Frontenac Bird Studies
Background
Frontenac Bird Studies (FBS) was created by the Migration Research Foundation (MRF) in 2009 to strengthen the capacity for protection of birds and their habitats in the Frontenac Arch. The Migration Research Foundation was established to improve our knowledge of wildlife populations and their movements. MRF conducts scientific research, prioritizing studies that address conservation or management needs. Public involvement and education are important components of all MRF initiatives.
Our Work
Chestnut-sided Warbler Nest, Sharbot Lake, ON
Frontenac Breeding Birds, our flagship program, monitors and studies the breeding avifauna within a model section of the Frontenac Arch ecotone. We assess distribution, environmental associations and relative abundance of nesting bird populations via a system of point count sampling stations. We also conduct annual monitoring of breeding bird demography through the operation of Ontario’s largest network of Monitoring Avian Productivity & Survivorship (MAPS) stations and by searching for and monitoring active nests. The Frontenac Arch is home to a high number of provincially rare and declining species such as Whip-poor-will, Cerulean Warbler, Louisiana Waterthrush and Prairie Warbler to name a few. Targeted studies for species of high conservation concern are conducted on an annual basis.
The Frontenac Arch is an ecologically important habitat corridor or ‘greenway’, enabling sustenance and safe passage of wildlife between ecoregions (e.g. boreal forest to adirondacks). We are in the process of developing strategies for assessing the ecological values of the ecotone for transient and migrant fauna species.
Support
Frontenac Bird Studies is made possible through the generosity of sponsors and benefactors, and the cooperation of research partners. Migration Research Foundation is a registered nonprofit organization in Canada.
Click here for more information about supporting FBS!
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Sunset on Kingsford Lake (S.Leckie)
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