Publications

The Beaverhill Bird Observatory has been monitoring our wild migratory bird populations since 1984, creating a large long-term database. Over the years, we have collected data during spring and fall migrations, MAPS (Monitoring Avian Productivity and Survivorship) in the summer, maintained and monitored over 500 bird nest-boxes for tree swallows, house wrens and mountain bluebirds, as well established an ever growing number of bat roosting boxes and more.

Through this data, many researchers are able discover new findings that help us better understand the natural world and how we can help conserve it.

Below is a list of publications that the Beaverhill Bird Observatory has been involved with.

Myrthe Van Brempt,1 Geoffrey L. Holroyd,1* Glen Hvenegaard,2 and Jon Van Arragon1
Nesting biology and breeding density of Least Flycatchers (Empidonax minimus) in the Beaverhill Natural Area, Alberta, Canada
doi.org/10.1676/22-00110

Cook, C.A., Hvenegaard, G.T., Holroyd, G.L., Pletz, H., and Pearman, M. 2021. Age and Sex Influence
Natal and Breeding Dispersal of Purple Martins. Western Birds 52: 296-310; doi 10.21199/WB52.4.2

Framis, H., J. Baucells, and G.L. Holroyd. 2020. A case of partial leucism in a Little Owl Athene noctua in
Catalonia, NE Spain. Revista Catalana d’Ornitologia 36:83-87. DOI: 10.2436/20.8100.01.26

Holroyd, G. 2020. Beaverhill Bird Observatory. Nature Alberta 50(3):36

Holroyd, G. 2020. What the oriole knows. Nature Alberta 50(2):27.

Pearman, M., L DeGroot, G.L. Holroyd and S. Thunberg. 2020 Earlier spring arrival of the mountain bluebird
in central Alberta, Canada. Western Birds 51:47–58, 2020; doi 10.21199/WB51.1.4

Walker, J. and P.D. Taylor. 2020. Evaluating the efficacy of eBird data for modeling historical population
trajectories of North American birds and for monitoring populations of boreal and Arctic breeding
species. Avian Conservation and Ecology 15 (2) #10 http://www.ace-eco.org/vol15/iss2/art10/

Eglauer, V and G. Holroyd. 2019. Beaverhill Lake Snow Goose Festival: History and Renewal. Parkland
Naturalist September-December: 8-9.

Lehikoinen, A., A. Linden, M. Karlsson, A. Andersson, T.L. Crewe, E.H. Dunn, G. Gregory et al. 2019.
Phenology of the Avian Spring Migratory Passage in Europe and North America: Asymmetric
Advancement in Time and Increase in Duration. Ecological Indicators 101: 985-
991. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolind.2019.01.083.

Lifshitz, N., and C. C. St. Clair. 2019. Iridescent coloration of Tree Swallows relates to environmental metal
pollution. Avian Conservation and Ecology 14(2):7. https://doi.org/10.5751/ACE-01411-140207

Fraser K.C., A. Shave, E. de Greef, J. Siegrist and C.J. Garroway. 2019. Individual Variability in Migration
Timing Can Explain Long-Term, Population-Level Advances in a Songbird. Frontiers in Ecology and
Evolution Vol 7 Article 324.

Gow, E.A., S.M. Knight, D.W. Bradley, R.G. Clark, M. Bélisle, T. Blake, D.W. Winkler, E.S. Bridge, L. Burke, R.
D. Dawson, P. Dunn, D. Garant, G. Holroyd, A. Horn, O. Lansdorp, A.J. Laughlin, M. Leonard, F.
Pelletier, D. Shutler, L.M. Siefferman, C.M. Taylor, H. Trefry, C. Vleck, D. Vleck, L. Berzins, L.A.
Whittingham, R. Norris. 2019. Effects of spring migration distance on tree swallow reproductive
success within and among flyways. Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution, section Behavioral and
Evolutionary Ecology

Bourgeois, K.D. 2019. Response of Birds to Habitat Types, Temperature, and Precipitation in Central
Parkland Natural Subregion of Beaver County, Alberta. MSc thesis in Environment and Management,
Faculty of Social and Applied Sciences, Royal Roads University Victoria, British Columbia, Canada.

