CMMN Daily Estimated Totals: Observatoire d'oiseaux de Tadoussac

Observatoire d'oiseaux de Tadoussac
http://www.explos-nature.qc.ca/oot/

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 Observatoire d'oiseaux de Tadoussac. 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 : 1993

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. Observatoire d'oiseaux de Tadoussac was established in 1993, standardized monitoring began in 1995.

Season(s) and frequency : Spring monitoring runs from May 15th to June 5th. Fall monitoring runs from August 24 to November 25.

Geographic area covered : Located near Tadoussac, Quebec (48.157046, -69.665315).

Type(s) of habitat : The count area consists of Beach or dunes.

Primary species covered : Primary focus is landbirds (104 priority species) but some stations also monitor waterbirds, raptors.

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. Observatoire d'oiseaux de Tadoussac uses an audio-lure to attract some diurnal migrants in mist nets : American Pipit, Rusty Blackbird, Bohemian Waxwing, Pine Grosbeak and Common Redpoll. The length of the count period is a minimum of 6 hours. The station runs 14 nets in the spring and 8 nets in the fall. Daily Estimated Totals are not used for the fall migration, only visual migration counts, as the fall banding effort isn't standardized.

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