Module 37

Queen's University
Ontario Universities Program in Field Biology

Course Title :

Ecology of Birds in Winter
Instructor(s) : Dr. Paul R. Martin                             
Department of Biology                       Phone:  (613) 533-6598 (alt: 359-6140)
Queen's University                             Fax:        (613) 533-6617 
Kingston, ON K7L 3N6
Date(s) : Friday 18 February (evening) to Thursday 3 March, 2011 (2 weeks)
Location :

Queen’s University Biological Station (QUBS), on Lake Opinicon near Chaffey’s Lock (50 km north of Kingston)
Cost : $950.00 (Deposit of $250.00, balance due at time of course). This cost includes room and board at QUBS and local transportation.
Prerequisites :

University course in general biology. Additional course(s) in ecology and evolution are an asset.
Description :

The goal of this course is to explore the ecology of birds in winter, examining adaptations of various species to surviving under difficult conditions. We will consider factors that limit the geographic distributions of species, particularly at northern latitudes, how species partition habitat and food resources, mixed-species flocking, the importance of food caching, large mammal kills, and roost sites, patterns of movement through the winter, and morphological and physiological adaptations to winter conditions. We will also consider the impacts of global climate change on the wintering distributions and ecology of local species. Students will learn skills of field identification of birds, recording natural history observations, designing and conducting field studies, and analysis and presentation of results. The field course will focus on the immediate area of QUBS, but will include day trips to nearby open water and congregations of birds (Wolfe or Amherst Island) and to boreal forest (Algonquin). Expect, and come prepared for, extremely cold conditions and deep snow. Hiking in these conditions can be extremely difficult – students should be confident that they are in good physical condition.

Enrollment : 12 students
Evaluation : 30 minute seminar      20%
15 minute seminar      10%
Field Notebook           10%
Participation               20%
Written Report            40%
Assignment(s) :
  1. a 30 min seminar, based on reading (1 or 2 papers) to be provided by prof
  2. a 15 min seminar on the natural history of a focal bird species, highlighting their annual life cycle and ecology in winter
  3. a field notebook, for recording observations and data
  4. one report (10-15 pages) based on data obtained from group and/or individual projects (due 6 weeks after end of field studies)
Additional Information: