FINAL REPORT. An Evaluation of the Population of the Threatened. Yellow-rumped Antwren (Terenura sharpei) in the Yungas of

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1 FINAL REPORT An Evaluation of the Population of the Threatened Yellow-rumped Antwren (Terenura sharpei) in the Yungas of Bolivia (Cochabamba-Bolivia). Marybel Crespo Saucedo With the support of: Cochabamba(Bolivia)-2010

2 An evaluation of the population of the threatened Yellow-rumped Antwren (Terenura sharpei) in the Yungas of Bolivia (Cochabamba-Bolivia) INTRODUCTION The Yellow-rumped Antwren (Terenura sharpei) is an endemic species to the Yungas region of Bolivia where the population is being threatened by different factors, mainly habitat loss due to deforestation for land use for cultivation and harvesting of timber species of the region. The rapid growth of human settlements in recent years in this biogeographic region make the threat is imminent for species such as the Yellow-rumped Antwren and other species which are considered endemic to the Yungas and still poorly understood. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) considers to Yellow-rumped Antwren as an endangered species globally, just as the latest evaluation of threatened species of the Vertebrates Red Book of Bolivia is considered an endangered species because of its rarity, small population and the limited records we have of it and finally the impact of habitat loss on their populations along its distribution in the Yungas of Bolivia. In Bolivia, were extremely rare records of this species like Berlepsh (1901) in Quebrada Onda Yungas region east of Cochabamba, another record in 1979 (Van Remsen et al. 1982) that came from Chapare in the main road linking Cochabamba and Santa Cruz, near the town of Villa Tunari and in 2000 was collected 1 specimen from San Onofre, 98 km east of Cochabamba city near the border of Carrasco National Park (Brumfield & Maillard, 2007). In the Yungas of La Paz records are from the Cerro Asunta Pata, Charazani and Apolo road in 1993 and from Serrania Bella Vista in 1979, subsequent surveys in this area some years later gave negative results to find this species. Currently there are 5

3 specimens of this species collected from which 4 are in the Louisiana Museum of Natural History (Louisiana State University). Pic.1. Four specimens of the Yellow-rumped Antwren (Terenura sharpei) at the Louisiana Museum of Natural History (Louisiana State University). That is why we planned to make an assessment of population size and distribution of this species, first locally in the Yungas of Cochabamba and then extending more points of this assessment to national level and then monitoring their population in key localities that are considered important to their conservation. Within this research project we also included a workshop to the guardparks of Carrasco National Park, because this protected area is mainly characterized by high biodiversity of birds and it becomes a very important place for research and conservation since it has well-preserved forests. 1st Part - Research Phase METHODOLOGY This research includes locations near the Carrasco National Park (Cochabamba) from which data are available from sightings and collected specimens of Terenura sharpei. Thus, based on data from the previous records of this species in 2000 (Brumfield & Maillard, 2007), we proposed to begin in places we think

4 are "key" or potential to shelter populations of Terenura sharpei, these localities are within the valley Paracti River which is also known as Cristalmayu, which is characterized by a humid montane forest which houses a diverse assemblage of birds. The methodology followed for this study was the intensive searching and using "playback" with a record equipment. We also worked with bird census in transects in order to have a species list in each locality that we visited. We had 10 hrs. work/day for five days, there was much activity at dawn and ending the evening. For a greater searching effort we also made use of 5 mist nets which were placed in strategic locations and which had 12 hrs/day of effort each. RESULTS We visited 5 locations in a region called Cristalmayu all to the border of Carrasco National Park in the Yungas of Cochabamba, these locations had the same type of habitat, degree of conservation of forests and about the same altitude ranges, except for one that we take because of the historical data from 1901 and ( Fig. 2. Satellite maps from Google Earth.)

