How You Can Help
Citizen Science Opportunities:
Breeding Bird Atlas (distribution and may also provide relative abundance)
Variable time commitment/ any skill level
Example of recently completed Atlas results on line http://www.birdatlas.mb.ca/mbdata/maps.jsp?lang=en
Saskatchewan Atlas – find out more or sign up http://sk.birdatlas.ca
Christmas Bird Count (distribution, distribution changes, weak for trends)
One day per year per count you participate in. Can be for any skill level – great way to learn from more experienced birders
http://birds.audubon.org/american-birds-annual-summary-christmas-bird-count
Climate Change report http://climate.audubon.org/
Checklist (distribution, relative abundance, trends)
Time to participate varies – can be daily or just once. Skill level varies.
Quebec Checklist http://www.oiseauxqc.org/epoq.jsp
eBird site http://ebird.org/content/ebird/
eBird Canada site http://ebird.org/content/canada/
Nest Records (productivity)
Time needed varies – participate when you find a nest. Need to be able to identify the nesting bird
www.birdscanada.org/volunteer/pnw/
Bird Banding returns
Minimal time and no skill level required unless reporting a flag, neck collar or nasal saddle
Banding Atlas http://www.ec.gc.ca/aobc-cabb/
Longevity records https://www.pwrc.usgs.gov/bbl/longevity/longevity_main.cfm
Report a band https://www.pwrc.usgs.gov/BBL/bblretrv/
Migration Monitoring
Time can vary but high skill level and time commitment to learn to band, age and sex birds. However, can assist with records or maintenance or net picking.
Canadian Migration Monitoring Network http://www.bsc-eoc.org/volunteer/cmmn/index.jsp?targetpg=directory
Breeding Bird Survey (BBS)
2 days per year for each route to travel, do route, enter and check data. Very high skill level required to identify by sight or sound all likely species for the area where route occurs.
US site – look at myriad of results https://www.pwrc.usgs.gov/BBS/index.cfm
Canadian Site – explore results http://ec.gc.ca/reom-mbs/default.asp?lang=En&n=416B57CA-1
Find your local coordinator who can help you find a route http://ec.gc.ca/reom-mbs/default.asp?lang=En&n=C6E31C35-1
Learning Tools
Dendroica/ Piranga
http://www.natureinstruct.org/dendroica/
Additional Surveys:
Nocturnal Owl Survey
http://www.bsc-eoc.org/volunteer/natowls/index.jsp?lang=EN
Project Feederwatch
http://www.bsc-eoc.org/volunteer/pfw/index.jsp?lang=EN
Monitoring Avian Productivity and Survivorship
http://www.birdpop.org/pages/maps.php
Chaplin and Reed Lake Shorebird surveys