Overview
Project Name
Canadian Migration Monitoring Network
Access Level
By Request
Year started
1992
Year Ended
2010
Dataset
Daily Migration Counts: Delta Marsh Bird Observatory
About
Dataset summary
Counts from Delta Marsh Bird Observatory (DMBO) of birds banded and observed during daily operations; plus a composite Daily Estimated Total (DET): the best estimate for each species of unduplicated number of individuals detected within the official count area during the daily monitoring period.
Season(s) and frequency
At this site, daily from 1 May to first week of June; first week of July through end of September.
Geographic area covered
Located near Portage la Prairie, Manitoba (50.189, -98.261). Isotope analyses indicate migrants at the site likely originated primarily from breeding range in Manitoba, northern Prairie Provinces and Northwest Territories.
Primary species covered
Captures were primarily small passerines, but all species observed were recorded
Goals
To conduct standardized daily migration season counts and collect ancillary data on migration ecology for use in long-term biological and population monitoring of Canada’s bird species.
Methods
Sampling Design
Daily capture and observation during migration seasons to generate species-specific daily totals of birds detected within each study site.
Field methods
For this site: Standardized daily banding (6 hr rom dawn onward, 10 nets), a fixed-route census lasting about an hour, and incidental observation during standard operations.
Analysis methods
See Quick Links. Historic population trends for all species at this site were based on counts on Daily Estimated Totals
Advice
Data from this site are not directly comparable to data from the successor station at Oak Hammock Marsh. Operations manual available (https://www.birdscanada.org/bird-science/cmmn-protocols)
Partners
Citation
Birds Canada. 2026. "Daily Migration Counts: Delta Marsh Bird Observatory". Data accessed from NatureCounts, Birds Canada. 10.71842/t4gt-1y43
