Population status

Wilson's Snipe
(Gallinago delicata)

The Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) provides the best data in Canada for Wilson's Snipe, covering the majority of the breeding population. However, the northern portion is not as well covered as elsewhere, and the species prefers to breed in bogs, fens, and swamps, where it is can be inconspicuous (Mueller 1999). BBS results indicate that the national population has shown a moderate increase relative to 1970. Regional results vary widely, from a large increase in the Prairie Potholes Bird Conservation Region (BCR), an area of high breeding density, to large decreases in the three coastal forest BCRs (Atlantic Northern Forest, Northwestern Interior Forest, and Northern Pacific Rainforest BCRs), and little overall change in other areas (all BCRs with reasonably reliable results are displayed below). Shorter-term results from the Marsh Monitoring Program suggest little overall change in those regional populations, mirroring the BBS trends from the Lower Great Lakes/St. Lawrence Plain and Boreal Hardwood Transition BCRs for that time period. BBS results from throughout North America indicate that the continental population has experienced little overall change relative to 1970. The Wilson's Snipe is at an acceptable level relative to its national population goal (see BBS Canada graph below).

 

Population goal and acceptable levels of variation

Species/groupGoalLower levelUpper level
Wilson's SnipeMean abundance (2008-2012)Mean long-term abundance (1970-2012) minus 25%Not applicable

Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) - Canadian analysis

Additional information on: Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) - Canadian analysis

Table 1: Population trends by geographic area
Geographic areaTime Period Table 1 - footnote 1 Annual trend Table 1 - footnote 2 Limits
LowerUpper
Canada Select to view graph of the geographic area: Canada 1970-2016; Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) - Canadian analysis1970-20160.70.11.1
Northwestern Interior Forest Select to view graph of the geographic area: Northwestern Interior Forest 1972-2016; Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) - Canadian analysis1972-20160-1.51.6
Northern Pacific Rainforest Select to view graph of the geographic area: Northern Pacific Rainforest 1970-2016; Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) - Canadian analysis1970-2016-5.5-7.9-3.2
Boreal Taiga Plains Select to view graph of the geographic area: Boreal Taiga Plains 1970-2016; Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) - Canadian analysis1970-20160.5-0.51.4
Taiga Shield And Hudson Plains Select to view graph of the geographic area: Taiga Shield And Hudson Plains 1989-2016; Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) - Canadian analysis1989-20160.3-2.53.1
Boreal Softwood Shield Select to view graph of the geographic area: Boreal Softwood Shield 1970-2016; Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) - Canadian analysis1970-20160-1.31.4
Great Basin Select to view graph of the geographic area: Great Basin 1970-2016; Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) - Canadian analysis1970-2016-3.6-5.1-2.1
Northern Rockies Select to view graph of the geographic area: Northern Rockies 1970-2016; Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) - Canadian analysis1970-20160.7-0.31.6
Prairie Potholes Select to view graph of the geographic area: Prairie Potholes 1970-2016; Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) - Canadian analysis1970-20163.72.84.6
Boreal Hardwood Transition Select to view graph of the geographic area: Boreal Hardwood Transition 1970-2016; Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) - Canadian analysis1970-2016-0.9-1.70
Lower Great Lakes / St. Lawrence Plain Select to view graph of the geographic area: Lower Great Lakes / St. Lawrence Plain 1970-2016; Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) - Canadian analysis1970-2016-0.3-1.20.6
Atlantic Northern Forest Select to view graph of the geographic area: Atlantic Northern Forest 1970-2016; Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) - Canadian analysis1970-2016-3.4-4.1-2.7
North America Select to view graph of the geographic area: North America 1970-2016; Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) - Canadian analysis1970-20160-0.30.4
 

Great Lakes Marsh Monitoring Program

Additional information on: Great Lakes Marsh Monitoring Program

Table 2: Population trends by geographic area
Geographic areaTime PeriodAnnual Trend Table 2 - footnote 1 Limits
LowerUpper
Great Lakes Basin in Ontario Select to view graph of the geographic area: Great Lakes Basin in Ontario 1995-2016; Great Lakes Marsh Monitoring Program1995-2016-0.003-0.0340.028
 

Quebec Marsh Monitoring Program

Additional information on: Quebec Marsh Monitoring Program

Table 3: Population trends by geographic area
Geographic areaTime PeriodAnnual Trend Table 3 - footnote 1 Limits
LowerUpper
Quebec Select to view graph of the geographic area: Quebec 2004-2016; Quebec Marsh Monitoring Program2004-2016-0.078-0.123-0.024
 

References