Projects
supported by
the James L. Baillie Memorial Fund
in 2002
Click on each project in the list below to read a detailed desription.
Regular Project Grants
Ontario Breeding Bird Atlas Travel Grants; Ontario Breeding Bird Atlas, ON
Monitoring Of Neotropical Migrant And Resident Birds In The Venezuelan Andes; La Mucuy Bird Observatory, Venezuela
Telecommunication Towers Impacts On Migrant Birds Along The North Shore Of The St. Lawrence River, QC; Explos Nature, QC
Roost Site Selection By Swainson's Hawks In Its Wintering Grounds In Argentina; José Sarasola, Argentina
Census And Sounds 2002: Manx Shearwater Banding & Leach's Storm Petrel Census In Newfoundland; The Alder Institute, NF
Cape Breton Nocturnal Owl Survey; Susann Myers, NS
Demography Of The American Golden_Plover (Pluvalis Dominica) Population At Churchill Manitoba; The Third Year Of The Study, Joanna Klima, MB
The Nova Scotia Coastal Guardian Program (NSCGP); Nova Scotia Bird Society, NS
PEI Piping Plover Guardian Program; The Island Nature Trust, PEI
The Extent Of The Partial 1st Pre_basic Molt (With Special Attention To The Carpal Covert And Its Usefulness As An Ageing Criterion) In North American Passerines And Near Passerines; Miguel Demuelemeester, Belgium
St. Walburg Bird Study (In Progress); Muriel Carlson, SK
Osprey Nest Monitoring In The West Kootenay; Nelson Naturalists, BC
Migration Monitoring Project Grants
Seal Island and Bon Portage Island Migration Monitoring Stations; Atlantic Bird Observatory, NS
Mackenzie (Mugaha Marsh) Migration Monitoring Station; Mackenzie Nature Observatory, BC
Cabot Head Research Station, Bruce Peninsula Bird Observatory, ON
Rocky Point Bird Observatory; Rocky Point Bird Observatory, BC
Selkirk Park, Ruthven Park & Rock Point Park Migration Monitoring Stations; Haldimand Bird Observatory, ON
St. Andrews Banding Station; Huntsman Marine, NB
Prince Edward Point Bird Observatory; Prince Edward Point Bird Observatory, ON
Point Lepreau Bird Observatory 2002 Seabird Migration Monitoring; Saint John Naturalists' Club, NB
Beaverhill Bird Observatory; Beaverhill Bird Observatory, AB
Tadoussac Bird Observatory; Explos Nature, QC
James L. Baillie Student Research Award
Linking Events Of The Annual Cycle In A Long-Distance Migratory Bird Using Stable Isotopes; Ryan Norris, Queen’s UniversityUnderstanding the population dynamics of long-distance migrants requires knowledge of how events interact between different periods of the annual cycle. Using stable-carbon isotopes as a novel method to trace the habitat use of American redstarts (Setophaga ruticilla) migrating between tropical wintering quarters and temperate breeding sites, Norris will test eight predictions of the "Seasonal Interaction Hypothesis," which proposes that events in one period of the annual cycle produce "carry-over effects" into the subsequent season. Specifically, he will examine 1) whether the quality of winter habitat affects physical condition, habitat selection and reproductive success during the breeding season, and 2) how these same breeding events influence the ability of individuals to acquire high quality habitat the following winter.
Regular Grants
Ontario Breeding Bird Atlas Travel Grants; Ontario Breeding Bird Atlas, ON
The Ontario Breeding Bird Atlas is a volunteer-based project undertaken to determine the current distribution and relative abundance of the bird species breeding in Ontario. Data collection will take place over five years (2001-2005) and the atlas will be published in 2008. The first Ontario Breeding Bird Atlas made significant contributions to the understanding of bird status and distribution in Ontario and has been used for numerous conservation and protection purposes province-wide. The objectives of the second atlas are to:
- Repeat the coverage of the first atlas and provide detailed maps of each species’ current distribution for comparison to the first atlas.
