monitoring birds in wisconsin
DESCRIPTION
Monitoring Birds in Wisconsin. An update on new surveys and how to get involved. Ryan Brady and Andy Paulios (WI-DNR) October 25, 2008. Where we are. Where we want to be (Objective). WBCI Approach to Bird Monitoring. Monitoring is integral to “strategic conservation” - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
Monitoring Birds in WisconsinMonitoring Birds in Wisconsin
An update on new An update on new surveys and how surveys and how to get involvedto get involved
Ryan Brady and Andy Paulios (WI-DNR)Ryan Brady and Andy Paulios (WI-DNR)October 25, 2008October 25, 2008
WBCI Approach to Bird MonitoringWBCI 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
Population Objectives
Synthesis of science (models)
Spatially-ExplicitModels
Habitat Objectives
Program PriorityAreas
PopulationImpacts
Build the scientificfoundation for
Management
ProgramAccomplishments
Net progress towardPopulation objectives
Ou
tcom
e-ba
sed
Mon
itor
ing
BiologicalPlanning
Conservation
Design
Assumption-basedResearch
ConservationDelivery
WBCI Approach to Bird MonitoringWBCI 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 ActionCoordination 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 Western Great Lakes Owl Monitoring ProgramMonitoring Program
• Owls are poorly monitored – nocturnal, secretive, etc.
• Surveys initiated in 2005 in cooperation with HRBO
• Objectives:– Status– Distribution– Trends
Owl Monitoring Owl Monitoring - Methods- 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 ResultsOwl Monitoring – 2008 Results
84 of 92 routes run by 65+ volunteers
Minnesota Wisconsin
Owl Species 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 OwlEastern Screech Owl
Mean # owls per route in WIMean # owls per route in WI
How to Get InvolvedHow to Get Involved
• For more details, see: www.hawkridge.org/research/springowl.html
• Contact Ryan Brady at 715.685.2933 or [email protected]
Nightjar SurveyNightjar 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 SurveyNightjar 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 region-wide modeling efforts to assess conservation areas for species
Nightjar Survey - MethodsNightjar 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 ResultsNightjar 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-willsDistribution of Whip-poor-wills
Many WHIPs:
• NW Sands• NE Sands• Central Sand Plains• Northern Highland (lower)
Some WHIPs:
• Central Sand Hills• Western Coulee & Ridges• Forest Transition• North Central Forest• Superior Coastal Plain
Few to none:
• All the rest
What you can do!What you can do!
• Participate in the survey
• Enter your nocturnal forays into eBird
• Enter historical observations into eBird
SECRETIVE MARSHBIRDSSECRETIVE MARSHBIRDS
Survey ObjectivesSurvey Objectives
1. Estimate population trends for marshbirds
2. Inform habitat management decisions
3. Provide status data for harvested species
ConwayConwayProtocolProtocol
• 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 ResultsMarshbirds – 2008 Prelim Results
• 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 !!!Volunteers Needed !!!
Ryan Brady, [email protected], 715-685-2933