The upcoming development of the neighbourhoods north and south of the Maplewood Flats Conservation area is expected to magnify the yearly increase in site visitation. The influx of site visitors will inevitably have an impact on wildlife. To mitigate this impact and reduce disturbance risks to ecosystems, the Wild Bird Trust of BC (WBT) is planning to install a bird blind as one mitigation measure in a series of planned initiatives.
WBT is currently in the planning stages, but a bird blind will allow people to observe, watch, and photograph birds with minimal disturbance to the birds themselves, thus mitigating some degree of human impact on the wildlife.
What could a bird blind at Maplewood Flats look like?
In short, it depends on what values the WBT prioritizes. The WBT will consider the desired capacity, cultural and aesthetic potential, accessibility, and functionality needs of the bird blind while scoping its size, shape, material, and location. Here, we present examples of different bird blinds with different functionality and aesthetic assets.
Simplicity
A simple bird blind design in Tonaquint Park, Utah.
Another simple bird blind design at Elmer W. Oliver Nature Park, Texas.
Structural complexity
This bird blind on San Juan Island, Washington, captures enhanced structural complexity.
Artistic design
A bird blind at Sam Fox School in Missouri with architectural depth.
Bird blinds can make a statement, like this design at the Audubon Center Bent of the River in Connecticut.
Metal design
Bird blinds can be made of metal, as demonstrated at East Point Park Sanctuary in Toronto, Ontario.
Another metal bird blind design at Jim Hamm Nature Area in Colorado.
