We are delighted to announce a new upcoming IBA Blitz, this time to look for Red-headed Woodpeckers in the Kinosota-Leifur IBA, an area on the west side of Lake Manitoba. Our planned date is Sunday July 15th.

Background

The Kinosota-Leifur IBA was identified as one of the most important sites in Manitoba for the threatened Red-headed Woodpecker. In 2017 we organised our first search for this species in this area, coming up with a total of 23. Since then, we have used information from the Manitoba Breeding Bird Atlas, Harry Harris, the former Manager of the Alonsa Conservation District, and our own blitz, to reevaluate the IBA boundary. This is due to be uploaded to the IBA Canada website soon. The new area is more extensive, and covers the town of Alonsa, an area close to where several pairs of woodpecker are known to breed.

The Plan

We would like to split the IBA into at least 4 areas, and ask volunteers to target particular areas looking for the woodpeckers. As with 2017, we would like to meet after we finish for lunch on either Hollywood or Amaranth Beaches.

If you are interested in joining us for the fun, please let me know as soon as you can at iba@naturemanitoba.ca.