Scientific Articles

The Lesser Slave Lake Bird Observatory (LSLBO) has authored publications in peer-reviewed journals based on research conducted by the society. These articles will be available on this page as pdf documents when the terms of publication allow it.

  1. Krikun, R. G., McCune, J. L., Bayne, E. M., & Flockhart, D. T. T. (2018). Breeding habitat characteristics of Canada Warblers in central Alberta. The Forestry Chronicle, 94(3), 230–239. https://doi.org/10.5558/tfc2018-036

  2. Flockhart, D. T. T., Mitchell, G. W., Krikun, R. G., & Bayne, E. M. (2016). Factors driving territory size and breeding success in a threatened migratory songbird, the Canada Warbler. Avian Conservation and Ecology, 11(2), 4. https://doi.org/10.5751/ACE-00876-110204

  3. Flockhart, D. T. T. (2010). Timing of events on the breeding grounds for five species of sympatric warblers. Journal of Field Ornithology, 81(4), 373–382. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1557-9263.2010.00293.x

  4. Flockhart, D. T. T. (2007). Migration timing of Canada Warblers near the northern edge of their breeding range. The Wilson Journal of Ornithology, 119(4), 712–716. https://doi.org/10.1242/jeb.089763

  5. Wojnowski, J. (2002). Two Longevity Records for Alder Flycatcher (Empidonax alnorum): (2) 7 Yr 1 Moat Lesser Slave Lake Bird Observatory. North American Bird Bander: 27(4): 131.

Data collected by the LSLBO is frequently used by researchers from other organizations, including for publication in peer-reviewed journals. The following are articles that were published from projects we collaborated with in various ways (primarily through data or sample collection):

    1. Neat-Clegg, M. H. C., & Tingley, M. W. (2022). Adult male birds advance spring migratory phenology faster than females and juveniles across North America. Global Change Biology, 29(2): 341-354. https://doi.org/10.1111/gcb.16492

    2. Youngflesh, C., Saracco, J. F., Siegel, R. B., & Tingley, M. W. (2022). Abiotic conditions shape spatial and temporal morphological variation in North American birds. Nature Ecology and Evolution, 1–35. 10.1038/s41559-022-01893-x

    3. Winger, B. M., & Pegan, T. M. (2021). Migration distance is a fundamental axis of the slow-fast continuum of life history in boreal birds. Ornithology, 138(4), 1–18. https://doi.org/10.1093/ornithology/ukab043

    4. Covino, K. M., Morris, S. R., Shieldcastle, M., & Taylor, P. D. (2020). Spring migration of Blackpoll Warblers across North America. Avian Conservation and Ecology, 15(1), 17. https://doi.org/10.5751/ACE-01577-150117

    5. Ma, Y., Hobson, K. A., Kardynal, K. J., Guglielmo, C. G., & Branfireun, B. A. (2020). Inferring spatial patterns of mercury exposure in migratory boreal songbirds: Combining feather mercury and stable isotope measurements. Science of the Total Environment, 116544. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.143109

    6. Oliver, R., Mahoney, P., Gurarie, E., Krikun, N., Weeks, B., Hebblewhite, M., … Boelman, N. (2020). Behavioral responses to spring snow conditions contribute to long-term shift in migration phenology in American robins. Environmental Research Letters, 15(4), 045003. https://doi.org/10.1088/1748-9326/ab71a0

    7. Roberto-Charron, A., Kennedy, J., Reitsma, L., Tremblay, J. A., Krikun, R., Hobson, K. A., … Fraser, K. C. (2020). Widely distributed breeding populations of Canada warbler (Cardellina canadensis) converge on migration through Central America. BMC Zoology, 5(10), 1–14. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40850-020-00056-4

    8. Lehikoinen, A., Lindén, A., Karlsson, M., Andersson, A., Crewe, T. L., Dunn, E. H., … Tjørnløv, R. S. (2019). Phenology of the avian spring migratory passage in Europe and North America: Asymmetric advancement in time and increase in duration. Ecological Indicators, 101(January), 985–991. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolind.2019.01.083

    9. Pyle, P., Saracco, J. F., & Desante, D. F. (2018). Evidence of widespread movements from breeding to molting grounds by North American landbirds. The Auk, 135(3), 506–520. https://doi.org/10.1642/AUK-17-201.1

    10. Wilson, S., Saracco, J. F., Krikun, R., Flockhart, D. T. T., Godwin, C. M., & Foster, K. R. (2018). Drivers of demographic decline across the annual cycle of a threatened migratory bird. Scientific Reports, 8(1), 1–11. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-018-25633-z

    11. Haché, S., Bayne, E. M., Villard, M. A., Proctor, H., Davis, C. S., Stralberg, D., … Krikun, R. (2017). Phylogeography of a migratory songbird across its Canadian breeding range: Implications for conservation units. Ecology and Evolution, 7(16), 6078–6088. https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.3170

    12. Albert, S. K., DeSante, D. F., Kaschube, D. R., & Saracco, J. F. (2016). MAPS (Monitoring Avian Productivity and Survivorship) data provide inferences on demographic drivers of population trends for 158 species of North American landbirds. North American Bird Bander, 40(4), 133-140.

    13. Morris, S. R., Covino, K. M., Jacobs, J. D., & Taylor, P. D. (2016). Fall migratory patterns of the Blackpoll Warbler at a continental scale. The Auk, 133, 41–51. https://doi.org/10.1642/AUK-15-133.1

    14. Nordell, C. J., Haché, S., Bayne, E. M., Sólymos, P., Foster, K. R., Godwin, C. M., … Hobson, K. A. (2016). Within-site variation in feather stable hydrogen isotope (δ2Hf ) values of boreal songbirds: Implications for assignment to molt origin. PLoS ONE, 11(11), 1–15. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0163957

    15. Hobson, K. A., Van Wilgenburg, S. L., Dunn, E. H., Hussell, D. J. T., Taylor, P. D., & Collister, D. M. (2015). Predicting origins of passerines migrating through Canadian migration monitoring stations using stable-hydrogen isotope analyses of feathers: a new tool for bird conservation. Avian Conservation and Ecology, 10(1), 3. https://doi.org/10.5751/ace-00719-100103

    16. Saracco, J. F., Royle, J. A., DeSante, D. F., & Gardner, B. (2012). Spatial modeling of survival and residency and application to the Monitoring Avian Productivity and Survivorship program. Journal of Ornithology, 152(SUPPL. 2), S469–S476. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10336-010-0565-1

    17. Priestley, L. T., Priestley, C., Collister, D. M., Zazelenchuk, D., & Hanneman, M. (2010).  Encounters of Northern Saw-whet Owls (Aegolius acadicus) from banding stations in Alberta and Saskatchewan, Canada. The Journal of Raptor Research, 44(4), 300–310. https://doi.org/10.3356/JRR-09-25.1

    18. Scott, J. D., Lee, M.-K., Fernando, K., Durden, L. A., Jorgensen, D. R., Mak, S., & Morshed, M. G. (2010). Detection of Lyme disease spirochete, Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato, including three novel genotypes in ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) collected from songbirds (Passeriformes) across Canada. Journal of Vector Ecology, 35(1), 124–139. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1948-7134.2010.00068.x

    19. Desante, D. F., & Saracco, J. F. (2009). Power of the MAPS program to detect differences and trends in survival and a vision for program expansion. Bird Populations, 9, 42–75.

    20. Saracco, J. F., Desante, D. F., & Kaschube, D. R. (2008). Assessing landbird monitoring programs and demographic causes of population trends. Journal of Wildlife Management, 72(8), 1665–1673. https://doi.org/10.2193/2008-129

    21. Morshed, M. G., Scott, J. D., Fernando, K., Beati, L., Mazerolle, D. F., Geddes, G., Durden, L. A. (2005). Migratory songbirds disperse ticks across Canada, and first isolation of the Lyme disease spirochete, Borrelia burgdorferi, from the avian tick, Ixodes auritulusJournal of Parasitology, 91(4), 780-790. https://doi.org/10.1645/GE-3437.1

    22. Dunn, E. H. (2002). A cross-Canada comparison of mass change in birds during migration stopover. Wilson Bulletin, 114(3), 368–379. https://doi.org/10.1676/0043-5643(2002)114[0368:ACCCOM]2.0.CO;2

    23. Scott, J. D., Fernando, K., Banerjee, S. N., Durden, L. A., Byrne, S. K., Banerjee, M., Mann, R. B., & Morshed, M. G. (2001). Birds disperse ixodid (Acari: Ixodidae) and Borrelia burgdorferi-infected ticks in Canada. Journal of Medical Entomology, 38(4), 493–500. https://doi.org/10.1603/0022-2585-38.4.493

    24. Schieck, J., & Hobson, K. A. (2000). Bird communities associated with live residual tree patches within cut blocks and burned habitat in mixedwood boreal forests. Canadian Journal of Forest Research, 30(8), 1281–1295. https://doi.org/10.1139/x00-061

    25. Hobson, K. A., & Schieck, J. (1999). Changes in bird communities in Boreal mixedwood forest : Harvest and wildfire effects over 30 years. Ecological Applications, 9(3), 849–863. https://doi.org/10.1890/1051-0761(1999)009[0849:CIBCIB]2.0.CO;2

Theses

LSLBO data is also available for students to use in their original research as they develop their scientific skills and work toward their degrees.

