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A Bit About Us

Rocky Point Bird Observatory (RPBO) began in 1994 as a pilot project of the Canadian Wildlife Service and local volunteers to monitor neotropical passerines (songbirds) in coastal British Columbia. In February 2000 a board of directors formed a society to manage the observatory. The RPBO is a member of a national network of 25 migration monitoring stations with Bird Studies Canada (BSC) from Vancouver Island to Newfoundland. The site is located in rural Metchosin, a 45 minute drive southwest of Victoria on the grounds of the Department of National Defence's Rocky Point Ammunition Depot.

Overlooking Juan de Fuca strait, the unique geography and mixed forest here at the extreme southern end of Vancouver Island attracts both migrants and vagrant bird species. The monitoring operation covers an area about 9 square kilometres. During migration, RPBO is witness to impressive numbers of songbirds, vultures, raptors, and seabirds. A remarkable 303 species have been recorded for the site. In addition, over eighty species breed (or are suspected of breeding) in the area. Approximately 3000 birds and between 55 to 60 species are banded at RPBO each year (more than 33,000 birds of 95 species have been banded since 1994). RPBO's primary banding season runs from mid-July through October.

The unique location has allowed RPBO to monitor many species which are not well understood through breeding bird surveys or other monitoring methods. Our priority species list was developed by the Canadian Wildlife Service.

RPBO is a registered charitable organization in Canada and is governed by a volunteer board of directors.
For 2010/11, the directors are:
President: Ann Nightingale
Vice-President: Michael Simmons
Treasurer: Tom Gillespie
Secretary: Mike McGrenere
Directors: Rick Schortinghuis, Marilyn Lambert, Jeremy Gatten, Christina Carrieres, Amy Medve, Alison Moran, Jonathan Moran, Dan McKinnon

We adhere to published bylaws and constitution for administration and a protocol for operations.

RPBO shares its data with conservation organizations, students and researchers. Se our Data Use Policy for details.

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Photo Albums

Over the years, volunteers and staff have taken and shared photos from Rocky Point Bird Observatory.