This post has been contributed by the Ben Hill, Communications Volunteer with the Stanley Park Ecology Society (“SPES”).
Nesting Birds of Stanley Park
We all have a mental picture of our dream home. For some it’s a city penthouse overlooking Coal Harbour, for others a cabin deep in the forest or perhaps a quiet townhouse with an immaculate yard. We want something that will suit our lifestyle, fit our likes and dislikes and give us a feeling of comfort and security. Our local birds use similar criteria when it comes to nesting each year. The variety in design and location rivals anything from the human world.
Downy woodpecker. Photo: Liron Gertsman
Some, like bald eagles, favour huge open air nests built of sticks, others an insulated cup of moss and feathers. The truly security conscious like the downy woodpecker prefer a deep hole in a tree. Birds are equally fussy about who they live with. Great blue herons prefer the hustle and bustle of community living. The colony in Stanley Park has more than 70 occupied nests arrayed in the trees above the tennis courts. Many birds are far more protective of their space and mark out a territory that they will aggressively defend.
By specializing it allows birds to avoid unnecessary competition, but birds can’t always adapt when something disrupts their nesting behaviour. It should come as no surprise that human development is one of the biggest threats to nesting birds. Part of the problem is that whereas we like nicely cut lawns and flowerbeds, this doesn’t suit some ground nesting birds.
Recent research by John Marzluff, a professor of wildlife science with the University of Washington has shown which local species are threatened by urban development and which do well around humans. Marzluff split the birds he observed over many years in Washington into ‘adapters’ and ‘avoiders’.
Adapters are birds like song sparrows, spotted towhees and juncos that will tolerate living in developed areas, even urban gardens and bird boxes.
Spotted towhee. Photo: Don Enright
The problem species for those of us interested in conservation are the ‘avoiders’. These are often ground nesting birds that need cover from shrubs, ferns and roots for their nests. Flowerbeds and lawns just won’t do. The Swainson’s thrush and Pacific wren are two local ‘avoiders’ that are threatened by urbanization. The Swainson’s thrush is a long distance migrant. It winters in the Caribbean and South America, which shows how changes to the environment here in Canada can affect birds across the continent. If their habitat at one end is compromised, so, too, is their survival.
Swainson’s thrush. Photo: Andy Reago & Chrissy McClarren via Wikimedia Commons
It is species like these that really benefit from the habitat we have in Stanley Park. Although our forest is second growth – the dense ground cover, including the old stumps, is great habitat for ground nesters. The Park’s forested areas are also much larger than the average garden, which simply means more space for territories. We’re now in the heart of breeding season, and while birds are nesting, the SPES is very careful to limit its work in habitat restoration and invasive species removal to make sure it doesn’t threaten birdlife nesting in the Park’s shrubbery, including in the invasive English ivy and Himalayan blackberry.
So the next time you are walking through the forested sections of Stanley Park, be sure to look down as well as up: bird nests can be at any level in the forest. While clearing away invasive ivy in Stanley Park, SPES volunteers nearly trooped across a Swainson’s thrush nest pictured here:
Swainson’s thrush nest at knee-level in Stanley Park. Photo: Kari Pocock/SPES
Join SPES’ monthly Discovery Walks in Stanley Park to learn more about local birds in the forest and around your neighbourhood. View full program listings online here »
Follow SPES on Twitter and Facebook for more information.
Artists in Our Midst (“AIOM”) is celebrating 25 years of open-door artistic explorations with the West of Main Art Walk, May 27-28, 2017. In its largest-ever year, the festivities stretch from Point Grey to Main Street and from Granville Island to 41st Avenue, as a vibrant community of more than 50 artists share their works in garden studios, cafés, shops, and community centres.
West of Main Art Walk
Open Studio Tour and Sale
Saturday, May 27 & Sunday, May 28, 2017 from 11:00am to 5:00pm
From Point Grey to Main Street & from Granville Island to 41st Avenue
During the West of Main Art Walk, more than 30 studios, several cafés, and shops will open their doors to showcase the artists’ eclectic and expressive works. As the public traverse between the exhibition spaces, they will have the opportunity to venture to stunning garden studios, personally meet the creators, and engage in dialogue about their art and process.
The Roundhouse Exhibit
Leading up to the Art Walk, The Roundhouse Exhibit will offer early glimpses of the discoveries to-be-made on Thursday, May 18, 2017 from 1:000am to 9:00pm at the Roundhouse Community Arts and Recreation Centre. The day-long event highlights a wide range of paintings, ceramics, jewellery, textiles and photography, and acts as a prelude to the following weekend-long art walk.
A silent auction will also be held during the Art Walk with all proceeds going to the West of Main Art Walk Legacy Scholarship Fund in support of young and emerging artists from Arts Umbrella and Lord Byng Secondary School.
Win a Prize Pack
Three participating artists have offered up artwork for this prize pack:
All images are property of the individual artist.
Here’s how you can enter to win:
- Leave a comment on this post (1 entry)
- Click below to post an entry on Twitter
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Follow the West of Main Art Walk on Twitter and Facebook for more information. I will draw one contest winner at 12:00pm on Tuesday, May 23, 2017.
