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

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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 ryan.brady@wisconsin.gov

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, ryan.brady@wisconsin.gov, 715-685-2933