Alberni Valley Checklist of Birds
By Welsey Brick (724-3880)
Alberni Environmental Coalition

    A pamphlet, the ALBERNI VALLEY CHECKLIST OF BIRDS, has recently been published by the Alberni Environmental Coalition (AEC). They have been delivered to the Chamber of Commerce (CC) Tourist Information Office for distribution to visitors and interested members of the public at the Visitors’ Centre.
   
    The AEC is offering this checklist free of charge in order to encourage birders to investigate the avifauna of the Alberni Valley. It lists bird species that might be found in the AV in each season. It also gives an indication of the abundance of various species and directs visitors to some of the best viewing locations.
   
    “Birders are the kind of tourists that I want to attract to our valley,” claims a retired local teacher. “Unlike fishers, hunters or swimmers, bird watchers visit during all seasons. They tend to be quiet, low impact visitors. They don’t require licences because pursuing their sport does not involve carrying dangerous weapons and will not endanger wildlife stocks.
   
    This sport does not include burning a lot of fossil fuels. Birders do not create waves which cause shore erosion. They don’t make “thunder in the valley” with a lot of noise and high carbon emissions. Birders don’t need to race around city streets or bounce through the backwoods on ATV’s or dirt bikes chewing up the environment to get their kicks.
   
    Using the excuse that I am a bird watcher, I have visited many of the world’s wonderful natural environments. I always try to obtain a bird checklist for the local areas I visit. This year I went to Panama, where I saw beautiful birds, but also observed impacts on natural ecosystems resulting from poor infrastructure and unsustainable land use. I discussed the degree of monitoring and the enforcement of environmental laws with the people I met. I try to leave the message with the locals, ‘Don’t mess with the birds if you like my continued business.’ ”
   
    Birds were once taken into mines to warn of unseen hazardous gasses. They are still a means by which we can keep track of environmental changes. Bird watchers are often enthusiastic, free, environmental monitors. The AEC encourages them to report the arrival of new species and any impacts on wildlife that they observe.
   
    Why don’t you pick up a free checklist next time you pass the CC Tourist Center?