Atlantic Canada Bank Swallow Monitoring

Methods

<p>Protocol: https://naturecounts.ca/resources/atbans/Atlantic_Canada_Bank_Swallow_Monitoring_Protocol.pdf</p> Total # BANS counted: If birds are seen, estimate the number of adults using the block counting method. If more than one person is surveying one site, each person can count the adults and compare results. If the counts are within ten percent of each other, then they can be averaged together for one final population estimate; record this number. If one person is surveying the site, attempt several counts and average the results; record this number. Estimated # of active burrows: Count all active burrows within the colony. If more than one person is surveying one site, each person can count the burrows and compare results. If the counts are within ten percent of each other, they can be averaged together for one final population estimate; record this number. If one person is surveying the site, attempt several counts and average the results; record this number. Total # of burrows observed: Count all burrows, active or not. If more than one person is surveying one site, each person can count the burrows and compare results. If the counts are within ten percent of each other, they can be averaged together for one final population estimate; record this number. If the colony is too large to count in the field, photographs can be taken and used to count the burrows from home. When taking photos of colonies, make sure that the photos overlap each other so that no burrows are missed. Also, panorama photos or videos of the whole colony can be used. Photos and videos can be sent to the project coordinator if needed. Breeding code: Record the highest level of breeding evidence seen (see Table 2). For example, if one adult is showing signs of agitated behaviour (breeding code: A) and another adult is seen carrying a fecal sac (breeding code: FS), use breeding code FS.