Survey Methodology ............................................................................................. 4 Getting ready ..................................................................................................... 4 Finding a survey route ....................................................................................... 5 Taking on a new route ....................................................................................... 5 Why do we want one year of overlap? .............................................................. 6 Weather conditions ............................................................................................ 6 Survey materials ................................................................................................ 6
When do I survey? ............................................................................................ 7 Survey window ............................................................................................ 7 Survey timing .............................................................................................. 8
How to survey your route .................................................................................. 9 Disturbance ................................................................................................. 9 Traffic and road hazards ........................................................................... 10 How to complete the data form and enter data online ......................................... 11
Example data entry form ................................................................................. 12 Online data entry ............................................................................................. 13
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INTRODUCTION This citizen scientist’s guide contains detailed instructions for the American Woodcock Singing Ground Survey (SGS). The SGS is a long-term monitoring program which was created, and is coordinated bi-nationally by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. In Ontario, the division of survey routes and data entry is coordinated by Bird Studies Canada, in partnership with Environment Canada and the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources. At least one week prior to conducting your survey, please ensure that you have all the necessary equipment (see checklist on page 5). Feel free to contact Bird Studies Canada if you have any questions. Kathy Jones Bird Studies Canada Ontario Volunteer Coordinator P.O. Box 160, Port Rowan, Ontario, N0E 1M0 Toll-free phone (888) 448-2473 x 124 Fax (519) 586-3532 E-mail: [email protected] www.birdscanada.org/volunteer/onamwo
The American Woodcock (which is sometimes referred to as a timberdoodle) is an unusual and very intriguing bird. It is considered to be a shorebird, even though it lives in forests and its long bill and large eyes give this bird a somewhat oddball appearance. Its large eyes are located far back on its head, which allows it to see almost 360° - an important adaptation to avoid predators! The woodcock is also very well camouflaged – making it very difficult to see when it is feeding on the forest floor. The American Woodcock is a game bird and results of this survey will contribute directly to the management of the species.
When feeding, woodcocks probe the soil with their bill, and sensitive nerve endings allow them to locate earthworms in the soil. Because the tip of their bill is flexible, they are able to open it while it is stuck in the ground, allowing them to capture their prey. A very long tongue also helps. In addition to earthworms, which are the preferred prey, woodcock feed on flies, ants, beetles, insect larvae, snails, millipedes and other subterranean creatures.
Woodcock are migratory - in spring and summer, they breed in Canada from the Atlantic provinces west to the Great Lakes. In fall, they depart their northern breeding grounds and head to warmer climates from the Carolinas west to eastern Texas. In winter, the greatest concentration of birds can be found in Louisiana and Mississippi. Woodcocks return to southern Canada earlier than most other migratory bird species – often when snow is still on the ground.
The American Woodcock is most frequently encountered at dusk in spring when males perform acrobatic mating displays to attract females on established territories known as singing grounds. These areas are typically small clearings within young forests.
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Woodcock perform their displays when light levels are low at dusk or dawn. For this reason, woodcock are considered a crepuscular species. On the ground, the males will make a nasal, buzzing call – known as a peent. After peenting, he will fly into the air, pause and hover in a circle for up to a minute. He will then rapidly descend to the ground in a spiralling flight while chirping a melodious song. Once on the ground, he will resume the ‘peent’ call. It is the peent call that this survey focuses on. Visit: http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/American_Woodcock/id for identification tips and to hear a sound clip of a peenting woodcock.
The SGS was developed to take advantage of this conspicuous courtship flight. Counting singing male woodcock in spring allows biologists to monitor annual changes in woodcock populations. In Ontario, participation in the survey has declined in recent years. In order to adequately monitor woodcock, we need to increase the number of routes run in Ontario. With your help, we will be able to do just that!
SURVEY METHODOLOGY The protocol for this survey is similar to other roadside bird surveys such as the Ontario Nocturnal Owl Survey and the Breeding Bird Survey. A surveyor (preferably with an assistant) drives a predetermined route, stopping at fixed intervals along the roadside. At each stop, the surveyor listens for ‘peenting’ woodcock and records the number of individuals heard on a data sheet. Upon completion of the survey, we kindly request that the data are entered online (see p.15).
Getting ready
In preparation for your woodcock singing ground survey, you need to:
Carefully read over the information in this participant's guide and become familiar with the survey methods and data forms.
If you are a new participant, make sure you are familiar with the ‘peent’ call of the American Woodcock: http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/American_Woodcock/id
Have a map of your route and drive the route in daylight hours at least once before your survey.
