Overview
Project Name
Marsh Monitoring Program
Access Level
Open (core fields)
Year started
1995
Year Ended
1994 in Canada; 1995 in the United States
Dataset
Great Lakes Marsh Monitoring Program - Bird Surveys
About
Dataset summary
Participant or randomly-chosen, broadcast-assisted point counts focused on detecting secretive marshbirds (e.g., bitterns, rails).
Season(s) and frequency
Twice, or optionally three times, annually during the peak breeding season. Aim is to survey stations with at least 2 visits per year for multiple years.
Geographic area covered
Great Lakes basin, US and Canada
Primary species covered
Primarily waterbirds
Goals
Data collected by MMP volunteers is used to determine long-term trends in species diversity, occurrence and abundance, and to directly inform and guide conservation, restoration and management programs for marshes and their bird and amphibian inhabitants.
Methods
Sampling Design
Non-random, user selected wetlands, wetlands in Areas of Concern
Field methods
Bird survey routes with 1-8 listening stations 250 m apart. Listening stations were 100 m fixed-distance point counts. Two visits, 10 days apart between 20 May and 5 July. Broadcast tapes used for 5 minutes followed by a 5 minute silent listening period
QA/QC
Data are reviewed by staff knowledgeable in the ecology and behavior of marsh birds.
Analysis methods
Reports and publications are available on line at <a href="http://www.bsc-eoc.org/volunteer/glmmp/index.jsp">http://www.bsc-eoc.org/volunteer/glmmp/index.jsp</a>.
Partners
Western Atlantic Shorebird Association
Canadian Wildlife Service
Ontario Atlas (BAM Version)
Citation
Birds Canada, Western Atlantic Shorebird Association, Canadian Wildlife Service, and Ontario Atlas (BAM Version). 2025. "Marsh Monitoring Program". Data accessed from NatureCounts, Birds Canada.
