Dataset

CMMN Daily Estimated Totals: Prince Edward Point Bird Observatory

About

Dataset summary

This dataset contains daily estimated totals (DET) from the Prince Edward Point Bird Observatory. DET is a standard protocol used by Canadian Migration Monitoring Network stations to estimate the total number of individuals of each species occurring at a site during migration.

Season(s) and frequency

Spring coverage is from April 10th to May 31st. Fall coverage is from August 15 to October 31st.

Geographic area covered

Located on Prince Edward Point, near Picton, Ontario (43.939579, -76.861173). Count area is approximately 40 hectares.

Primary species covered

Primary focus is landbirds (104 priority species), Prince Edward Point also maintains a Bobolink monitoring program and an owl banding program.

Goals

To generate counts of migrating birds for use in long-term population monitoring, especially landbird species not monitored by current breeding or winter surveys; To carry out cooperative research projects on the ecology of migrating birds. The goals of Prince Edward Point Bird Observatory are to increase the appreciation, knowledge and understanding of birds to contribute to informed decision-making in areas of environmental conservation, county development, natural history and geography, and individual quality of life.

Methods

Sampling Design

Standardized captures and observations used to derive daily estimated total throughout migration window.

Field methods

Combination of standardized daily captures, census, visible migration counts and other observations resulting in a daily estimated total for each species. Monitoring Period is 6 hours in duration, census is 0.5hours. In spring Prince Edward Point Bird Observatory runs 19 songbird mist nests. In the fall the station runs 19 songbird mistnests, 8 hawk nets and 10 owl nets.

Analysis methods

Most stations produce some form of annual report for members.

Partners

Prince Edward Point Bird Observatory

Citation

Prince Edward Point Bird Observatory. 2025. "Canadian Migration Monitoring Network". Data accessed from NatureCounts, Birds Canada.