Description
The potential impacts on colonial nesting species and other waterbirds need to be addressed in light of increased industrial development, agricultural activity and modern recreational opportunities within the northeast region of Alberta. Long-term monitoring and the assessment of species occurrence, productivity, and behaviour on a sample of lakes are key to determining the effects of habitat loss and alteration. In 2003, we monitored a large sample of lakes using a combination of aerial and boat survey techniques. We continued observations of previously surveyed lakes to delineate population trends, and began detailed analyses of lakeshore habitat. Nest counts, especially of Western and Eared Grebes, supplemented our knowledge of populations potentially at risk of decline due to human activities. We discovered that while some species were increasing in occurrence throughout the region, such as Double-crested Cormorants, others such as Western Grebes were less productive and...