Canadian Migration Monitoring Network
By Request
1960
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 Long Point Bird Observatory (Tip, Breakwater and Old Cut stations). 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.
Spring monitoring runs from April 1st to June 10 and fall monitoring runs from August 1 to November 15.
Located near Port Rowan, Ontario (42.583451°, -80.396535°).
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. Count period is during daylight hours, with a 1 hour census.
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 alerts have been recorded. Population trends for years prior to 1983 are based on data from only two of the three stations on Long Point. As well, the Tip station is subject to long-term changes in land-form and vegetation due to flooding and erosion as Lake Erie water levels fluctuate. Daily Estimated Totals were designed from the outset to collect consistent data on number of birds present daily at the eastern end of the Point, and this goal has been maintained to the extent feasible; e.g., the census route configuration has remained similar despite a major westward shift of banding operations (about 250m) that became necessary in 2020. Nonetheless, it should be noted that several types of permanent traps (Heligoland, J-traps) have been built then lost to waves over the decades that likely affected counts of some species in some years. Pandemic restrictions in 2020-2021 caused the Breakwater station to be closed. Participant numbers were reduced at the Tip for both years, and at Old Cut only in spring of 2020.
Birds Canada. 2025. "CMMN Daily Estimated Totals: Long Point Bird Observatory". Data accessed from NatureCounts, Birds Canada. 10.71842/ac5z-ac14
