CMMN Daily Estimated Totals: Vaseux Lake Bird Observatory

Vaseux Lake Migration Monitoring Station
http://www.bsc-eoc.org/volunteer/cmmn/index.jsp?targetpg=vlms

Project name: Canadian Migration Monitoring Network

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.

Dataset summary : This dataset contains daily estimated totals (DET) from the Vaseux Lake Migration Monitoring Station. 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.

Status : Active

Year started : 1994

Years (comments) : CMMN was launched in 1998 as an ongoing monitoring program. The first migration monitoring station in North America was LPBO, started in 1960.Vaseux Lake Bird Observatory was launched in 2001.

Season(s) and frequency : Fall monitoring occurs between August 1st and October 15.

Geographic area covered : Okanagan Falls, British Columbia (49.308879, -199.546076)

Type(s) of habitat : Count area contains Woodland, Shrubland, Open wetlands (marsh, bogs, etc.), Standing water (pond, lake) and Moving water (brook, stream, river).

Primary species covered : Primary focus is landbirds (104 priority species) but some stations also monitor waterbirds, raptors.

Sampling Design : Standardized captures and observations used to derive daily estimated total throughout migration window.Daily totals are a combination of the numbers from the banding, census and the observations, Numbers are adjusted down to account for birds duplicated on the different survey methods according to the species general observability and consultation with all observers.

Field methods : Combination of standardized daily captures, census, visible migration counts and other observations resulting in a daily estimated total for each species.Count period at Vaseux Lake is 6.5hours long and includes 14 mist nets.

Data format : Data-entry program produces .dbf files. Archival copy of data for most stations is maintained at BSC.

Sample size : 16 full member station operating 21 migration stations. Several pilot stations.

Results : Most stations produce some form of annual report for members.

Trends and time series availability : Time series varied (1960-present for LPBO). Trend graphs updated annually for all stations with at least 5 years of data. Available on BSC web site

Publications : Hussell, DJT and CJ Ralph. 1998. Recommended methods for monitoring bird populations by counting and capture of migrants. (available on BSC website) Dunn, EH and DJT Hussell. 1995. Using migration counts to monitor landbird populations: review and evaluation of current status. Pp 43-58 in D.M. Power (ed.), Current Ornithology vol 12. Plenum Press, NY.

Funding sources : Varied.

Applications for the data : Trend information feeds into integrated population approach and is also used for planning and environmental assessment purposes.

Users of the information : BSC, research biologists