Dataset

CMMN Daily Estimated Totals: McGill Bird Observatory

About

Dataset summary

This dataset contains daily estimated totals (DET) from the McGill 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 monitoring runs from March 28 to June 5 and fall monitoring runs from August 1 to October 30.

Geographic area covered

Located near Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue, Quebec (45.430262, -73.939404). The count area is approximately 22 hectares.

Primary species covered

Primary focus is landbirds (104 priority species).McGill Bird Observatory also participates in MAPS, nest box banding and winter population monitoring

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.

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. The banding period is 5 hours and the coutn period is 6 hours, including a 1 hour census. The station runs 16 mist nets.

Analysis methods

Most stations produce some form of annual report for members.

Partners

McGill Bird Observatory

Citation

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