BN17-16: WORK BEGINS ON CREATING SOUTH PEACE BIRD ATLAS

June 25, 2001

DAWSON CREEK - Work has begun on compiling information for an atlas for the birds of the South Peace.

Starting this spring, bird watchers have been out looking for species, jotting their information down on special cards.

Over the next five years, they hope to cover about half of the 118 ‘squares’ that make up the British Columbia Geological Survey grid system for the area which reaches from Hudson’s Hope to Clayhurst to Redwillow River to Mount Wendt.

The end result will be a book that documents the densities, activities, and locations of birds in the South Peace. Speaking Saturday to the B.C. Field Ornithologists Society, Mark Phinney said that a quick turn-around on the book is necessary to keep the information fresh.

"The resulting data will provide a baseline snapshot of bird distribution and population that will be of interest to a wide audience, including land managers, conservation planners, biologists, and birders," Phinney said.

The project is being administered by the South Peace Bird Atlas Society, with financial and in-kind contributions from Louisiana Pacific, Canfor, B.C. Ministry of Forests, and Ducks Unlimited.

For information on how you can contribute, contact the South Peace Bird Atlas Society, P.O. Box 2534, Dawson Creek, B.C. V1G 5A1 or Mark.Phinney@LPCorp.com.