Distribution and Abundance of Birds on York University

Data for this experiment was collected over two days, one week apart, between 2:45 pm and 4:45 pm. This was done to account for factors that could not be controlled (such as weather) which may have affected the abundance and distribution of birds on a particular day. Day 1, on Tuesday October 13th, 2015, was cloudy and moderately windy with a temperature of 15°C. Day 2, on Tuesday October 20th, 2015, was cloudy with light rain and low wind with a temperature of 16 °C. All data was gathered from grasslands, woodlots, and urbanized parts of York University's Keele Campus. On Day 1, a total of 16 transects 120 m long were randomly placed along Keele Campus. Eight were placed in urban areas where at least 75% of the area being surveyed was pavement and/or buildings, and eight were placed in natural areas where at least 75% of the area being surveyed was vegetation. On Day 2, a total of 20 transects also 120 m long were randomly placed along Keele Campus. Ten in urban areas and ten in natural areas which matched the same criteria as those in day 1. Each 120 m long transect was measured out using a transect measuring tape and was walked along. Birds that were visually approximated to be within 25 m of either side of the transect and within 15 m of the ground were considered to be using the area and were counted. This entire area (25 m on either side of, and 15 m above the entire 125 m long transect) is considered the area being surveyed upon which the urban and natural areas were defined. Every bird seen was visually categorized into species with reference to a bird identification guide. The number of each species were counted and recorded as each transect was walked along. At the end of each transect, the total number of different species and total number of birds were also counted and recorded. This process was performed for every transect.