Waterfowl monitoring guidelines

Breeding waterfowl in inland waters and coastal bays have been surveyed using standardized methods since 1986

Survey point

Suitable sites for the survey include ponds, lakes, lake and sea bays, seashores, or riverbanks. For the representativeness of the data, it is desirable that surveys are conducted annually across all types of water bodies in the region, not only in the best bird habitats. Each survey point must meet the following criteria:

A permanent survey sector can be defined from the point using fixed landmarks (sector boundaries should be marked on a map—preferably a narrow delineation rather than too broad).

The point must offer good visibility of the sector: changes in aquatic vegetation, lighting conditions from year to year, or light wind should not affect the survey results.

Bird species must always be identifiable with binoculars or a spotting scope, even from the farthest part of the sector.

The point must be accessible under all conditions (including during thaw or flood periods).

The most suitable survey points are headlands, rocky shores, bird towers, or piers. Large sectors are easiest to survey with backlighting (so placing points on eastern or southern shores is recommended).

A single site may have one or more survey points, as long as their sectors do not overlap.

Feeding sites are not recommended as survey points, as feeding may attract birds and distort the results.

Pair count

The main objective of point counts is to monitor changes in breeding populations from year to year across different types of water bodies and regions in Finland, and to study the causes of these changes. Waterfowl surveys support the sustainable management and conservation of game populations, as well as the monitoring of birdlife and the environment.

All waterfowl species are included in the count. This group includes ducks, geese, swans, loons, grebes, and coots. However, it is also recommended to count waders, gulls, and terns at the sites.

Binoculars or a spotting scope are needed for the survey. The survey points and sectors at each site are marked on a map. Observations are recorded in the field on a form and later entered into the laji.fi system. Counting one point typically takes 5–15 minutes, so several nearby points at one or more sites can be surveyed in a single morning or forenoon. Suitable sites include ponds, lakes, lake and sea bays, seashores, or riverbanks. For representative data, it is desirable that surveys are conducted annually across all types of water bodies in the region.

Each survey point must meet the following criteria:

A permanent survey sector can be defined using fixed landmarks (sector boundaries should be marked on a map—preferably a narrow delineation rather than too broad).
The point must offer good visibility of the sector: changes in aquatic vegetation, lighting conditions from year to year, or light wind should not affect the survey results.
Bird species must always be identifiable with binoculars or a spotting scope, even from the farthest part of the sector.
The point must be accessible under all conditions (including during thaw or flood periods). The most suitable survey points are headlands, rocky shores, bird towers, or piers.

The survey is conducted twice at the same site and from the same point in late spring. The first count should ideally take place about one week after ice-out, and the second about two weeks after the first. The survey should be conducted in good weather: sunny or partly cloudy and calm conditions are ideal. Bird species and the sex of ducks are identified and recorded as observations are made. Birds are recorded in flocks.

Brood count

The main objective of brood counts is to assess the annual reproductive success of ducks across different types of water bodies and regions in Finland. The data obtained from these counts supports the sustainable management and conservation of game populations, as well as the monitoring of birdlife and the environment. Brood counts are conducted as point counts at the same locations and within the same survey sectors as the spring pair counts.

All waterfowl species are included in the count. This group includes ducks, geese, swans, loons, grebes, and coots. The practice of counting only “standard species” has been discontinued. The age class of duck broods must always be determined according to the provided classification. Age classification is not applied to broods of coots, loons, or grebes.

Binoculars and/or a spotting scope are used for the survey. The brood count is conducted once between July 1st and 20th. It is recommended to carry out the count either in the morning between 5:00 and 9:00 or in the evening between 18:00 and 21:00. The time of day for each point should remain consistent from year to year. The count should be conducted in good weather—sunny or partly cloudy and calm conditions are ideal. Wind, fog, or rain that reduces visibility should be avoided.

The surveyor should approach the point with minimal disturbance to the birds. Birds flushed from the sector by the observer are included in the count. The date, start time, and duration of the observation are recorded. The entire visible or landmark-defined water area sector is carefully scanned using binoculars or a spotting scope. The primary unit of observation is the brood. The number of individuals and the age class of each brood are determined as accurately as possible. Data is recorded separately for each brood. A warning adult is counted as a brood, but the number of ducklings is left blank. In addition to broods and adult birds, unaccompanied females, adult males, and unidentified birds (in terms of age and sex) are also counted.