Field Projects: Landbirds

North American Breeding Bird Survey (map)

This survey provides long-term trend information on many of the forest birds in the southern NWT. The NWT surveys are part of a larger program which is conducted across Canada and the United States.

Duration: Ongoing

Contact: Craig Machtans

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Forest Bird Studies in the Liard Valley in Relation to Timber Harvesting (map)

The Liard Valley is one of the key areas of resource development in the Northwest Territories. Exploration and development of natural gas reserves and some commercial forestry in the area is changing the landscape. A five year project assessed bird-habitat relationships in the area and created a baseline data set for monitoring long term changes of birds in the area. Periodic resampling is planned to track population changes.

Duration: 1998 to 2002

Partners: Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development (INAC0), Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT), Acho Dene Koe First Nation

Contacts: Craig Machtans

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Assessing the Impacts of Seismic Lines on Forest Songbirds (map)

The effect of seismic lines on forest birds has not been studied. Conjecture based on other fragmentation studies or expert advice has been the primary source of information on impacts of seismic activity. At one extreme, very high densities of small individual disturbances destroy much habitat, and impacts are inevitable. However, there are many areas of the boreal where seismic lines are common but not super-abundant, where the actual impact is still speculative. The lack of any research on this topic creates problems. This study will aim to quantify the impact of the 4-6m linear lines on forest songbirds. This represents the current "worst-case" scenario for seismic lines, and if effects cannot be documented for this level of disturbance, it is reasonable to assume that the more conservative approaches are even lower in impact.

Duration: 2002 to 2003

Partners: Anadarko Canada Corp., Canadian Forest Oil, INAC,GNWT, Acho Dene Koe First Nation

Contacts: Craig Machtans

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NWT/Nunavut Bird Checklist Survey (map)

The NWT/Nunavut Bird Checklist Survey is a volunteer-based program that gathers data on the distribution and abundance of birds in the NWT and Nunavut. The Survey also collects historical bird data for use in environmental assessments. (NWT/Nunavut Bird Checklist Survey Home Page)

Duration: ongoing

Partners: Parks Canada Agency (PC), INAC, numerous other government and non-government agencies and individuals

Contact: Craig Machtans

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Monitoring Boreal Forest Birds (map)

The need for baseline information on bird distribution and population status is strongly defined in many regional and national documents. Several proposed initiatives are being pursued to achieve a regional monitoring program to help collect this information. Proposed work will likely include intensive and extensive surveys of birds throughout the Northwest Territories, and will be linked to national strategies and plans for monitoring boreal forest birds. (Northern Landbird Program Strategy and Action Plan Home Page)

Duration: ongoing

Partners:

Contact: Craig Machtans

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