Monitoring of breeding activity of shorebirds at Alert, Nunavut

We are monitoring the nesting activity of shorebirds. We find nests through systematic search of 12-ha plots established in a variety of habitats used by shorebirds (tundra terraces, graminoid marshes, barren ground). Some nests are also found opportunistically during other routine work. Nest locations are recorded with a GPS and revisited periodically during the nesting period to determine laying date, clutch size, hatching date and fledging success. Habitat data is also recorded in the immediate vicinity of the nest (one square metre) and in the general area. In order to estimate annual and spatial variation in predation pressure on ground nesting birds like shorebirds, random sets of 20 artificial nests are distributed over 2-km2 plots and visited twice between mid-June to late July. The fate of each egg is determined after 12 hours, 24 hours, 72 hours and then every 3 days afterwards until 90% of the nests have been depredated and/or a maximum of 12 days.