Birds of Basket Lake
The shores of Basket Lake are the annual breeding grounds of many birds; there are at least two active bald eagle nests located on the lake, and several loon families return annually. Mallards, common mergansers, and goldeneye ducks trail ducklings along behind them as they dabble in the shallows, while killdeer and gulls populate the shores of the lake. Chickadees, purple finches, grackles, bluejays, robins and many other birds are sighted or heard year-to-year.
It has been estimated that between one and three billion birds nest in Canada's boreal forest, representing 300 species. Many of these birds overwinter in the southern United States, Central or South America and migrate north in the spring to hatch and raise their young.
It has been estimated that between one and three billion birds nest in Canada's boreal forest, representing 300 species. Many of these birds overwinter in the southern United States, Central or South America and migrate north in the spring to hatch and raise their young.
Threats
Two large-scale threats to birds exist in Canada's boreal forest, climate change and resource-based industry. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) reports that the boreal forests are most likely to see the most intense effects of climate change, with increased temperatures, introduction of warm-adapted species, and increased rates of natural disturbance. Further human impacts include forestry, hydroelectric dams, and mining, which also have the ability to create large-scale artificial disturbance.
Another aspect of resource-based industry is eco-tourism, hunting, and fishing. While the broad impacts of these practices are small, they can have a big impact local waterbodies and the surrounding bird populations. One of the largest is the use of lead shot and lead sinkers in hunting and fishing. If acute, lead poisoning can lead to death, and common loons tend to suffer the greatest impacts from it.
Another aspect of resource-based industry is eco-tourism, hunting, and fishing. While the broad impacts of these practices are small, they can have a big impact local waterbodies and the surrounding bird populations. One of the largest is the use of lead shot and lead sinkers in hunting and fishing. If acute, lead poisoning can lead to death, and common loons tend to suffer the greatest impacts from it.
Actions at Basket Lake
To preserve bird habitat around the lake, we are working towards an agreement with forestry companies in the area to limit clear cutting near the lake itself. This will preserve current old-growth habitat for species that require it to nest, while providing continuity in nesting space for those birds that migrate.
No hunting takes place at Basket Lake, but a thriving fishing lodge is active throughout the summer. Recently, steps have been taken to eliminate the use of lead sinkers, to prevent any possible poisoning of the birds on the lake. As of the 2016 season, lead sinkers will be entirely banned from use.
No hunting takes place at Basket Lake, but a thriving fishing lodge is active throughout the summer. Recently, steps have been taken to eliminate the use of lead sinkers, to prevent any possible poisoning of the birds on the lake. As of the 2016 season, lead sinkers will be entirely banned from use.
Further Reading
Environment Canada
Information on lead sinkers
Office of the Auditor General of Canada
Petition to eliminate use of lead shot and fishing weights
United States Geological Service
Breeding Bird Survey
National Wildlife Health Centre: Lead Poisoning
Information on lead sinkers
Office of the Auditor General of Canada
Petition to eliminate use of lead shot and fishing weights
United States Geological Service
Breeding Bird Survey
National Wildlife Health Centre: Lead Poisoning
Boreal Songbird Initiative
Threats to the boreal forest
What is a boreal bird?
The Nature Conservancy
Birds of the Boreal forest
Ontario Nature
Boreal Forest: Ontario's Songbird Nursery
Boreal Songbird Initiative
Threats to the boreal forest
What is a boreal bird?
The Nature Conservancy
Birds of the Boreal forest
Ontario Nature
Boreal Forest: Ontario's Songbird Nursery
Canadian Veterinary Medical Association
Position statement - Use of lead sinkers and lead shot in Canada
Threats to the boreal forest
What is a boreal bird?
The Nature Conservancy
Birds of the Boreal forest
Ontario Nature
Boreal Forest: Ontario's Songbird Nursery
Boreal Songbird Initiative
Threats to the boreal forest
What is a boreal bird?
The Nature Conservancy
Birds of the Boreal forest
Ontario Nature
Boreal Forest: Ontario's Songbird Nursery
Canadian Veterinary Medical Association
Position statement - Use of lead sinkers and lead shot in Canada
Drapeau, P., A. Leduc, J-F. Giroux , J-P. L. Savard, Y. Bergeron, W.L. Vickery. 2000. Landscape-scale disturbances and changes in bird communities of the mixed-wood forests. Ecological Monographs. 70: 423-444. Abstract
Hobson, K.A. and J. Schieck. 1999. Changes in bird communities in boreal mixed wood forest: harvest and wildfire effects over 30 years. Ecological Applications. 9: 849 - 863. Abstract
Schieck, J., K. Stuart-Smith, and M. Norton. 2000. Bird communities are affected by amount and dispersion of vegetation retained in mixedwood boreal forest harvest areas. Forest Ecology and Management. 126: 239-254. Abstract
Schmiegelow, F.K.A. and M. Mönkkönen. 2002. Habitat loss and fragmentation in dynamic landscapes: avian perspectives from the boreal forest. Ecological Applications. 12: 375 - 389. Abstract
Twiss, M.P., and V.G. Thomas. 1998. Preventing fishing-sinker-induced lead poisoning in common loons through Canadian policy and regulative reform. Journal of Environmental Management. 53: 49-59. Abstract
Hobson, K.A. and J. Schieck. 1999. Changes in bird communities in boreal mixed wood forest: harvest and wildfire effects over 30 years. Ecological Applications. 9: 849 - 863. Abstract
Schieck, J., K. Stuart-Smith, and M. Norton. 2000. Bird communities are affected by amount and dispersion of vegetation retained in mixedwood boreal forest harvest areas. Forest Ecology and Management. 126: 239-254. Abstract
Schmiegelow, F.K.A. and M. Mönkkönen. 2002. Habitat loss and fragmentation in dynamic landscapes: avian perspectives from the boreal forest. Ecological Applications. 12: 375 - 389. Abstract
Twiss, M.P., and V.G. Thomas. 1998. Preventing fishing-sinker-induced lead poisoning in common loons through Canadian policy and regulative reform. Journal of Environmental Management. 53: 49-59. Abstract
In the Media
Saving Canada's boreal forest - New York Times, 2015
Boom and bust in the Boreal forest: climate signal seen in bird populations - USGS press release, 2015
'Bird nursery' at risk unless half of Canada's boreal forest protected - CBC, 2015
Bald eagles dying of lead poisoning - Richland Source, 2015
Many eagles are victims of lead poisoning, but this one got intensive care - National Geographic, 2014
Boom and bust in the Boreal forest: climate signal seen in bird populations - USGS press release, 2015
'Bird nursery' at risk unless half of Canada's boreal forest protected - CBC, 2015
Bald eagles dying of lead poisoning - Richland Source, 2015
Many eagles are victims of lead poisoning, but this one got intensive care - National Geographic, 2014
