2016 New Jersey Black Rail Survey

Transcription

1 Background Information Citizen Science overview Black Rail: A regional perspective Black Rail in NJ Species Identification Survey protocol and requirements Survey sites Michael Allen and Don Freiday NJ Audubon Citizen Science Workshop April 9, 2016

2 Survey Methodology NJ Audubon Citizen Science Workshop April 9, 2016

3 Survey Overview Volunteer Commitment Dates: April July 31, 2015 Number of visits per point: Bird survey dates: Pre-survey Wait Period: Survey Period (# of Minutes): Time of day to conduct surveys: One for pre-survey scouting and three for bird surveys Three surveys conducted at least 10 days apart, between April 29 and June 30 Survey 1 April 29 May 19 Note Survey 2 May 20 June 9 new Survey 3 June 10 June 30 dates! Wait 2 minutes prior to starting survey 15 minutes: separated into 15 oneminute periods (This also new for 2016!) Nocturnal surveys conducted between 10pm and 3am

4 Reporting Time All time spent on this project must be reported on your time sheet!

5 Scouting Prior to the first survey, each point must be visited during daylight hours to determine access

6 When to Conduct Surveys Three surveys between April 29-June 30. Complete one survey in each time period, with surveys spaced at least 10 days apart. Survey 1: Between April 29 th and May 19 th Survey 2: Between May 20 th and June 9 th Survey 3: Between June 10 th and June 30 th

7 When to Conduct Surveys Conduct surveys at night, between 10pm and 3am Do NOT survey: If it is raining During high winds (greater than 12mph; Beauford 3) Also avoid overcast nights whenever possible, as calling may be reduced

8 Survey Protocol Surveys include a 2-minute wait period, followed by a 15-minute point count with playback recordings 2-minute wait period: After arriving at each survey point, wait 2 minutes before starting the playback recording, to allow birds to settle down and return to normal behavior

9 Survey Protocol Surveys include a 2-minute wait period, followed by a 15-minute point count with playback recordings 15-minute point count: Press play on your mp3 player to begin the 15-minute playback sequence 2 minutes of silent, passive observation 4 minutes of Black Rail calls 1 minute of silence 2 minutes of Virginia Rail calls 1 minute of silence 4 minutes of Black Rail calls 1 minute of silence

10 Survey Protocol Surveys include a 2-minute wait period, followed by a 15-minute point count with playback recordings Do not count longer than 15 minutes. Target birds observed before or after the survey period should be noted in the comments. Do not record birds detected between survey points. If you observe target species between points, record the location and species in the comments section. Avoid biasing the data by disturbing birds. Walk out of your car quietly; avoid unnecessary movements or noise.

11 Recording Data

12 Recording Data Top part of datasheet = route/site information

13 Recording Data Top part of datasheet = route/site information Surveyor: Your name Date: Date of survey in dd-month-year format (e.g. 21-June-2015 ) Route ID: Please use the route/site name on your map

14 Recording Data Weather: X the appropriate descriptor of the weather Air Temp: Degrees F *archived weather data can be obtained from

15 Recording Data Wind Direction, Speed: Circle the correct range (corresponding to Beaufort scale) and also fill in the exact direction and speed in the blank area. Surveys should not be conducted above 12mph (Beaufort 3) Beaufort Scale Wind Speed in mph 0 Less than 1 Smoke rises vertically Indicators of Wind Speed 1 1 to 3 Wind direction shown by smoke drift 2 4 to 7 Wind felt on face; leaves rustle 3 8 to 12 Leaves, small twigs in constant motion; light flag extended 4 13 to 18 Raises dust and loose paper; small branches are moved *archived wind data can be obtained from

16 Recording Data *For tide information use The smart phone app TideApp may also be useful. Each survey map will include the closest tide location. Contact us if you have any questions! Tide stage(s): Please first check either low, mid or high. Determine which category the survey is taking place by giving roughly an hour and a half window on either side of the category. Next check either rising or falling, depending on which way the tide is going. If your survey straddles multiple categories, check all those that apply.

17 Recording Data *For tide information use Each survey map will include the closest tide location. Contact us if you have any questions! High Tide at: Note the time of the nearest high tide. Reference: The source of your tide data. Write in the name of the tide chart, newspaper or website (e.g. TideApp), and the specific tide location you have selected.

18 Recording Data Time start: Start time of first point of survey. Time end: End time of last point of survey. Survey type: Road (for points accessed by car); Water (for points accessed by boat); or Accessed (for points accessed by walking into marsh)

19 Recording Data Bottom part of datasheet = point count data

20 Recording Data Fill in point information Record the point ID #, as shown on your survey map Record the start time of the survey i.e. when you begin the playback recording, which starts with Passive 1. Multiple points on the same route/site can be included on the same datasheet

21 Recording Data Record an X each time a bird is heard In this example, at CQ_01, a single Black Rail was heard during minutes 4, 5 and 6. If multiple birds of the same species are heard, record each individual on a separate line. In this example, two VIRA were heard at CQ_03. If no birds are heard at a point, record No Birds

22 Recording Data Additional information for each individual Estimate the distance in 50m intervals (<50m, m, m, etc.) Record the direction to the bird (N, NE, E, SE, S, SW, W, NW) For target species, record the type of call heard (refer to species ID presentation)

23 Background Information Citizen Science overview Black Rail: A regional perspective Black Rail in NJ Species Identification Survey protocol and requirements Survey sites Michael Allen and Don Freiday NJ Audubon Citizen Science Workshop April 9, 2016

24 Highest priority given to sites surveyed in 1988 (Kerlinger and Sutton 1989) Additional sites in suitable high marsh or freshwater wetland habitats South North

25 Northern NJ not included in the 1988 survey Few historical records in the north, compared to south North South

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31 Please check with us before you leave to sign up for a survey area. Once we have located a site for you, we will provide maps of specific survey points by late April. An online map of survey points can be found here:

32 Thank you!!! Be safe... and Have fun!