Birds and Nature

Photo from Ontario, Canada website Wow, the area of Boreal Forest that Canada will be protecting, termed the Far North Planning Initiative, is extensive and encompasses some major natural resources including the third largest wetland in the world ! According to the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, the Boreal forest in their province "supports 300 species of migratory birds", "many small mammals" including pine martin, large mammals such as moose and lynx. The following chart provides stats on Canada's Boreal Forest. SeEtta

I am delighted to send out some good news for a change and especially since this is a major conservation victory: Ontario, Canada government has comitted to "protect over 55 million acreas of Canada's Boreal Forest. Per Dr. Jeff Well's "Boreal Bird Blog" this number of acres of the Boreal Forest is vital breeding habitat for the following species of birds seen in Colorado: 3 million Swainson's Thrushes (many of those that migrate across Colorado's eastern plains are thought to be migrating to/from the Boreal Forest) 4.5 million White-throated Sparrows (I believe most if not all of this species that we see in Colorado breed in or near the Boreal Forest) 5 million Dark-eyed Juncos (most, maybe all, Oregon and Slate race that we see in winter in Colorado breed in the Boreal Forest) 4 million Magnolia Warblers (rare, but seen in Colorado) 3 million Palm Warblers (also rare, but seen in Colorado) 2 million Tennessee Warblers (not quite as rare as last two) ...