Overview
Project Name
Canadian Migration Monitoring Network
Access Level
Open
Year started
1996
Year Ended
2020
Dataset
Daily Migration Counts: Haldimand Bird Observatory (historic locations)
About
Dataset summary
Data from three former Haldimand Bird Observatory stations: Selkirk (SELK, 1996-2006), Rock Point (ROCK): 2000-2015, and Ruthven (RUTH): 1998-2020. Counts 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
Daily in migration seasons: SELK (20 March-5 June; 10 July -14 November); ROCK (21 March-10 June; 1 September –7 November); RUTH (1 April-31 May; 1 September-7 November)
Geographic area covered
Haldimand County, southwestern Ontario: SELK (42.81, -79.95), ROCK (42.85, -79.55), RUTH (42.98, -79.87).
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
Standardized 7-hr daily count period, with nets opened ½ hr before sunrise and closed 6 hr later. Incidental observations recorded daily. Number of nets used at SELK needs investigation, 16 were used at ROCK and 19 at RUTH. Census of 60-90 min, though dropped in later years of operation at ROCK. Walk-in traps (8) used at RUTH in semi-standard fashion.
Analysis methods
See QuickLinks. Population trends for ‘Regular Migrants’ at RUTH were based on counts from standardized methods alone (numbers banded and recorded on census), while trends for all other species were based on Daily Estimated Totals. For SELK and ROCK, trends for all species were based on Daily Estimated Totals.
Advice
Partial protocols are available at https://www.birdscanada.org/bird-science/cmmn-protocols
Partners
Citation
Birds Canada. 2026. "Daily Migration Counts: Haldimand Bird Observatory (historic locations)". Data accessed from NatureCounts, Birds Canada. 10.71842/k6ax-s045
