LETTER: Many reasons for avian decline, but 'don't lose hope'

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Dear Colin,

Thank you for your letter and for sharing your observations about the avian changes in Orillia over the past few decades.

We share the same concerns, and the reasons for their decline are lengthy and varied. According to Cornell University, “an alarming new study reveals that the population of North American birds has dropped nearly 30% since 1970.” That’s equal to three billion birds. Yikes.

There are the obvious reasons for this decline such as climate change, habitat loss and pollution.

The American Bird Conservatory tells us that “warming temperatures are changing where birds live, the timing of their migration patterns and egg laying, and even the sizes and shapes of their bodies.” Habitat loss is a major factor as well. Think about how much our own community has changed. As more development happens, the areas of habitat birds rely on are chipped away. Can you imagine migrating south for the winter, only to return to your favourite nesting grounds now turned into a parking lot or subdivision? Then there is pollution making what habitat is left potentially unsuitable. We could dig into any of these topics much deeper.

Then there are other reasons that may not come to mind immediately such as predation from neighbourhood cats, and window collisions. Nature Canada states that roughly 100 to 350 million birds are killed annually in Canada because of cats. Added to that is human disturbance like urban noise, light pollution which further exasperate things. An increase in invasive species means there are less plants available to birds as well. Like I said, the reasons are lengthy.

But don’t lose hope! There are plenty of ways we can help bring back the bird variety we all miss:

Habitat Conservation and Restoration: Supporting local efforts to conserve and restore natural habitats can make a world of difference.

Sustainable Practices: Using bird-friendly agricultural and landscaping methods can help. Less pesticide, more native plants—it’s a win-win!

Public Awareness and Engagement: Educating our community about how to be better bird neighbors can go a long way. Small actions, like maintaining bird feeders, putting up dots on our windows to reduce window strikes, and keeping cats indoors, can really add up. You could also join the Orillia Naturalists’ Club as a member, and join our meetings. We have monthly meetings through the fall to spring and bring in knowledgeable speakers on a variety of topics (including birds of course).

Citizen Science: joining citizen science projects and bird counts is a fantastic way to contribute valuable data and have some fun in the process. Some local efforts include our Chimney Swift Watch in May, Eastern Bluebird monitoring and box maintenance, and annual Christmas Bird Count. This information is shared with Birds Canada and Swift Watch Canada, and our efforts rely on local volunteers.

Advocate on a bird’s behalf: talk to our City councillors, mayor and local politicians about being a more bird friendly city (there is a great resource through Nature Canada). Birds have such beautiful voices, but it’s up to us to advocate on their behalf and raise our voices to protect their homes and livelihood.

Your love for the birds of Orillia and your keen observations are shared by many of us. By working together and spreading the word, we can make Orillia a more welcoming place for our feathered friends.

Sincerely,

Tanya Clark, on behalf of the Orillia Naturalists' Club