Second Florida Breeding Bird Atlas Why should you

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-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 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. 2 nd and 3 rd 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 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.