Macias-Duarte, A., C.J. Conway, G.L. Holroyd, H.E. Valdez-Gomez, M. Culver. 2019. Genetic variation among
island and continental populations of Burrowing Owl (Athene cunicularia) subspecies in North America.
Journal of Raptor Research 53(2):127-133.

Lifshitz, Natalia. 2019. Ornamental colouration as an indicator of environmental pollution with application to
the tree swallow (Tachycineta bicolour). PhD thesis in Ecology, Department of Biological Sciences,
University of Alberta

Knight, S.M., E.A. Gow, D.W. Bradley, R.G. Clark, M. Bélisle, L.L. Berzins, T. Blake, E.S. Bridge, L. Burke, R.D.
Dawson, P.O. Dunn, D. Garant, G.L. Holroyd, D.J.T. Hussell, O. Lansdorp, A.J. Laughlin, M.L. Leonard,
F. Pelletier, D. Shutler, L. Siefferman, C.M. Taylor, H.E. Trefry, C.M. Vleck, D. Vleck, L.A.
Whittingham,D.W. Winkler, D.R. Norris.2019. Non-breeding season movements of a migratory
songbird are related to declines in resource availability.Auk

Lehikoinen,A.,A. Linden, M.Karlsson, A. Andersson, T.L. Crewe,E.H. Dunn, G. Gregory, L. Karlssond, V.
Kristiansen, S. Mackenzie,S. Newmanj, J.E. Roer, C. Sharpe, L. V. Sokolov, Å. Steinholtz,M.
Stervander, I-S. Tirri, and R.S. Tjornlov. 2019. Phenology of the avian spring migratory passage in
Europe and North America: Asymmetric advancement in time and increase in duration.
Ecological Indicators 101: 985-991.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolind.2019.01.083

Gow EA, L. Burke, D.W. Winkler, S.M. Knight, D.W. Bradley, R.G. Clark, M. Be´lisle, L.L. Berzins, T. Blake8,
E.S. Bridge, R.D. Dawson, P.O. Dunn, D. Garant, G. Holroyd, A.G. Horn, D.J.T. Hussell, O. Lansdorp,
A.J. Laughlin, M.L. Leonard, F. Pelletier, D. Shutler, L. Siefferman, C.M. Taylor, H. Trefry, C.M. Vleck, D.
Vleck, L.A. Whittingham and D.R. Norris. 2018. A range wide domino effect and resetting of the
annual cycle in a migratory songbird. Proceedings (B) of the Royal Society Bulletin 286:2018.1916.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1098/rspb. 2018.1916

Knight, S.M., D.W. Bradley, R.G. Clark, E.A. Gow, M.B. Elisle, L.L. Berzins, T. Blake, E.S. Bridge, L. Burke,
R.D. Dawson, P.O. Dunn, D. Garant, G.L. Holroyd, D.J.T. Hussell, O. Lansdorp, A.J. Laughlin, M.L.
Leonard, F. Pelletier, D. Shutler, L. Siefferman, C.M. Taylor, H.E. Trefry, C.M. Vleck, D. Vleck, D.W.
Winkler, L.A. Whittingham, and D.R. Norris. 2018. Constructing and Evaluating a Continent-Wide
Migratory Songbird Network across the Annual Cycle. Ecological Monographs, 88(3):445-460

Valdez-Gómez, H.E., G.L. Holroyd, H.E. Trefry and A.J. Contreras-Balderas. 2018. Home Ranges, Habitats,
and Roosts of Wintering Burrowing Owls in Agricultural Landscapes in Central Mexico. Journal of
Raptor Research, 52(2):178-190.

Hood, G.A., G.T. Hvenegaard and A. McIntosh. 2018. Natural goods and services in a mixed-use landscape.
Department of Science, Augustana Campus, University of Alberta, Camrose, Alberta, T4V 2R3. Final
Report prepared for Beaver County.

Knight, S. 2018. Constructing and Evaluating a Continent-wide Migratory Songbird Network across the
annual cycle. PhD thesis, University of Guelph.

Van Loon, A,R., J.D. Ray, A. Savage, J. Mejeur, L. Moscar, M. Pearson, M. Pearman, G.T. Hvenegaard, N.
Mickle, K. Applegate, K.C. Fraser. 2017.Migratory stopover timing is predicted by breeding latitude,
not habitat quality, in a long distance migratory songbird.

