CMMN Daily Estimated Totals: Pelee Island Bird Observatory

Pelee Island Bird Observatory
http://www.pibo.ca/

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. To monitor long-term population trends in migratory songbirds that breed in the boreal forest ecozone and winter in the Neotropics

Dataset summary : This dataset contains daily estimated totals (DET) from the Pelee Island 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 : 2003

Years (comments) : Pelee Island Bird Observatory began in 2003.

Season(s) and frequency : Spring migration coverage generally runs from April 1 through June 10 and Fall coverage typically runs from August 1 through November 15.

Frequency : Annually

Geographic area covered : Pelee Island in southern Ontario. Count area is approximately 40 hectares.

Type(s) of habitat : Varied, many stations are in coastal locations.

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. Standard monitoring period is 6 hours in length,using 10 mistnetsof 12m length. Census duration is 1.5hours.

Field methods : Combination of standardized daily captures, census, visible migration counts and other observations resulting in a daily estimated total for each species. Non-standardized Northern Saw-whet Owl banding in the fall.

Data format : Data-entry program produces .dbf or .xls 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