Restoration Site Bird Monitoring Protocol
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Our bird monitoring goals are to learn how bird use of the restoration site evolves in concert with vegetation colonization. It's important, therefor, to make general notes on the character of the restoration site vegetation, in addition to the birds. As our capabilities improve, we also want to learn how bird use of this intertidal habitat compares with bird use of similar habitats on Nisqually Delta and other estuaries in south Puget Sound. Bird Monitoring Protocol Bird use of the restoration tide flats is greatest as the rising tide covers the tide flats: in season, waterfowl arrive to drift on the tide waters as they feed, dabbling and ducking for seeds and other food. Shorebirds, which probe the mud just in front of a rising tide, are "pushed" by rising tide waters from the Nisqually Flats into high intertidal areas such as our monitoring site. Our plan requires that we arrive at the southwest corner of the restoration site 40 minutes before the time of the 9.0 foot tide on the Dupont Wharf tide gage. This means we must meet at the farm gate near the foot of Mounts Road one hour before the time of the 9.0 foot tide, and promptly move out. From the southwest corner, two teams walk the edges of the newer, larger part of the restoration site. One team walks the Nisqually River dike to the vicinity of the old Nalley fishing lodge. The other team walks the edge between the restoration site ant the high salt marsh meadows; this team must reach the north end by the time of the 9.0 foot tide if they are to cross the slough draining into the old restoration site without getting wet. It takes 20 minutes to steadily walk this route, and more for serious bird observation and note-taking. From the Nisqually Dike near the old Nalley lodge, we usually walk on east to Red Salmon Creek adn back in time to observe the arrival of waterfowl and shorebirds onto the restoration site. This usually occurs from the 10-foot tide through the 12-foot or higher tide. We may use one of the old hunting blinds, or just sit on the inner flank of the Nisqually River dike to hide ourselves from view. Exiting, we all walk back along the Nisqually River dike. Note-taking You are encouraged to keep your own field notes; it's a good practice to develop which will aide you in learning more about avian natural history. One person in each party must keep comprehensive notes on all birds seen or heard on each stage of the day's observations:
Additionally, we need to know which habitats the birds are using, and their behavior. Do not rely on a simple check list to accomplish this. The basic habitats are: restoration site; high salt marsh; Nisqually River; riparian woodlands; Red Salmon Creek; aerial (overhead). You can refine this by noting that a species is using the "riparian canopy" or the "riparian brush" or the "restoration site tide pools." Behavior is such activity as resting, feeding, sleeping, preening, carrying nest-building material, etc. More specifically, when waterfowl feed they may be dabbling, ducking, or diving on the water, or grazing on land. Swallows may be fly-catching many tens of feet in the air, in which case they are associated with no particular habitat, or they may be gliding and swooping a few feet above the ground in which case they can be associated with that habitat. What to Bring and Wear You'll want to bring your binoculars and bird field guide, of course (and your spotting scope if you have one). We recommend the current editions of either the National Geographic or Sibley field guides. Please also bring a notebook and pencil for recording observations. We recommend "Rite-in-the-Rain" notebooks with waterproof paper; they're available at Erlich's Stationers in downtown Olympia, and at the The Evergreen State College bookstore. If you are going to walk the dike, sturdy walking shores or light weight hiking boots will be adequate. If you are going to walk the tide flat - high salt marsh edge you'll want to wear knee-high rubber boots. Expect muddy ground somewhere on you path. It the tide is going to be much above 12 feet you'll want to wear knee-high boots regardless. Otherwise, dress for the weather. We're usually in the field from three to four hours, so bring food and water according to the time of day and your needs. |