A Plan for Monitoring Shorebirds During the Non-breeding Season in Shorebird Monitoring Region Massachusetts – BCR 30
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Date
Table of Contents
Summary
Introduction
Methods
Results - Shorebirds
Site Descriptions
Parker and Merrimac River systems
Nahant
Scituate
Plymouth Duxbury Kingston Bay
Nauset Bay
Monomoy and South Beach
Summary
Introduction
The bird conservation initiatives - waterbirds, waterfowl, shorebirds, and landbirds - are cooperating to design a comprehensive “integrated bird monitoring” (IBM) program for Canada and the United States. The conceptual framework for IBM (Fig. 1) includes strong emphasis on detecting species at risk and helping to protect them. These broad goals are achieved by estimating population trends and defining requirements for viable populations. These objectives, in turn, are accomplished by population modeling based on population levels, demographic rates and habitat information. Population trends are estimated by surveying breeding populations whenever possible, and by surveying the species for which this is not feasible at other times of year. Surveys of all species are made throughout the year to help identify, and monitor use of, suitable habitat.
Fig. 1. Conceptual framework for integrated bird monitoring.
Most surveys in upland habitats are designed at a large spatial scale (e.g., southern Canada and the United States) and do not require detailed information at the local level. Surveys of wetland habitats, in contrast, must be carefully designed to insure that the habitat is well covered, and different methods may be needed in different environments. A series of “regional assessments” is thus being prepared to help design the wetland surveys. Regions were formed by intersecting a Bird Conservation Region (BCR) map with a Province and State map, deleting small polygons, and smoothing the borders (Fig. 2). The resulting “Bird Monitoring Regions” can be used to scale up results to either BCRs or Provinces and States.
Fig. 2. Bird monitoring regions in Canada and the United States.
The regional assessments summarize current information about wetland bird distribution, abundance, habitat relationships and timing of use within the Region, and they identify information needed to design reliable monitoring programs. These “needed pilot studies” are then prioritized by people concerned with monitoring birds in the region and a plan is developed to carry out the work. Carrying out the pilot studies is expected to take 1-3 years. Long-term surveys will then be implemented. Additional details are provided in “Guidelines for Developing Comprehensive Bird Monitoring Programs” available at (not there yet).
Methods
Focal wetland species were first identified. The initial list included all wetland species that are common or abundant at any time of year within the Region according to Brian Harrington. Sites within which any of the focal species are common or abundant at any time of year were then identified using a list prepared for this project supplemented by information provided by birding guides and ornithologists and birders knowledgeable about the Region. Most sites were single areas, such as a National Wildlife Refuge, but dispersed sites, such as “lakes >10 ha”, could also be identified.
Maps showing land ownership, roads, and wetlands were prepared for the region. Maps of each site were also prepared and information useful in designing surveys for the focal species was presented. The survey objective was assumed to be estimating the average number of birds, of each focal species, present within the site during a specified interval. Up to three types of habitat were described for each focal species. Type 1 habitat included the regularly used areas that should be sampled using a well-defined sampling plan. Type 2 habitat included areas used sparingly by the focal species. Type 2 habitat is not surveyed as often or with rigorously defined methods, but is surveyed less formally every few years to document continued low use by the focal species. Type 3 habitat receives virtually no use by the focal species during the study period and is not surveyed as part of the monitoring program. Requests, however, are circulated for any records of the focal species occurring in substantial numbers in these areas.
A description of each site was prepared with the following headings:
Boundaries and ownership
Focal species using the site and timing of use
Location of type 1 and 2 habitat within the site
Access to the type 1 and 2 habitat and visibility of the birds
Past and current surveys
Potential survey methods
Description
Selection bias
Measurement error and bias
Needed pilot studies
We assume, for any survey, that the study area and study period (within years) have been defined. The goal of the survey was assumed to be estimating the trend, across several years, in the average number of birds present during the study period. Bias means a long-term trend in the ratio (number recorded)/(average number present). Selection bias is bias due to some of the Type 1 habitat being excluded from the sampled population, usually due to access or visibility problems. Exclusion of some Type 1 habitat does not necessarily cause selection bias because trends in the sampled areas might be the same as trends in the non-sampled areas. Anytime some Type 1 areas could not be included in the sampled population the potential for selection bias, and ways to reduce it, were discussed. Measurement error means not detecting all birds present in the surveyed area at the time of the survey. Measurement bias is a long-term trend in the proportion of birds present at the time of the survey that are detected on the survey. Measurement error does not necessarily cause measurement bias because the proportion of birds detected might not change through time. Anytime measurement error was probable its magnitude and probable stability through time were discussed along with ways to reduce the proportion of birds missed on the surveys.