- Collect abundance data to allow contour mapping of the relative abundance of each species, and provide a baseline for comparison to future atlases.
- Record specific information on the location of breeding sites of rare species.
- Produce a published book and database available for research and conservation purposes.
In order to achieve the overall objectives of the Atlas project the entire province must receive adequate coverage. Atlas Travel grants will provide financial support for volunteers, enabling them to travel to central and northern Ontario, areas that would not otherwise receive coverage.
Neotropical migrants nesting in Canada and commonly found migrating through or wintering in the Mérida Andes include: Cerulean Warbler, Blackburnian Warbler, Canada Warbler, Scarlet Tanager, Olive-sided Flycatcher, Warbling Vireo, Yellow-throated Vireo, Red-eyed Vireo, Golden-winged Warbler, Tennessee Warbler, Blackpoll Warbler, Black and White Warbler, Connecticut Warbler, Mourning Warbler, American Redstart, Ovenbird, Northern Waterthrush and Summer Tanager.
La Mucuy Bird Observatory staff are training local personnel to conduct monitoring of Neotropical migrant and resident birds. As well, the Observatory staff and volunteers are educating the park staff, visitors and local people as to the international importance of the National Park, and the Venezuelan Andes in general, for migratory and resident birds.
Systematic use of mist nets and a census were used to gather information on long-distance migrants and resident birds using the area. During October 2001, a total of 372 birds were banded in Sierra Nevada National Park: Barn Swallows (196), Bank Swallows (82), Cliff Swallows (62), Purple Martins (13), Grey-breasted Martins (9), Yellow Warblers (5), Bay-breasted Warblers (3), and, Yellow-billed Cuckoos (2). Other species observed included: Canada Warbler, Black-throated Green Warbler, Lesser Yellowleg, Spotted Sandpiper, Osprey, Merlin and more than 2000 Turkey Vultures migrating in mixed flocks with Swainson’s and Broad-winged hawks. For two days in October, the program was operated near "La Azulita" in Merida State and a total of 51 migratory songbirds were banded: Cerulean Warblers (15), Blackburnian Warblers (9), Yellow Warblers (7), Tennessee Warblers (5), Mourning Warblers (5), American Redstarts (4), Canada Warblers (2), Black and White Warblers (2), Red-eyed Vireo (1) and, Northern Waterthrush (1).
The summary will be posted as soon as translation is complete.
As a grassland and migratory species, there are several conservation concerns associated with Swainson’s Hawks. Population declines have been noted in California, Oregon and Nevada, due mainly to habitat loss, prey declines and pesticide contamination. In the summer of 1994-95 and 1995-96 massive mortalities were reported in their wintering grounds in Argentina. The cause was found to be the ingestion of grasshoppers treated with Monocrotophos (an organophosphate pesticide).
A combination of monitoring programs and habitat use evaluations would assist with the development of appropriate conservation measures aimed at preventing massive mortality or other impacts on Swainson’s Hawks as a result of agricultural practices in their Argentinean wintering grounds. For this study, four 50 x 50 km plots will be selected within the Swainson’s Hawks wintering range and surveys will be carried out to determine all possible roosts in each plot. In each roost site, volunteers will evaluate roost-self variables and habitat variables from surrounding areas. They will also record the numbers of hawks (and the percentage of adults and juveniles) using the roost. Pellets will be collected from beneath the roosts for food habits analyses and to test dietary variances between roosts and plots monitored.
This project is a partnership between the Alder Institute and the Canadian Wildlife Service to census seabird colonies in Newfoundland and Labrador. In addition, Alder will record avian vocalizations and use these and other field recording in conservation biology audio documentaries. The single Manx Shearwater breeding colony on Middle Lawn Island is recognized as a continentally important breeding species and the island is an Important Bird Area.
Objectives in 2002:
- Estimate the number of Manx Shearwaters breeding on Middle Lawn Island, band as many as possible and take blood samples for toxicology purposes to investigate one hypothesis for why the colony is not growing.
