Bolsa Chica Birds Survey Introduction The Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve includes about 1300 acres of coastal lands and marshes in Huntington Beach, CA. This land was purchased by the State of California specifically to preserve and enhance its rare blend of coastal wetlands habitats. It is now managed by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. A large-scale restoration project was completed in 2006 that included restoration of tidal flow to the site s northern basin. Given the reserve s mix of habitats, it is occupied by a variety of creatures who live there permanently, or who stop by during annual migrations. By far, birds are the most visible and variable wildlife residents. Mission The mission of this activity is to prepare a population count of birds inhabiting or traveling across the north basin of the Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve. Technique Starting at the north parking lot near Pacific Coast Highway and Warner Avenue, students will sequentially walk to six designated viewing points. Each viewing point is surrounded by a circular viewing area with a radius of 250 feet indicated on the associated map. Once arriving at a viewing point, students will spend 10 minutes making observations and recording data. Birds observed within this viewing area will be identified as belonging to one of 14 bird categories. Students will tally the number of birds in each observed category, and indicate their location within the viewing area by marking on the associated map. After the viewing at each site is done, students will sum the tallies for each observed category and record the numerical result in the associated table. After observations have been made at all six viewing sites, students will transfer data onto the summary data table and determine sums for all sites and bird groups. Finally, students will complete a summary analysis table that highlights the most significant and interesting findings. Rational and Value of this Exercise This project is an example of an Observation / Characterization scientific investigation. This type of investigation is useful when trying to understand the structure of a system and its operational status. The six, equal-sized viewing sites are an attempt to standardize the data-collection sites, making site-to-site comparisons more meaningful and reasonable. Repeated implementation of this work could provide sensible data for use in statistical analysis, which in turn could reveal complex use patterns. Continued creative work ultimately could lead to a realistic model of this part of Bolsa Chica. Our simple work here today is an example of a first step that is a necessary foundation to support more sophisticated understandings to follow. What you will turn in for points This packet with completed bird maps and population tables (10 points). In-field quiz to be given after all field work and data analysis are complete (10 points). Bolsa Chica Birds Survey 1
Categories of birds included in this study The below table presents 14 categories of birds normally encountered at Bolsa Chica. Consult this table to help you categorize the birds you observe and count in the field. Bird Group Towhees, Larks, Finches, Characteristics Surface-swimmers. While floating in shallow waters, feed by tipping their heads under water for algae, aquatic plants, and snails. Surface-divers. Feed in deep waters. Dive from the surface and remain submerged for many seconds while chasing fish. Splash-divers. Patrol the water while flying overhead. Ospreys from high altitude. Others fly lower. High-dive into the water for fish. Shallow-water stealth platforms. Stand motionless while wading in shallow water and ambush fish, crustaceans, snails and aquatic insects. Mud-pokers. Scurry along the mudflat and probe the mud with long, pointy beaks. Feed on mud-dwelling crustaceans, worms and other invertebrate animals. Shallow-water skimmers. Wade in the water and skim the water surface for small aquatic insects, and crustaceans. Airborne scavengers. Patrol over aquatic and terrestrial environments in search of food opportunities such as dead remains, beached fish and other misfortunes. Flying skimmers. Fly a few inches above the water s surface. Dip elongated lower beak into the water, drag it across the surface and capture small fish. Airborne scavengers. Patrol mainly over land in search of food opportunities such as dead remains. Occasionally probe and disturb environment in search of food. Perch and stroll. Often perch in tall shrubs and trees. Feed by strolling the ground below for small seeds, nuts, and fruit. Airborne interceptors. Patrol the air overhead in search of flying insects. Flycatchers and gnatcatchers launch from a perch. Swallows and swifts stay aloft for hours. Hyperactive furies. Wings in a blur, rapidly jerks from flower-to-flower for nectar. Gleans crawling insects on stems. Occasionally rests. Two speeds: Fast; stop. High rise dwellers. Found near the tops of shrubs and trees. Often vocal as they search for insects among the bushes. Hunter elite. Patrol the air in search of furry or feathered prey on the ground. Some hunt small birds in flight. Bolsa Chica Birds Survey 2
Viewing Site Location Map Walk to each of the below locations. Spend 10 minutes at each location. Categorize and count all observed birds within the indicated viewing circle. Indicate locations of observed birds by marking on the associated map. Bolsa Chica Birds Survey 3
Bird Group Site 1 Bird Group Site 2 Bolsa Chica Birds Survey 4
Bird Group Site 3 Bird Group Site 4 Bolsa Chica Birds Survey 5
Bird Group Site 5 Bird Group Site 6 Bolsa Chica Birds Survey 6
Summary Data Table Bird Group Towhees, Larks, Finches, Site s Site 1 Site 2 Site 3 Site 4 Site 5 Site 6 Group s Grand Summary Analysis Table bird population (all sites) Site with the most birds Site with the fewest birds Most abundant bird category Least abundant bird category Bird categories not observed ADDITIONAL NOTES Bolsa Chica Birds Survey 7