Like the cars, the salmon and a lot of wildlife, birds use the Rocky Mountain pass alongside Mount Robson as the only viable travel route between B.C. and Alberta.
It gives birders a natural airshow as dozens of species do a fly-by past the region's most eminent landmark. They can't fly over Mount Robson, so they wing past it in droves.
For the 25th time, Gail Ross is going to lead all who wish to scout these birds in a weekend feather flurry. The Mount Robson Bird Blitz is celebrating its quarter-century benchmark this year, while Mount Robson fans celebrate the massive mountain monarch's 100th year as a provincial park.
"Bird enthusiasts from far and wide come to enjoy the beautiful spring scenery as well as the opportunity to observe and count the parks incredible bird population," said a B.C. Ministry of Environment statement about the annual bird blitz. "This has become a popular event and provides long-term trend data on the diversity of bird species in the park. Approximately 170 different bird species have been recorded."
The event would be 26 years old this year, but a highway washout prevented last year's blitz from happening, so the 25th edition coincides with park's 100th birthday.
"The best year for the Mount Robson blitz we had 114 species and at the lesser end was 78," said Ross, the founder of the annual event as well as the one she launched in Manning Park in 1984. "We try to do the first weekend in June or as close as possible. Even one week can make a tremendous difference to water levels, foliage, migration patterns. Because the conditions change so much year to year you want to stay as close as possible to the same date."
Perhaps due to Ross's home being in Prince George, most of the birders involved in the blitz also come from here. Only one person - Nancy Krueger - has perfect attendance over all those years. Even Ross admits she had to miss a few editions due to work commitments.
"I began them because I knew the natural history community had a lot of knowledge on these parks and if we could add to that with some consistent wildlife information from naturalists - particularly birders - it would only contribute to the overall knowledge of these wonderful places," Ross said. "By sharing their skills and contributing to the overall knowledge, we now have all these years of data."
The bird blitz had almost 30 people take part in its most popular years. The average is 12 to 14 people. Many assemble the Friday night before (registration is 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.). Group camping is available for $10 per night.
Some birders even venturing out after dark on the Friday, scouting for owls which are noted in a separate category.
On Saturday, the main event is held, with participants assigned to certain areas (participants have input into where they are assigned). Many are already out combing their areas by 5 a.m. Walkers, drivers, bikers, even paddlers are welcome.
The Mount Robson Bird Blitz takes place this weekend.
For more information email Ross at [email protected].
