Research
The "why" of Rocky Point Bird Observatory
Monitoring birds is essential for understanding their populations, behaviours, and habitats. RPBO supports research that can track changes in bird populations over time, assess the impact of environmental factors such as climate change and habitat loss, and identify conservation priorities. Bird observatories around the world assess the needs of birds, use that assessment to educate a variety of audiences and ultimately support wildlife and wildlife habitat conservation. Because of this, the majority of observatories are located at strategic points of migration concentration. Rocky Point Bird Observatory (RPBO) has been providing significant data on the birds of the Pacific Coast for 30 years.
RPBO uses several methods to monitor how birds are doing, such as a standardized daily census along an established transect, observations by experienced birders, and bird banding. Each strategy has its purpose, and together, provide more information about bird populations than any of these methods could alone. Learn More > Why We Band Birds
Over 30 years of research: RPBO celebrated its 30th Anniversary in 2024. RPBO has been a proud member of the Canadian Migration Monitoring Network (CMMN) since 2001.Members of the CMMN track the migration of Canada's birds in the spring and fall each year, adding to our knowledge of population trends, demographics, phenology, and other essential information about the species that pass through each location. This information is used by governments, environmental organizations, scientists and others to direct our collective actions and improve our ability to conserve Canada's birds.
Science Advisory Committee (SAC): The RPBO Science Advisory Committee plays a crucial role in ensuring the scientific integrity and quality of the research conducted through our programs. The committee includes members with vast experience in research projects and a variety of relevant expertise.
Research Oversight: The Science Advisory Committee provides oversight and guidance on the research projects conducted by RPBO. They help ensure that the research follows ethical guidelines, scientific protocols, and best practices in bird banding.
Research Prioritization: The SAC recommends research projects to the RPBO Board based on scientific merit, conservation needs, and research objectives. They help identify key research questions and guide RPBO's research agenda.
Collaboration and Networking: The SAC facilitates collaborations with other research institutions, conservation organizations, and scientific experts. This broadens the impact of the research RPBO conducts, and fosters a culture of scientific exchange with other researchers. Learn More
RPBO in the The Journal of Raptor Research
A research paper entitled "Turkey Vulture Aggregations at a Water Barrier Provide Evidence of Later Migration and Increasing Population Size Over 25 Years" written by Daniel Dönnecke, Stefanie E. LaZerte, and Donald L. Kramer has been published by Raptor Research Foundation (RRF) in the Journal of Raptor Research, Volume 60(2) : 1-11. The article has been selected as a candidate for an enhanced press release on RRF social media, and to EurekAlert Science News Releases
In addition to gathering the data utilized in the paper, RPBO facilitated the transition of this research into its final published form. The authors also collaborate with RPBO's Science Advisory Committee, advising on and guiding the organization's scientific approach.
Read the Article: Turkey Vulture Aggregations at a Water Barrier Provide Evidence of Later Migration and Increasing Population Size Over 25 Years
CMMN Annual Member Meetings
The CMMN-RCSM hosts annual member meetings, which include updates from the CMMN Steering Committee, as well as technical presentations from CMMN stations.
"RPBO Lessons in Direct Data Entry" by Michael Motek, RPBO, 2024 (Time 0:50:30 to 1:04:00)
"Movement Behaviour of Northern Saw-whet Owls in Coastal British Columbia" by James Kennerley, RPBO, 2024 (Time 1:59:00 to 2:07:15)
Watch all recorded CMMN-RCSM National Meetings here
Scientific Publications
Read papers published using our research data.
Bird Science Collaborations
Read articles on how RPBO collaborates with other organizations to promote bird conservation:
Colorado State University Song Birds As Pollinators project
Birds Canada Christmas Bird Count
International Bird Observatory Conference (IBOC)
The objectives of bird observatories around the world are to assess the needs of birds, use that assessment to educate a variety of different audiences, and ultimately support wildlife and wildlife habitat conservation. Because of this, the majority of observatories are located at strategic points of migration concentration. Rocky Point Bird Observatory (RPBO) serves as the only observatory conducting annual standardized migration monitoring on the Pacific Coast.
Read the Article: "Traits of Successful Bird Observatories" by C.John Ralph, 2019
Operators of bird observatories across the world are recognizing the importance of working collaboratively, to ask and answer the bigger questions, with a goal of imparting greater impact. The IBOC brings leaders from the world's bird observatories and birding clubs together. Presentations focused on monitoring and research, public outreach, and conservation challenges and victories within the context of bird observatory operations.
RPBO at IBOC
Jannaca Chick, the leader of banding operations for RPBO's MAPS program and Nocturnal Owl Monitoring Project, presented at the 4th IBOC 2023 in Veracruz, Mexico. Her talk, entitled “Evolution of Banding Station Techniques at Rocky Point Bird Observatory”, focused on the techniques RPBO has implemented and perfected over the years, and emphasized RPBO's commitment to continual improvement.
Read the full Proceedings
RPBO's participation at 3rd IBOC 2019 in Eilat, Israel. Read the Article
Read the Article: "Celebrating Birds and Conservation at the 4th International Bird Observatory Conference" by Stu MacKenzie, Birds Canada, 2023