Hood, G.A., G.T. Hvenegaard and A. McIntosh. 2017. Ecological sustainability in rural landscapes.
Department of Science, Augustana Campus, University of Alberta, Camrose, Alberta, T4V 2R3. Final
report prepared for Beaver County.

Stutchbury, B.J.M, R Siddiqui, K. Applegate, G.T. Hvenegaard, P. Mammenga, N. Mickle, M. Pearman, J.D.
Ray, A. Savage, T. Shaheen and K.C. Fraser. 2016. Ecological Causes and Consequences of
Intratropical migration in temperate-breeding migratory birds. The American Naturalist. Supplement
Vol 188

Dunn, E. 2016. Bird Observatories: an underutilized resource for migration study. The Wilson Journal of
Ornithology 128(4):691-703.

Priestley, L. 2015. Beaverhill Bird Observatory Songbird and Waterbird Band Encounters 1983-2004. The
Alberta Wildlifer 26 (3):10-12.

Hobson, K.A., S.L. Van Wilgenburg, E.H. Dunn, D.J.T. Hussell, P.D. Taylor, and D.M. Collister. 2015. Predicting
origins of passerines migrating through Canadian migration monitoring stations using stable-hydrogen
isotope analyses of feathers: a new tool for bird conservation. Avian Conservation and Ecology 10
(1):3. http://www.ace-eco.org/vol10/iss1/art3/

Booms, T.L., G.L. Holroyd, M.A. Gahbauer, H.E. Trefry, D. Wiggins, D. Holt, J.A. Johnson, S.B. Lewis, M.
Larson, K.L. Keyes and S. Swengel. 2014. Assessing the Status and Conservation Priorities of the
Short-eared Owls in North America. Journal of Wildlife Management 78(5):772-778.

Holroyd, G.L., A.J. Trefry and B. Crockett (eds.). 2014. Engaging People in Conservation, Proceedings of the
10th Prairie Conservation and Endangered Species Conference, February 19 to 22, 2013 – Red Deer,
Alberta. Alberta Prairie Conservation Forum, Lethbridge, Alberta. 320pp.

Confer J.L., L.L. Kanda, and I. Li. 2014. Northern Saw-whet Owl: regional patterns for fall migration and
demographics revealed by banding data. Wilson Journal of Ornithology 126:305-320.

Holroyd, G.L. 2013. Habitat Succession and Bird Monitoring at BBO. The Willet 26(3):2-4. Beaverhill Bird
Observatory, Edmonton, Alberta.

Priestley, L.T. and Priestley, C. 2013. Long-eared Owl nesting phenology and habitat in central Alberta. Blue
Jay 71:124-131.

Scott, J.D., J.F. Anderson, and L.A. Durden. 2012. Widespread dispersal of Borrelia burgdorferi-infected ticks
collected from songbirds across Canada. Journal of Parasitology 98:49-59.

Framis, H., G. L. Holroyd and S. Mañosa. 2011. Home range and habitat use of Little Owl (Athene noctua) in
an agricultural landscape in coastal Catalonia, Spain. Animal Biodiversity and Conservation 34:369-
378.

Holroyd, G.L. and H.E. Trefry. 2011. Tracking movements of Athene owls: the application of North American
experiences to Europe. Proceedings of the Third International Little Owl Conference, Vic, Spain.
Animal Biodiversity and Conservation 34:379-387.

Holroyd, G.L. and H.E. Trefry. 2011. Great things come in small packages - tracking burrowing owls from
their northern breeding range. Beaverhill Bird Observatory, Willet 24(1): 2-3.

Holroyd, G.L. and H.E. Trefry. 2011. Habitat of a ‘Canadian’ burrowing owl wintering in Baja. Willet 24(1): 3-
4.

Dunn, E.H., A.D. Brewer, A.W. Diamond, E.J. Woodsworth, and B.T. Collins. 2011. The Atlas of Canadian Bird
Banding 1921-1995. Volume 4: Shorebirds. Canadian Wildlife ServiceSpecial Publication, Ottawa,
Canada. [Available online at http://www.cws-scf.ec.gc.ca/publications/BBA-AOB/v1ed2/index_e.cfm]

Holroyd, G.L., and H.E. Trefry. 2010. The Importance of Isla Clarion, Archipelago Revillagigedo, Mexico, for
Green Turtle (Chelonia mydas) Nesting. Chelonian Conservation and Biology 9(2):305-309.

