To report technical problems,
e-mail webmaster@lslbo.org

Archived Postings

June 13, 2005 – June 19, 2005

June 13 to June 19, 2005 The LSLBO began the Monitoring Avian Productivity and Survivorship (MAPS) program this week. The objectives of the MAPS program are to: 1) monitor adult survivorship in the breeding grounds and 2) determine the recruitment rate of young birds into the breeding population. The program focus is to identify changes in population demographics and overall population trends on the breeding grounds. The LSLBO has been participating in the MAPS program since 1994 and operates four MAPS stations. Each station is visited once every ten days. Since two of the stations are off site, banding occurs out of the lab only two out of every ten days. The remaining time is spent working in the forest on the canada warbler project. Completing the banding at all four MAPS sites this week did not look promising because of the rainy weather. However, all four sites were visited and 23 birds were banded and 17 birds were recaptured. There is usually a high occurrence of recaptured birds at the MAPS sites since the nets are set up in territories and the same individuals keep getting captured. Capturing a winter wren was one of the highlights for the week. Winter wrens are common breeders in the area, they are also extremely small and can be difficult to find. This was the first winter wren to be banded since 2003. The other highlight for the week was a blackburnian warbler singing at the Roadside MAPS site. This warbler is primarily an eastern species. To find one in this area, especially during the breeding season, is quite unusual. We are now in high breeding season and will be for the next few weeks. Birds are nesting everywhere. In the grass of fields, high in treetops, in low willows, on the forest floor, and even on your houses. Nests are extremely inconspicuous for all the obvious reasons. When out enjoying summer activities try to stay on existing trails. If you go off trail, watch your step and take your time. These birds have traveled thousands of kilometers just to nest here.

2010