Migratory Shorebird Habitat Use - Pacific Rim

This program aims to monitor migratory shorebird abundance, distribution and use on sandy beaches of the Long Beach Unit as an Ecological Integrity condition measure and to monitor the effectiveness of management activities directed at increasing the rate of compliance with domestic animal (leash) regulations as a management effectiveness measure. These datasets result from annual migratory shorebird surveys, during which birds passing through a 100 m section of beach over the course of 30 minutes are counted as are the disturbance events affecting them. Sites (n=20) are surveyed throughout the day (between 6am and 6pm) during the height of spring (20 April to 25 May) and fall (15 July to 1 Oct) migrations and are surveyed 4 to 8 times per migration period per year. It is well-established that migratory shorebirds operate on very tight time and energy budgets and that unexpected loss of time and/or energy reserves can compromise both survival and breeding success of these birds. The effect of human disturbance on migrant birds is a conservation issue of international importance as it can lead to negative long-term population effects. Sandy beaches, which are the primary habitat for some species (e.g. Sanderling (Calidris alba)), are also a focal point visitors to Pacific Rim National Park Reserve and thus of human-wildlife conflict between recreational use, particularly dog running, and shorebird use.