Check the weather forecast and local sunset times.
Call us if you have any questions (1-888-448-BIRD)
Finding a Survey Route Originally, survey routes were located in areas of prime habitat where woodcock were known to be present, but subsequent studies showed that these counts did not accurately reflect overall woodcock densities. For this reason, new routes were selected randomly so that all habitat types would be surveyed and results would better reflect the status of the overall woodcock population. Because routes were selected randomly, some will inevitably fall in poor habitat with few woodcock. Do not worry if you fail to hear any woodcock on your route. These data are still valuable to us because it is just as important to understand where woodcock are not found! There are 139 survey routes in Ontario. Some routes have not been run for more than ten years, which make it extremely important to scout the route before you head out to survey. Bird Studies Canada has a master list of routes available in Ontario. If you are interested in a route or would like to be placed on a waiting list, please give us a call.
Taking on a new route Whenever possible, the same person should run the same route each year. When a new observer takes over a survey route, he/she should try to complete the route with the last person that surveyed the route (the previous observer) to allow for one year of overlap in the data. However, in many cases survey routes have not been run for more than five years, which means that this will not be possible. The survey coordinator will inform you if the previous surveyor is available to run the route with you. If the previous surveyor is available, new observers should complete the survey with the previous observer on the same day at the same time. However they should collect and submit data independently. Observers should ride together in the same car, observing the same stops at the same time, but they should collect data on separate survey forms, and not discuss what they hear or compare results while completing the survey. Both observers should submit separate survey forms reporting their individual observations. Observers should then indicate on their survey forms (just write a note in the margins) and during online data submission that they are 1 of 2 observers for the route (old or new observer). Data should be entered separately for each route to create two distinct survey records.
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Why do we want one year of overlap?
There are several reasons why we would like new and previous surveyors to run the route together for one year. First, it allows new observers to learn survey procedures and local route conditions from the experienced route runner. This helps to ensure that valid and consistent data are submitted each year. Second, statisticians analyzing the data can use this information to account for differences in observers abilities to detect woodcock.
Weather conditions
Check the local weather forecast before heading out on your route. Routes should not be run if the temperature is less than 5°C (40°F), if it is raining, or if there is strong wind. Cold, rainy, wet weather will result in few birds calling and an overall unpleasant experience for the surveyor as well!
Survey materials
The following materials should be included in your annual American Woodcock Singing Ground Survey email package:
Participant’s Guide
A route map, including a table of stop locations
A blank survey form
A route runner checklist
You will have to supply the following:
reliable vehicle
clipboard and pencil/pen
flashlight
a GPS unit (optional)
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DETAILED INSTRUCTIONS
Read the following information carefully and contact the survey coordinator if you have any questions.
When do I survey? Survey window Surveys should be conducted on a single evening within the appropriate survey window (see below). Surveys in southern Ontario begin 20 April; central Ontario routes begin 25 April and northern routes should be surveyed no earlier than 1 May. Although you have more than two weeks to survey your route, please try to survey early in the window in case weather conditions are unfavorable later in the survey period.
MAY 1 – MAY 20: submit data/forms by May 21
APRIL 25 – MAY 15: submit data/forms by May 16
APRIL 20 – MAY 10: submit data/forms by May 11
APRIL 15 – MAY 5: submit data/forms by May 6
APRIL 10 – APRIL 30: submit data/forms by May 1
Figure 1 - American Woodcock Singing Ground Survey Windows
Woodcock Survey Windows Southern Ontario: 20 April – 10 May Central Ontario: 25 April – 15 May Northern Ontario: 1 May – 20 May
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Survey timing Surveys are timed according to sunset so be sure to check the bottom of your data entry form for the appropriate survey window and time. If you decide to survey on a date that falls between the listed sunset times use the provided latitude and longitude at the following web address: http://www.theweathernetwork.com/index.php?product=moonsun
Please record the sunset time for the survey date, as well as your source for sunset times, on the survey form. Survey start time also varies according to cloud cover, because woodcock singing rates are influenced by light level. If the sky is clear or up to and including 3/4 overcast then surveys should start at 22 minutes after sunset. If the sky is greater than 3/4 overcast, then surveys should begin slightly earlier at 15 minutes after sunset. For example: If sunset = 8:30, and it is more than ¾ overcast, start at 8:45. If it is ¾ or less overcast, start at 8:52. It is important that surveys begin at the correct time or the data cannot be used, so please pay close attention to the start time. It is best if you arrive at stop 1 of your route at or shortly after local sunset. Once you arrive, you can determine the sky conditions and appropriate start time. Your survey should take no more than 38 minutes to complete. Surveys that take longer will not be included in data analysis because they extend beyond the peak calling time for woodcock.
