Parliament of Owls is a research residency for artists interested in birds. The weeklong residency will facilitate at least 10 excursions into natural habitats and laboritories enriched by biologists, naturalists and experts to learn about birds, birders and biodiversity.
Outline:
Artist talk: We invite you to give a private artist talk to share your work with the group.
Tagging: Residents will participate in a bird tagging event for scientific monitoring of wild birds on an outing with the Innis Point Bird Banding Association. We may also visit the Bird Banding Office of Enviroment Canada to learn about how the data collected is processed. We will likely see warblers, grackles, and red wing blackbirds.
Owl Prowl: This outing will be lead by an expert from the Ottawa Field Naturalist Society. Residents will learn to call owls and identify nocturnal birds. Night herons, Whip-poor-wills, Snipe.
The return of Migratory birds at mud lake: Residents will witness the return of migratory birds on an outing along the shore of the Ottawa River.
Dawn Chorus: Residents will stroll through Gatineau Park at day break to hear the dawn chorus lead by a field naturalist with expertise in identifying birds by song. Robins, orioles, thrush, grosbeak, warbler, veery.
Collision Research, Prevention and Rescue: Work with Safe Wings Ottawa to collect birds injured in collisions with buildings nad transport them to the Wild Bird Care Center.
Earbirding: An introduction to birding by ear by teacher from the Ottawa Bird Count. Cardinal, swamp sparrow, blue jay, crow, pileated wood pecker.
Birds and the biophony:Sound walk with a selection of artisinal bird calls.
Farm: Visit a local farmer's apiary. Wild and domesticated turkey, emu, Ostridge, geese, duck.
Research Collection: We will visit the Museum of Nature's Research Collection bird archive which includes eggs, nests mounts and skins of local and international birds including type specimen and extinct species.
Shorebirds: Spy on an egret and cormorant rookery.
Birding and bird watching: Walks to observe birds in birding hotspots around Ottawa with local birders.
Duration of residency
The residency will take place over a week in Gatineau, Quebec, Canada in the spring of 2020.
Disciplines supported and technical information
All creative disciplines are supported. No science or sound experience necessary.
Accommodation
Residents will be picked up in Ottawa and driven to the Ayatana residency house, where they will have a bed and bedding and will be driven to all activities. Meals will be provided.
Fees
Residency fee is $1300 USD
Expectations towards the artist
Residents are not expected to produce work during the program. Residents are invited to give a 20 minute artist talk to the group.
Application information
Application instructions are on the program website.
Selection process
Residency places are limited to 6 artists. Selected applicants will be notified shortly after the application deadline.