Kejimkujik National Park and National Historic Site of Canada

Forest Bird Research and Monitoring

In 1996, Parks Canada and Dalhousie University initiated a four-year forest bird research and monitoring program in Kejimkujik National Park. Coordinated by Dr. Cindy Staicer of Dalhousie University, this project aims to develop the capability to detect and understand trends in forest bird populations in the Park.

A bird researcher making notes
© Parks Canada / Peter Hope, 1999

During this study, a network of 82 points was established to monitor forest bird populations in different forest types. At each point, researchers recorded all birds seen or heard within a 50-metre radius during a 10 minute period. All birds found within the 50 m radius were mapped according to their location. Birds detected outside of this area were recorded separately.

Six distinct forest habitats were identified. Analysis of the bird-habitat associations indicated that bird species often demonstrate distinct habitat preferences. These forests and their characteristic birds are described below.

• The black spruce-larch bog forest habitat was comprised of scattered and stunted trees, a well-developed heath shrub layer and poorly drained soil with sphagnum moss. The most abundant bird species detected in this habitat included the yellow-rumped warbler, palm warbler and solitary vireo.

• The red spruce-balsam fir-dominated mixedwood included red maple and white pine and had a variable but often low ground cover. The most abundant bird species in this habitat were the magnolia warbler and yellow-rumped warbler.

• The white pine-dominated mixedwood often had a shrub understory comprised of lambkill and huckleberry. The most abundant bird species in this habitat included the ovenbird, least flycatcher and yellow-rumped warbler.

• The hardwood-dominated mixedwood was comprised mainly of red maple, red oak, white pine and white birch and had a lower canopy including witch-hazel and ironwood. The most abundant bird species in this habitat were the least flycatcher, northern parula warbler and ovenbird.

• The late-successional hardwood forest was dominated by sugar maple, yellow birch and American beech. The most abundant bird species detected in this habitat were the least flycatcher, red-eyed vireo, northern parula warbler and ovenbird.

• The hemlock forest had little or no understory or ground vegetation. The most abundant bird species in this habitat included the blackburnian warbler, yellow-rumped warbler and black-throated green warbler.

The following bird species appeared to prefer particular habitats:

Also, as part of this forest bird research, Breeding Bird Surveys (BBS) were resumed to investigate any long-term changes in bird populations. These surveys are conducted each June to record all birds detected along a route with 50 stops, each one 0.8 km apart.

The results for the 1996-1998 BBS were compared to the results for the first three years of the survey (1972-1974). The findings suggest the average bird population changes over the 24 year period between surveys. By the late 1990's, populations were significantly lower for 16 common bird species and had increased for four species.

Reference: Staicer, C. A. 1998. Forest bird monitoring at Kejimkujik National Park. pp. 947-958. In: Linking protected areas with working landscapes conserving biodiversity. Munroe, N. and Willison, J. H. M. (eds). SAMPAA, Wolfville.

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