Breeding Bird Surveys

Our biologists conduct breeding bird surveys to identify the bird species using the foraging and nesting habitat on the site. First, multiple observation stations are  established in various habitats on the site. Breeding bird species are then identified from these stations by visual and auditory observation. The surveyor visits these stations 2-3 times during the breeding season to properly inventory the site. Several standard provincial and national protocols are followed by our bird experts to conduct these inventories. NEA commonly uses bird survey protocols  such as those established in the Marsh Monitoring and Forest Bird Monitoring programs. Grassland birds (i.e. eastern meadowlarks and bobolinks), loggerhead shrikes, heron colonies and Species at Risk populations are assessed using targeted survey techniques.