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Migration Monitoring

In an effort to monitor and better understand landbird populations in North America, as well as contribute to conservation efforts through public education, the Canadian Wildlife Service (CWS) partnered with Bird Studies Canada (BSC) and multiple independent bird banding stations to form the Canadian Migration Monitoring Network (CMMN) in 1998 (Crewe et al. 2008). Rocky Point Bird Observatory (RPBO), located in southwestern British Columbia serves as the only Pacific coastal data contributor to this effort. RPBO was initiated in 1994 as a pilot project by CWS, and has since become a non-profit society with landbird monitoring efforts occurring year round. RPBO operates almost entirely as a volunteer organization, with the bander in charge (BIC) and an intern provided through Environment Canada’s Science Horizons Youth Internship program currently being the only paid staff.

On 18 October 2009, RPBO completed its 15th 90-day sampling period of autumnal landbird migration monitoring on Department of National Defense (DND) lands. Objectives of the fall sampling effort include the collection of data that will allow:

The estimation of annual abundance and productivity indices,
The study of migration ecology of landbirds using Rocky Point, and
RPBO to contribute these data to national efforts to monitor landbird populations (CMMN).

These objectives are met through mist netting and observer surveys during the 90-day survey season. RPBO meets a fourth objective, raising public awareness regarding conservation issues facing migrant landbirds through public education and outreach. Public (volunteer) involvement has been a key component of RPBO’s data collection efforts over the past 15 years.

Banders-in-charge reports can be viewed on our Reports and Publications page.