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We are closed for the season
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2020 calendar of events
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Keep up to date on our resident owls. They are back! More HERE
Day camera only at this time.
Important: If this video doesn't play, simply refresh your page. If it still will not play. we will have it up soon as possible. Live on Ustream HERE Live on YouTube HERE |
Ellis Bird Farm Publishes Scientific Paper
Thanks to careful record keeping by Winnie Ellis and EBF Biologists, EBF has been able to publish a scientific paper showing that Mountain Bluebirds have advanced their arrival dates in Central Alberta by about 19 days over a 58-year period.
ABSTRACT: Much attention has been given to the topic of bird phenology in response to climate change. While strong evidence supports a general pattern of advancement in spring migrants’ arrival dates with warming temperatures, the mechanisms underlying these changes are not clearly understood. We summarize the spring arrival of the Mountain Bluebird (Sialia currucoides) in central Alberta from 58 years of data and examine the influence of temperature and snow cover on the patterns of arrival. We hypothesized that a significant advance in the Mountain Bluebird’s first arrival date was related to weather variables. In central Alberta, March temperatures increased, and first arrival dates for the Mountain Bluebird advanced 0.33 days per year from 1961 to 2018 or 19 days over the 58 years. However, temperatures on the date of arrival have cooled slightly (2.8 °C) over the study period, and snow depth on the date of arrival decreased slightly (1.5 cm) over the study period, which may influence early migrants’ opportunities for foraging. Although Mountain
Bluebirds have arrived at our central Alberta study area considerably earlier over the past decades, temperatures and snow depth have been highly variable, suggesting that the species is likely responding to multiple cues that influence its arrival dates. Given the Mountain Bluebird’s migratory nature, environmental and behavioral stimuli en route to breeding areas likely exert considerable influence on arrival dates.
ABSTRACT: Much attention has been given to the topic of bird phenology in response to climate change. While strong evidence supports a general pattern of advancement in spring migrants’ arrival dates with warming temperatures, the mechanisms underlying these changes are not clearly understood. We summarize the spring arrival of the Mountain Bluebird (Sialia currucoides) in central Alberta from 58 years of data and examine the influence of temperature and snow cover on the patterns of arrival. We hypothesized that a significant advance in the Mountain Bluebird’s first arrival date was related to weather variables. In central Alberta, March temperatures increased, and first arrival dates for the Mountain Bluebird advanced 0.33 days per year from 1961 to 2018 or 19 days over the 58 years. However, temperatures on the date of arrival have cooled slightly (2.8 °C) over the study period, and snow depth on the date of arrival decreased slightly (1.5 cm) over the study period, which may influence early migrants’ opportunities for foraging. Although Mountain
Bluebirds have arrived at our central Alberta study area considerably earlier over the past decades, temperatures and snow depth have been highly variable, suggesting that the species is likely responding to multiple cues that influence its arrival dates. Given the Mountain Bluebird’s migratory nature, environmental and behavioral stimuli en route to breeding areas likely exert considerable influence on arrival dates.
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ONLINE SCHOOL BOOKINGS
PLEASE NOTE: Our school programs are now filled. If you would like to be put on a waiting list, please email us info@ellisbirdfarm.ca
2020 School Program info/form HERE
2020 School Program info/form HERE
MYRNA PEARMAN'S LATEST BOOK
Myrna's newest book, Charlie, Winnie and the Bluebirds is the full history of Ellis Bird Farm alongside bright photographs detailing our journey. The book is now available for purchase in our gift shop, or you can purchase it online here for $19.95
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Myrna Pearman PUBLIC ENGAGEMENTS 2020
All Myrna Pearman public engagements are cancelled.
150+ Things to Do in Nature: Nature Alberta launches brand new online story map
Check Alberta's new app that shares all kinds of information about natural wonders in our beautiful province. These are interactive maps where you can learn about Alberta's Nature, Clubs, Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas, Wetlands, Heritage Trees, Biospheres and the stories of Albertans. Did you know there are heritage trees right in Lacombe? out Nature Alberta's new app that shares all kinds of information about natural wonders in our beautiful province. These are interactive maps where you can learn about Alberta's Nature, Clubs, Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas, Wetlands, Heritage Trees, Biospheres and the stories of Albertans. Did you know there are heritage trees right in Lacombe? Check it out here
EBF Wish List
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Ellis Bird Farm
Box 5090 Lacombe, AB T4L 1W7 403-885-4477 Site Manager Myrna Pearman Hours of Operation Monday, May 18 - Monday Sept 7 Tuesday through Sunday 11:00 am to 5:00 pm Holiday Mondays 11:00 am to 5:00 pm Please note that Ellis Bird Farm is closed on most Mondays |
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