Stephanie Jones wrote:
>
> I am looking for people interested in conducting local Long-billed Curlew
> (LBCU) surveys during the spring of 2004. We are presently conducting a
> range-wide survey of breeding LBCU in attempt to estimate the total
> abundance in North America (
> http://mountain-prairie.fws.gov/species/birds/longbilled_curlew/).
> Range-wide surveys are being conducted using the double observer approach
> (Nichols et al. 2000). In this method, two observers simultaneous count
> curlews along a series of point counts (32-km transects), where correction
> factors for missed birds are derived. I am looking for people with a
> knowledge of local breeding populations of LBCU interested in conducting
> surveys using this method, and then conducting more intensive surveys along
> the same transects to serve as known population estimates for comparison
> (Bart & Earnst 2002). These data will help us gauge the efficacy of the
> double observer approach.
>
> Detailed instructions for this test are available from me and on the web
> (above). In brief, the rangewide survey consists of establishing a 32 km
> (20 mi) transect, with 40 point counts, 800 m (1/2 mi) apart through a
> known LBCU breeding area. Its imperative that transects be established
> through areas with curlews. One day is spent doing the standard double
> observer survey, which requires two observers and takes about 7 hrs to
> complete. Cooperators then spend as much time as they have available
> intensely mapping LBCU at the individual stops (each a 400-m radius point
> count). A minimum of 1 hour and three visits is recommended per point. It
> is not necessary that all 40 stops be intensively surveyed. Since the
> number of potential territories per stop is low (1-2), observers can select
> which stops to intensively survey.
>
> This is a pilot effort. Observers conducting intensive surveys should also
> be good naturalists and take notes on anything relevant to LBCU biology.
> It is critical that the true number of territories per point be accurately
> measured, so spend as much time as needed per point to get an accurate
> measurement. Data sheets and other information are available from me and
> all information about the Long-billed Curlew Range-wide Survey is posted on
> http://mountain-prairie.fws.gov/species/birds/longbilled_curlew/.
>
> Another way folks can assist with this effort is to e-mail me observations
> on LBCU natural history. I am particularly interested in when curlews
> first arrive on their breeding grounds, when they begin incubation, and
> when the first fledglings are seen.
>
> Thank you very much for all the assistance I have received on this project,
> it has truly been a cooperative effort.
>
> Steph
> Stephanie L. Jones
> USFWS, Region 6
> Nongame Migratory Bird Coordinator
> P.O. Box 25486 DFC
> Denver, CO 80225
> 303-236-4409 NOTE NEW PHONE NUMBER
> FAX: 303-236-8680, E-mail: Stephanie_Jones at fws.gov

--
Mike Patterson
Astoria, OR
celata at pacifier.com

Half-a-bee, philosophically must ipso-facto half not-be.
But half the bee, has got to bee Vis-a-vis its entity...
d'you see?
But can a bee be said to be or not to be an entire bee
When half the bee is not a bee due to some ancient injury?
-Monty Python

http://www.pacifier.com/~mpatters/bird/bird.html