Canadian Migration Monitoring Network
By Request
1993
CMMN was launched in 1998 as an ongoing monitoring program. The first migration monitoring station in North America was LPBO, started in 1960. Lesser Slave Lake Bird Observatory was established in 1993, Standard migration monitoring began in 1994.
This dataset contains daily estimated totals (DET) from the Lesser Slave Laek 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.
Spring monitoring occurs from Late April until June 10. Fall monitoring occurs from July 12 to September 30.
Located near Slave Lake, Alberta (55.42675, -114.82634).
Primary focus is landbirds (104 priority species). The station also participates in MAPS and various Canada Warbler studies.
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. Lesser Slave Lake Bird Observatory also monitors summer resident bird populations.
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. The monitoring period Is 7 hours in duration with a 0.5hour census. The station runs 12 mist nets.
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. In 2000, daily count period was extended from 6 to 7 hours. Habitat succession from young deciduous and riparian woodland to mature mixed hardwood likely impacted capture rates prior to 2010. Spring monitoring in 2011 was cut short by fire evacuations, and effort was reduced in spring 2020 due to covid restrictions.
Birds Canada, Alberta Parks, and Lesser Slave Lake Bird Observatory. 2026. "CMMN Daily Estimated Totals: Lesser Slave Lake Bird Observatory". Data accessed from NatureCounts, Birds Canada. 10.71842/wbty-sk72
