Sustaining a long-term monitoring project:Lessons from the Nicolet National Forest Bird Survey

Robert W. HoweCofrin Center for Biodiversity, Department of Natural and Applied Sciences

University of Wisconsin-Green Bay

Nicolet National ForestBird Survey

ongoing since 1987 volunteer based 522 points 36,000+ records

Sponsored by the U.S. Forest Service, NE Wisconsin Audubon Society, and Wisconsin Society for OrnithologySponsored by the U.S. Forest Service, NE Wisconsin Audubon Society, and Wisconsin Society for Ornithology

Ron Austing

• 181 species recorded during 10 minute counts

• 504 participants

• 14,400 wood ticks removed from forest

• etc., etc.

11+ Master’s theses, 16 + published articles/chapters, > 500 participants

Habitat Associations

Bird Population ModelsBird Population Models

Population Trends

Swainson’s Thrush

Important Bird AreasImportant Bird Areas

Upland Forest Species

UPFGROUP4

0.000 - 0.321

0.322 - 0.581

0.582 - 0.908

0.909 - 1.320

1.321 - 1.830

1.831 - 3.210

UPFGROUP4R

0.000 - 0.675

0.676 - 1.098

1.099 - 1.478

1.479 - 1.876

1.877 - 2.333

2.334 - 3.014

Black-throated Green Warbler Eastern Wood-Pewee Least Flycatcher Scarlet Tanager

CART Linear Regression

Why has the NNF Bird Survey Why has the NNF Bird Survey been successful?been successful?

Northern Wisconsin:Northern Wisconsin:A Globally Significant Bird AreaA Globally Significant Bird Area

Infrastructure

Field Experts

Camaraderie

Timing