- Census the Leach’s storm petrel colony on Corbin Island and test use of playback and possible endoscopy methods compared with grubbing burrows to determine if a less disruptive census method works with burrow nesters.
- Collect avian recordings for use in an audio documentary about the Manx Shearwaters of Middle Lawn Island.
Cape Breton Nocturnal Owl Survey; Susann Myers, NS
The Cape Breton Owl Survey began in 2000 with 21 volunteers surveying 11 routes (all on the eastern side of Cape Breton). In 2001 the survey was expanded to take in the entire island with 43 participants surveying 22 routes. The results of the first two years found a higher than expected density of Barred and Great Horned Owls and also located Boreal and Long-eared Owls. Surveys were conducted from mid-March to early May beginning approximately one-half hour after sunset. Each route consists of 10 stops, spaced 1.6 km apart. The surveys are based on the territorial behaviour of owls because during the breeding season, owls call at night to define their territorial boundaries and to communicate with their mate. Taped owl calls were used to stimulate defensive calling and possible flying-in by owls attempting to chase off intruders.
This project was undertaken to fill gaps in knowledge of populations of Golden-Plover populations. The population of American Golden-Plovers was studied in 2000 and 2001 and altogether 36 adult birds have been banded. Objectives for the third year of the study are to verify whether:
- Female return rates are influenced by the weather of the previous nesting season;
- Nesting success in this locality correlates with lemming abundance;
- Methods of aging and sexing birds developed in other populations are reliable also in Churchill;
- The males show preferences regarding intensity of antipredatory behavior expressed by their mates.
The study area established in the past years (about 18km²) will be surveyed for breeding birds, nests and banded individuals. This will provide information on breeding numbers, nesting-site tenacity, and mate fidelity. In order to determine nesting success, all nests will be visited every other day during the last week of incubation.
The Nova Scotia Coastal Guardian Program (NSCGP); Nova Scotia Bird Society, NS
The NSCGP aims to maintain, enhance and protect Piping Plover nesting and breeding habitat by: minimizing human disturbance by mounting a public awareness/education campaign; minimizing predation mortality by discouraging specific waste generation practices; developing and maintaining positive relationships with the media; continued landowner stewardship recruitment in conjunction with the Nova Scotia Department of Natural Resources; evaluation of the Coastal guardian program; sharing and distribution of data; and the creation of a Coastal Guardian program website.
Volunteers with the program patrol 25-30 beaches known to have nesting pairs of Piping Plovers, looking for signs of plover activity and disturbance, posting signs, and handing out brochures to beach goers. They collect garbage which can attract predators. Last year’s figures show that on Cherry Hill Beach, where human traffic is heavy and where there is a consistently strong level of volunteer Guardian activity, the fledging success rate was 3.00 chicks per breeding pair per year.
PEI Piping Plover Guardian Program; The Island Nature Trust, PEI
Between the 1991 and 2001 International Censuses, the Eastern Piping Plover declined by 6%, although the PEI population (representing almost 25% of the eastern population) increased by 1.8%. The Island Nature Trust has been coordinating the volunteer Piping Plover Guardian Program for several years and has a network of volunteers in place to conduct censuses at about 45 beaches in PEI to identify nesting areas. Volunteers also post educational signs and symbolic fencing around active plover areas, and talk to beach-goers and landowners about the presence of the species and the need to reduce disturbance. Tour operators are made aware of active plover beaches and given recommendations for non-plover areas appropriate for recreational use. Volunteers remove garbage from nesting beaches to reduce predator activity and predator exclosures are deployed when necessary. The Island Nature Trust produces the Atlantic Canada Piping Plover Newsletter and makes all data collected available to the Piping Plover Recovery Team.
