Connecting Nature Lovers to the Songbirds of the Shuswap

Save Shuswap Songbirds is a joint initiative by the Shuswap Naturalists and SABNES.

Our mission is to inspire our community to value songbirds and take action to protect them by preserving and creating bird-friendly habitats.

This movement was sparked by the global songbird conservation efforts featured in the acclaimed documentary The Messenger (2015/16), which highlighted the alarming decline of songbird populations caused by human activity. The film poses a critical question:

Could we live without birds?

What are songbirds?

Songbirds are small perching birds known for their beautiful melodies, making up nearly half of the world’s 10,000 bird species.
In the Shuswap region, these birds are a vital part of the ecosystem, enchanting us with their songs and playing essential roles, like scattering seeds and controlling insects.

Over 150 bird species can be seen in the Shuswap during warmer months, and at least 35 species are counted in the annual Salmon Arm Christmas Bird Count.
These adaptable birds use every suitable habitat, which makes protecting and enhancing their environments crucial.

Why Songbirds Need Our Help

Songbirds face numerous threats, including:

Habitat loss from urban development and agriculture.
Pesticides that harm insects, a primary food source.
Light pollution, which disrupts migration paths and leads to fatal collisions.
Climate change, which impacts food availability.
Domestic cats, which prey on millions of birds annually in Canada.

How You Can Help Songbirds Thrive

Protect and support songbirds with these simple actions:

Garden thoughtfully: Plant flowers with seeds, shrubs with berries and leave wild corners for small birds.
Create nesting spots: Provide natural nesting sites with shrubs and trees or install nest boxes for cavity nesters like chickadees.
Offer water: Add a bird bath or water dish to your yard.
Feed responsibly: Keep feeders clean, use appropriate food, and place feeders away from windows to reduce collision risks.
Prevent window collisions: Use decals, tape or net curtains on large windows to make them visible to birds.
Keep cats indoors: Protect birds and keep your cats healthier.
Avoid pesticides: Let birds control pests naturally and support ecosystems with native plants.
Get involved: Join local naturalist groups and learn more through bird watching.

Explore and Learn

Look for our educational signs along Salmon Arm’s foreshore and trails to discover common songbird species. Whether in your yard or on a walk, enjoying their songs and beauty will deepen your connection to the outdoors. Together, we can ensure songbird’s continue to thrive in the Shuswap for generations to come.