Kaelyn Bumelis, Ontario Breeding Bird Atlas – 3 Project Manager
The third Ontario Breeding Bird Atlas aims to map the distribution and relative abundance of the province’s approximately 300 species of breeding birds.
Ontario spans over 1 million square kilometers, making it a challenge to achieve comprehensive survey coverage. The province is broken up into 10×10 km squares with goals set at 20 hours of observation and 25 point counts per square to ensure thorough data collection. Given that Ontario’s population is concentrated in the south, coverage goals are adjusted based on accessibility and volunteer availability.
We aim to survey 100% of squares in the southern regions, 5% in the central part of the province, and 2% in the most northern areas (see Figure 1).
Figure 1. Target Survey Effort for Atlas-3
Figure 2. Atlas Northern Trips by Atlas 100×100 km block, 2022-2024.
Achieving 5% or even 2% coverage in roadless areas can be a significant challenge. Each year, the Atlas coordinates teams of volunteers who fly into northern Ontario to conduct Atlassing on foot and by watercraft, embarking on extraordinary, once-in-a-lifetime journeys to gather vital data. To date, there have been 20 trips completed, each contributing invaluable information on breeding birds in the north. Here, we’ve highlighted one trip from each of the past three years (Figure 2).
Missisa River
In 2022, Michael Ferguson, Christopher Evans, Ian Cook, and Craig Evans retraced a route from a 2003 Atlas survey which involved two weeks of paddling, camping, and bird watching along the Missisa River which flows into the Attawapiskat River.
Muskeg at the Attawapiskat River. Photo: Ian Cook
Missisa River campsite, July 1, 2022. Photo: Mike Ferguson
The group traveled by float plane from Nakina to Missisa Lake and then paddled for 15 days, completing survey coverage in four squares. They encountered 90 bird species including Olive-sided Flycatchers, multiple Long-eared Owls, a pair of Northern Hawk Owls, and a flock of Arctic Terns.
Shamattawa River
In 2023 Mark Peck, Emily Rondel, Karl Konze, and William Konze completed a 14-day trip along the Shamattawa and Winisk Rivers. The crew flew to Peawanuck and then traveled by boat with a guide up the Shamattawa River and worked their way back to Peawanuck, repeating coverage and point counts that some of the same crew members completed 20 years earlier!
Upon arriving back in Peawanuck the trip continued along the Hudson Bay coast to achieve coverage in an additional coastal Atlas block. As a result the trip had an impressive list that included boreal and coastal Ontario breeding species.
Smith’s Longspur, June 30, 2023. Photo: Mark Peck
Willow Ptarmigan, July 1, 2023. Photo: Mark Peck
Whimbrel, July 2, 2023. Photo: Mark Peck
Polar Bear Provincial Park
In 2024, eight people led by Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) staff Colin Jones and Atlas Coordinator Mike Burrell covered eastern Polar Bear Provincial Park. The other crew members were Alison Smith (MNR), Tim Haan (MNR), Mark Peck (volunteer), Christian Friis (Canadian Wildlife Service), Stuart Mackenzie (Birds Canada), and Ken Burrell (volunteer).
Camp near Brant River, June 24, 2024. Photo: Mike Burrell
The crew flew into the old Radar Site 415, part of the Cold War Era Mid-Canada Line before splitting up into two smaller teams, with one flown to a site along the Brant River and the other along the Sutton River.
In total, the two crews spent 10 days camping in Ontario’s tundra covering nine squares over three Atlas blocks, repeating dozens of Atlas-2 point counts.
Red-throated Loon, June 29, 2024. Photo: Tim Haan
Lapland Longspur, June 29, 2024. Photo: Tim Haan
Interested in getting involved? 2025 will mark the final phase of data collection for Atlas-3, making it crucial to address any remaining coverage gaps. Stay updated on upcoming trip itineraries by checking the Atlas website, and don’t forget to complete the trip application form at www.birdsontario.org/northern-trips/.