phone 902-868-1862
For those who do not know what the North Scotia Migration Count (NSMC) represents let me
introduce you to its background...
introduce you to its background...
What is the Migration Count all about? Well it all began back in 1992 in Maryland when Jim
Stasz of North Beach, wanted to expand the geographic range of the avian data collected on
migrating neo-tropical birds by the Maryland Spring Bird Counts held annually on the second
Saturday of May. Initially the plan was to broaden the data to include adjoining states, but
somehow through an error queeries about this project expansion went further afield and
interest grew in various directions including articles in various prominent birding journals with
requests for participants to send in counts. Birders heeded the call and thus the project began
in real earnest spreading up and down the continent, and Canada also became involved when
Judy Tufts sent in some data from Kings County, N.S. Nova Scotia became really involved in
1993 when we were among three Canadian provinces who organized "county" efforts. By this
time 43 states in the USA were also active in the project - I doubt that Jim Stasz had quite
anticipated so much interest to be generated in such a short span of time!!! The enormous
data collation was beyond the capacity of Jim Stasz to handle alone so these counts although
still held continent wide are no longer rolled up into a continental record but are held locally.
Hence our count is now known as the the Nova Scotia Migration Count(NSMC).
Stasz of North Beach, wanted to expand the geographic range of the avian data collected on
migrating neo-tropical birds by the Maryland Spring Bird Counts held annually on the second
Saturday of May. Initially the plan was to broaden the data to include adjoining states, but
somehow through an error queeries about this project expansion went further afield and
interest grew in various directions including articles in various prominent birding journals with
requests for participants to send in counts. Birders heeded the call and thus the project began
in real earnest spreading up and down the continent, and Canada also became involved when
Judy Tufts sent in some data from Kings County, N.S. Nova Scotia became really involved in
1993 when we were among three Canadian provinces who organized "county" efforts. By this
time 43 states in the USA were also active in the project - I doubt that Jim Stasz had quite
anticipated so much interest to be generated in such a short span of time!!! The enormous
data collation was beyond the capacity of Jim Stasz to handle alone so these counts although
still held continent wide are no longer rolled up into a continental record but are held locally.
Hence our count is now known as the the Nova Scotia Migration Count(NSMC).
Bev Sarty began the project as Nova Scotia's first and very accomplished coordinator in 1993.
She set up an excellent set of contacts province wide. In 1995 the project was handed off to
Judy Tufts who continued as provincial coordinator until her retirement in 2005. The
responsibility for this important project then passed to the current provincial coordinator Hans
Toom.
She set up an excellent set of contacts province wide. In 1995 the project was handed off to
Judy Tufts who continued as provincial coordinator until her retirement in 2005. The
responsibility for this important project then passed to the current provincial coordinator Hans
Toom.
By 1995 seventeen of the Nova Scotian counties were actively involved in the Spring count
(only Victoria Co. was not represented), and a great deal of enthusiasm had been generated.
Also in 1995 a second 'bird' count was added on the third Saturday of September by the
committee in Maryland, thus complimenting the Christmas Bird Counts (C.B.C.), and the
Breeding Bird Survey (B.B.S.) in June. The Spring count will tell us how many birds are
returning from wintering grounds, BBS will locate main nesting areas, the Fall count would
measure reproductive success and CBCs measure winter population. It was hoped to keep the
two NAMC counts going annually in NS but after two years the 'Fall' count no longer became
feasible and NS reverted back to just one - the major 'Spring' Count.
(only Victoria Co. was not represented), and a great deal of enthusiasm had been generated.
Also in 1995 a second 'bird' count was added on the third Saturday of September by the
committee in Maryland, thus complimenting the Christmas Bird Counts (C.B.C.), and the
Breeding Bird Survey (B.B.S.) in June. The Spring count will tell us how many birds are
returning from wintering grounds, BBS will locate main nesting areas, the Fall count would
measure reproductive success and CBCs measure winter population. It was hoped to keep the
two NAMC counts going annually in NS but after two years the 'Fall' count no longer became
feasible and NS reverted back to just one - the major 'Spring' Count.
Why is this 'Migratory Count' held in the spring? Well it comes down to the importance of the
data collected. One of the main things it will do is to provide information on the abundance and
distribution of each species of birds, especially those migrating. Some of the answers scientists
and ornithologists seek include the direction and 'paths' neo-tropical birds take as they migrate
north or southwards on their migration journeys; do species make a series of short 'hops'
along a predictable route, or move in a solid front, northwards, leaving a few behind to occupy
territories?; do others travel like shorebirds flying longer distances between essential feeding
'stopovers'? Maybe through our active participation we will also help the biologists and
ornithologists understand migration 'problems', i.e. results of loss of appropriate habitat -
meaning less food, suitable breeding areas and cover-protection from predators.
data collected. One of the main things it will do is to provide information on the abundance and
distribution of each species of birds, especially those migrating. Some of the answers scientists
and ornithologists seek include the direction and 'paths' neo-tropical birds take as they migrate
north or southwards on their migration journeys; do species make a series of short 'hops'
along a predictable route, or move in a solid front, northwards, leaving a few behind to occupy
territories?; do others travel like shorebirds flying longer distances between essential feeding
'stopovers'? Maybe through our active participation we will also help the biologists and
ornithologists understand migration 'problems', i.e. results of loss of appropriate habitat -
meaning less food, suitable breeding areas and cover-protection from predators.
The Scotia Migration Count is an event not affiliated with any organization. Partners in Flight,
The American Birding Assoc., and numerous state, provincial and local birding clubs provide
support by increasing awareness of this activity. One may participate as a 'counter' in the field
in an area assigned by your County coordinator or as a feederwatcher in your own home. Ad
hoc or last minute counting is fine too, but describe your area so the county or provincial
coordinator does not double count species, especially rare ones. Each year come rain or
shine the spring count takes place on the second Saturday of May. Set this day aside to be
outdoors having fun while counting the birds!
The American Birding Assoc., and numerous state, provincial and local birding clubs provide
support by increasing awareness of this activity. One may participate as a 'counter' in the field
in an area assigned by your County coordinator or as a feederwatcher in your own home. Ad
hoc or last minute counting is fine too, but describe your area so the county or provincial
coordinator does not double count species, especially rare ones. Each year come rain or
shine the spring count takes place on the second Saturday of May. Set this day aside to be
outdoors having fun while counting the birds!
Provincial Coordinator
Hans Toom
Hans Toom
