Birds are an important part of the environment in which we live. By monitoring bird distribution and habitat use, we can assess the health of the environments they inhabit (in essence, our environment). The Prairie provinces support hundreds of bird species during the breeding season, and we need to collect data on these species if we are to better understand the changes our environment is undergoing.
In 2008, Bird Studies Canada partnered with the Prairie Habitat Joint Venture and developed the Prairie and Parkland Marsh Monitoring Program (PPMMP) to address information gaps regarding marsh birds.
The PPMMP is currently seeking enthusiastic people with bird identification skills to conduct surveys of wetland-associated birds. The survey targets 10 focal species (including rails, bitterns, and grebes), but many other wetland-associated birds are documented.
Anyone who is interested in wildlife is invited to participate with a project that will benefit efforts to conserve of wetlands and their inhabitants. Participants conduct surveys of marsh birds to collect data that is essential to aiding our understanding of these species and to developing tools that help to guide habitat conservation efforts.
PPMMP participants range from the amateur naturalist to the professional biologist. Although it is not necessary to be an ace-birder to take part in the PPMMP, the marsh bird survey is not suitable for novices. As a general guideline, participants need to be able to identify about 60 species of wetland-associated birds by sight and about half these by sound.
To assist survey preparation, each PPMMP participant receives a training kit that includes:
- Detailed instructions for conducting bird surveys and describing habitat conditions
- A training CD that includes vocalizations of bird species most likely to be encountered in or near marshes
- A broadcast CD that is used during the survey
The training CD is designed to be a useful refresher to fine-tune your skills and provides additional tips for the identification of wetland-associated birds. Included on the training CD is a short recording of a marsh so that participants can test their auditory bird identification skills. A key of species included on the marsh recording will accompany this recording.
What is involved in a Prairie & Parkland Marsh Monitoring Program survey?
PPMMP surveys consist of 15-minute visits to specified locations, referred to as survey stations. During each station visit, all birds that are seen or heard are documented. Survey stations are placed along a survey route; a route may contain as few as three or as many as eight survey stations.
Participants will be responsible for surveying one or more route(s). To survey one route requires a time investment of about 12 hours each year, although folks are encouraged to take on as many routes as they wish.
Survey routes are surveyed three times each year between May 22nd and June 30th. Minimally, surveys at a given station must be conducted at least 4 days apart, although it is ideal to have visits spaced further (8-12 days) apart.
Surveys are conducted in the early morning or in the evening. Favourable weather conditions are preferred for surveying (strong winds and rain should be avoided).
Prairie marshes need your help!
To register or to receive more information, contact:
Prairie & Parkland Marsh Monitoring Program
Bird Studies Canada
115 Perimeter Road
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, S7N 0X4
Phone: 1-306-249-2894
Email: prairieprograms@birdscanada.org
Website: www.birdscanada.org/volunteer/ppmmp/
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