Québec Nocturnal Owl Surveys
In the province of Québec, owls have been
studied by a number of individuals, organizations, and agencies in
recent decades. However, no systematic nocturnal owl surveys run by
volunteers have ever been done on a large scale. With financial
support from Bird Protection Quebec's Kelly Fund and in-kind support
from Environment Canada, Bird Studies Canada will launch a first
season of surveys in spring 2008. The survey protocols are similar
to other roadside surveys, using playback calls and following North
American guidelines for Nocturnal Owl Monitoring. Each route
consists of 10 stops positioned 2 km apart. Citizen scientists are
asked to survey their route during one evening in April by
identifying all owls heard or seen. Broadcasts of Boreal and Barred
owl calls, interspersed with silent periods, are used to invoke
vocal responses from owls. It is hoped that the survey will be done
annually . After many years of data collection, we will be able to
better assess:
- the distribution and abundance of owl species,
- species' associations in respect to habitat, and
- long-term
population fluctuations for the most abundant species.
Each owl surveyor will receive a kit that
includes survey instructions, data forms, a training CD, a broadcast
CD, and the annual newsletter presenting owl results. To register
for this exciting survey, or to receive more information, please
contact:
Andrew Coughlan
Québec Program Manager
Bird Studies Canada
801-1550, avenue d'Estimauville
Québec (Québec) G1J 0C3
1-866-518-0212 or 418-649-6062
acoughlan@birdscanada.org