Demuelemeester has found that at times migration monitoring studies, age ratio analyses, breeding bird to age studies and conservation matters that refer to age databases are incomplete or only partly useful since many birds are marked as unknown age. He proposes to examine birds to determine whether the carpal covert is retained after the 1st partial pre-basic molt and to assess its utility as an ageing criterion in North American passerines and near passerines. He adds that insight into the extent of molt in hatch year is essential to understand the ageing characteristics later since many of the characteristics that follow that molt are visible for a long period (until the next complete adult pre-basic molt) and are therefore highly useful as ageing features. The extent of the molt and its impact on the carpal covert is the clue, both for recording the presence of a juvenal or an adult carpal covert and its characteristics.
The extent of the juvenal molt will be recorded using standardized wing diagrams. Museum specimens and live birds will be examined, molt patterns recorded, documented by skulling (where possible) and other ageing criteria. Photographs will be taken in a standardized method. For each species a probability factor related to the extension of the 1st pre-basic molt will be calculated that indicates how likely the carpal covert will be retained after finishing that 1st pre-basic molt based on the findings in museum specimens and in live birds in the field.
St. Walburg Bird Study (In Progress); Muriel Carlson, SK
The information gathered in the St. Walberg Survey will be used to create an inventory of bird populations in the region and to develop a self-guided birding tour map. The map will pinpoint particular locations and list possible species to be found at each location. The map will encourage bird-watching in appropriate locations using public roads and will also be used by local schools and nature clubs for ongoing monitoring. The surveys will be conducted at a minimum of 8 sites and will take place over the course of 12-15 weeks beginning in late April or early May. Carlson also intends to create a slide show to accompany nature talks at various levels (schools, seniors & tourists).
Osprey Nest Monitoring In The West Kootenay; Nelson Naturalists, BC
The objective of this project is to study and survey Osprey nests in British Columbia, between Balfour and Waneta. The entire route will be surveyed a minimum of four times during the nesting and breeding season. Beginning in April, volunteers will look for Canada Geese occupying Osprey nests. Osprey nests will be monitored for young and fledging of young. Nest structure type (natural or man made) will be noted. By late April and early May volunteers will watch for presence or absence of adult Ospreys at known nest sites and search for new nests. In late May and early June, nests will be monitored for evidence of incubation (an adult Osprey sitting low in the nest is assumed to be incubating eggs). From mid June to mid July, volunteers will use spotting scopes to determine the presence of young in the nests. In August, young will be highly visible and preparing to fledge. A database is maintained by the team members, but data collected will also be submitted to the BC Nest Record Scheme.
Migration Monitoring Grants
Seal Island and Bon Portage Island Migration Monitoring Stations; Atlantic Bird Observatory, NS
Established in 1996, the Atlantic Bird Observatory is a designated member of the Canadian Migration Monitoring Network (Canadian Migration Monitoring Network) and operates field stations on Seal Island and Bon Portage Island (both situated off the southwest coast of Nova Scotia). Seal Island is owned in part by the Department of Transport and Communications, and migration monitoring is conducted on the southern half of the island. Bon Portage Island is owned by Acadia University and the Department of Transport and Communications and the migration monitoring area encompasses the southern half of the island. Habitat on both islands is primarily spruce forest, with shrubby understory. Both sites are only accessible by boat, so the number of visitors is minimal. Excellent living and working facilities exist at both sites.
In 2001 a total of 3372 birds of 86 species were banded. During Spring migration the Seal Island station operated from 29 April to 29 May and Bon Portage station operated from 3 May to 27 May. Spring migration peaked on Bon Portage Island on 12 May, with 56 species observed. White-throated Sparrow was the most abundant species observed on Seal Island with an estimated total of 200 individuals observed during the first 5 days in May. During Fall migration Seal Island operated from 22 September to 19 October and Bon Portage Island from 17 August to 26 October. On 3 September, 180 individuals of 25 species were banded (a one-day record for ABO). Of the 180 individuals, 52 were Black and White Warblers. In late the October, Bon Portage Island station experienced a unique eruption of Black-capped Chickadees and 186 were banded. This species is rarely seen on the island. Poor weather in mid-October hindered banding efforts during what would normally be the peak banding period, although normal levels of Myrtle Warblers were seen during census and by casual observations.
