ɬ�﷬ News - Dept. of Natural Resource Sciences

How to make sure your feeders aren't making hummingbirds sick

webfull — Tue, 17 Jun 2025 19:06:24 +0000

A surprising number of hummingbirds are falling ill, and experts say your birdfeeder may be to blame.

Ornithologist and ɬ�﷬ Professor Emeritus David Bird spoke to CBC about how to keep your feathered friends safe.

Published: 17 June 2025

Rising mercury levels in Arctic wildlife—Prof. Nil Basu comments on new Aarhus University study

webfull — Mon, 16 Jun 2025 20:11:42 +0000

A new study, led by researchers at Aarhus University in Denmark, suggests that levels of mercury in Arctic wildlife could continue to rise significantly even as countries curb their emissions. The researchers' analysis indicates that ocean currents are distributing large, century-old stores of mercury through marine ecosystems in the Arctic.

Large predators end up ingesting the most mercury through their diet of contaminated prey. This poses a serious problem for communities that hunt marine mammals with high concentrations of mercury, like seals.

Published: 16 June 2025

Former ɬ�﷬ Professors awarded Society of Canadian Ornithologists' Jamie Smith Memorial Mentoring Award

webfull — Wed, 11 Jun 2025 15:37:09 +0000

The Society of Canadian Ornithologists has selected Professor Emeritus David Bird and retired Associate Professor Rodger Titman, who both taught for many years in ɬ�﷬'s Department of Natural Resource Sciences, to receive the Jamie Smith Memorial Mentoring Award. This award recognizes exceptional contributions to the training and fostering of Canadian ornithologists.

Published: 11 June 2025

How peer learning improved agricultural technology adoption in Tanzania

webfull — Thu, 22 May 2025 20:08:14 +0000

As mobile phones proliferate across the developing world, digital delivery of agricultural advice is positioned to play a transformative role in increasing agricultural productivity and improving livelihoods for smallholder farmers. Meanwhile, evidence shows that peer-to-peer learning, at least in person, can successfully promote technology adoption.

Published: 22 May 2025

Exploring the power of research at the 2025 Lister Science Chats

webfull — Tue, 20 May 2025 13:23:28 +0000

On May 2, 2025, over 60 people gathered in the John Abbott College Library for the Lister Science Chats, where four Macdonald Campus graduate students presented their research and shared how past events as well as the discoveries, sometimes unintentional, and techniques of previous scientists made their work possible.

Published: 20 May 2025

Climate science, community wellness, and career inspiration at the 2025 John Abbott Sustainability Through Science Symposium

webfull — Wed, 07 May 2025 21:19:18 +0000

On April 11, 2025, over 60 people gathered at the annual John Abbott Sustainability Through Science Symposium to hear how the research of three Macdonald Campus graduate students contributes to a more sustainable future. Honours and science students from John Abbott College, as well as members of ɬ�﷬'s Macdonald Campus community, were inspired by short talks followed by a panel discussion on the students' university experience and their chosen career paths.

Published: 7 May 2025

ɬ�﷬ alumnus appointed head of the Royal Brinkman agronomy department

webfull — Wed, 16 Apr 2025 18:05:18 +0000

Royal Brinkman Canada has appointed Mohammed Antar (PhD, P.Ag) as head of its agronomy department, noting in their announcement that he "will play a key role in helping growers enhance crop productivity and quality through innovative, science-based solutions."

Mohammed earned his Ph.D. in Plant Science (Agronomy) from ɬ�﷬ in 2024. His expertise spans agronomy, microbe-coated fertilizers, nutrient management, sustainable agriculture, and biological products.

Published: 16 April 2025

ɬ�﷬ Bravo Gala honours eight Agricultural and Environmental Sciences researchers

webfull — Wed, 02 Apr 2025 17:15:25 +0000

On March 27, ɬ�﷬ honoured 141 laureates at the 20th annual Bravo Gala, celebrating researchers who received prestigious provincial, national or international awards in 2024, including eight researchers in the Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences.

In his opening remarks, ɬ�﷬ President and Vice-Chancellor, Deep Saini, applauded the honourees for their efforts, underlining the importance of ɬ�﷬’s research contributions.

Published: 2 April 2025

Nobody knows why this snowy owl is orange—David Bird weighs in

webfull — Wed, 26 Mar 2025 19:39:43 +0000

An orange tinted snowy owl in Michigan has baffled scientists with its orange colouring, CBC News reports. Experts say it could be a genetic mutation, an accident, or human mischief.

Ornithologist and Professor Emeritus at ɬ�﷬, David Bird, expressed some doubts about the strange colouration being caused by genetics.

Published: 26 March 2025

Decades after peregrines came back from the brink, a new threat emerges—comments from Prof. David Bird

webfull — Tue, 18 Mar 2025 19:43:34 +0000

After DDT use nearly wiped out peregrine falcons in the 20th century, numbers are collapsing again in many countries, the Guardian reports.

Though scientists have yet to determine a definite cause, many—including ɬ�﷬ Professor Emeritus David Bird, who formerly led the University's Avian Science and Conservation Centre—think highly pathogenic bird flu may be largely to blame.

Published: 18 March 2025