  1. Gursky, C. (2023). An analysis of Northern Saw-whet Owl banding data to determine if peak fall migration dates in Alberta have shifted in the last two decades. Masters Thesis. Royal Roads University,

  2. Oliver, R. Y. (2019). Spatiotemporal dynamics of songbird breeding in Arctic-Boreal North America. Doctoral Thesis. Columbia University.

  3. Roberto-Charron, A. (2018). Investigating methods of geolocator analysis in songbird migration research and their application to the study of a threatened, neotropical songbird. Masters Thesis. University of Manitoba.

  4. Mora, M. (2012). Assessing population structure and migratory patterns of White-throated Sparrow (Zonotrichia albicollis) breeding populations in Western Canada. Masters Thesis. University of Northern British Columbia.

  5. McEvoy, A. C. (2009). Evaluation of nocturnal flight calls as a useful tool in the study of avian migration. Honors Thesis. Colby College. Paper 492.

  6. Priestley, C. E. (2008). Movements of the Northern Saw-whet Owl. Masters Thesis. University of Alberta.

Conservation Status Reports

LSLBO data has been used in reports detailing conservation statuses of some Albertan bird species.

  1. Gregoire, J. (2023). Status of the Canada Warbler (Cardellina canadensis) in Alberta. Wildlife Status Report No. 70 (Update 2022). Edmonton, AB: Alberta Environment and Protected Areas and Alberta Conservation Association.

  2. Ball, J. R., & Bayne, E. M. (2014). Status of the Canada Warbler (Cardellina canadensis) in Alberta. Wildlife Status Report No. 70. Edmonton, AB: Alberta Environment and Sustainable Resource Development.

  3. Erickson, M., & Yanch, J. (2013). Status of the Western Grebe (Aechmophorus occidentalis) in Alberta: Update 2012. Wildlife Status Report No. 60 (Update 2012). Edmonton, AB: Alberta Environment and Sustainable Resource Development.

  4. Yanch, J. (2006). Status of the Western Grebe (Aechmophorus occidentalis) in Alberta. Wildlife Status Report No. 60. Edmonton, AB: Alberta Sustainable Resource Development.

Technical Reports

The LSLBO summarizes monitoring efforts yearly through Annual Reports and weekly through Blog Posts. When possible, we also write additional technical reports based on current monitoring and research results, which will be made available here as pdf documents.

  1. Perkins, R. (2022). Surveying Breeding Birds in Recently Harvested and Unharvested Boreal Stands, 2018 – 2021.

  2. Linfoot, N. (2011). Determining the Effects of Local Habitat Succession on Abundance and Species Diversity of Birds Captured at the Lesser Slave Lake Bird Observatory over 18 years of Standardized Mist-netting.

  3. Krikun, R. (2010). Fifteen Year Migration Monitoring Technical Report 1994 to 2008.

  4. Eadie, G. (2002). 2002 Lesser Slave Lake Western Grebe Survey.

  5. Jungkind, S. (2000). Six Years of Bird Monitoring at the Lesser Slave Lake Provincial Park.

  6. Savignac, C. (2000). Monitoring Avian Productivity and Survivorship (MAPS) Report, 1994-2000.

  7. Fraser, F. (2000). Lesser Slave Lake Important Bird Area Conservation Plan; Fall 2000.

Canadian Migration Monitoring Network – Réseau canadien de surveillance des migrations

The Canadian Migration Monitoring Network (CMMN-RCSM) also publishes important articles and technical reports. Additional CMMN publications are available here.

  1. Canadian Migration Monitoring Network. (2021). The Canadian Migration Monitoring Network – Réseau canadien de surveillance des migrations: Researching Canada’s Landbirds for Twenty Years. CMMN-RCSM Scientific Technical Report #3. Birds Canada, Port Rowan, Ontario.

  2. CMMN-RCSM. (2012). The Canadian Migration Monitoring Network – taking the pulse of Canada’s migratory birds, Picoides.

  3. CMMN-RCSM. (2008). Ten-Year Report on Monitoring Landbird Population Change

  4. Badzinski, D. S., & Francis, C. M. (2000). Trends in numbers of migrant landbirds at Lesser Slave Lake Bird Observatory (1994-1999), Beaverhill Bird Observatory (1992-1999) and Inglewood Bird Sanctuary (1995-1999). Port Rowan, ON: Bird Studies Canada.

  5. Badzinski, D. S., & Francis, C. M. (2000). An evaluation of species coverage by the Canadian Migration Monitoring Network. Port Rowan, ON: Bird Studies Canada.

Philadelphia vireo

Additional Information for Researchers

If you are a researcher wondering if our data is right for you, please review our Migration Monitoring Read Me document, our detailed Lesser Slave Lake Bird Observatory Standard Operating Protocol, and our Data Sharing Policy.

If you are a researcher who has used LSLBO data or sampling effort in any form of publication not found listed here, please kindly forward your publication to info@LSLBO.org so it can be included as per our data sharing agreement.