Atlantic Canada Beached Bird Survey

About

By systematically monitoring birds on beaches - oiled and clean - we can detect fluctuations in both the amount of oil pollution occurring in the Atlantic and in the Bay of Fundy, as well as its effect on waterbirds. Beached bird survey participants will be helping to develop a baseline index of oiled birds in Cape Breton. If large spills occur, this baseline can be used to estimate the impact of the spills on seabirds. Beached bird survey data can also be used to determine what species of seabirds are most affected by oiling, what time of year the problem is most severe, and whether the proportion of oiled birds washing up on beaches is changing over time.

year-round if possible, once every month from November to April

Prince Edward Island, Cape Breton and in the Bay of Fundy

mainly waterfowl and pelagic seabirds

By systematically monitoring birds on beaches - oiled and clean - we can detect fluctuations in both the amount of oil pollution occurring in the Atlantic and in the Bay of Fundy, as well as its effect on waterbirds. Beached bird survey participants will be helping to develop a baseline index of oiled birds in Cape Breton. If large spills occur, this baseline can be used to estimate the impact of the spills on seabirds. Beached bird survey data can also be used to determine what species of seabirds are most affected by oiling, what time of year the problem is most severe, and whether the proportion of oiled birds washing up on beaches is changing over time.