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The core breeding range of the Wilson's Phalarope in Canada is well covered by the Breeding Bird Survey (BBS). Though relatively few individuals are counted by the BBS, the resulting trend estimates are considered to be of adequate precision. BBS results suggest that the Wilson's Phalarope population has shown a moderate increase relative to 1970. BBS results at the level of the continent show little overall change in the population. Interestingly, results from monitoring efforts during shorebird migration suggest a large decrease in the continental population. These results are not directly comparable with the BBS because it is unclear what proportion of these migrating birds are from Canada vs the United States; survey coverage is higher in the east, where there are fewer birds; and trend precision is low. In addition, migration monitoring surveys may be capturing changes in distribution and not true population change, which is less likely during the BBS. For example, large declines noted at some staging locations in the 1980s (e.g., Jehl 1988) may reflect a redistribution of birds in response to drought. Neverthess, it is worth bearing in mind that the migration monitoring results may be capturing information from the eastern portion of the species' range, where information from the BBS is lacking. Overall, the species appears to have increased, though there is some uncertainty. The Wilson's Phalarope is at an acceptable level relative to its national population goal (see BBS Canada graph below).
Additional information on: Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) - Canadian analysis
Additional information on: Analyses of Shorebird Migration Monitoring Data
