Transcript Second Florida Breeding Bird Atlas

Second Florida Breeding
Bird Atlas
Why should you help the
Atlas? (BBA II)
Atlas surveys are fun
It is done on your own time schedule
It’s birding with a purpose
We are all volunteers
We need your help!
Expected Output
Updated distribution maps of breeding birds
Change maps highlighting breeding
distribution
Relative abundance maps
Comparison of BBA changes with trends
revealed by the Breeding Bird Survey.
Breeding chronology information.
Specific location information on a score of
species of conservation interest.
Summary of the Birding
Protocol
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Species list
Breeding evidence
Focal species
Change map
Missed species in the quad
Mini-routes
Objectives: Field Studies
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Provide a sample of studied areas
Provide additional information on breeding
Determine and map breeding distribution
Provide a reliable data base
Involve citizen scientists in a fascinating
research project.
6. Work with land owners to serve as
ambassadors to the community.
7. Finish the project in a timely manner.
8. Produce relative abundance data
Objectives: Analysis and
Publication
Analyze the database developed for
conservation information, particularly
for species of conservation concern.
Publish results of the Atlas on the
Internet, including distribution,
distribution changes, and analyses.
Publish a book of the results.
Atlas Grid
Grid-based survey of the bird
species breeding in Florida
Grid is based on US
Geological Survey
quadrangles
Each Quad is broken into six
survey Blocks
Areas vary from 10.7 square
miles to 11.2 square miles
1
4
(NW) (NE)
2
5
(CW) (CE)
3
6
(SW) (SE)
Atlas Plan
Maps
Definitions
BBA I
BBA II
Quad
Block
Sample Block
Comparison Blocks
Priority Blocks
Atlas Minimum Field Goals
Resurvey the SE Block of every USGS Quad
covering Florida.
In the event the SE Block is over water,
resurvey the next Block that was selected
If the SE Block is available, but was not
covered in the first Atlas, it should be
thoroughly covered
Should require at least two early morning
visits during the breeding season some
follow-up
When is a Priority Block
Done?
Primary guide: You have covered all
the habitats present during the time the
birds are breeding and also tried for
nocturnal species.
Secondary guide: You have reached
about the same number of breeding
species reported in BBA I
For Non-priority Blocks
After you have covered the Priority
Block, cover habitats not present in the
priority block
Missed Species are a mark of success
Under no circumstances should you
add a species because you “know it is
present”
Atlas
Regions
Selection of Blocks to Cover
Systematic sample of one block out of six
Matched paired sample with the first atlas
Missed species
Miniroutes
Atlasing additional blocks
Cruising the Quad for New, Focal and
Uncommon Species
Focal and Non Focal Species
Safe Dates
Breeding Codes: OB
Category
Observed: No Local Breeding Evidence
O Species (male or female) observed in
a block during its breeding season with
no evidence of breeding.
Breeding Codes: PO
Category
SH Species (male or female) observed
in suitable nesting habitat during safe
dates.
SM Singing male present, or breeding
season calls (or drumming by
woodpeckers) heard
Breeding Codes: PF Category
S 7 or more territorial males observed
S = seven discrete observations of a species
P Pair observed in suitable nesting habitat
T Permanent territory presumed
C Courtship behavior or copulation
V Visiting probable nest site
A Agitated behavior
B Brood patch or cloacal protuberance
Breeding Codes: CO
Category
NB Nest building
DD Distraction display
NU Used nests or egg shells
FE Female with egg in oviduct
FY Recently fledged young
CF Carrying food for young
ON Adults entering or leaving a nest
FS Adult carrying fecal sac
IP Incubating position
NE Nest with egg(s)
NY Nest with young
Cowbird egg or young
Web Site and Data Entry
Species Accounts
Not all codes apply to all species.
Exotic Species
Egyptian Goose among other species
are becoming part of our avifauna.
Please record all unrestrained exotics.
Even Chickens! (Red Jungle Fowl)
Exotics are a part of our environment
regardless of whether we can put them
on our ABA list or not.
Colonial Waders
Colonial waders (not Green heron or
bitterns) should be coded as O unless
they are observed at a nest colony.
V – Visiting probable nest site can be
used for species at the site but where
no actual nesting activity was observed.
Vultures
Soaring vultures are O
SH can be used for birds rising from
suitable habitat in the morning (not near
a feeding spot) or roosting April – July.
Breeders roost near the nest site and
control access to roost sites.
Kites
Swallow-tailed Kites may forage miles
from nest site. Flocks and high flying
birds should be coded as O
They stay closer to nest site when
young are in the nest.
Preferred dates 4/20-6/20.
Mississippi Kites similar, preferred
dates 5/1-7/15.
Sandhill Cranes
Wintering Sandhill Cranes are found in
flocks.
Be sure not to record these flocks as
SH or any other codes.
Focal species only in Regions 1-4.
Crested Caracara
Adults tend to stay on territory
(generally less than half the size of a
block.)
Juveniles (brown colored) often
wander. Individual juveniles should be
coded as O. Juveniles with adults can
be coded FY.
2nd and 3rd year birds do not breed but
look like adults. Code these as SH.
Barn Owls
Migrants are possible.
Preferred dates 4/1 – 8/31
Mark winter birds as O and look for
better evidence.
Chimney Swifts
Swifts rarely forage more than 0.5 km
from nest site.
Flying swifts can be coded as T –
Territorial (within safe dates.)
Trio flying can be coded as C.
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
Southbound migrants may appear by
July 1
Preferred dates 5/1 – 6/30.
If someone reports birds at a feeder,
ask if they were present during
preferred dates.
Purple Martin
Fledge early and form large roosts.
Juveniles away from nest sites should
not be recorded as breeders.
PO codes not to be used (martins on a
house can be coded V- Visiting
probable nest site.)
Barn Swallows (and others)
Should not use PO codes.
Swallows forage far and wide.
Only record breeding evidence when
an actual nest site is found.
V – Visiting nest site can be used for
swallows flying under a bridge.
Louisiana Waterthrush
Very early migrant.
Migrants arrive by late June in north FL
Non-singing birds after June 25 should
not be recorded as breeders.
Preferred date range 5/1 – 6/30.