Migration has begun for many species across Alberta and the Alberta Institute for Wildlife Conservation (AIWC) is asking the public to be more aware of wildlife over the next few months.
Songbirds have already began their journey and in the next few months, depending on the weather, many birds of prey and waterfowls will also take to their migratory routes.
“Alberta is a big migratory pathway,” said Holly Duvall, executive director for AIWC. “(Fall migration) is a time of a lot of activity for wildlife, so we’re just asking people to be more aware.”
With more than 1,600 animals a year passing through AIWC, Duvall said 95 per cent of those admitted are due to human activity such as being struck by a car or hitting power lines.
She calls September “hawk month,” as the facility has more hawks admitted than in any other month. She added the centre tends to see more juvenile hawks during this time.
“(Hawks) are practising flying and hunting and they get into trouble and get hit by cars, unfortunately,” Duvall said.
Waterfowls, such as geese and swans, won’t migrate until they have to, according to Duvall.
With milder winters over the past few years, AIWC has had numerous calls concerning flocks of geese on frozen lakes that have not yet migrated.
“They’re fine, they just are choosing to migrate at the very last point,” she said.
With 116 animals currently at the facility, AIWC has already released 140 animals in August alone.
Coming off the summer season, Duvall said fewer new animals are admitted, but those that are tend to have more severe trauma like fractured wings, large wounds due to barbed wire or emaciation.
“We go from a very busy (summer) season where the care is not easy but relatively easier, into a migration season where the care is more intensive, but there’s less species,” she said.
She warns the public not to litter, especially at the side of roads, because this can be dangerous for many young birds of prey.
“(Littering) attracts rodents, which in turn attracts hawks,” Duvall said.
Sometimes there is no safe way to avoid hitting wildlife with cars if they stop in the middle of the road, Duvall said, but she urges people to call AIWC at 403-946-2361 right away if that occurs.
Mammals do not usually migrate, but as the weather turns milder they will be on the lookout for food.
Duvall suggests not storing food outside, but if you must, keep it securely locked.
“If you have an attractant in your yard, you’re going to be attracting wildlife,” she said.
To assist with the operational costs of the facility, with an animal costing between $100 and $1,000 to care for, AIWC is hosting a “Fall Migration Non-Event Party.”
Non-event meaning there is no actual party because AIWC wants as much money as possible to go towards caring for animals.
“It’s effectively a party we don’t want anyone to come to,” Duvall said.
To donate to help the AIWC reach the $35,000 goal for the non-event party, visit aiwc.ca/support-us/fall-migration-party.
