Monitoring Bicknell's Thrush and Other High Elevation Bird Species in Atlantic Canada

Whittman, Becky; Ball, Melanie

The main goal of this project was to develop a protocol for a volunteer-based survey ofBicknell's Thrush (Catharus bicknelli) and other high elevation bird species in Atlantic Canada.This habitat is under threat by climate change and development and is often not well covered by existing bird monitoring programs. The Bicicnell's Thrush is one of the rarest songbirds in North America, with a population of between 5,000-15,000 pairs (Nixon 1998). It is listed as a species of "High responsibility, High Concern" by Partners in Flight Canada (Downes et al. 2000), and as a Species of Special Concern by the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife In Canada (COSEWIC). Furthermore, it is listed as Globally Vulnerable by the IUCN (Stattersfield and Capper 2000). These designations are largely a result of the species' fragmented populations, and the fact that very little is known about its population status and breeding biology, because of its shy habits, remote breeding habitat, and only very recent designation as a full species (Ouellet 1992, AOU 1995). A monitoring program is urgently needed to help determine the status of the Bicknell's Thrush population: is it increasing, decreasing, or remaining stable? Therefore, the main objectives of this project were: 1. To use the Bicicnell's Thrush population in Cape Breton Highlands National Park (CBHNP) and nearby Cape North to develop and test a protocol for a volunteer-based survey of high elevation bird species, with particular emphasis on the Bicknell's Thrush, and secondary emphasis on Fox Sparrow (Passerella iliaca), Swainson's Thrush (Catharus ustulatus) and Blackpoll Warbler (Dendroica striata). Specifically, we wanted to determine: a) how long a point count needs to be; b) how many times a route needs to be surveyed; c) whether time of day (morning versus evening) affects survey results; d) whether date affects results; and f) whether or not playback is necessary to increase the detectability of Bicicnell's Thrush. 2. To submit new Bicknell's Thrush records to the Parks Canada GIS database for use in mapping Bicknell's Thrush habitat in Atlantic Canada.