Module 37

Queen's University
Ontario Universities Program in Field Biology

Queen's University Biological Station (50km north of Kingston, ON)
(http://www.queensu.ca/biology/qubs.html)

We will 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.
The first year of this course was outstanding - we saw 6 species of owls (including Snowy, Boreal, and Northern Hawk-Owl), displaying Spruce Grouse, up to 7 Bald Eagles at one time, 3 species of swans, and much, much more.