Pollinator Week
Celebrate Pollinator Week with RPBO
June 22 -28, 2026
Pollinator Week is an annual celebration of professional pollen couriers. While bees often receive most of the attention, birds are important pollinators too. At Rocky Point Bird Observatory, Pollinator Week is an opportunity to explore the remarkable relationships between birds, flowers, insects, and healthy ecosystems. From hummingbirds and songbirds sipping nectar to carrying pollen between blossoms, birds play an important role in supporting biodiversity.
SPECIAL PRESENTATION:
Bird Pollinators: Nature's Unsung Gardeners
Presented by Alison Moran
June 25, 2026 | Online via Zoom
What is a pollinator, and why are birds so efficient at providing this service?
How did birds evolve the ability to taste sweetness?
What research is revealing the role of bird pollinators in our ecosystems?
Join RPBO's Alison Moran for a fascinating exploration of bird pollination, current research, and practical ways we can create healthier habitats for pollinators in our communities.
Registration is required. Registered participants will receive the Zoom link by 5:00 p.m. on June 25.
Register through the Event Calendar.
NEW RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS
As you may recall, RPBO has been working with the Songbirds as Pollinators Project (SaP), examining pollen collected from hummingbirds and songbirds on Vancouver Island.
Since speaking at RPBO's Pollinator Week event in 2025, researcher Carolyn Coyle has successfully completed her PhD research. Her findings reveal that hummingbirds and nectar-feeding songbirds, such as Orange-crowned Warblers, visit extensive, but not completely overlapping, networks of flowering plants. These discoveries provide some of the first detailed insights into how songbirds contribute to pollination in British Columbia and highlight how much there is still to learn about these important ecological relationships.
How You Can Help Bird Pollinators
Pollinator Week is a great time to take action for birds and other pollinators.
Even small changes can have a meaningful impact.
Plant for Pollinators
Create habitat by incorporating native plants into your garden. Native species provide food, shelter, and nesting opportunities while supporting a wide variety of wildlife. Consider following the "70% rule" by aiming for approximately 70% native plants and 30% carefully selected ornamentals that extend flowering seasons and nectar availability.
Support Wetlands
Wetlands are among the most important habitats for bird pollinators. They provide insects that hummingbirds and other birds rely on, particularly during breeding season when young birds require protein-rich food. Even small ponds can make a significant contribution to local biodiversity.
Reduce Pesticide Use
Avoid pesticides and insect control products whenever possible. Healthy insect populations support healthy bird populations, and almost all birds and this includes bird pollinators, depend on insects during key stages of their life cycle.
Create Water Sources
Birds need reliable sources of water for drinking, bathing, and cooling. Small ponds, shallow water features, and wildlife-friendly wetland gardens can provide valuable resources while attracting a diversity of species.
Garden with Wildlife in Mind
Choose plants with overlapping flowering periods to provide nectar throughout the growing season. Layer vegetation at different heights and include shrubs, flowers, and trees that offer shelter and nesting opportunities.
Pollinator-Friendly Gardening Resources
If you're interested in creating pollinator habitat, Pollinator Partnership Canada's free Ecoregional Planting Guides are an excellent place to start. Residents of Greater Victoria and southern Vancouver Island should select the Eastern Vancouver Island guide.
Every garden, balcony, wetland, and natural area can contribute to healthier ecosystems for birds and pollinators. By supporting pollinators, we support biodiversity, food systems, and the natural processes that sustain our communities.