Award-winning theatre company Realwheels presents Comedy on Wheels: Celebrating Canada’s Birthday with Belly Laughs! Building from the ground-breaking success of last season’s SexyVoices, this creative and lively disability-inspired comedy variety show combines original stand-up performances, comical scenes, live music, projections, and fun surprises as Realwheels’ community cast tackles some of our sacred cows.
Comedy on Wheels
“Comedy on Wheels will showcase members of the disability community in performances that capitalize on some of our greatest assets – humour and storytelling.”
When: Thursday, May 18 to Saturday, May 20, 2017 at 8:00pm
Where: Performance Works (Granville Island); 1218 Cartwright St
Tickets: Available online now. May 18 pay what you can, May 19 $20, May 20 $25.
Value Add: “Humour & Disability” – join members of the artistic team and special guests for a lively, one-hour panel discussion on Saturday, May 20 at 4:00pm. All performances are accessible through ASL (American Sign Language) and Audio Description provided by VocalEye. Shuttle service to and from the venue available through advance booking. For shuttle info, please contact [email protected].
Comedy On Wheels / John Endo Greenaway Photo
Making a special appearance in Comedy on Wheels is UK-based, Canadian-born comic Tanyalee Davis. At 3’6″, Tanyalee is the Ferrari of comedy – low to the ground and kind of racy! Tanyalee has performed her one-person show “Actual Size” in Melbourne and Sydney (2016), was featured on BBC’s “Live at the Apollo” (2015), performed her second solo show, “Big Trouble In Little ‘Gina”, at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in Scotland (2013), and did a six-month run of her show, “Little Comedian, BIG Laughs” in Las Vegas (2011). Tanyalee is a member of the Abnormally Funny People ensemble, performing throughout the United Kingdom, as well as a writer and star of the Channel 4 series, “I’m Spazticus”.
Comedy on Wheels features a large community cast and is Realwheels’ newest project under the Wheel Voices programming banner. “A shared laugh strengthens our bonds and dissolves barriers,” says producer and Realwheels’ Man-aging Artistic Director, Rena Cohen. “Comedy on Wheels will entertain and surprise you with its novel perspective. Prepare to laugh away some of your preconceptions!”
Featuring the following incredibly talented community cast members:
Amy Amantea
Emily Brook
James Brown
Cathy Browne
Amelia Cooper
Dannielle Hayes
Art Jonker
Greg ‘Spokes’ Labine
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Laura Mackenrot
Aaron Roderick
Caspar Ryan
Martin J Thomson
Andrew Vallance
Brandon Wilkinson
Kevin Woollard
PLUS Special Guest Comic: Tanyalee Davis
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“I’ve been acquainted with the excellent work that Realwheels does for a few years now. When I heard that they were putting together an ensemble cast for a stand-up comedy production, I decided to get involved,” says photographer Cathy Browne, who doesn’t let being blind stop her from following any of her passions. “Finally, in my early 60s, I’m doing something I’ve always wanted to do!”
Cathy says the entire community cast has stories to tell about living with a disability, and they are all as compelling as they are funny. “I’m having a fantastic time working alongside some very talented people […] I hope to see capacity crowds supporting us all, and the wonderful work that Rena Cohen and the Realwheels team does here in Vancouver.”
Get tickets for Comedy on Wheels here »
About Realwheels Theatre
Realwheels creates and produces performances that deepen audiences’ understanding of the disability experience. They envision full integration of people with disabilities in the performing arts. Follow RealWheels on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube for more information.
The Pemberton Music Festival is coming up Thursday, July 13 through Sunday, July 16 in beautiful Pemberton, BC with headlining acts like Chance the Rapper, MUSE, A Tribe Called Quest, and many, many more.
Full ticketing details and prices, including Regular General Admission, VIP and Super VIP packages, are now available online now. With your ticket you’ll get 4 days of amazing performances under majestic Mount Currie and a portion of your ticket purchase goes to Pemberton Music Festival Community Fund.
With camping spot filling up fast, you’ll want to get a shuttle pass for the weekend, making Whistler your home base. You’ll have someone else do the driving, you won’t have to worry about parking (there is none on-site anyway) and you could make some friends on the ride! Here’s how you can make the best of a Pemberton shuttle pass when you stay in Whistler:
5 Ways to Enjoy Whistler During Pemberton Music Festival
1. Work Out
You’ll be walking between stages all day at Pemberton Music Festival but if you’re keen to keep up an elevated fitness routine during your time in the area, there are 50km of alpine trails for you to explore. Pick a mountain-top walk, intermediate hike, or advanced hike to start your day.
2. Unwind Before You Let Loose
Have you heard of Scandinave Spa? It’s a magical spa with eucalyptus steam room, Finnish sauna, hot pools, cascading waterfall, all perched between evergreens on the side of the mountain in Whistler. Snuggle up by the fire in your robe between rejuvenating hydro treatments as you think about all of the bands you’re going to see later that day at the festival. You can either book a spa treatment or simply access the pools for the morning to recharge before you head out to the shuttle.