To survey your route, drive to the starting location. Plan to arrive at or shortly after local sunset. Reset your trip odometer if your vehicle has one. This is Stop 1. Fill out date, time, and weather information at the top of the data form. Also be sure to check the box on the datasheet that indicates if your odometer readings are in miles or kilometres.
When the start time approaches, shut off your vehicle's engine and step several feet away. At the start time, record the time on your survey form and commence listening for woodcock. Listen for 2 minutes and record the number of different woodcock heard "peenting.” Please remember to only record the number of different "peenting" woodcock. Do not record birds you hear performing only the flight song, and do not record the number of "peents" heard. If no birds are heard ‘peenting’, record "00" in the appropriate column. At each stop also record the disturbance level, GPS coordinates (if available), and your odometer reading (please refer to the GPS Standards for Woodcock SGS Routes for instructions on taking and reporting GPS coordinates along your route). Return to your vehicle and drive directly 0.6 km (0.4 mi) to the next stop and repeat the procedure described above. Continue to do so until all 10 stops have been covered. At each stop, remember to record the time, and odometer reading and any comments that you may have. Please complete your route within 38 minutes, which means you should begin listening for woodcock at stop 10 no later than 36 minutes after the time at stop 1. This ensures that the survey is conducted during the peak activity period of "peenting" male woodcock. Survey procedures allow for 2 minutes of listening/recording time at each stop, and an additional minute for travel time in between stops. Upon completion of the route, record the total number of birds heard. Disturbance Quantify the disturbance level at each stop by using the table below:
Disturbance code Description Example
NO No appreciable effect on count Occasional crow calling LO Slightly affecting count Distant tractor noise MOD Moderately affecting count Intermittent traffic HI Seriously affecting count Heavy – continuous traffic
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If disturbance at a particular stop makes a count absolutely impossible, ensure that you note the type of disturbance and proceed to the next stop. Traffic and road hazards If a traffic or road hazard prevents you from stopping within 30 metres (100 feet) of your pre-determined 0.6 km (0.4 mi) mark, proceed to the next stop and record "no stop-hazardous" on the datasheet. If a traffic hazard prevents you from listening at a stop or completing the survey route within the specified amount of time, please clearly explain the reason in the remarks column.
Safety When pulling over to the side of the road, please make sure that you and your car are clear of any passing traffic. If your route is located along a busy street it may be wise to use your hazard lights to alert other drivers of your presence. If during your AMWO Singing Ground Survey monitoring you feel you are in an unsafe situation, please leave immediately or use your cell phone to call for help. Working in pairs can also be helpful: one person can make the observations while the other keeps track of time and fields any questions from passersby.
Number of Stops All AMWO Singing Ground Survey routes have 10 survey stops. Please check your route prior to your survey and if you do not have map/GPS information on all stops, contact Kathy Jones at [email protected] for further information. Join the Conversation If you use social media tweet or post about your survey using the #AMWOSurvey, Kathy Jones @BSCOnt will be watching social media and will respond or share with everyone involved. A warning though – the tight timeline of the survey is not tweet friendly, perhaps write your posts and tweets after your survey is complete.
HOW TO COMPLETE THE DATA FORM AND ENTER YOUR DATA ONLINE The top of the survey form (e.g., name, address, weather conditions) can be completed before starting your survey. Upon completion of your survey, tally up the total number of woodcock that were heard ‘peenting’ on your route. Do not fill in the shaded areas of the form. After you complete your survey, we strongly encourage you to enter your data online in a timely manner. In order for the data to be included in the United States Fish and Wildlife Service annual status report, the data must be in the system no later than 21 May. If you are unable to enter your data online, please mail a hard copy to the address below and indicate that your data were not entered over the internet. If you enter your data online, please also mail a hard copy of all datasheets to the address below and indicate that you entered your data online: Kathy Jones (AWSGS Data) Bird Studies Canada P.O. Box 160, Port Rowan, Ontario, N0E 1M0 Toll-free phone (888) 448-2473 x 124 Fax (519) 586-3532 E-mail: [email protected]
Directions for the American Woodcock Singing-ground Survey Data Entry Website
1) Enter the URL https://migbirdapps.fws.gov/woodcock using Internet Explorer. This website
does not work properly using other browsers. (Please notice there is no www within the address.) Please make sure you have the following settings within I.E. set, otherwise you won’t be able to access this website. On the Tools menu, click Internet Options. Then under the Advanced tab, under Security, make sure that the following check
boxes are selected: a) Use SSL 3.0 and b) Use TLS 1.0. Then click Apply and then click OK.
