By Alexandre Terrigeol
Since 1993, the Tadoussac Bird Observatory (TBO) has collected tens of thousands of data points on birds in Quebec, through both long-term monitoring programs and targeted research projects. But what are these data used for, and how are they applied? This is the focus of this new Migration Chronicles article.
Protected birds
Research projects conducted by observatories in North America that use bird banding as a method are highly regulated and require close collaboration with government authorities. Most bird species are protected, and any work involving their handling for a limited period of time for scientific and/or educational purposes is governed by strict research permits.
These permits are issued by the Canadian Bird Banding Office (BBO) for species protected under the Migratory Birds Convention Act, 1994, and by the Government of Quebec for species covered under the Act respecting the conservation and development of wildlife.
In this context, organizations that monitor birds using bands provided by the federal government are required to submit their data to the BBO. The same applies to data concerning species under provincial jurisdiction. These data can then be used by researchers and students worldwide as part of scientific studies. In fact, several scientific publications have already made use of banding data from the OOT and other observatories across Canada.
Canadian and American monitoring networks
The Canadian Migration Monitoring Network (CMMN) is a national collaboration of bird observatories coordinated by Birds Canada, which monitors migratory bird populations in partnership with Environment and Climate Change Canada and the Canadian Wildlife Service. Since 1996, the TBO has contributed to the analysis of population trends carried out by this network. These data are now available through NatureCount and can be used by numerous researchers and students. Thanks to standardized protocols and long-term datasets, they complement other survey methods.
In parallel, the TBO is also a member of the Hawk Migration Association, which brings together more than 200 raptor monitoring sites. The shared count data contribute to the Raptor Population Index (RPI), which assesses population trends for diurnal raptors across the Americas.
Since 2014, the TBO has also been deploying VHF transmitters on birds to better understand their migrations. These data are shared through the collaborative Motus network, a program of Birds Canada. It is also possible to visualize recorded movements using an interactive map developed by Audubon with collaborators, which compiles movements from over 450 bird species.
A wide range of partners
Given the volume of data collected thanks to the remarkable work of past and present staff and volunteers, as well as the financial support of numerous partners, sharing these data is essential. Our work does not stop at data collection, making these data accessible and meaningful is a key priority for our organization.
To achieve this, collaborations with universities and research groups are established. These partnerships help maximize the use of existing data while also enriching ongoing projects. For example, feather sampling contributes to the Genoscape project, which aims to better understand migratory connectivity in birds, that is, the link between breeding grounds, stopover sites, and wintering areas.
Thanks to time series spanning more than 30 years for some species, and in the context of global change, these data provide a wealth of information on birds and their migrations. For instance, through participation in the Project Owlnet network, which includes nearly a hundred stations across North America, several continent-wide studies on the Northern Saw-whet Owl and Boreal Owl have been conducted.
Finally, the data collected—or currently being gathered—help answer new research questions, particularly those related to global change, as well as the emergence of diseases and parasites.
A commitment to sharing
All these data, along with the scientific studies they support, are invaluable. However, the OOT also places great importance on sharing and communicating this knowledge with the public and our partners.
We are continually seeking new collaborations, whether with funding partners, graduate students, or organizations.
Lastly, we would like to thank everyone who has contributed, directly or indirectly, to the collection and promotion of these data.
