Avian Study

Highland Valley Copper operates a copper and molybdenum mining complex southwest of Kamloops, British Columbia, in the southern interior of the province. Highland Valley Copper commissioned a 3 year study between 2005 and 2007 to document avifaunal use of all lands within its operating area. This paper reports results from a 2005 (year 1) reconnaissance level survey to document the response by the bird community to the mining and reclamation initiatives, and focuses primarily on selected uses of reclamation habitats. A total of 2758 observations were made of birds using habitats within the operating area. These observations comprised 13,547 individual birds representing 160 species.

44% of regularly-occurring bird species in BC have been found in the study area. 115 species were using habitats resulting from mining disturbance and reclamation while 45 species were found only in native habitats undisturbed by mining. Mining and reclamation activities have created a mosaic of grassland and wetland ecosystems that are well-utilized by birds. Because the distinction between aquatic and upland ecosystems is clinal in nature, avian use of these habitats is complex. It is clear that birds have responded positively to the aquatic ecosystems and reclamation activities which have established a nucleus of primary invertebrate and aquatic macrophyte production. Fewer species breed in the reclamation grasslands. Use of these upland communities is expanded during migration and winter periods when a greater number of species are available to exploit habitats that do not normally occur at the higher elevations at these latitudes. Multi-level trophic interactions are apparent throughout, suggesting that reclamation initiatives at Highland Valley Copper have made significant strides in establishing a self-sustaining ecosystem across the landscape. Enhancing both the grassland and aquatic environments to benefit maximum number of wildlife species is supporting the biodiversity objectives set out in the reclamation plan.