Peer-reviewed articles by MRF researchers:
Hudson, M-A., M. Gahbauer, S. Leckie, and B. Frei. 2008. Unusually extensive preformative molt in hatching-year Song Sparrows. North American Bird Bander 33: 1-6.
A research article based on field studies at McGill Bird Observatory, documenting a previously unrecognized molt pattern in Song Sparrows that has implications for the accurate ageing of specimens in hand both in fall and spring.
Theses by MRF researchers:
M.A. Gahbauer. 2008. Breeding, dispersal, and migration of urban Peregrine Falcons in eastern North America. McGill University, Department of Natural Resource Sciences. Ph.D. Thesis. 189 pp. (click here to access via McGill digital archives, 6.9 MB)
Satellite telemetry, detailed monitoring of active nests, and a review of archived nesting data since the resumption of breeding in east North America were used to characterize aspects of the ecology of this rebuilding population.
The accuracy of small satellite transmitters was confirmed to be appropriate for tracking long-distance movements, and they were used to compare the dispersal and migration of 34 Peregrine Falcons.
In Ontario, the Peregrine Falcon population has grown to a record size, initially due to an intense captive-breeding and release effort, and more recently to considerable immigration from adjacent states. This influx resulted in a substantial dilution of the original F.p. anatum gene pool, in part because anatum juveniles appear to have been recruited to the breeding population at a lower rate.
Pooling data from southern Ontario, Quebec, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey revealed that productivity varied considerably by region, but overall was similar at urban and rural sites. Within urban habitat, productivity was greater on buildings than on bridges and highest in nest boxes on covered ledges. While building and vehicle collisions account for significant mortality among urban juveniles, human assistance through provision of nest boxes and rescues of grounded fledglings may offset these risks.
K.L. Keyes. 2011. Geographic and habitat fidelity in the Short-eared Owl. McGill University, Department of Natural Resource Sciences. M.Sc. Thesis. 110 pp. (click here to access, 3 MB)
This thesis summarizes MRF research on Short-eared Owls from 2008 through 2010, largely in eastern Ontario. It begins with an introductory chapter that reviews the natural history of Short-eared Owls and describes population declines in North America. The main chapters address 1) using stable isotope analysis to investigate spatial origins of Short-eared Owls, 2) using repeated evening surveys to assess occupancy, detectability, and habitat use across seasons, and 3) documenting nest-site characteristics, success, and threats facing the eastern Ontario population.
Other articles by MRF researchers:
Gahbauer, M.A. and M-A.R. Hudson. 2008. McGill Bird Observatory. In Atlantic Flyway Review: Region II (North Central) Fall 2007 (J.A. Gregoire, Ed.). North American Bird Bander 33: 42-44.
A summary of the 2007 Fall Migration Monitoring Program at McGill Bird Observatory, including some historical context.
Gahbauer, M. 2007. The MBO photo library: a new online resource for advanced identification. Winging It 19: 13.
An introduction to the McGill Bird Observatory's photo library for the newsletter of the American Birding Association.
Hudson, M-A. 2007. McGill Bird Observatory takes flight. BirdWatch Canada 39: 16-17.
A profile of the research underway at McGill Bird Observatory for the newsletter of Bird Studies Canada.
Hudson, M-A. 2007. Spring migration monitoring at MBO. Song Sparrow 49: 8.
A brief report on the results of migration monitoring at McGill Bird Observatory in spring 2007, for the newsletter of Bird Protection Quebec.
Gahbauer, M. and M-A. Hudson. 2006. Online photo reference library. Song Sparrow 49 (2): 4 .
An introduction to the McGill Bird Observatory photo reference library on the MRF website, for the newsletter of Bird Protection Quebec..
Hudson, M-A.R. 2006. McGill Bird Observatory now open! Picoides 19: 15.
A brief introduction to McGill Bird Observatory for the newsletter of the Society of Canadian Ornithologists.
Hudson, M-A.. 2006. McGill Bird Observatory: 2006 another promising success. The Talon 7: 6.
A summary of the research undertaken at McGill Bird Observatory in 2006, for the newsletter of the Avian Science and Conservation Centre.
Articles by other researchers incorporating MRF data:
Ogden, N.H., L.R. Lindsay, K. Hanincova, K. Barker, M. Bigras-Poulin, D.F. Charron, A. Heagy, C.M. Francis, C.J. O'Callaghan, I. Schwartz, and R.A. Thompson. 2008. Role of migratory birds in introduction and range expansion of Ixodes scapularis ticks and of Borrelia burgdorferi and Anaplasma phagocytophilum in Canada. Applied and Environmental Microbiology 74: 1780-1790.
The first of two reports planned based on the collection of ticks and associated bacteria on migratory birds at McGill Bird Observatory and other members of the Canadian Migration Monitoring Network.
Flinn, T., J. Hudon, and D. Derbyshire. 2007. Tricks exotic shrubs do: When Baltimore Orioles stop being orange. Birding 39(5): 62-68.
A report on the unusual occurrence of red-coloured Baltimore Orioles and the chemical basis behind this phenomenon, based on data collected at McGill Bird Observatory and the Tommy Thompson Park Bird Research Station.
