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Population study of western grebes in Alberta 2001-2009 : implications for management and status designation

Description

This project was initiated in 2001 to monitor population trends and distribution of western grebes in Alberta. The project began in the Stony Plain study area, and then expanded to other areas of... More ≫

Description

This project was initiated in 2001 to monitor population trends and distribution of western grebes in Alberta. The project began in the Stony Plain study area, and then expanded to other areas of the province where the species occurs. Surveys of known colonies and a search for other breeding sites have continued each year through 2009. Biologists searched for western grebe colonies from the northern extreme of the breeding range in northeast and northwest Alberta, through the parkland and prairies, south to the United States border. Data from previous field seasons have been published in earlier reports in this series.

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2008 survey of trumpeter swans (Cygnus buccinator) in the Lesser Slave Lake, Alberta

Description

Trumpeter swans found in Alberta form approximately 30 per cent of the Rocky Mountain population and have experienced substantial population growth and range expansion over the last 15 years. The... More ≫

Description

Trumpeter swans found in Alberta form approximately 30 per cent of the Rocky Mountain population and have experienced substantial population growth and range expansion over the last 15 years. The species is currently classified as Threatened in Alberta. The survey was conducted from Slave Lake on 304 September 2008 and from High Prairie on 5 September. All waterbodies that had the potential to support trumpeter swans were surveyed by flying at low level around the perimeter of the wetland. Population demographics and observed distribution indicate that trumpeter swans are doing well in the Lesser Slave area.

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Western (Aechmophorus occidentalis) grebes in Alberta : 2006 field summary

Description

This project was initiated in 2001 to monitor population trends and distribution of western grebes and eared grebes in Alberta. The project began in the Stony Plain study area with the intent to... More ≫

Description

This project was initiated in 2001 to monitor population trends and distribution of western grebes and eared grebes in Alberta. The project began in the Stony Plain study area with the intent to expand to other areas of the province where this species occurs. Now completing its sixth season, the study has expanded to the northeast, the northwest and to more areas within the Parkland Natural Region of the province. For the first time, data for all of the above are summarized in one document. The report deals solely with western grebes.

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Western (Aechmophorus occidentalis) and eared (Podiceps nigricollis) grebes of central Alberta : 2004 field summary

Description

The information presented in this report represents the findings from the second year of surveying western and eared grebes within the Stony Plain study area in Alberta. The surveys are projected... More ≫

Description

The information presented in this report represents the findings from the second year of surveying western and eared grebes within the Stony Plain study area in Alberta. The surveys are projected to span a five year period and the project is designed to monitor population trends and reproductive success of western grebes and eared grebes within the Stony Plain study area. In 2004, surveying effort was focused on the primary western and eared grebe populations identified in the previous years of this project. Ground nest surveys were conducted after the nesting period, the results of which were used to derive a total breeding adult population estimate. In addition, surveys were initiated in the Parkland region in 2004, to identify waterbodies that supported potential western grebe breeding colonies.

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Western (Aechmophorus occidentalis) and eared (Podiceps nigricollis) grebes of central Alberta : inventory, survey techniques, and management concerns

Description

This project focused on western grebes and eared grebes inhabiting the Stony Plain area, which is within the Parkland and Boreal natural regions of central Alberta. These grebe species have a wide... More ≫

Description

This project focused on western grebes and eared grebes inhabiting the Stony Plain area, which is within the Parkland and Boreal natural regions of central Alberta. These grebe species have a wide distribution across western and central North America, yet indications are that they may be declining and could become threatened over the long-term. Relatively little research and monitoring attention has been directed toward these species. To address some of these concerns, surveys were conducted to locate grebe colonies, estimate population sizes, and assess their reproductive success. Various survey methods were also developed, tested, and evaluated, thereby providing a framework for future surveys. In doing so, trend data can now be gathered for western and eared grebes, which will enable local and regional status assessment. Management implications are also provided in this report.

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