CMMN Daily Estimated Totals: McGill Bird Observatory

McGill Bird Observatory
http://www.migrationresearch.org/mbo.html

Project name: Canadian Migration Monitoring Network

Goals : 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.

Dataset summary : This dataset contains daily estimated totals (DET) from the McGill 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.

Status : Active

Year started : 2004

Years (comments) : CMMN was launched in 1998 as an ongoing monitoring program. The first migration monitoring station in North America was LPBO, started in 1960. McGill Bird Observatory was established in 2004, standardized migration monitoring began in 2005.

Season(s) and frequency : Spring monitoring runs from March 28 to June 5 and fall monitoring runs from August 1 to October 30.

Geographic area covered : Located near Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue, Quebec (45.430262, -73.939404). The count area is approximately 22 hectares.

Type(s) of habitat : The count area consists of Woodland, Shrubland, Grassland and Open wetlands (marsh, bogs, etc.).

Primary species covered : Primary focus is landbirds (104 priority species).McGill Bird Observatory also participates in MAPS, nest box banding and winter population monitoring

Sampling Design : Standardized captures and observations used to derive daily estimated total throughout migration window.

Field methods : Combination of standardized daily captures, census, visible migration counts and other observations resulting in a daily estimated total for each species. The banding period is 5 hours and the coutn period is 6 hours, including a 1 hour census. The station runs 16 mist nets.

Data format : Data-entry program produces .dbf files. Archival copy of data for most stations is maintained at BSC.

Sample size : 16 full member station operating 21 migration stations. Several pilot stations.

Results : Most stations produce some form of annual report for members.

Trends and time series availability : Time series varied (1960-present for LPBO). Trend graphs updated annually for all stations with at least 5 years of data. Available on BSC web site

Publications : Hussell, DJT and CJ Ralph. 1998. Recommended methods for monitoring bird populations by counting and capture of migrants. (available on BSC website) Dunn, EH and DJT Hussell. 1995. Using migration counts to monitor landbird populations: review and evaluation of current status. Pp 43-58 in D.M. Power (ed.), Current Ornithology vol 12. Plenum Press, NY.

Funding sources : Varied.

Applications for the data : Trend information feeds into integrated population approach and is also used for planning and environmental assessment purposes.

Users of the information : BSC, research biologists