5 1 - Location Itirapampa The first data was available about the presence of Yellow-rumped Antwren came from Berlepsh (1901) and Van Remsem (1979) from which data were available only from the name of the nearest town (Villa Tunari) and an approximate height of the place, so we look a place that was near the town of Villa Tunari and was at the same altitudinal range and habitat characteristics that they described in the literature, this location was Itirapampa bordering the Carrasco National Park. This locality is characterized by having a fairly rugged mountainous terrain and difficult access and surrounded by one of the main rivers in the area, the river Putintiri. Point was located at Cerro Minillo (17º 03 S, 65º 31 W, 518 to 634 m) in this area the forest was in good condition and with a high possibilities to hold populations of Terenura sharpei, however during the working days we didn t have any record of it, the major problem was the changing climate of the this region and the rainy season decreasing the bird activity in this days We hope to have other opportunities to access to this area to continue the searching, perhaps just before the rainy season which is when just this species starts its reproductive season. 2 Locations Santa Isabel and Sarna Moko The following locations that we studied were Santa Isabel and Sarna Moko both located 3 km from the main road from Cochabamba - Santa Cruz adjacent to the power station Santa Isabel (17º 11'S, 65º 49 W, 1816 to 1902 m), these two localities are side by side and just our point of study was within the limits of both locations.

6 We made two entries in two different dates at these two locations with five working days each, during which we registered and recorded all species seen and heard. During 10 days of work we recorded bird species, although none of the records belonged to Terenura sharpei there is a high probability of being able to find it in this area due to habitat characteristics, elevation and composition of birds observed in this places. Pic. 3. Humid montane forest in Sarna Moko. During the course of this study in Sarna Moko we record a vocalization very similar to Terenura sharpei with some slight differences, at first we hoped that it could be possible of Terenura s song because being a very rare species it could have a vocalization that was new to us. The record was compared with sonograms with the CoolEdit program and although the first notes had a strong resemblance to the Terenura sharpei vocalizations, the last ones were questioned, so we took it to comparison with recordings made in La Paz and Peru (where there are also records of this species), unfortunately the recordings belonged to a Woodcreeper (Lepidocolaptes lacrymiger).

7 During the days that we stay in this locality we met with the leader of Sarna Moko and then we participated in their community reunion to let them know the activities that we were carrying about in this area. They showed great interest in preserving this area, as we were informed that due to topographical features this lands are not suitable for farming but for touristic activities. The pipeline passes through this area and the company's pipeline gave them a financial compensation for their land use and which they are considering investing a portion of this money in a ecotourism lodge. They already are taking their first steps as they have a cabin that still needs to be provisioned with basic services to function as a shelter. Pic. 4. Students learning to manipulate birds in the mist nets. 3 - Location San Onofre The next locality that we studied was San Onofre (17º 9 S, 65º 46 W, 1260 to 1625 m) Chapare province, near the border of Carrasco National Park, more precisely about 43 km west of Villa Tunari the main population of this area. In this location there were previous ornithological studies in 1979 and 2000, this last one was when Terenura sharpei was collected. Based on this record we made our first search study at this locality. The methodology used was the

8 same as in previous trips, intensive searches were made with "playback" songs and also worked with mist nets to increase work effort and thus obtain more data of the avifauna of this locality. In November 2009 we got our first records of Terenura sharpei in this area, there were recorded 3 pairs of this species. This is the first record for Bolivia after nearly 10 years and the second record for this area in the department of Cochabamba after the same period of time. These observations were recorded near the site when the first data was collected from a male individual in 2000 (Brumfield & Maillard, 2007). Pic.5. Panoramic view of San Onofre. The first two couples were observed in a secondary forest near the road leading to Paracti river, this forest was composed mainly by trees of 4-10 m high (17º 09 S, 65º 46 W, 1437 m)(17º 09 S, 65º 47 W, 1451 m), these two recordings were made with playback and also we record their songs. The third pair was recorded vocalizing in a secondary forest (17º 09 S, 65º 46 W, 1622 m) and the playback was no necessary and we recorded its song too. We observed that all three records showed that these couples were part of mixed flocks which generally moved between the middle and upper canopy. One of these mixed

