The Okanagan Similkameen Starling Control Program is running along smoothly under the capable hands of four trappers -- Joanne Bray and Doug Cowe in the South Okanagan, Don Marshall in Central Okanagan and Chris Blythe in the North Okanagan.
From January 1 to September 30, a total of approximately 35,000 birds have been captured. This is down from the previous year’s total for the same period - hopefully an indication that populations are down from last year.
The BCGA Board of Directors and the Program’s Management Committee has been working with Dr. Jeff Curtis at UBC-Okanagan to continue the research started by Jessi Neuhauser to determine the origins of starlings that make up the Okanagan-Similkameen populations and to better understand the movements and population dynamics locally to evaluate trapping effectiveness.
It is anticipated that the research program will be approved shortly with funding through the National Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC).
Thank you to all of the growers in the Okanagan Similkameen who have donated funds into the 2012 trapping program. The total received for this year’s work to date is $18,405.00. If you haven’t yet made your donation for this year, it’s not too late to help with the fall and winter trapping. You can donate online at www.grapegrowers.bc.ca or put a cheque in the mail to 451 Atwood Road, Grand Forks, BC, V0H 1H9 - a receipt will be issued. If you would prefer to receive an invoice, send an e-mail with that request indicating how many planted acres you have and the amount you wish to contribute ($10/planted acre is the recommended amount).