a. NEW USER (skip to 1.b. or 1.c. if this doesn’t apply) i.Entering Username and Password
1. Type a username and password that you can remember and conforms to U.S. Fish & Wildlife standards. The password must be a minimum of 8 characters and a maximum of 15 characters. It must not contain any spaces, equal signs, or periods. It must contain 4 of the following: lower case letters, upper case letters, numbers, and special characters like (!@#$%^&* etc).
2. Select “New User” under the radio button options 3. Hit the submit button
ii. Website Registration (registration is required before data entry) 1. Fill out the form in its entirety. If you are entering data for an observer,
please use your contact information, not theirs. This information is needed in case there is a problem with the data you submitted. (You may use the mouse or tab key to move around the form.)
a. Enter the same username and password you entered on previous screen. b. Hit Submit Registration
b. EDITING USER PROFILE (skip to 1.c. if this doesn’t apply) i.Entering Username and Password
1. Type in the username and password that you selected the previous year. You may be prompted to update your password to U.S. Fish & Wildlife standards. If you forgot either you username or password, please contact the Webless Survey Coordinator at [email protected] to retrieve the information.
a. Select “Edit User Profile” under the radio button options b. Hit the submit button
ii. Website Registration (retrieved profile) 1. Update the fields that apply. Our database system does not query
the password field, therefore you must re-enter that information into the form.
2. Hit Submit Registration c. REGISTERED AT WEBSITE PREVIOUS YEAR
1. Type in username and password that you selected the previous year. You may be prompted to update your password to U.S. Fish & Wildlife standards. If you forgot either you username or password, please contact the Webless Survey Coordinator at [email protected] to retrieve the information.
ii. Select “Just Login” under the radio button options iii.Hit the submit button
2) North American Woodcock Singing-ground Survey Data Entry Homepage a. You will notice there are 8 different links that stem off of the homepage.
i. Welcome 1. This webpage gives you the background and history of the survey.
ii. Instructions for Survey Procedures 1. This webpage gives you the directions that are located on the back
of the survey form. Within this page, you can also do the following: a. Download a blank survey form using Adobe Acrobat reader. b. Convert military time to Civilian time or vice versa. c. View the recommended time for conducting the survey.
iii. Enter SGS Route or GPS Data 1. This is the part of the website that allows data entry. (See #3 for
data entry details.) iv. Contact Information
1. This webpage gives you the state or provincial coordinator’s contact information if one does not already have it.
v. Acknowledgements 1. This webpage gives thanks to all who are involved in any part of the
survey. vi. Website Suggestions?
1. This links you directly to Becky Rau’s, webmaster, email address where you can make website suggestions, ask questions, or express a concern.
vii. FAQ’s 1. Frequently asked questions and troubleshooting scenarios about the
Singing-ground Survey data entry process are displayed on this webpage.
viii. Routes already entered for current survey year 1. This links you to a form that allows you to query routes already
entered into the database by year and state/province. 3) DATA ENTRY
a. Selection of route i. Once you click on the link, “Enter SGS Route or GPS Data,” on the
homepage, the next screen asks you for information pertaining to the route you are about to enter data for. Please select the state or province and type in the county code and route number. All of this is found on the upper right hand corner of the survey form.
ii. Choose to either enter Route or GPS coordinate data. iii. Hit the submit button.
b. Entering SGS Route Data (skip to 3.c. if you want to enter GPS coordinate data for your route) i. Did you run this route with a second observer?
1. No - I completed this route on my own, proceed to 3.b.ii. 2. Yes - skip to 3.d.
ii. The next screen that will appear will be the actual route data entry form. If a summary report appears instead, data has already been entered for that route. Second observers, please skip down to 3.d.
iii. On the data entry form webpage, please click on the link “Directions” before you begin data entry. A separate direction page will pop up. You may print it or minimize it before continuing with data entry. Please note the “help” and “field format” links. If you click on them, separate windows pop up helping users with the data entry process.
iv. The route’s survey year, state/province, county code and route number will already be filled out for you. This will minimize possible data entry errors.
