Not looking forward to the pending winter? Wishing you had something to keep yourself busy during the short, cold days ahead? Well, lucky for you it’s time to get into the field and collect some data! Beginning in January, surveys performed across all Audubon refuges will aid our understanding of how protected land provides essential wintering habitat for birds. Although this will be the inaugural year of survey work the ultimate goal of this research will be to establish a long-term dataset used to determine the status of bird populations and inform management decisions.
The details:
Throughout January and February, each refuge listed below will be visited and surveyed in its entirety for birds. Additional information (habitats, foraging activity, weather, etc) will be collected to create a wholistic picture of wintering bird requirements. The dates of each survey are forthcoming.
Types of data collection:
The basic form of data collection will include a full list of all species and total number of individuals encountered during your day in the field. Additional efforts will be spent performing nocturnal surveys (for owls) and foraging flock surveys (timed periods in which you will follow a mixed-species flock and record its location, the tree species used for foraging and foraging technique deployed). Once you sign-up to participate in a survey, you will be given the choice of which form of data collection you would prefer.
Refuges with planned surveys:
Claire D. McIntosh Wildlife Refuge, Bristol
Davis Memorial Wildlife Refuge, North Kingstown
Emilie Ruecker Wildlife Refuge, Tiverton
Fisherville Brook Wildlife Refuge, Exeter
Fort Nature Refuge, North Smithfield
George B. Parker Woodland Wildlife Refuge, Coventry
Lathrop Wildlife Refuge, Westerly
Lewis-Dickens Farm Wildlife Refuge, Block Island
Long Pond Woods, Hopkinton
Maxwell Mays Wildlife Refuge, Coventry
Powder Mill Ledges Wildlife Refuge, Smithfield
Touisset Marsh Wildlife Refuge, Warren
Waterman Pond Wildlife Refuge, Coventry
Caratunk Wildlife Refuge, Seekonk, MA
What to expect:
Although a single refuge will likely take anywhere from a half-day to a full day to survey in its entirety, your level of commitment is up to you! Come participate for an hour or two, or stay for the duration. Whichever you decide, make sure to bring plenty of warm clothing, snacks and hot beverages to keep you toasty while you are in the field. Datasheets will be provided on the morning of each survey.
How to sign-up:
Sign-up today to help out with the survey effort! Send an email to the Director of Avian Research (cclarkson@asri.org) with your preferred refuge(s) and you will receive further information on the survey protocol and date.
