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See full poster here with map showing areas of interest

Do you have the ability to do some volunteer flying?

The British Columbia Breeding Bird Atlas www.birdatlas.bc.ca is a partnership of non-government organisations, government agencies and corporate groups that is mapping all ~320 bird species that breed in our province. Volunteers have flown with the BCFA into remote areas such as Spatizizi Plateau, Denetiah, and Tatlatui Provincial Parks over the last few years to great effect. The BCFA had a presentation on the project from Pete Davidson of Bird Studies Canada (the organisation coordinating the project) and there was lots of interest from the members about getting involved; and 2012 is your last chance to do so!

The Atlas team is planning for the 2012 summer fieldwork, and the large remaining gaps are only accessible by plane! Help is especially needed in priority areas in the north; Muskwa-Kechika area all the way across to Atlin, and some parts of the central Coast Mountains. You can help us plan to reach accessible lakes this summer.

How it works:
The Atlas Coordinator and the floatplane pilot identify floatplane-accessible lakes within priority areas for bird surveys (see list and maps on following two pages), which also have lodges or shelters of some form that we may be able to use, and trails or extensive open terrain (e.g. alpine/sub-alpine habitats).
The Atlas Coordinator connects the floatplane pilot with an individual or team of two atlassers, and assist them plan a visit between 28 May and the mid-July. The pilot can either accompany one or two atlassers, or drop-off and pick-up a team of two atlassers, for a minimum period of two days, and up to one week, depending on the useful load.
The Atlas pays for 50% of direct costs – eg. aviation fuel & oil), incompliance with Transport Canada regulations, and then provides a tax receipt (following standard cheque exchange procedures for charitable organisations) for the balance of total operating costs (insurance, parking, etc.) and pilot’s time. The Atlas may provide surveyors with a SPOT GPS messenger or some other form of remote communication procedure in case of plan alterations or emergencies.

Muskwa–Kechika area lakes and parks high priority:
Gataga Lakes (Dune Za Keyih Prov. Park), Tuchodi Lake, Fern Lake, Kluachesi (Northern Rockies PP), Scoop, Solitary, Looncry, Nelson, Rainbow, Obo/Johiah, Ridgeway, Quentin Lake (Kwadacha PP)

Dease Lake to Coastal Mountains lakes and parks high priority:
Tuya Mountain Prov. Park, Tachilta, Kedahda, Nakina, Disella, Llangorse, King Salmon, Great Glacier PP, Yehiniko, Chutine, Whiting, Tatsamenie, Trapper Lakes

Fort Nelson area:
Thinatea Lake, Midwinter, Etset Lake, numerous landing strips (for wheeled planes)

Far North-western BC: Tatshenshini Prov. Park

From Nimpo Lake and Central Coast:
Tweedsmuir Provincial Park - South and North (Eutsuk, Tesla, Oppy, Sigutlat, Knot Lakes), Charlotte Alplands Protected Area, Banks Island, Pitt Island, Bella Bella area, Prince Royal Island, South Bentick Arm (Bella Coola), Owikeno Lake, Kimsquit (Dean Channel)

If you wish to visit any of these areas or others in BC and think you can help by bringing in Atlas participants, please contact:

Christopher Di Corrado (BC Breeding bird Atlas Coordinator)
cdicorrado@birdscanada.org; 604-940-4711 or toll-free 1-877-592-8527