9 flocks consisted of Sepia-capped Flycatcher (Leptopogon amaurocephalus),slatycapped Flycatcher(Leptopogon superciliaris) and Wing-barred Piprites (Piprites chloris) ranging feeding on fresh leaves from the canopy. The Yellow-rumped Antwren seems to be an inconspicuous species and not very vocal, and it is so rarely recorded in places where houses presumably small populations. One characteristic of San Onofre is that there are still well preserved forests with little human intervention, the trail is quite damaged and abandoned by the continuing collapse of the hills because of the extreme humidity during the rainy season, a factor that may have been decisive to stop further settlements. Terenura sharpei also appears to be quite sensitive to habitat changes, because it could not be possible register at the points where presumably had been reported 30 years ago, as these forests now converted into open areas for the cultivation of coca and citrus fruits. This area also holds a large assemblage of humid montane forest birds and that is why we did a species list for this locality, because little is known of the avifauna of this place. At San Onofre we had very little contact with local people because is an area with very few settlements but also because the people there was quite closed which is characteristic with people from that region because the most of them dedicated to the coca cultivation and always are suspicious with strangers. Nevertheless this locality is now considered one of the most important areas to study the Yellow-rumped Antwren and ideal place to conduct monitoring studies of this species.

10 Pic. 6. Research team observing birds on the main road of San Onofre locality. 4 - Location Avispas Avispas locality is to 150 km approximately from Cochabamba (17º 01 S, 65º 37 W, 578 to 1623 m), Villa Tunari the main town of Chapare is close to this locality. The forests in this place are now quite disturbed especially in all areas that have human settlements near the road. However there are remaining forest reserves especially in areas with a higher and fairly rugged topographic of the hills where it is very difficult to access. Likewise, the methodology followed was the intensive search using "playback" and we put nets to enhance the work effort. In December of 2009 we observed an individual having the same characteristics of Terenura sharpei plumage (17º 01 S, 65º 37 W, 1417 m), it was accompanied by other species forming a mixed flock but we could not record the vocalization, there is a possibility that this species may be present in this area given the characteristics of habitat and proximity to one of the points where Van Remsem (1982) have data for this species. However, although it is likely that the individual has been Terenura sharpei it would be too risky to publish as a new record because we should have recorded the song to confirm that it was

11 this species, as some species of the family Tyrannidae closely resemble in the pattern and color of their plumage. We hope that is very likely increase the days of work in this area in order to corroborate this record, unfortunately we could not re-enter to this locality the dates that we had been anticipated because the weather and bad roads were the biggest problems to continue this work. Pic.7. Tatiana and Diego taking data from birds caught in the mist nets. Pic.8. José Balderrama taking off a toucan from the net.

12 2nd Part- Parkguard Training Phase Training Workshop Carrasco National Park Parkguards in "Methods of Census and Monitoring of Bird Populations (January 2010). I - Description of Activities A) Workshop Objectives General Purpose The major goal of this workshop was training the parkguards on census methodologies and monitoring bird populations in order to provide the necessary tools for the development of institutional and individual capacities for improved governance and natural resource management especially in bird populations of this protected area. Specific objectives Provide knowledge to meet the needs of management and conservation of birds in this park. Develop technical capacities of the participants for the study of birds and promote their active participation in researching studies of the avifauna in this protected area. Promote the exchange of information between participants and instructors. B) Methodology This workshop was developed in one camp of Carrasco National Park (Guácharos camp) during 3 days of 9 hrs work / day. The workshop was done in two ways: lectures and practical classes. This course was conducted with support material consisting of printed material with information on the issues to develop, field guides, and CDs of bird songs of the region. For the field work,

13 which consisted of 50% of workshop we used field material for different practices and activities, this material consisted of mist nets, binoculars, tape recorders and microphones. Both, the field and the classroom working groups were formed to exchange ideas and experiences among participants, and finally an evaluation of the workshop. C) Achievements We trained to 16 parkguards of Carrasco National Park, with 28 hrs. of theory and practice work. The parkguards received theoretical and practical information on census and monitoring techniques for bird populations, they also extended their knowledge of the avifauna of the park and the importance for their conservation. Finally we provided information on the role of protected areas for biodiversity conservation. The topics covered in the workshop are summarized below: Most important methods for the study of birds Bird Taxonomy Endangered Species Transects census points Other census Monitoring populations Review of the Red Book of Vertebrates in Bolivia The yellow-rumped Antwren (Terenura sharpei ) The exchange of experiences and contribution of knowledge among participants was very valuable, besides the parkguards were very participatory