In the Fall of 2001, ABO hosted a meeting of the Canadian Migration Monitoring Network and the second National Banders Training Workshop (with support from the Canadian Wildlife Service).
Mackenzie (Mugaha Marsh) Migration Monitoring Station; Mackenzie Nature Observatory, BC
The Mackenzie Nature Observatory has operated a migration monitoring station at Mugaha Marsh since 1994 and is a member of the Canadian Migration Monitoring Network. Located approximately 12 km north of Mackenzie, the site is the northernmost migration monitoring station in BC. The Mugaha Marsh banding site includes banding and living facilities, 18 net lanes and a daily census route. The site is on crown land managed by the BC Ministry of Forests and the municipality of Mackenzie.
In fall 2001, 2236 bird of 53 species were banded. Top 10 species banded in 2001 were: American Redstart (407), Ruby-crowned Kinglet (298), Orange-crowned Warbler (105), Common Yellowthroat (101), Northern Waterthrush (89), Wilson’s Warbler (89), Swainson’s Thrush (87), Yellow Warbler (75), Alder Flycatcher (74) and Hammond’s Flycatcher (74). 51% of birds banded in 2001 were Warblers with Kinglets a distant second at 15%. The station operated for 64 days during the fall migration season, opening at sunrise and operating for 6 hours.
Cabot Head Research Station, Bruce Peninsula Bird Observatory, ON
Cabot Head is situated at the northeastern tip of the Bruce Peninsula, in the Great Lakes Basin which makes it a natural corridor and concentration point for migrating landbirds. The peninsula shoreline is also used as a staging area by many waterbirds. The site is located in the Cabot Head Provincial Nature Reserve, a highly significant natural area managed by Ontario Parks as a protected area, and is not accessible to the public. The study area is about three hectares in size with habitat of scrubby mixed woods, shrub thickets and open mowed lawn. This is the third year of operations at this site and the station will operate during spring migration from 15 April to 5 June and in fall migration from 1 August to 31 October.
The objectives for the 2002 season are to generate daily counts of migrants in the count area during the spring and fall migration periods for use by the Canadian Migration Monitoring Network to monitor changes in the populations of certain priority species. The short-term goal is to develop a standardized protocol for landbird monitoring at Cabot Heat and use this protocol to collect good quality data for a minimum of five years.
The top ten species banded at Cabot Head in 2001 were: Golden-crowned Kinglet (477), White-crowned Sparrow (395), American Redstart (320), White-throated Sparrow (186), Dark-eyed Junco (133), Magnolia Warbler (124), Yellow-rumped Warbler (117), Ruby-crowned Kinglet (112), Chipping Sparrow (98), Red-eyed Vireo (92).
Rocky Point Bird Observatory; Rocky Point Bird Observatory, BC
Rocky Point Bird Observatory has been operating in the fall for 8 years and is a designated member of the Canadian Migration Monitoring Network. The Observatory is located on Department of National Defense lands to the southwest of Victoria, B.C. on the Strait of Juan De Fuca. Rocky Point lies at the extreme southern tip of Vancouver Island where passerines, raptors and seabirds converge. The site habitat contains stands of old growth Douglas and Grand fir, tidal flats, endangered Gerry Oak forest, open meadow and riparian habitat. The location is well suited to migration monitoring because of its fairly stable habitat and very little human disturbance (access to the site is restricted by the Department of National Defense).
In 2001, the observatory operated from 23 July to 7 October, banding 2576 birds of 54 species. The top ten species being: Wilson’s Warbler (225), Orange-crowned Warbler (220), Winter Wren (204), Pacific-slope Flycatcher (187), Ruby-crowned Kinglet (186), American Goldfinch (146), Song Sparrow (109), Yellow Warbler (109), Lincoln’s Sparrow (102) and Gold-crowned Kinglet (94). The staff at Rocky Point also conduct a Seawatch which is a non-standard sampling method to determine water bird density, diversity and movement. A Raptor Count is also conducted to survey migrating hawks, falcons, eagles and vultures in September and October.
