March 1, 2010 - QUINTE CONSERVATION SPECIES AT RISK OF THE MONTH: LOGGERHEAD SHRIKE
Quinte Conservation is using the Internet to get the word out on species at risk in our area. Each month the Quinte Conservation website will feature a different species at risk. The featured species for March is the Loggerhead Shrike. Quinte Conservation Stewardship Coordinator Alana Bancroft says, "The Loggerhead Shrike is sometimes called the "butcher bird". It is a predatory bird that kills and eats mostly insects, but will sometimes eat smaller birds or mice. It often kills its prey by impaling it on twigs and thorns."
A Species at Risk is defined by the Ministry of Natural Resources is any naturally-occurring plant or animal in danger of extinction or of disappearing from the province. Stewardship Coordinator Alana Bancroft adds, "Species can become at risk due to habitat loss, pollution, changing land use activities, as well as the spread of invasive species." She adds, "Habitat loss due to intensive farming, reforestation and development has been a major threat to the Loggerhead Shrike in our area."
The Napanee Plain has been designated an Important Bird Area (IBA) due to its significant share of an endangered bird population. In 2005 there were only 11 breeding pairs in this area. There are only about 40 breeding pairs in Ontario.
Bancroft says the purpose of the new Species at Risk Awareness Program is to let the public know about the special and unique wildlife species that are vulnerable in our local area. She adds "Understanding species at risk in our watersheds allows us to assess the direction of our efforts in order to improve our management practices for healthy and diverse ecosystems."
Quinte Conservation is a community based environmental protection agency that serves 18 municipalities in the watersheds of the Moira, Napanee and Salmon Rivers and Prince Edward County. It provides cost effective environmental expertise and leadership that develops and delivers programs to ensure the healthy coexistence between the community, the environment and its economy.
Click here for