14 especially in the practical part of the workshop and in the final evaluation were very motivated to future training courses, underlining the need to expand days of field practice. They also suggested research topics that could be generated in Carrasco National Park and be part of a group of guards called parabiologists. D) Another Results It was possible create institutional links between personnel direction of the Carrasco National Park, the Museum of Natural History Alcide d'orbigny and the Center for Biodiversity and Genetics at the Universidad Mayor de San Simón, Cochabamba (of which José A. Balderrama and myself are associated researchers) to work together on research topics and guard training with emphasis on the ornitofauna. One issue that is important to note is that most of the parkguards are members of the communities near the park and so it seemed important that they were who can replicate the knowledge and exchange the information generated during the workshop to others members of their community. Another achievement related to the research project of Terenura sharpei was achieved motivate some guardaparks to help with the search of this endangered species in potential areas within the park during their travels and patrols and thus generate data that could be very important for the conservation of this species. II-Summary of activities during the workshop During the organization, support material was prepared for the guards: Bird field guides of Carrasco National Park

15 Cd's of the songs of the birds of Carrasco National Park (produced by Ross MacLeod and Aidan MacCormick) Other : pens, pencils, notebooks and archives The costs of the transportation, food and accommodation of the parkguards and instructors was paid for the Proyect and also fuel for the electricity generator for the 3 days. At the end of the workshop we prepared diplomas and a final evaluation. Fig.9. Support material for the Workshop.

16 IV-Workshop Photographs Pic.11.Therical classes with José Balderrama, one Pic.12. Parkguards recording bird songs Pic.13. Observing birds Pic.14. Marybel Crespo showing the work with mist nets Pic.15. Showing how to manipulate and identify birds Pic.16. Closing the workshop

17 FINAL RESULTS OF THIS PROJECT Of the 4 sites studied only San Onofre can be considered as the ideal area for future data of this species by a monitoring program of its population as it was the only one where we could confirm the presence of Terenura sharpei. This project was the beginning of the evaluation phase of Terenura population in Bolivia, and so we will continue to seek potential sites in the Yungas of Cochabamba, because the data we got from San Onofre makes us think we can find it in other places with the same type of habitat throughout the area. Preliminary results that we obtained for this project are important as they underlined again the importance of the humid montane forests of the Yungas. Just the whole study area (Cristalmayu) is called IBA (Important Bird Area) because of this, the priority is to develop further research for the conservation of the avifauna of this place. We will still seeking potential areas for this species in Carrasco National Park, this will be done with the help of the parkguards. Therefore the training that was conducted was very beneficial as they could exchange ideas and generated the initiative to participate in this project. An activity related to this work, although not with a direct purpose to the assessment of the population of Terenura sharpei (but which is very important for the development of it), was the training of biology students in techniques of census and population monitoring of birds, so we had the participation of some students on each trip which involved enthusiastically to the work in the field. In this research project we also included the environmental education in schools and for the different locations to visit during the course of this work but this work it couldn t be done because so much time for obtain the permissions of SEDUCA (Departamental Service of Education) to develop activities in the

18 schools, so our option was look other plans for the environmental education in some localities in this region, but not in this phase research. BUDGET FUND DEPOSITED Field work costs GBP GBP difference(gbp) Transport (-)85.54 Food and consumables local guide (-)48.00 Equipment record equipment (-) (microphone, minidisc) General fieldwork equipment (-) training workshops park guards (-)205 local comunities 255 (-)75 Office costs (Acces computer, internet Subsistence payments Supervisor wage (-)86.16 Coordinator wage 1 person/6 months Field assistant wage TOTAL USD = 7.83 Bs.(bolivianos) 1 USD = 6.96 Bs.(bolivianos) 1 USD = USD = 0.54 GPB. GBP. The money left over, we plan to continue using it in new trips this year and also use it in printed material for school activities that we could not do it last year and then make a report to you on these activities. Finally we like to thank to other supporting material (two binoculars) from Optics from the Tropics to this project.