Priestley, L.T., C. Priestley, D.M. Collister, D. Zazelenchuk, and M. Hanneman. 2010. Encounters of Northern
Saw-whet Owls (Aegolius acadicus) from banding stations in Alberta and Saskatchewan, Canada.
Journal of Raptor Research 44:300–310. https://doi.org/10.3356/JRR-09-25.1

Valdez-Gomez, H.E., G.L. Holroyd, H.E. Trefry, and A.J. Contreras-Balderas. 2009. Do the winter diets of
sympatric Burrowing Owl and Short-earedOwl overlap in west-central Mexico?Proceedings of the
Fourth International Partners in Flight Conference: Tundra to Tropics, University of Texas-Pan
American Press, Edinburg, Texas, pp. 96-101.

Valdez, E., Holroyd, G.L. H.E. Trefry, and A. Contreras. 2009. Informe de activitidades por permiso de
investigacion y colecta ceintifica de Tecolete de Clarion (Athene cunicularia rostrata). University of
Neuvo Leon, Monterray, MX.

Dunn, E.H., A.D. Brewer, A.W. Diamond, E.J. Woodsworth, and B.T. Collins. 2009. The Atlas of Canadian Bird
Banding 1921-1995. Volume 3: Raptors and Waterbirds. Canadian Wildlife Service Special Publication,
Ottawa, Canada. [Available online at http://www.cws-scf.ec.gc.ca/publications/BBA-AOB/v1ed2/index_e.cfm]

Priestley, L.T. and E. DeGroot. 2009. American Kestrel (Falco sparverius): nesting phenology and fledging
success in central Alberta. Nature Alberta 39:35-38.

Priestley, C.E. 2008. Movements of the Northern Saw-whet Owl. MSc thesis. Wildlife Ecology and
Management, Department of Renewable Resources, University of Alberta. Edmonton, Alberta.

Priestley, L. 2008. The nesting phenology of Northern Saw-whet Owl and Boreal Owl in central Alberta.
Nature Alberta 38(3) 20-25.

Holroyd, G.L. and H.E. Trefry. 2008. The Travels Of A Short-Eared Owl Equipped With A Satellite Transmitter
In Canada. Blue Jay 66(1):28-30.

Priestley, L., C. Priestley and G.L. Holroyd. 2008 A Short-eared Owl Invasion at Beaverhill Lake, Alberta in
Winter 2005-06. Blue Jay 66(3):131-138.

Holroyd, G.L. and H.E. Trefry. 2007. A Brief Study of the San Isidro Owl (Strix spp.), Ecuador. Report for
Beaverhill Bird Observatory, Box 1418, Edmonton, Alberta, T5J 2N5.

Priestley, L. 2007. Beaverhill Bird Observatory 1987 to 2006 - 20 years of monitoring. Beaverhill Bird
Observatory, Edmonton, Alberta.

Priestley, L. and G. Holroyd. 2006. Grassland Birds along Beaverhill’s Lake’s shoreline. Edmonton Nature
News 3(1):23-24.

Valdez, E., G., .Holroyd and H. Trefry.2006. Historias de Campo-Dos Semanas despues. Especies 15(4):12-
14.

Priestley, L 2006. Alberta Nocturnal Owl Survey, the first four years 2002-2005. Nature Alberta 36(2) 13-15.

Priestley, C., B. Spence and L. Priestley. 2005 Northern Saw-whet Owl nest box monitoring. Blue Jay 63:71-
76.

Priestley, L.T. 2005. Northern Goshawk and Barred Owl nesting phenology in central Alberta. Alberta
Naturalist 35:10-12.

Priestley, L 2005. Phenology of three raptor species in central Alberta based on nest box records. Blue Jay
63(1):26-30.

Priestley, C., and L. Priestley. 2005. Results of a Northern Saw-whet Owl Migration Monitoring Pilot Study in
Central Alberta, Canada. Western Birds 36(4):303-309.

