BANDING LOGS

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.

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.

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 Success) protocol was introduced as the basis for the summer program, supplemented with censuses and additional observations.

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.