Case Study: Integrating Bird Surveys into Sustainable Development 

Balancing Infrastructure Growth with Conservation through Proactive Wildlife Monitoring 

Introduction and Context

ISL is committed to environmental stewardship and sustainability. Our mission is to integrate responsible practices into every aspect of our operations and projects. We believe that as designers and engineers, we have a duty to protect and enhance the natural environment for future generations. 

As part of our commitment to conservation, we strive to minimize project impacts on local avian species. To achieve this, bird surveys are often conducted alongside construction to provide compliance with environmental regulations and reduce disturbances to avian populations.  

The Environmental team out of our Calgary office have diligently performed migratory bird pre-disturbance surveys for construction, breeding bird surveys, and other wildlife assessments. These surveys are primarily driven by the Alberta Wildlife Act and the Migratory Birds Convention Act (1992, updated 2022), which protect bird populations during critical breeding seasons. By identifying sensitive species, assessing habitats, and implementing mitigation strategies, ISL works to minimize our impact on the world around us – and the creatures we share it with. 

Background and Collaboration 

ISL Calgary’s Environmental team are often called to conduct bird surveys for a variety of projects that have the potential to disturb bird habitats, including transportation, community development, structural, hydrogeological and more. These projects can take place in diverse geographic locations, each with unique environmental considerations. Bird surveys are essential to: 

  • Determine the presence of breeding birds, migratory species, and critical habitats.
  • Meet regulatory requirements.
  • Minimize disruptions to wildlife. 

One challenge faced by our project teams is aligning construction schedules with bird breeding windows, which occur from April to early August in most of Alberta. Construction outside this period is preferable, but when project timelines make this an impossibility, adaptive survey strategies are required.

Methodology

ISL usually conducts bird surveys in the morning to maximize the changes of detecting nesting activity. Our team uses a systematic approach to identify and document bird species, nesting sites, and any potential impact on wildlife due to construction. This approach uses a range of techniques to assess bird populations and nesting activities, including: 

Wildlife sweeps: Wildlife sweeps look for animals in addition to birds, including mammals, reptiles, amphibians, and protected animals. No matter the season, wildlife sweeps are conducted at a maximum of seven days prior to construction activities. 

Nest sweeps: Nest sweeps include searching the area, looking for nests and nesting materials, or bird behavior that might indicate the presence of a nest. If bird nesting habitat is discovered or the project is ongoing throughout the nesting season, nest sweeps are required every two to six days during breeding season. 

Field observation techniques, such as:

  • Employing systematic field methods for detecting birds, which include point counts and transect or passive detection surveys;
  • Identifying disturbance thresholds based on species tolerance through buffer assessments;
  • Using monitoring tools like mapping databases, such as the Fish and Wildlife Management Information System, and equipment including scopes and binoculars to track nests with minimal disruption. 

ISL defines survey areas by the anticipated disturbance radiance (e.g., 250-300 m for bridge construction), with an additional 100 m buffer zone where necessary. Surveys also might involve assessing species-specific disturbance tolerances, as some birds like osprey are more adaptable to human activity than others. 

Our findings often reveal:

  • Diverse nesting behaviors: Some birds, like killdeer, nest directly on gravel, making them harder to detect.
  • Regulatory constraints: Some species require specific protection measures (e.g., sage grouse nests require a 10 km buffer).
  • Community concerns: Public reports of nesting birds have influenced regulatory changes and project planning. Community members, for example, have observed pileated woodpeckers throughout Calgary, including the Glenmore Reservoir, Fish Creek Park and Carburn Park. When the community is aware of a project, they can be a valuable resource in identifying avian species in the area.
  • The challenges of field work, such as: Birds returning to previously cleared areas, requiring repeated surveys; Additional species, like porcupines, can be identified, which necessitate broader mitigation measures; and ensuring the protection of nesting birds can cause delays due to nesting activity, which can in turn impact project timelines and budgets, leading to contractor pushback.

Enviromental Mitigation and Recommendations

Based on survey findings, ISL’s Environmental team can implement several mitigation strategies:

  • Avoidance and minimization measures, such as: Adjusting construction schedules to avoid breeding seasons when possible; Establishing species-specific buffer zones, dependant on the region, scope of work, or disturbance; and Monitoring bird reactions to construction activity and adjusting mitigation measures as required. 
  • Adaptive management and long-term conservation, such as: Monitoring during construction with scopes and binoculars to assess avian behavior; Consulting with regulatory bodies to determine case-by-case mitigation strategies; and Implementing innovative practices, like selfie sticks for non-invasive nest monitoring, which improves accuracy in determining timelines. 
Conclusion

ISL knows that bird surveys play an essential role in balancing development with conservation. Lessons learned from previous project surveys emphasize: 

  • The dynamic nature of fieldwork, where environmental conditions and bird activity can shift unexpectedly.
  • The importance of using professional judgement and experience in assessing risk and implementing mitigation strategies.
  • The growing role of public awareness and community engagement in shaping conservation priorities.

Through these surveys, ISL Calgary’s Environmental team can contribute to sustainable development practices, helping infrastructure growth align with ecological responsibilities and preserving the beauty of our natural world for years to come.  

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