Bird Friendly Peterborough

As the blanket of winter recedes, it is crucial to consider the welfare of our feathered friends who, just like us, are eagerly awaiting for spring!

The Bird Friendly Peterborough group, dedicated to promoting the well-being of local bird populations, provides valuable recommendations for ensuring bird safety, and winter is the perfect time to start planning your own bird-friendly actions this year.

Starting March 31, 2024, Bird Friendly Peterborough is launching the ‘Bird Friendly Peterborough HEROES Program’, delivering bird-safe education as well as implementing projects and activities that align with the certification standards for a Bird Friendly City. The ‘Bird Friendly HERO Program’ will focus on downtown areas of Peterborough and Lindsay (where there are many fatalities due to window collisions).

We will do a callout for individuals/organizations in the downtown core of both communities who would be interested in a formal process for certifying their homes/businesses as bird friendly. Interested individuals/organizations would begin certification by engaging with a suite of short, engaging virtual modules, the purpose to provide an overview of birds, habitat ad environmental pressures.  These modules end with a facilitated project planning session facilitated by the program where a small budget is drawn up, including in-kind contribution from the Bird Friendly HERO program. We have created our local certification criteria and forms, which are available on the Bird Friendly Peterborough website (www.birdfriendlypeterborough.ca). Once the form is completed, it is submitted to the project Steering Committee for review.

And if you are ready to get going now and helping birds? 

Now is the perfect time to build habitat boxes for birds and install them before the spring migrants return. Building bird nest boxes offers a multitude of benefits for both bird enthusiasts and the avian residents of our surroundings. These carefully crafted structures provide a safe and secure place for birds to nest, offering protection against predators and the elements. Constructing bird nest boxes also encourages local bird populations to thrive, contributing to the overall health and balance of ecosystems. To make a bird nest box, one should choose appropriate materials such as untreated wood, following recommended dimensions to accommodate specific bird species. It’s crucial to include features like proper ventilation, drainage holes, and easily accessible entry points. Installing the nest box in a suitable location, away from predators and at the right height, ensures its effectiveness.

For a selection of terrific plans for creating your own next box, visit Nest Watch, published by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology.

Through our efforts, we can create a welcoming and safe environment for our feathered friends. These measures not only support bird well-being, but also contribute to the larger goal of building sustainable wildlife habitats, ensuring the health and resilience of our local ecosystems. So, let’s embrace a bird-friendly winter!