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At McGill Bird Observatory our primary
objective is to conduct standardized annual migration monitoring, which
will enable us to analyze population trends over time. We are
particularly interested in targeting boreal breeding birds, which are a
growing conservation concern. However, there are significant
costs involved in operating such a research program. We need your
help to ensure we can maintain the consistent effort required each year
to maximize the quality and value of our research.
Become a McGill Bird
Observatory supporter!
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Golden-crowned
Kinglet |
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up to
$100 |
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Magnolia
Warbler |
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over
$100 |
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Slate-coloured
Junco |
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over
$500 |
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Blue-headed
Vireo |
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over
$1000 |
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Northern
Saw-whet Owl |
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over
$5000 |
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Just as each bird is valuable to us, so is
every donation, regardless of size. We have 5 levels of support,
each named after one of our boreal target species. Please scroll
down and determine at what level you would like to contribute to MBO -
and to recognize those sponsors who we would like to thank for already
having made generous donations. Charitable tax receipts will be
issued for all donations upon request. Cheques should be made
payable to "The Migration Research Foundation Inc." and mailed to the following
address:
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McGill Bird Observatory
P.O. Box 82, Succ, Ste-Anne-de-Bellevue
Ste-Anne-de-Bellevue, Quebec H9X 3L4 |
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Saw-whet Owl |
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Donors
contributing over $5000 |
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The Northern Saw-whet Owl is a fairly
common predator in the southern part of
the boreal forest. Relatively
poorly studied on its breeding grounds
because of its secretive nature,
the Saw-whet Owl is comparatively easy to monitor on
migration. The desire to document
their status in southwestern Quebec led
to the establishment of MBO, and
Saw-whet Owls remain the target of a
special nocturnal monitoring program
during the fall season. |
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Honourary Owls to date:
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Blue-headed Vireo |
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Donors
contributing over $1000 |
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The Blue-headed Vireo is one of a few
vireo species breeding in the boreal
forest, and is representative of the
dozens of insectivorous birds that
migrate long distances to and from the
tropics each year. The habitat at
MBO is attractive to many of these
species, especially as they refuel for
the long journey ahead in the fall.
Data collected at MBO are valuable in monitoring the populations of this and
other neotropical migrants. |
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Honourary Vireos to date:
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Slate-coloured
Junco |
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Donors
contributing over $500 |
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The Slate-coloured Junco is an elegant
gray sparrow with a breeding
distribution covering most of Canada's
boreal forest. It is one of the
region's most abundant breeding birds.
Consistently monitoring the population
of Juncos and other common species
provides MBO with an opportunity to
quickly identify trends that may also
affect less abundant birds - our "canary
in a coal mine" is a "junco in the mist
net". |
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Honourary Juncos to date:
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Magnolia Warbler |
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Donors
contributing over $100 |
The
Magnolia Warbler is one of approximately
20 warbler species with a widespread
distribution across the Canadian boreal
forest. Most of them arrive in the
boreal forest in late May or early June, and
are already beginning to return to their
wintering grounds in Central and South
America by mid-summer. Many
warblers have shown signs of decline,
and warrant close population monitoring
at MBO and similar observatories.
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Honourary Warblers to date:
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Dawson College:
Holly Bockus and the Community
Recreation Leadership
Training class |
McGill Bird Observatory
net sponsors
(click here for full
details) |
Plus several anonymous
donors |
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Golden-crowned Kinglet |
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Donors
contributing up to $100 |
One
of North America's smallest birds, the
Golden-crowned Kinglet is a common
resident of the boreal forest.
Although they weigh only 6-7 grams, a
few of these tiny insectivores
overwinter in southern Canada each year.
The majority, however, migrate to warmer
areas in the United States, passing
through McGill Bird Observatory in large
numbers each October and April, and
making this an ideal species to monitor
for population trends. |
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Honourary Kinglets to date:
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Bruno Drolet |
Club d'Ornithologie
d'Ahuntsic |
Florence Ahmed |
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Ilay Ferrier |
Club d'Observateurs
d'Oiseaux de Laval |
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Plus several anonymous
donors |
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Last but not least, we want to
take this opportunity to thank the many dedicated volunteers without
whom it would be impossible to operate McGill Bird Observatory.
Because the lists of names and number of hours contributed are
continually increasing, we won't try to keep any running tallies, but
rest assured that your contributions are greatly appreciated, especially
those of you who are long-term and/or regular volunteers. You are
all honourary members of our feathered flock of supporters!
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