Given we are now at the last day in July, I thought it would be a good time to send an update on the program, including some events coming up in August and a few other matters coming forward: Firstly, below is a list of events, with a link to more information on our website on the event.

Sunday August 11th

Shorebird Workshop, Oak Hammock Marsh Interpretive Centre – there are 13 spots remaining on this as of yesterday lunchtime, so please get in quick before we fill up.

Friday August 16th

Weed pull at Riverton Sandy Bar IBA

Saturday August 17th

Shorebird Blitz at Delta Marsh IBA

Sunday August 25th

Shorebird blitz at Whitewater Lake IBA

Earlier in July we had our latest blitz, a Red-headed Woodpecker search at the North, West and East Shoal Lakes IBA. You can read Kelsey Bells account at https://importantbirdareasmb.ca/2019/07/19/shoal-lakes-area-iba-red-headed-woodpecker-blitz/.

The final results are also available, including a map of the location of each pair at https://importantbirdareasmb.ca/2019/07/24/the-final-results-from-the-red-headed-woodpecker-blitz-at-shoal-lakes/.

We also had a small group from the Westman Naturalists check for Red-headed Woodpeckers at the Oak Lake and Plum Lakes IBA.

Finally, Christian Artuso will be leaving Bird Studies Canada today, and Manitoba by the end of next month. Christian has been a leading light in Manitoba bird conservation and monitoring programs for over a decade and will be sorely missed. We have a short piece on our website, and there is also a tribute on the Nature Manitoba website.