watching birds is a good way to get outdoors and connect with the natural world. This is especially true for children. At the age of six months, a family photo shows …
t’s a Birdfest!
Want to have some fun outdoors? Like birds but can’t tell the difference between a crow and a raven? Then think about taking part in the 25th Annual Yukon Birdathon. You can work on bird identification skills while exploring some spectacular natural settings. And you might even win a prize. With the return of summer …
What’s in a Birdsong?
Now is the time to really tune in to what birds are singing. June is when the numbers of Yukon migratory species – the warblers, sparrows, ducks and shorebirds – peak. Each morning, they create a rhapsody of songs focused on one prime (or should I say “primal”) objective – the desire to mate. Pam …
The Feisty Kingfisher Is (Mostly) a Good Luck Sign for Paddlers
You’ve probably heard the expression, “halcyon days”: it defines the calm, restful time of summer that we finally have laid claim to. The word halcyon comes from the Greek myth about Alcyon, a young woman who plunged into the sea in grief after her drowned husband. Her father Aeolus, the God of the Wind, calmed …
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Sign On for the Great Backyard Bird Count
Yukoners are invited to join people from throughout North America and the world in search of birds this weekend as part of the Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC). Unlike the one-day Christmas counts with more rigid rules (and often frigid conditions), the GBBC is an-all ages “keep it simple” event taking place Feb. 15 to …
Getting Up-Close and Personal with Birds
Bird observatories offer a close-up look at fall migration. Searching for a bird in the bush? Why not try a bird in the hand. With fall migration underway, the Yukon’s two bird-banding stations (known more properly as bird observatories) are now open for visitors and volunteers. Essentially a small outdoor camp, the Teslin Lake Bird …
Calling for the Count
Birders throughout the Western Hemisphere are gearing up for the 110th annual Christmas Bird Count. And you can, too. The one-day census, carried out on at least three continents, takes place in 12 different Yukon locations, on different days, over the next two weeks. The Whitehorse count is held on Boxing Day. “It’s a great …
A Welcome for Yukon Birds
The Yukon’s swans are returning earlier than usual to M’Clintock Bay at Marsh Lake and other open water areas. The annual Celebration of Swans officially runs April 17 to 25 at Swan Haven’s interpretive centre, but the trumpeters began showing up early for the party this year. “Normally you might see around 80 swans here …
The Birds of Whitehorse
Whitehorse is blessed with some great bird-watching areas. With spring bird migration at its peak, why not take a few hours to explore the ones in your neighbourhood. Here’s a sampling. Porter Creek One of the Yukon’s oldest subdivisions is the home of one of the premier bird habitats in the city: McIntyre Creek wetlands. …
Getting a Bird’s Eye View of Winter
One of the thrills of having a bird feeder is getting up close to our feathered friends. If you’ve never put up a feeder, why not do it this year? Winter is just around the corner, and the birds that don’t migrate south welcome a little food offered to them. Here are some bird feeding …
Down for the Count
While most Yukoners think of turkey as the true Christmas bird, there’s about 25 other species you can put on your list this holiday season. That’s the average number of species recorded each year during Yukon’s annual Christmas bird count. The count is a fun annual event that has an important purpose: to help record …
A Bunch of Quacks And More at Takhini Duck Ponds
There are some birds that you often hear, but seldom see. The Common Yellowthroat (a type of warbler) is one of those birds. A few weeks ago I saw my first yellowthroat while exploring the “duck ponds” behind Yukon College, on the edge of the Takhini subdivision. This colourful songbird has a striking yellow front …
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Bird Course
I have been writing this column and organizing the field trips for the Yukon Bird Club for a few years, so it’s not unusual for people to ask me their “bird” questions. I love birds and I have learned a lot from bird-watching trips, but a bird expert I am not. (Be reassured – I …
Bounty for Birders
Miss the Festival of Swans, but don’t want to miss the birds? There are dozens of exciting trips you can take this spring, summer and fall with the Yukon Bird Club. These include the fun 24-hour Yukon Birdathon, the amazing Sheep and Crane Festival in Faro, and the well-worth-it Weekend on the Wing at Tombstone …
Welcome Home
For birders, May is the magical month. That’s when Yukon’s migrating birds – and especially songbirds – find their way back home. Of the 303 bird species recorded in the Yukon, 95 come here to mate and raise a family. And several species of swallows fly from as far away as South America to do …
Celebrating Swans
The annual Celebration of Swans begins this weekend at Marsh Lake, heralding the arrival of spring for many Yukoners. The largest birding event of the year, coordinated by Environment Yukon, runs April 16-24 at Swan Haven at M’Clintock Bay, about 50 kilometres south of Whitehorse. Now in its 17th year, the popular festival gives visitors …
A Bird in the Hand (Is an Amazing Experience)
It’s time to focus on the birds that stick around with us for the winter, and remember the special moments when birds help to make your day more than ordinary. Yukon birder Shyloh van Delft is doing both – really well. Based in Tagish, the 17-year-old has a passion for birds and likes to write …
Counting Birds: A Christmas Tradition
You may be familiar with the partridge in the pear tree and the two turtle doves – counting birds is a longstanding Christmas tradition. The first official Christmas Bird Count (CBC), however, was started in 1900, after American ornithologist Frank Chapman decided to count birds instead of kill them (the annual “side hunt” was a …
Fall Migration Time
Fall is a season of change and beauty. For Yukoners it is also the chance to witness the migration of thousands of geese, swans, ducks and other migratory species. After coming north to nest and rear their young, our summer visitors are now heading south to seek out warmer climes and wintering grounds. One of …
