Migration surveys are a basic but highly effective way of monitoring bird populations. One of the easiest and most effective ways to survey migrating birds involves nothing more complicated than finding a comfortable place to sit and taking a few weeks to enjoy the show! Although a typical survey only accounts for a portion of a total population, because it it easily repeatable, it still serves as a useful tool for looking at changes over time. Since most Arctic breeding species follow a few well-defined migratory routes, an effective survey depends on finding a place where birds congregate and gather, either to feed or to follow a natural path around a physical barrier.