Long Point, a 32 km peninsula extending into Lake Erie, is a renowned hotspot for birdwatching, especially during migration seasons. The Long Point Bird Observatory (LPBO), a division of Birds Canada, leverages this geographic advantage to conduct long-term migration monitoring and facilitate diverse collaborative research projects, making it a prime location for both seasoned and novice birders. This guide explores the opportunities for birding and research in the Long Point area.
LPBO’s core activity is Migration Monitoring, which provides crucial data on population trends, demographics, and migration ecology. Standardized methods, including daily counts and bird banding, are employed at three research stations: Old Cut, Breakwater, and The Tip. With the help of skilled cooperators worldwide, LPBO maximizes its impact on bird conservation.
Monitoring bird populations migrating past Long Point has been a cornerstone of LPBO’s efforts since 1960. This long-term data collection offers valuable insights into which bird species are increasing or decreasing and, more importantly, why. This makes LPBO’s migration monitoring program the longest-running of its kind in the Americas.
The unique geography of Long Point attracts large concentrations of birds, insects, and bats during both spring and fall migration. This allows researchers and birders to observe and monitor numerous species as they move north and south. Monitoring migrating birds is particularly valuable for species that breed in remote northern Canada, where traditional monitoring methods like the Breeding Bird Survey are less effective. Daily standardized counts, bird banding, and collaborative research projects occur at all three LPBO research stations during migration periods.
Trends and summary statistics from LPBO and other stations across Canada are publicly available, contributing to valuable research shared in Birds Canada publications. For those interested in participating, opportunities for training, workshops, and volunteering at LPBO are readily available.
Beyond migration monitoring, LPBO actively fosters Collaborative Research, providing opportunities for researchers studying any aspect of natural history in the Long Point area. Each year, LPBO welcomes researchers from across the globe to study diverse topics such as migration and stopover ecology, behavior, physiology, species at risk, reptiles and amphibians, insects, and climate change.
LPBO offers a range of facilities and services to support researchers:
- Accommodation for researchers
- Wet and dry-laboratory space
- High-speed internet (Old Cut only)
- Extensive local array of Motus Wildlife Tracking System automated telemetry stations
- Advanced training for students
- Boat, canoe, vehicle and ATV rental
- Access to any of our long-term datasets, and integration with current research and monitoring projects
Long Point offers a unique and rewarding experience for birders and researchers alike. With its long-term monitoring programs, collaborative research opportunities, and diverse natural history, it is a critical location for understanding and conserving bird populations. To explore research collaborations, contact the LPBO Coordinator.
