"WHERE have all the swallows gone?" is a question I'm often asked.
Recent studies have shown a dramatic decline in many songbird species, with the barn swallow down by 60 to 70 per cent. There are a number of reasons for this sad state of affairs, especially in neo-tropical migrants like warblers, vireos, and flycatchers, who spend their winters in Central and South America. Local resident species like the short-eared owl, horned lark and western meadowlark are also getting hard to find. One of the chief reasons for this situation is habitat loss and fragmentation.
Habitat provides the essentials of life including food, shelter and water. Sanctuaries like the North Shore's Maplewood Conservation Area protect a mosaic of habitats including tidal flats, forest, stream, freshwater, meadow and salt marsh. Maplewood's tidal flats are critically important to everything from migrating shorebirds (waders), great blue heron (local subspecies), waterfowl, ospreys, eagles, gulls and terns. It is also where one of British Columbia's largest purple martin nesting colonies is located. Fall is the season when shorebirds move through from their northern breeding areas (some in the Arctic) to wintering areas in South America - a fantastic migration. Tidal flats provide needed rest and refueling like invertebrates and a nutritious biofilm. In recent weeks, birders have observed greater yellowlegs, semi-palmated sandpipers, spotted sandpiper and killdeer (a plover) at the sanctuary. But pectoral, least and western sandpipers will also be passing through, and with luck a Baird's sandpiper and a godwit.
Maplewood's salt marsh remains the most significant habitat of its kind on the North Shore. In less enlightened times, salt marshes were considered to be waste lands, but nothing could be farther from the truth. Specialized plants are found here, like glasswort (sea asparagus), gum weed and oraci (sea spinach).
Not only do birds dwell in the salt marsh, but a host of special creatures including clams, crabs, worms and fish. The seaward end of the marsh is where we most often see the black oystercatcher and the harlequin duck.
The North Shore's forests range from ancient coniferous (sub-alpine) to young deciduous woods, each supporting its own special host of birds from the colourful red-breasted sapsucker to the beautiful hermit, Swainson's and varied thrushes, vireos, flycatchers and the beautiful western tanager.
Fields and meadows are scarce on the North Shore, and yet there are species that depend on these grassy habitats like the short-eared owl, northern harrier, western meadowlark and savannah sparrow. Beautiful coastal blacktail deer also browse in Maplewood meadows.
Aquatic habitats are not only home for waterfowl, but also dragonflies, damselflies, amphibians and many other wonderful species. Bats fly over the ponds snatching mosquitos from mid-air with their amazing sonar.
The mix of waterfowl depends greatly on the season with an excellent diversity of species wintering in fresh, brackish and salt-water habitats. These include goldeneyes, scaup, scoters, loons, grebes, cormorants, kingfishers, and seals.
We can all help to make B.C. a better place for birds, butterflies and other wildlife. A small sanctuary like Maplewood Conservation Area is a big step where we can come to experience nature's wonders.
Al Grass is a naturalist with Wild Bird Trust of British Columbia, which sponsors free walks at Maplewood Conservation Area on the second Saturday of every month. This Saturday, Aug. 11, learn about the habitat for wildlife at Maplewood. Meet at 10 a.m. at Maplewood Flats, 2645 Dollarton Hwy.