The Haldimand Bird Observatory (HBO) is a designated member of the Canadian Migration Monitoring Network and is made up of three migration monitoring stations located about 25 miles apart on the north shore of Lake Erie. The stations are: Selkirk Provincial Park Bird Observatory; Ruthven Park Bird Observatory and Rock Point Provincial Park Bird Observatory. The composition of the species banded at each station is quite different, both in spring and fall.
Selkirk Provincial Park is located on the north shore of Lake Erie (almost due north of Long Point Bird Observatory's Tip station) and the banding site is located in a white pine plantation approximately 25 years old. This plantation is bordered on the east side by the marshes of Spring Creek and on the west by cultivated fields.
Ruthven Park is owned by the Grand River Land Trust and is located on the east side of the Grand River about 1½ miles north of Highway 3. Nets are set up in the brushy edge of the wooded area that surrounds an old mansion situated high on the east bank of the Grand River. Banding is carried out in an old outbuilding on the estate.
The Rock Point station is located in Rock Point Provincial Park located just east of the mouth of the Grand River on Lake Erie. The banding site is accessible to the public but rarely used and contains small isolated clumps of trees such as dogwood.
In 2001, the 3 stations that make up the Haldimand Bird Observatory banded a total of 16,328 birds of 113 species. The top 10 species banded were as follows: American Goldfinch (1541), Yellow Warbler (1247), Golden-crowned Kinglet (1085), White-throated Sparrow (895),Yellow-rumped Warbler (850), Song Sparrow (845), Ruby-crowned Kinglet (806), Slate-colored Junco (714), Gray Catbird (612) and Magnolia Warbler (511).
St. Andrews Banding Station; Huntsman Marine, NB
The St. Andrews Banding Station is operated in cooperation with the Huntsman Marine Science Centre (HMSC). St. Andrews is the longest operating banding station in New Brunswick (13 years) and has followed a set protocol since its inception, however, it is not a member of the Canadian Migration Monitoring Network. Located on property owned by HMSC, the banding station is set in low vegetation in and around overgrown fields, bordered on one side by boreal forest and on the other by the St. Croix River.
The St. Andrews station operated for 53 days in during fall migration in 2001, banding 1586 birds of 63 species. Seven banding demonstrations were given during the season. The top ten species banded in 2001 were: Black-capped Chickadee (279), White-throated Sparrow (179), Common Yellowthroat (82), Magnolia Warbler (78), American Goldfinch (68), Yellow-rumped Warbler (66), Alder Flycatcher (51), Golden-crowned Kinglet (50), Nashville Warbler (49), Song Sparrow (45).
Prince Edward Point Bird Observatory; Prince Edward Point Bird Observatory, ON
Prince Edward Point Bird Observatory has monitored bird migration in the Prince Edward Point National Wildlife Area each spring since 1995. In Spring 2001 the Observatory opened on 8 April and was in full operation from 13 April to 31 May. The top ten species banded in Spring 2001 were: Magnolia Warbler (311), Myrtle Warbler (180), Brown-headed Cowbird (167), Ruby-crowned Kinglet (132), White-throated Sparrow (105), Golden-crowned Kinglet (100), Blue Jay (98), Yellow Warbler (83), Chipping Sparrow (81), and Slate-coloured Junco (70).
In 2001, Prince Edward Point’s program expanded to include migration monitoring during the fall season. The Observatory opened on 8 August and operated daily until 1 November. During fall migration 6573 birds of 103 species (of which 13 were additions to the station’s list) were banded with the busiest day being 28 September when 453 birds were banded. The top ten species banded in the Fall of 2001 were: Black-capped Chickadee (770), Golden-crowned Kinglet (691), Blue Jay (575), American Goldfinch (361), Northern Saw-whet Owl (345), Pine Siskin (341), Ruby-crowned Kinglet (339), Hermit Thrush (269), Brown Creeper (236) and Swainson’s Thrush (219).
