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 64 species are banded at RPBO each year (more than 48,000 birds of 96 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 2011/12, the directors are:
President: Shona Lawson
Past- 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, Jessie Fanucchi, Mike Motek, Jeremy Kimm

We adhere to publishedbylaws and constitution for administration and a protocol for operations. RPBO has been a Canadian registered charity since 2000. Our CRA registration number is 869770123RR0001. Financial reports and other required information may be viewed from the Canada Revenue Agency website.

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

Find us on:
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View the (select year) 2011 2010 RPBO blog.

Photo Albums

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

Band Recoveries

Gone But Not Forgotten

RPBO has lost several members over the years. Their contributions to our organization were great and we miss them all.