Results - Shorebirds
Table 1. Focal shorebird species for BCR 30
CODE / SPECIESBBPL / Black-bellied Plover
SEPL / Semipalmated Plover
AMOY / American Oystercatcher
GRYE / Greater Yellowlegs
LEYE / Lesser Yellowlegs
SOSA / Solitary Sandpiper
WHIM / Whimbrel
RUTU / Ruddy Turnstone
REKN / Red Knot
SAND / Sanderling
SESA / Semipalmated Sandpiper
LESA / Least Sandpiper
WRSA / White-rump Sandpiper
DUNL / Dunlin
SBDO / Short-billed Dowitcher
Site Descriptions
Parker and Merrimac River systems
Description: The Parker River and Merrimac River system contains estuaries and beaches. There are a substantial number of BBPL (800), SEPL (500), GRYE (6), LEYE (100), SESA (950), LESA (130), SBDO (52), DUNL (1000). Crane Beach which is a 4 ½ mile long barrier beach in Castle Neck is property of The Trustees of Reservations. The northern end of Plum Island is a developed area with houses. Most of the southern section of Plum Island is part of the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge while Sandy Point on the southern tip is a state reservation under the Department of Environmental Management. All of the Type 1 habitat is easily accessible from beach parking lots or wildlife refuge entrances. All of the areas also have excellent visibility.
Survey Method: Ground surveys at Crane Beach in Castle Neck can be done by foot or truck. A truck can provide cover from the birds. In peak season a survey will take approximately 4 hours for one person. The average is 2-3 hours depending on distance covered and the birds. Surveys should be done at high tide.
Selection Bias: NA because all areas are accessible.
Measurement error: Negligible
Measurement bias: NA
Local Contacts:
Richard Heil
Franz Inglefinger
Deborah Melvin
Jim Berry
Nahant
Description: Marshes, tidal flats, and beach areas northeast of Boston managed by the Massachusett Metropolitan District Commission. The three major survey sites, Lynn Beach, Point of Pines, and Rumney Marsh can all be reached by car with final access by foot. Lynn Beach has substantial numbers of SAND (61), SESA (320), BBPL (28), DUNL (110), SEPL (96), WRSA (x). Point of Pines has Lynn Beach species plus SBDO (40). Rumney Marsh has substantial numbers of BBPL (x), SEPL (x), SESA (x), and SBDO (x). All sites are easily accessible and have excellent visibility.
Survey Method: Ground surveys for all three sites. Census Lynn Beach at mid-tide by walking along the beach. Lynn Beach should take 1-2 hours to census. Census Point of Pines 4 hours before and after high tide by walking along beach and also walk out into mud flat. Point of Pines should take about 1-4 hours if you also drive . Census Rumney Marsh 2 hours before high tide to 4 hours after high tide. Walk out on the marsh about a quarter mile for the salt pan and the roost along the Pines River is almost visible from the car, census should take about 1-2 hours.
Selection Bias: NA all areas are accessible
Measurement error: Negligible
Measurement bias: NA
Local Contacts:
Soheil Zendeh
Scituate
Description: Estuary system with tidal flats. Major species are RUTU (200), REKN (2800), SESA (5000), DUNL (2750), LESA (1000), SEPL (1081), GRYE (30), LEYE (8). All three Type 1 areas are accessible by foot or car with good visibility.
Survey Method: Ground surveys. Census Type 1 areas with ground surveys within two hours of high tide.
Selection Bias: NA because all areas accessible.
Measurement error: Negligible
Measurement bias: NA
Local Contacts:
Plymouth Duxbury Kingston Bay
Description: Beaches and tidal flats with major species of BBPL (975), SEPL (1205), GRYE (110), LEYE (9), RUTU (650), REKN (950), SAND (2500), SESA (7612), DUNL (3685), SBDO (390). Both Type 1 areas have good visibility and area accessible by foot or 4 wheel drive vehicle.
Survey Method: Ground surveys. Census Plymouth and Duxbury Beaches within two hours of high tide.
Selection Bias: NA because all areas accessible.
Measurement error: Negligible
Measurement bias: NA
Local Contacts:
Nauset Bay
Description: Estuary and beach areas. Type 1 habitat are located at Nauset Bay at the north end of the estuary below the Coast Guard Beach parking lot and on the south end of Coast Guard Beach. The area is primarily federal property with patches of town and private lands on the border of the site. Major species are BBPL (585), SEPL (400), GRYE (30), LEYE (51), SAND (700), SESA (2500), LESA (400), DUNL (500), SBDO (530). Nauset Bay and Coast Guard Beach are easily accessible from paths, bike trails, or parking lots. Both sites have excellent visibility.
Survey Method: Ground surveys. Census Nauset Bay from a stationary point on the rising tide about 1-3 hours before the Boston high tide depending upon the height of the tide. Census Coast Guard Beach at high tide by walking along the beach. Censuses should take about 1-2 hours for each area depending on number of birds present.
Selection Bias: NA because all areas are accessible.
Measurement error: Negligible
Measurement bias: NA
Local Contacts:
Blair Nikula
Richard Heil
Monomoy Island and South Beach
Description: Monomoy Island and South Beach are part of Monomoy National Wildlife Refuge. The islands have extensive beaches and mud flats with substantial numbers of BBPL (5000), SEPL (2000), AMOY (150), GRYE (500), LEYE (300), RUTU (500), REKN (3000), SAND (5000), SESA (8000), DUNL (4000), SBDO (4500), WHIM (585). All three Type 1 areas are accessible by boat and have good visibility.
Survey Method: Census Type 1 areas by ground surveys within one hour of high tide.
Selection Bias: NA because all areas are accessible.
Measurement error: Negligible
Measurement bias: NA
Local Contacts:
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