Tweets,

We met Chris at the Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary in Belize.
Thought you might find his study interesting.

Cheers,

Dan Victor, Wallingford district, Seattle ___.-////
Mailto:dcv at scn.org Web = http://www.scn.org/~dcv/ \_>

---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Sun, 17 Feb 2002 14:27:53 -0500
From: Chris Grooms <cgrooms at kingston.net>

Loggerhead Shrike Colour Banding Study

The Eastern Loggerhead Shrike, Lanius ludovicianus migrans, was
listed as endangered in Eastern Canada in 1991. In Ontario where the
majority of the remaining population breeds, serious studies began in
1991. These studies and recovery efforts are ongoing. The Ontario
population survey, which is done each year, found only 55 pairs breeding
in 1992. From there the survey numbers dropped to a low of 18 pairs in
1997, and recovered to 40 pairs in 1999, dropping back down to 27 pairs
for 2001. In eastern Manitoba in 2001, only 7 pairs were found.

Volunteers have contributed much important information on breeding
shrikes over the years. We now have a good picture of the shrike's
breeding range as a result. There are still many very important questions
that if answered, could help in understanding the species' problems and
lead to successful recovery actions. For example, is Ontario the source of
its own shrikes or a sink fed by immigration from other parts of the
continent? What are the levels of survivorship and recruitment of young
birds, and of longevity and nest site faithfulness of adults? What are the
rates of immigration and emigration between the core breeding areas
(Napanee, Smiths Falls, Carden, Grey-Bruce, eastern Manitoba)? Where do
Eastern Loggerhead Shrikes go during the winter and what routes do they
take to get there and back?

To answer questions like these, the Eastern Loggerhead Shrike
Recovery Team, Bird Studies Canada and Manitoba Conservation began a
colour banding study in 1999 (Manitoba Conservation did some banding
before this date). In the first three seasons, over 450 nestlings and
adults were banded in Ontario and eastern Manitoba. Each bird was given
one to four bands of different colours that identify it as an individual.
>From the 1999 Ontario population, seven shrikes banded as nestlings and
nine banded as adults were recorded on the breeding grounds in 2000. None
of these 16 moved between core breeding areas. Only two individuals were
on their 1999 site, although some did not move very far. Some females
moved as far as eight to 25 km away. None was found to be with its mate
from 1999.

The more information we can gather on shrike movements, the better
we will understand the situation. It is difficult for surveyors to find
and keep track of all shrikes on their breeding grounds, let alone during
dispersal and migration. Once again volunteers are needed to help with
shrike research. Here is how you can help:

Any time you spot a Loggerhead Shrike anywhere in North America,
get your spotting scope out and have a close and careful look at its legs.
If you see bands, carefully note the vertical order of the colour
combinations for each leg. You may see, for example, red above light blue
on the right leg and silver on the left. Record the date, where you saw
the shrike and what it was doing. Waiting for the bird to show you the
entire length of both legs may take some patience. Please report all
sightings of banded shrikes seen anywhere. Also, report all unbanded
shrikes in Canada and the northern USA. Even dead shrikes are of interest.
Report toll-free to Bird Studies Canada at 1-888-448-BIRD.

To help you determine the colours you see, here is a list of the
colours in use: Mauve, light blue, dark blue, light green, dark green,
yellow, white, red, dark pink, orange, grey, brown and silver (standard
band). Be careful to distinguish between the greens, the blues and
between red and dark pink. To see what the colour bands look like and for
more information on the study, visit the following web site:
http://members.kingston.net/cgrooms .

For more information on recovery efforts for the Eastern Loggerhead
Shrike, visit the Bird Studies Canada web site at
http://www.bsc-eoc.org/losh.html .

Thank you for helping in the Loggerhead Shrike recovery process.

Chris Grooms

Eastern Loggerhead Shrike Habitat Stewardship and Field Studies
Coordinator

RR# 1 Elginburg, Ontario, Canada K0H 1M0
Phone 613-542-0894
Fax 613-542-1561
Cell 613-328-0810
e-mail cgrooms at kingston.net
Colour banding web site
http://members.kingston.net/cgrooms