The northwest passage is a land of magnificence and variety. The mixed mosaic of wetland in the northwest passage includes two US states and one Canadian province. Washington, Oregon and British Columbia host more than 3 million waterfowl and other emigrating birds. Some of the migratory birds are the Peregrine Falcon, Black Tern, White Faced Ibis, Marbled Godwits, Snowy Plover and Eared Grebes. The wetlands and rivers in this northern water complex play a important role in the bountiful native and migratory bird life.
Although the Pacific Northwest was settled more recently than other parts of North America much wetland degradation occurred. Part of the Pacific Northwest Initiative formed a united conservation association. This will help expand overall wetland biodiversity throughout this significant wild life region.
One example of man working to reconstruct and replace wetlands occurred in Southern Washington State. Ducks Unlimited and Yakama Indian Nation, US Fish & Wildlife Service, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife and the North American Wetland Conservation Council plan to act jointly. They will restore 8,000 acres of wetlands and riparian lands along the Toppenish and Status creeks. By restoring the natural hydrology of wetlands along these branches of the Lower Yakima River, this project aids important territory for waterfowl, other birds, fish and other wild animal survival. Also it lessens flooding and improves water quality throughout this important north western watershed.
Another group is the Canadian Peregrine Foundation. Since 1997, the Canadian Peregrine Foundation, operated for the safekeeping, supervision, and documentation of Peregrine Falcons in Southern Ontario. On the web site you will find photographs and articles from each of the Southern Ontario nest sites, plus live video cameras at some of these locations. You will find information on Peregrine biology, records and news about the Canadian Peregrine Foundation's proposals.
Black Tern territories are lakes, ponds, sloughs and seacoast areas. They migrate from southern lakes and ponds to the new wetland areas in the Northwest passage. They nest in high places surrounded by water. They nest across the Northern States and Southern Canada. Terns eat primarily fish. They grasp the fish by darting quickly into the water from the air with the bill pointed down.
In the warmer months the Eared Grebe migrates along the Northwest passage. The Eared Grebe in reproduction plumage has a black neck. You will find the Eared Grebe on the many varieties of wetlands and lakes in North Dakota displaying
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