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v. Did you enter data for that particular route last year? 1. Yes
a. The form will already have the cooperator’s (observer) contact information pre-filled. Pre-filled fields are to your advantage and will limit the time it takes to fill out the form. You may update or correct any fields that may have changed, i.e. observer or address change.
2. No a. The form will not have the cooperator’s contact information
pre-filled as mentioned above. This is to observe the cooperator’s privacy.
vi. After the cooperator’s contact information is filled out, please fill out the remaining fields on the form. All fields are required with the exception of “ext”, “Email” and “Remarks.”
vii. Once all fields are filled in, please check over the form for data entry errors. Once submitted, you can’t change the data. If a change must be made, please contact Becky Rau of the USFWS.
viii. You may print out the form for personal use. ix. Hit “Submit to USFWS.” x. The next screen to come up will be a summary report of route data you just
entered. Again, please check over to make sure no errors have been made. If you do not receive this summary page, your data did not go through to USFWS. Hit the back button and try again. If the problem persists, please check the FAQ’s webpage. If you are still unable to pinpoint the problem, contact Becky Rau, (301) 497-5862 [email protected], immediately.
xi. Once you view the summary report, if you would like to continue to enter data for a different route, hit the “Enter new route or gps data” button. Please do not hit the back button to enter a different route.
c. Entering SGS GPS coordinate data for your route i. If you chose to enter GPS coordinate data, the next screen that will appear
will be the actual GPS data entry form. Please click on the link “Directions” before you begin data entry. A separate direction page will pop up. You may print it or minimize it before continuing with data entry.
ii. The route’s state/province, county code and route number will already be filled out for you. This will minimize possible data entry errors.
iii. Begin filling out the fields on the form. All fields are required with the exception of the “Notes” section at the bottom of the form.
iv. Once all fields are filled in, please check over the form for data entry errors. Once submitted, you can’t change the data. If a change must be made, immediately contact Becky Rau of the USFWS.
v. You may print out the form for personal use. vi. Hit “Submit to USFWS.” vii. The next screen to come up will be a summary report of GPS data you just
entered. Again, please check over to make sure no errors have been made. If you do not receive this summary page, your data did not go through to USFWS. Hit the back button and try again. If the problem persists, please check the FAQ’s webpage. If you are still unable to pinpoint the problem, contact Becky Rau, (301) 497-5862 [email protected], immediately.
viii. Once you view the summary report, if you would like to continue to enter route or gps data for another route, hit the “Enter new route or gps data” button. Please do not hit the back button to enter a different route’s data.
d. Entering SGS Data for Double Observers i. If there are two observers for a single route in a given year, it is possible to
enter data from both forms through this website. If you are one of two
observers for a particular route and are the first person to enter their survey data, please see step 3.b.iii for instructions. However, if you get a route summary report instead of the data entry form after submitting the route’s state/province code, county code, and route number; then follow the instructions below.
ii. Once you see your route’s summary report on the screen, look for the link that says, “Second Observer Data Entry Option.” Click on this link.
iii. The next screen to appear should be a data entry form that mirrors the original data entry form except that it will say “2
nd observer” in the bolded title
at the top of the page. iv. Please click on the link “Directions” before you begin data entry. A separate
direction page will pop up. You may print it or minimize it before continuing with data entry. Please note the “help” and “field format” links. If you click on them, separate windows pop up helping users with the data entry process.
v. Please fill out the all fields on the form. All fields are required with the exception of “ext,” “Email” and “Remarks.” In the “Remarks” section at the bottom of the form, please make sure to type in that you are 1 of 2 observers for the route (old or new observer).
vi. Once all fields are filled in, please check over the form for data entry errors. Once submitted, you can’t change the data. If a change must be made, immediately contact Becky Rau of the USFWS.
vii. You may print out the form for personal use. viii. Hit “Submit to USFWS.” ix. The next screen to come up will be a summary report which will show not
only the route data you just entered, but also the other observer’s route data. Scroll down to the bottom of the page to make sure this is the case. Again, please check over to make sure no errors have been made. If you do not receive this summary page with both records, your data did not go through to USFWS. Hit the back button and try again. If the problem persists, please check the FAQ’s webpage. If you are still unable to pinpoint the problem, contact Becky Rau, (301) 497-5862 [email protected], immediately.
x. Once you view the summary report, if you would like to continue to enter data for a different route, hit the “Enter new route or gps data” button. Please do not hit the back button to enter another route.