Holroyd, G.L. [Ed.]. 2005. North American Conservation Action Plan for Burrowing Owls. Commission for
Environmental Cooperation, Montreal, 44pp.

Priestley, L. and G. Holroyd. 2005. Bird Population Changes in Drought at Beaverhill Lake. Report to Alberta
Conservation Association. Beaverhill Bird Observatory, Edmonton. 14pp.

Duxbury, J. and G.L. Holroyd. 2004. North American Conservation Action Plan for Burrowing Owl. Beaverhill
Bird Observatory, Edmonton, produced for CEC, Montreal.

Holroyd, G.L. 2002. In Memory – Elson Olorenshaw. Alberta Naturalists 32 (4) 130.

Dunn, E.H. 2002. A cross-Canada comparison of mass change in birds during migration stopover. Wilson
Bulletin 114:368-379.

Krikun, R.G. and G.L. Holroyd. 2001. Beaverhill Lake Important Bird Area Conservation Plan. Beaverhill Bird
Observatory for Federation of Alberta Naturalists, Edmonton, 27pp.

Takats, D. Lisa, Charles M. Francis, Geoffrey L. Holroyd, James R. Duncan, Kurt M. Mazur, Richard J.
Cannings, Wayne Harris, and Denver Holt. 2001. Guidelines for North American Nocturnal Owl
Monitoring - A Recommended Standard Protocol. Beaverhill Bird Observatory and Bird Studies Canada,
Edmonton. 21pp

Valdez-Gomez, H.E. and G.L. Holroyd.2000. El Tecolote llanero, sus habitos y distribution, en el centro-oeste
de Mexico. Boletin de Sociedid de Ciencas Naturales de Jalisco 1(2):57-63.

Dunn, P.O., K.J. Thusius, K. Kimber, and D.W. Winkler. 2000. Geographic and Ecological Variation in Clutch
Size of Tree Swallows. The Auk 117:215-221. https://doi.org/10.1093/auk/117.1.215

Brewer, A.D., A.W. Diamond, E.J. Woodsworth, B.T. Collins, and E.H. Dunn. 2000. The Atlas of Canadian Bird
Banding 1921-1995. Volume 1: Doves, Cuckoos and Hummingbirds through Passerines. Canadian
Wildlife Service Special Publication, Ottawa, Canada. [Available online at http://www.cws-scf.ec.gc.ca/publications/BBA-AOB/v1ed2/index_e.cfm]

Duxbury, J., C. Priestley, and J. Adamyk. 1999. The luck of the ibis, A new species record for Beaverhill Lake.
Alberta Naturalist Vol 29(2):20-21.

Rice, C. 1999. Odonates of Beaverhill Lake. Alberta Naturalist 29(2): 37-40.

Flockhart, T. 1999. Tigers named Sally, NOMO’s and my best friend Pip. Edmonton Naturalist 27(3):22-24.

Dunn, P.O., and D.W. Winkler. 1999. Climate change has affected the breeding date of tree swallows
throughout North America. Proc. Royal Society London B. 266:2487-2490.

Bilyk, J.N., M. Barr and G.L. Holroyd. 1998. Migratory and summer bird-habitat associations of the Beaverhill
Lake Landscape. Beaverhill Bird Observatory, Edmonton, AB. 62pp.

Dowell, B., G.L. Holroyd, and C.S. Robbins. 1994. An interim report on field investigations or birds of eastern
Guatemala. Unpub. National Biological Survey, Maryland.

Quinn, M.S. and G.L. Holroyd. 1992. Asynchronous polygyny in the House Wren (Troglodytes aedon). Auk
109:192-195.

Dunn, P. O., and S. J.Hannon. 1992. Effects of food abundance and male parental care on reproductive
success and monogamy in Tree Swallows. Auk 109: 488–499.

Quinn, M.S. and G.L. Holroyd. 1989. Nestling destruction by House Wrens. Condor 91:206-207.

Dunn, P.O. 1989. The maintenance of monogamy in Black-billed Magpies and Tree Swallows. PhD.
Department of Zoology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB. 114pp.

Quinn, M.S. 1989. Factors regulating the breeding population, reproductive success and mating system of
House Wrens at Beaverhill Lake, Alberta. MSc. Department of Forest Science, University of Alberta,
Edmonton, AB. 113pp.