Point Lepreau Bird Observatory 2002 Seabird Migration Monitoring; Saint John Naturalists' Club, NB
The Point Lepreau Bird Observatory is operated by the Saint John Naturalists’ Club Inc. in New Brunswick. The Observatory is not a member of the Canadian Migration Monitoring Network. Created in 1995, the Observatory was formed to address the lack of information available about seabirds migrating through the Bay of Fundy and concerns about the impact of potential oil spills (there is a large refinery located in Saint John). The Bay of Fundy functions as a funnel for migrating seabirds and Point Lepreau is perfectly situated on the coast to view large numbers of migrating seabirds. One result of the study is the discovery that significant numbers of Black and Surf Scoters migrate through the area each spring.
Since 1995, more than 100 volunteers have participated in the counts and in 1999 a dedicated observer was hired to cover the most intensive spring and fall migration periods to ensure consistent coverage.
Beaverhill Bird Observatory; Beaverhill Bird Observatory, AB
Beaverhill Bird Observatory is a member of the Canadian Migration Monitoring Network and has been operating a field station near the south shore of Beaverhill Lake since 1984. The field station is located on Provincial Crown Land leased to the Observatory. The undisturbed site is located on the shore of a large lake and is open to the public. The station operates during spring migration from 25 April to 4 June and during fall migration from 14 July to 14 October. Twelve net lanes are operated on the site and are situated in areas selected for type of habitat, time of year and weather conditions. The Observatory also runs a MAPS program, Breeding Bird Census and conducts Tree Swallow research.
Tadoussac Bird Observatory; Explos Nature, QC
L’Observatoire d’oiseaux de Tadoussac est situé à 4 km au nord-est de Tadoussac, à l’intérieur du Parc du Saguenay, sur la rive nord du fleuve Saint-Laurent. Il s’agit de la seule station de suivi des migrations au Québec et, de par sa position, celle qui se situe le plus au nord dans l’est de l’Amérique du Nord. Cet observatoire est géré par Explos-Nature, un organisme a but non lucratif qui s’est donné comme mission d’encourager le public en général à mieux comprendre et à mieux apprécier l’environnement qui les entoure par le biais de l’observation des oiseaux et par une expérience pratique, soit l’identification, le maniement et le baguage des oiseaux. L’objectif premier de l’observatoire est d’acquérir des données sur les espèces migratrices et résidentes et, plus particulièrement, sur les espèces boréales.
En ce qui concerne le baguage des oiseaux, l’année 2000 ne s’est pas avérée fructueuse du côté des passereaux et des pics avec 2332 oiseaux bagués. Par contre, le baguage des hiboux a permis de rapporter 72 Petites Nyctales et 113 Nyctales de Tengmalm. Le grand nombre de Nyctales de Tengmalm semble démontrer la présence d’un mouvement migratoire massif de cet oiseau à tous les quatre ans.
The Tadoussac Bird Observatory (TBO) is located 4 km to the northeast of the village of Tadoussac, Québec close to the interpretive centre in Saguenay Provincial Park. It is the only migration monitoring station in Québec, and it is the most northerly station in eastern North America.
The TBO’s purpose is to collect data on bird populations, especially those breeding in the boreal zone of Canada: TBO keeps track of their numbers, following them over the long term, and evaluating their risk status. In the fall TBO counts raptors. The observatory also offers training in banding and identification of birds, to children, students and adults. This particular project however is focused on monitoring songbird populations.
The primary target species are Alder Flycatcher, American Pipit, Bay-breasted Warbler, Blackpoll Warbler, Cape May Warbler, Grey-cheeked Thrush, Lincoln’s Sparrow, Magnolia Warbler, Northern Waterthrush, Orange-crowned Warbler, Savannah Sparrow, Swainson’s Thrush, Tennessee Warbler, White-winged Crossbill, Wilson’s Warbler, Yellow-bellied Flycatcher, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker. Eighty-four other species are also monitored. Even though many of these species are already well monitored by other Canadian Migration Monitoring Network stations, very little information about them comes from the eastern half of the continent, and in this sense, the TBO fills a huge void.
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