Delta feeds British Columbia. It grows over half of the province’s potatoes and greenhouse vegetables. Over a quarter of the province’s field vegetable acres are located here. But farmers don’t just feed us — they help feed birds.

Some farmers install hedgerows consisting of native plant species along field margins that provide important year-round bird habitat. Delta farmers also plant cover crops that provide foraging habitat for migratory waterfowl and plant grassland set-asides which support birds of prey. Grassland set-asides provide tall grass habitat which is important for Townsend’s voles - the primary food source for many of Delta’s overwintering birds of prey. Farm fields and leftover crops after harvest also provide key food for migrating species. Supporting local agriculture helps support our bird populations.

Delta’s upland areas also contain forest, bogs and other natural areas. Back yards support native birds, animals, insects and plants. Urban residents can save wildlife trees, put up nesting boxes, plant a pollinator garden and buy local produce. Staying on trails and keeping dogs on leash reduces disturbance of birds using the forest to raise their young.

Forest and woodlands in Delta can be found along the steeper slopes of North Delta and Tsawwassen in Environmentally Sensitive Areas and parks, and in smaller pockets throughout the Delta lowlands. Forest and woodlands provide integral links across Delta connecting habitats together. 

Delta’s waterways and shorelines are rich environments full of nutrients. Shorebirds fill up on food and rest along the beaches and mud flats in Delta before continuing their yearly migration. Riparian areas along streams and watercourses provides habitat and food for song birds.

Keeping dogs on leash during bird migration seasons allows birds to conserve their energy for their big trips.

Plant a bird friendly garden with a focus on native plants that provide a good variety of bird food throughout the year for nesting, migrating, and wintering birds. 

Participate in citizen science bird watching and feeding programs with Birds Canada. https://www.birdscanada.org/

Environment Canada estimates that cats kill 100-350 million birds every year in Canada, many of them nestlings. Learn about how to reduce impacts to birds from cats. http://stewardshipcentrebc.ca/cats-and-birds

Learn more about what you can do at home to help Delta’s environment and about community groups working in Delta: http://www.delta.ca/environment-sustainability/green-living/what-you-can-do

Find resources for school activities on birds and environment here.

City of Delta http://www.delta.ca/environment-sustainability/green-living/school-programs

Birds Canada has a number of teacher resources including a downloadable and printable Junior Birder Journal and Activity Guide! Learn about birds, how to identify them, and what you can do to protect birds in your neighborhood.

The Vancouver Avian Research Centre Birds are Brilliant’ Schools & Youth Program https://www.birdvancouver.com/schools-youth-2/

Friends of Semiahmoo Bay Society’s school programs are conservation-minded and provide a rich complement to classroom inquiry and study (particularly for grades two through seven) and are linked to BC Science curriculum.

You can learn more and celebrate birds at various festivals along the flyway and volunteer activities.

Greater Vancouver Bird Week -Bird Week is a week-long series of events to celebrate Greater Vancouver’s birds.

Welcome Back the Birds Event - Come and enjoy artwork, photography and talks celebrating the winter birds of Delta. Gardeners and birding enthusiasts will share tips on how to make your backyard bird friendly. Saturday, October 3, 2020 at the Harris Barn.

Wings Over Water Birding Festival held in Blaine, Washington annually celebrates the incredible variety of migratory birds that flock to the coastal waters of Drayton Harbor, Birch Bay and Semiahmoo Bay at the northwest corner of Washington State. This is a major stopover on the Pacific Flyway between Seattle, Washington and Vancouver, BC.

Friends of Semiahmoo Bay Society host the Birds on the Bay events and activities throughout the year.