Canadian Migration Monitoring Network
By Request
2014
CMMN was launched in 1998 as an ongoing monitoring program. The first migration monitoring station in North America was LPBO, started in 1960.
This dataset contains daily estimated totals (DET) from the Mckellar Island 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.
Daily in spring (May 1 - June 11) and fall (August 1 - October 31)
From Newfoundland to British Columbia; Member stations in NS, QC, ON (6), MI, MB, SK, AB (3), and BC (2). Pilot stations in NF, PEI, NB, ON, BC and YK.
Primary focus is landbirds (104 priority species) but some stations also monitor waterbirds, raptors.
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.
Standardized captures and observations used to derive daily estimated total throughout migration window.
Combination of standardized daily captures, census, visible migration counts and other observations resulting in a daily estimated total for each species.
Most stations produce some form of annual report for members.
Any disruption to standardized operations relevant to appropriate interpretation of analytical results is noted in a regularly-updated section of the station protocol. As of 2025, the following notes had been recorded. Tree seedlings were planted in the netting area in 2014-16, then maintained at 3m height once they reached that size (2024). The habitat change prior to 2024 will have affected species composition and abundance, requiring caution in interpretation of long-term trends that include that period.
Birds Canada, Cenovus Energy, Thunder Bay Community Foundation, Superior Shores Gaming Association, Save Our Songbirds, and McKellar Island Bird Observatory. 2025. "CMMN Daily Estimated Totals: McKellar Island Bird Observatory". Data accessed from NatureCounts, Birds Canada. 10.71842/4py7-0d76
