American Oystercatcher Working Group
Timeframe: January/early February 2013Timeframe: January/early February 2013 Follows protocol from 2003 survey with key Follows protocol from 2003 survey with key
modificationsmodifications Survey windows:Survey windows:
Jan 1-7, Jan 15-20, Jan 28-Feb 6 (Atlantic Coast) Jan 1-7, Jan 15-20, Jan 28-Feb 6 (Atlantic Coast) Jan 7-12, Jan 21-Feb 4 (Gulf Coast)Jan 7-12, Jan 21-Feb 4 (Gulf Coast)
Designed to be a complete survey of the AMOY Designed to be a complete survey of the AMOY winter range in the US, completed in a short time winter range in the US, completed in a short time windowwindow
Simultaneous coverage of Atlantic and Gulf coastsSimultaneous coverage of Atlantic and Gulf coasts
Estimates of flock size Estimates of flock size Stratified samplingStratified sampling Aerial photography (Digital SLR, 6.1 MP, 300 Aerial photography (Digital SLR, 6.1 MP, 300
mm image stabilized lens) for detection rate mm image stabilized lens) for detection rate within flockswithin flocks
Ground counts for flock detection ratesGround counts for flock detection rates Survey window High Tide +/- 2 HoursSurvey window High Tide +/- 2 Hours Pre and post survey window flights to estimate Pre and post survey window flights to estimate
detection rates for both observersdetection rates for both observers
Boat/ground surveysBoat/ground surveys
Surveys on same tide cycle as aerial survey Observers will record flock size, GPS location,
time, and roost substrate type Record GPS track Complete statewide surveys not required –
Surveys will cover a well defined area on the same tide cycle as the aerial survey
High quality habitat types Known roost sites Shell rakes, sand spits, etc. Complete survey of all locations identified
Intertidal marsh habitats Marsh edges Random subsample surveyed completely Flight track recorded to quantify coverage
Barrier beach habitats Survey all in random blocks Flight track recorded to quantify coverage
Detection RatesDetection Rates
•Detection rate for flocksDetection rate for flocks
- Calculated from ground countsCalculated from ground counts
- Applied to high quality habitat areas Applied to high quality habitat areas with no ground countswith no ground counts
•Detection rate for birds within flocksDetection rate for birds within flocks
- Calculated with photographsCalculated with photographs
- Applied to high quality habitat area Applied to high quality habitat area flocks with no photographflocks with no photograph