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Brief
summaries of McGill Bird Observatory's seasonal research programs are posted below.
More detailed accounts of activities for each period of time can be found
by clicking on the links under each heading.
Comments or questions are welcome at "mbo @ migrationresearch.org"
Spring Migration Monitoring:
(10 weeks: March 28 - June 5)
The Spring Migration Monitoring Program is complementary to the fall program. Very limited tests in 2004 showed some promise; greater coverage in 2005 was used to evaluate the long-term plans for spring research. In 2006 there was daily coverage for a period of 60 days from April 5 through June 3, with census conducted on an additional 7 days before and 3 days after the main season. Since 2007, the core season (with daily banding) has been adjusted to April 18 - June 1, recognizing that migration remains very slow through mid-April, and by the beginning of June most birds present are summer residents. |
Breeding Bird
Monitoring:
(8 weeks: June 6 - July 31)
Monitoring
of the local breeding birds is carried out at McGill Bird
Observatory. For the first four years it was an informal program, but in 2009 the standardized MAPS (Monitoring Avian
Productivity and Survivorship) protocol was introduced as the basis for the summer program, supplemented with censuses and additional observations. |
June / July 2011
June / July 2010
June / July 2009
July 2008
June
2008
July 2007
June
2007
July
2006
June
2006
July 2005
June
2005
Fall Migration
Monitoring:
(13 weeks: August 1 - October 30)
The
primary focus of McGill Bird Observatory is a standardized Fall
Migration Monitoring Program. The 2004 pilot season involved
banding on average three times per week; in 2005 coverage was
partial in August and complete throughout the peak of migration in September and
October. Since 2006, the site has operated daily throughout the 13-week period. |
Owl Population
Monitoring:
McGill Bird Observatory
targets Northern Saw-whet Owls during the fall migration, with a
secondary focus on Boreal, Long-eared, and Eastern
Screech Owls. |
Fall
2004 (nightly logs)
Fall
2009 (season summary)
Fall
2010 (season summary)
(see Fall Migration
Monitoring reports for weekly details)
Winter Population
Monitoring:
(21 weeks: October 31 - March 27)
During
the winter season, McGill Bird Observatory
maintains a set of feeders on the property and monitors the bird
population once or twice per week, weather permitting. |
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