Transcript Monitoring Birds in Wisconsin

Monitoring Birds in Wisconsin
An update on new
surveys and how
to get involved
Ryan Brady and Andy Paulios (WI-DNR)
October 25, 2008
WBCI Approach to Bird Monitoring
1. Monitoring is integral to “strategic conservation”
• Strategic conservation – a structured way of thinking about
what we do and why we do it
• Monitoring programs should address explicit questions aimed
at improving conservation efforts for birds of concern
Where we are
Where we want to be
(Objective)
The Basic Framework is an Iterative,
5-Element Adaptive Process
Priority Species
Build the scientific
foundation for
Management
Population
Objectives
Biological
Planning
Population
Impacts
Assumption-based
Research
Conservation
Delivery
Synthesis of
science (models)
Conservation
Design
Net progress toward
Population objectives
Outcome-based
Monitoring
Program
Accomplishments
Spatially-Explicit
Models
Habitat Objectives
Program Priority
Areas
WBCI Approach to Bird Monitoring
1. Monitoring is integral to “strategic conservation”
• Strategic conservation – a structured way of thinking about what we
do and why we do it
• Monitoring programs should address explicit questions aimed at
improving conservation efforts for birds of concern
2. Monitoring should be conducted in coordinated fashion across the
biological range of a species or group of species
• Aligned objectives, standardized protocols, central databases etc.
• Statewide Coordinated Bird Monitoring Plan
3. Bird monitoring has benefitted from, and is dependent on,
contributions from non-professionals
• Data generated by volunteers is used for conservation
• Communicating results
• WBCI training opportunities
Coordination in Action
Early WBCI monitoring efforts have focused on filling
gaps in statewide surveillance monitoring efforts
= Identifying species at risk
Priority Monitoring Gaps
Western Great Lakes Owl
Monitoring Program
• Owls are poorly monitored –
nocturnal, secretive, etc.
• Surveys initiated in 2005 in
cooperation with HRBO
• Objectives:
– Status
– Distribution
– Trends
Owl Monitoring
- Methods
•
Randomly-selected roadside
survey routes statewide
•
Surveyed once after dark
from April 1-15
•
10 stops per route, each 1
mile apart
•
5 minutes per stop
•
No playback / broadcast
•
Record owls and basic
weather data
•
Certified observers
Owl Monitoring – 2008 Results
84 of 92 routes run by 65+ volunteers
Minnesota
Owl Species
Wisconsin
Individuals Routes Individuals Routes
Barred Owl
39
23
81
30
Great Horned Owl
16
14
80
43
Northern Saw-whet Owl
26
15
12
10
Eastern Screech Owl
5
4
7
7
Long-eared Owl
3
2
5
4
Short-eared Owl
0
0
2
2
Great Gray Owl
1
1
0
0
Unknown Owl
14
11
5
5
Total
104
491
192
652
Eastern Screech Owl
Mean # owls per route in WI
How to Get Involved
• For more details, see:
www.hawkridge.org/research/springowl.html
• Contact Ryan Brady at 715.685.2933 or
[email protected]
Nightjar Survey
• Anecdotal evidence suggests declines
• BBS data is incomplete but also suggests significant nationwide
declines
(-2.1% per year for Whip-poor-wills)
• Atlas data from second Atlas efforts suggest systematic declines
• Wisconsin Species of Greatest Conservation Need
Nightjar Survey
• Started here in WI in 2007
• Joint effort between NE CBM and
SE PIF
• Goals = assess distribution,
status, trends of CONI and WHIP
• Data will also be used for regionwide modeling efforts to assess
conservation areas for species
Nightjar Survey - Methods
• Very similar to owls
• Sign up for pre-established
roadside route in your area
• 10 stops per route, 6 minutes
per stop
• Passively listen and record
nightjars (and owls)
• Routes are run once in late
May and June NEAR TIME OF
FULL MOON (e.g. June 11-26)
Nightjar Survey – 2008 Results
• 71 of 92 routes run
• 45+ volunteers
• Total birds:
–
–
–
–
–
WHIP…..172
CONI……9
BDOW….36
GHOW….12
LEOW…..1
Distribution of Whip-poor-wills
Many WHIPs:
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NW Sands
NE Sands
Central Sand Plains
Northern Highland (lower)
Some WHIPs:
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Central Sand Hills
Western Coulee & Ridges
Forest Transition
North Central Forest
Superior Coastal Plain
Few to none:
• All the rest
What you can do!
• Participate in the survey
• Enter your nocturnal forays into eBird
• Enter historical observations into eBird
SECRETIVE MARSHBIRDS
Survey Objectives
1. Estimate population trends for marshbirds
2. Inform habitat management decisions
3. Provide status data for harvested species
Conway
Protocol
• May/June
• Morning or evening
• 2-3 surveys per year
• PLAYBACK
• 5 minutes passive,
then 1 minute per
broadcast species
• Record target species
Marshbirds – 2008 Prelim Results
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Hybrid model – 3 field techs + ~30 birders and biologists
Training workshop at Horicon Marsh
~325 points surveyed over ~55 routes statewide
Most common: Sora, Virginia Rail, Amer Bittern
Several King and Yellow Rails detected
Data also collected on secondary target species
Volunteers Needed !!!
Ryan Brady, [email protected], 715-685-2933