3. Play Time
From June to September, the Blackcomb Village area transforms into the Family Adventure Zone presented by NINTENDO. Ride the Westcoaster Slide, play Mario & Friends Mini Golf, zip around in Go Carts, and more. The zone opens daily at 10:00am, and it’s just a quick walk to the Pemberton shuttle stop via the Valley Trail.
4. Keep Calm and Experience Local Culture
One of my favourite places is the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre, showcasing art, history and culture. It’s a beautiful and peaceful location to reflect and learn, open daily at 9:30am and there are guided tours every hour on the hour.
5. Late Night Eats
You just got off the shuttle from Pemberton but before heading back to your room, you need to refuel after that last act on stage made you dance off your last festival meal. Not to worry! Head over to El Furniture Warehouse in Whistler Village. It’s open until 2:00am and all food, everyday, all day, is just $4.95. On the hearty and healthy side, Stonesedge is open until 1:00am and has a variety of protein-packed vegan and vegetarian options – their brunches are great too!
Produced and promoted by Huka Entertainment, in collaboration with the Village of Pemberton and land partners the Sunstone Group, the Lil’wat Nation and Squamish-Lillooet Regional District, the festival turns Pemberton Valley, located less than thirty minutes from Whistler, BC, into a premiere musical playground. Last year’s festival drew more than 180,000 people to the most beautiful place on earth. As with last year’s festival, a portion of the proceeds from the sale of each ticket will be donated to local organizations in the Pemberton community.
Follow Pemberton Music Festival (#PembyFest) on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook for more information.
Established in 1990, Bard on the Beach is one of Canada’s largest not-for-profit, professional Shakespeare festivals. This annual festival explores and celebrates the genius of William Shakespeare, surrounded by the natural beauty of Vancouver. Here’s what will be on stage this season:
Bard on the Beach Summer 2017
Much Ado About Nothing
June 1 – September 23 on the BMO Mainstage
It’s Italy in 1959, and a group of actors and filmmakers are celebrating the wrap of their latest movie. Movie stars Beatrice and Benedick are drawn to each other but refuse to admit it, and Hero and Claudio’s marriage plans are about to be sabotaged by a journalist’s mean-spirited scheme. Cue the paparazzi, then a faked death, and la dolce vita threatens to become not so sweet; but with a script full of surprises, love can still triumph before the credits roll. Directed by John Murphy
The Winter’s Tale
June 8 – September 22 on the BMO Mainstage
A husband’s fierce jealousy is the trigger for a magical and moving tale, set in Sicily and Bohemia, which begins with a cruel punishment and ends with a miracle. King Leontes believes his wife, Queen Hermione, has been unfaithful to him with his best friend, so he puts her in prison and orders that their newborn baby be abandoned in the wilderness. Sixteen years later, across the sea, two young people fall in love and their union becomes the catalyst for reunion, redemption and a family’s healing. Directed by Dean Paul Gibson.
The Merchant of Venice
June 22 – September 16 on the Howard Family Stage in the Douglas Campbell Theatre
A deeply fascinating study in contrasts, Shakespeare’s timeless drama, set this season in modern-day Venice, exposes the consequences of how we treat outsiders in our midst. Portia and Bassanio discover true love but the merchant Antonio and the moneylender Shylock are driven by prejudice and the craving for revenge, as they move ever closer to a devastating judgement day. Directed by Nigel Shawn Williams.
Photo & Image Design: David Cooper & Emily Cooper
The Two Gentlemen of Verona
June 29 – September 17 on the Howard Family Stage in the Douglas Campbell Theatre
Valentine and Proteus are best friends with an awkward problem – they’re both in love with Valentine’s girlfriend Sylvia. And it gets even trickier – Proteus already has a girlfriend of his own. Shakespeare’s early romantic comedy is a lively riff on friendship, love and loyalty with the bonus of two very funny clowns plus a dog that just might steal the show! Directed by Scott Bellis.
Shylock
September 6 – 15 on the Howard Family Stage in the Douglas Campbell Theatre
Meet Jon Davies, an actor and a Jew, condemned by his own community for his portrayal of the Jewish moneylender in Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice. When the production is cancelled, Davies uses his final post-show talkback to raise provocative questions about censorship in general and the political correctness of Merchant itself. Shylock was first produced in 1996 at Bard and has since been staged around the world. Directed by Sherry J. Yoon.
Play performances run Tuesday through Sunday with matinees on select weekends and weekdays and a range of special events on Monday evenings. All evening performances start at 7:30pm.
Special Events
Check out the full list of special events this season, from the Bard-B-Q fireworks, to Chor Leoni, Family Nights, Wine Wednesdays and more!
View the full schedule online here »
Tickets for Bard on the Beach’s 28th season are now on sale beginning at $21. Early booking is recommended for best seat selection as many performances sell out in advance. Order online through the Bard website or call the Bard Box Office at 604-739-0559 or (toll free) 1-877-739-0559.
Follow Bard on the Beach on YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.
