Recent scientific studies estimate that North American bird populations have declined by approximately 3 billion birds. These losses have been experienced across all types of birds in all habitats (arctic tundra, grasslands, forests, urban etc).
Dr. Laura McKinnon, an Associate Professor at York University Glendon Campus, has spent the last 20 years working to advance our understanding of declining migratory bird populations. Though she has spent most of this time studying shorebirds in the Arctic, in 2017 she has been monitoring a unique urban-nesting shorebird, the Killdeer (Charadrius vociferus), right here in Downsview Park.. In 2023, Dr. McKinnon’s lab also began studying the effects of urbanization on the nesting success of a more common and abundant urban nesting bird, the American Robin.
Now, each summer, university students search for and monitor Killdeer and American Robin nests in Downsview Park in order to better understand the ecology of these amazing creatures that share our city parks.
Join Dr. McKinnon and her graduate students, for a guided tour through the Killdeer and American Robin wonderland that is Downsview Park. We will explore the habitats they live in, learn more about the fascinating birds that live in Downsview Park and discuss a few simple ways to help them.
