Canada warbler populations are threatened in Canada but the factors responsible are poorly known. Conservation of this species requires diagnosing which portion of the annual cycle – which spans more than a dozen countries – limits population growth. We use field data of habitat selection, phenology, migratory connectivity and demography to inform population models of this species. Modeling will assess the trade-off that arises between taking conservation actions to improve population viability given limited knowledge versus conducting further research to improve our understanding of population dynamics necessary to make optimal investment strategies across the annual cycle. In other words, we must assess the value of action-less information versus the value of uninformed action. Our field work is in partnership with the Lesser Slave Lake Bird Observatory and the Boreal Centre for Bird Conservation.

Example publications

• Flockhart, DTT, GW Mitchell, RG Krikun & EM Bayne. 2016. Factors driving territory size and breeding success in a threatened migratory songbird, the Canada warbler. Avian Conservation & Ecology 11(2):4.
• Flockhart, DTT. 2010. Timing of events on the breeding grounds for five species of sympatric warblers. Journal of Field Ornithology 81:373-382.
• Flockhart, DTT. 2007. Migration timing of Canada Warblers near the northern edge of their breeding range. Wilson Journal of Ornithology 119:712-716.