Wisconsin Bird Conservation Initiative (WBCI)

Citizen Science: Past, Present, and Future Efforts in Wisconsin

Bill Mueller and Andy Paulios

Value of Citizen Science• Few other branches of science

have benefited more than ornithology from citizen efforts.

• There are a number of different local, state, regional, and national monitoring programs that depend upon citizens.

• Results from these efforts are used everyday in various conservation efforts.

The Constituency

AND HUNDREDS MORE!!

Examples of Citizen Science in Action

Example #1:Results from the Christmas Bird Countin Wisconsin.

Example #2:Results from the Federal Breeding Bird Survey

How do the results compare?

Party-hours on WI CBCs: 1971- 2004

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# of WI CBC count circles: 1967 - 2004

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Recent Christmas Bird Count circles in Wisconsin

Cooper’s Hawk: CBCs 65-104

Cooper’s Hawk: CBC 65

Cooper’s Hawk: CBC 103

Wild Turkey: CBCs 65-104

Wild Turkey CBC 65

Wild Turkey CBC 102

Red-headed Woodpecker: CBCs 65-104

Red-headed Woodpecker: CBC 65

Red-headed Woodpecker:CBC 103

Wisconsin Breeding Bird Survey

• Started in 1966.

• Wisconsin birders survey over 80 routes a year.

• Generates population trend data for >100 species.

• Helps state, regional, and national ornithologists assess risks to different bird populations.

• For example.....

Cooper’s Hawk

Wild Turkey

Red-headed Woodpecker

Red-headed Woodpecker: Red-headed Woodpecker: Comparison of CBC & BBS DataComparison of CBC & BBS Data

Importance of the BBS• The BBS data from 1966-2003 was

used in part to generate conservation priorities for the majority of bird species in North America.

• The BBS data was used to identify species at risk through population trend information, distribution, and also population estimates!

• Both federal and WBCI bird partners will work hard post 2005 to strengthen this effort.

Future of Citizen Monitoring of Birds in Wisconsin:

What else can we do?

1. Work with Federal officials to help implement new surveys for species not well-surveyed in Wisconsin, etc.

2. Work with volunteers to develop a broader base of able, willing volunteers to implement monitoring programs.

Informational GapsSpecies not well monitored

• Nocturnal Birds

• Wetland/marsh birds

• “roadless” birds

• Endangered/Threatened Species

Information Needed

• Distribution

• Population estimates

• Population Trends

• Habitat Use?

Informational Gaps

How do species respond to management?

• Do shorebirds benefit from drawdowns on waterfowl impoundments?

• What happens to a grassland bird community after a burn?

Specific research Questions

• Where are the “best” stopover areas for landbirds along Lake Michigan?

• Birding Blitzes on Important Bird Areas.

New Programs:Owl Monitoring in the Western Great Lakes

• Started during spring of 2005.• Volunteers monitor 10 stops along a

chosen route at night listening for owls.• Conducted in April during peak calling

activity for Barred and Northern Saw-whet Owls.

• In 2005, volunteers counted 86 owls along 55 individual routes.

• Most commonly detected owl was Barred Owl (30), followed by Northern Saw-whet (29), and Great Horned Owl (20).

New Programs:Wisconsin Shorebird Survey

• Document seasonal shorebird use of waterfowl impoundments in response to spring or fall water level management.

• Document migrant shorebird use at traditional Wisconsin shorebird stop-over sites.

• Volunteers follow a protocol and enter data on the web!

• Birding with a purpose!

Bird Blitzes on Important Bird Areas• Bird Blitzes are focused,

repeatable inventory efforts that generate data for conservation purposes.

• Blitzes have been conducted at Bong Recreation Area, Lower Wisconsin River, Dike 17 Wildlife Area, Lake Koshkonong, Governor Dodge State Park, etc.

• Almost all by volunteers!• Observers at Lake Koshkonong

noted over 8,000 Ruddy Ducks during spring Migration!

New Programs: Ebird

• Citizen Scientists can input sightings from birdwatching trips and use E-bird as their personal sightings database.

• Sightings from all birders can be compiled to record information on distribution, abundance, frequency, etc.

• E-bird transforms birding into birding with a purpose. Anyone can use the data!• Wisconsin ornithologists’ can use E-bird to challenge birders to discover rare

species, focus inventory efforts, document bird use of specific properties, etc.

New Programs: Bird Surveyor Certification Project

• Started by UWGB Cofrin Center for Biodiversity, funded by WIDNR and WBCI.

• The purpose of this program is to provide a rigorous method for verifying field identification skills of both professional and non-professional bird observers. A major goal is to help validate the integrity of bird inventory and monitoring projects in Wisconsin by improving and documenting birder identification skills.

• As more and more efforts are targeted towards volunteer monitoring, there is an ever-increasing need to increase the number of abilities of surveyors.

• Birders are tested on their audio and visual identification skills. Based on test results, they are placed in one of three skill categories. The level three category (highest level) will be certified by sub-category based on region and habitat. (i.e. Northern Wisconsin Forests or Wetlands.

• Project coordinators can use this information to judge the validity of results or pair volunteers across skill levels.

• Birders can work to improve their certification level over time.• The site will be used as a way to recruit volunteers to the appropriate surveys and possibly

as a way to hire paid surveyors through DNR, etc.

New Programs: Bird Surveyor Certification Project

In Conclusion.....

Lots of Good Work + Lots more to do = No time for hanging around!

You never know what you might find!