Post-breeding movement ecology of adult and juvenile songbirds using protected areas in eastern Georgian Bay, Ontario

The coasts of Georgian Bay (Lake Huron) are used extensively by migratory songbirds (including species at risk) for both breeding and migratory fueling. We will study how adult and juvenile songbirds use and move among islands and the mainland during the post-breeding period when juveniles are still developing and adults moult flight and body feathers. The research will occur in eastern Georgian Bay on properties owned by the Georgian Bay Land Trust. A PhD student will deploy radio tags on adult and juvenile birds, and then track the movements, habitat use, survival and migratory departure of the birds using manual and automated telemetry. This project will determine the importance of key protected areas in Georgian Bay to the health and sustainability of migratory songbird populations.

Faculty Supervisor:

Christopher Guglielmo;Yolanda Morbey

Student:

Partner:

Georgian Bay Land Trust;Birds Canada (ON)

Discipline:

Life Sciences

Sector:

Other services (except public administration)

University:

The University of Western Ontario

Program: