My study design initially seemed simple but the implementation came with challenges I did not expect. One major issue was the extreme weather conditions when collecting data. Manitoba’s winter can be unpredictable, and on particularly cold, snowy and windy days, bird activity was noticeably reduced. To mitigate this, I ensured observations were taken under consistent weather conditions, and did not collect data on these extreme days. I also had to adjust observation times, as the morning counts became unmanageable due to the lack of daylight as the days got shorter. Another challenge was ensuring accurate species identification. While common birds such as chickadees and sparrows were easily recognizable, I had to make sure the less common birds were being identified properly.
This research experience has increased my appreciation for how ecological theory is developed. I never thought about how fieldwork can have so many different moving parts to it. Doing the field research highlighted the importance of replication and consistency in data collection. Participating in this research has increased my appreciation for ecological studies. It showed me that ecological research is not just about collecting data but how you are going to use that data effectively. This experience has increased my interest in ecology and provided me with valuable skills!