The AXIS M.A.P.S Network

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ROCK RIDGE (RRID) (active 2009-present)Frontenac Provincial Park

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The RRID station was chosen primarily for its appropriate geographical situation, a long scrubby ridge bound by water on three sides – ideal for channeling late summer post-breeding dispersal. The site also has a diverse breeding bird community with large numbers of White-throated Sparrow, Field Sparrow, Eastern Towhee, Black-and-white Warbler and Nashville Warbler, among others. This site was burned over around 1930 and is very slowly regenerating due to the shallow till and expanses of exposed bedrock. Vegetation cover ranges from open mixed woodland to successional deciduous forest to rock scrub barrens. The following species are being sampled in sufficient numbers for annual demographic monitoring (based on 2009-2011 data):

  • Hairy Woodpecker, Eastern Phoebe, Red-eyed Vireo, Blue Jay, Black-capped Chickadee, Hermit Thrush, American Robin, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Black-and-white Warbler, Chipping Sparrow, Eastern Towhee, Field Sparrow, Song Sparrow, White-throated Sparrow and Common Grackle.


MAPLEWOOD BOG (MABO) (active 2009-present) – Devil Lake area

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The MABO station was installed on crown land on the north side of Devil Lake Road, north of Frontenac Provincial Park. This crown land parcel is relatively small and surrounded by largely undisturbed private lands. The name Maplewood Bog was chosen for the site because of the predominance of mid-succession Oak-Sugar Maple forest and the presence of multiple bogs. MABO also features smaller components of rock scrub barren habitat and mixed open woodlands. This site was particularly attractive for its lower lying Sugar Maple-Oak forest and preponderance of small/shrubby wetlands. The following species are being sampled in sufficient numbers for annual demographic monitoring (based on 2009-2011 data):

  • Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Hairy Woodpecker, Red-eyed Vireo, Black-capped Chickadee, Veery, Wood Thrush, American Robin, Gray Catbird, American Redstart, Ovenbird, Northern Waterthrush, Common Yellowthroat, Scarlet Tanager, Song Sparrow and Rose-breasted Grosbeak.

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BLUE LAKES (BLAK) (active 2010-present) – Sharbot Lake area

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Our Blue Lakes station is located on crown lands near the small town of Sharbot Lake, ON. The site is sandwiched between two small dystrophic wetlands and features many open ridges and shaded valleys. The station is composed of three main habitat types; a section of mixed forest with a dense understorey of Balsam Fir and poplar, Red Oak-Red Maple deciduous forest and many small, sparsely treed rock barrens. The following species are being sampled in sufficient numbers for annual demographic monitoring (based on 2009-2010 data):

  • Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Red-eyed Vireo, Yellow-throated Vireo, Black-capped Chickadee, Veery, Hermit Thrush, American Robin, Black-throated Blue Warbler, Chestnut-sided Warbler, Ovenbird, Song Sparrow, Rose-breasted Grosbeak.

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HEMLOCK LAKE (HELA)Canoe Lake area

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The HELA station was installed on crown land astride the northern section of Canoe Lake Road. The site contains a large beaver pond bordered by mixed forest dominated by Eastern Hemlock. The mature hemlocks around the pond appeared to have sustained considerable damage from insect infestation, possibly Hemlock Borer or Hemlock Looper. The habitat was regenerating from this damage, creating an unusual amount of dense undergrowth for the area. The site offers potential for monitoring several species not represented at the other stations, including:

  • Brown Creeper, Winter Wren, Black-throated Green Warbler, Indigo Bunting and Magnolia Warbler.

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