[Birdtalk] Volunteers Needed For SNPL Survey at GSL

[John CAVITT]

** High Priority **

Hello Everyone!

As many of you know, the Snowy Plover has been identified as a "Highly
Imperiled" species under the US Shorebird Conservation Plan.  Shorebird
biologists are concerned that many populations have experienced
significant declines over the last several years.  In order to provide
data needed for conservation, it is critical that we understand current
population size.  A sound, defensible estimate of population size is
needed so that appropriate management action can be taken if needed.  

This summer the US Fish and Wildlife Service, UT Division of Wildlife
Resources and Weber State University are coordinating a massive effort
to count Snowy Plover at Great Salt Lake.  This effort will provide a
critical estimate of the breeding population size here at GSL.  This
will be coordinated with other sites so that an entire range wide
population estimate can be made.

The scale of this massive effort can only be accomplished with a large
number of volunteers.  We are in need of birders willing to volunteer
their time and energy to survey plots at Great Salt Lake.  The survey
time period will run from 7 May - 7 June.  Individuals willing to attend
a training session and willing to commit at least four days during that
period should contact 

John Cavitt
email - jcavitt at weber.edu 
Phone - 801-626-8634
Mobile - 801-791-4438   

Please forward this to others that may be interested in participating.


This is a wonderful opportunity to contribute to the conservation of an
imperiled species!

If you have any questions please let me know.

Below is further information about the project.


Cheers 

JFC




*------------------------------------------



The Temperate Breeding Species subgroup of the Program for Regional and
International Shorebird Monitoring (PRISM) has identified Snowy Plovers
as a high priority for monitoring. PRISM*s decision is based on
several factors: 1) the conservation designation of SNPL as a Highly
Imperiled Species by the U.S. Shorebird Conservation Plan, 2)
designation as a focal species by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service*s
Migratory Bird Management Division, 3) listed status (under the
endangered species act) of one population of one of the North American
subspecies, 4) listing at the national, regional (4 regions), and BCR
(13) lists in the Birds of Conservation Concern 2002 Report, 5) the lack
of a defendable rangewide population estimate or species distribution
across North America, and 6) need for baseline information in order to
develop a long-term monitoring plan. 

The goal of the current rangewide SNPL survey is to estimate the number
of birds across their North American range during the 2007 breeding
season. There has never been a comprehensive survey of SNPL across its
range. The most recent western survey was conducted in the late 1970*s
and only included birds in Washington, Oregon, California and Nevada.
West Coast SNPL, the listed population, are surveyed annually. 

Statisticians, GIS habitat modelers, and species and local area experts
have been collaborating since 2005 to collect base line information to
develop a statistically and biologically sound survey protocol.
Objectives of the survey include documenting the distribution and
abundance of SNPL in the U.S. and Mexico, estimating the number of SNPL
breeding in North America, providing geographically referenced data to
support future conservation actions at multiple scales, and resighting
of previously color-banded SNPL as they are encountered.  
The Great Salt Lake (GSL), Utah system occupies approximately 7800 km2
(Aldrich and Paul 2002) and is estimated to support 5-10,000 breeding
SNPL (Paton 1997). Due to its large size, survey complexity and
hemispheric importance as a SNPL breeding site, it has been designated
as a stand alone site for this survey effort. A large survey effort will
be needed to sample the area in a statistically sound manner. A habitat
model has been developed to delineate suitable habitat. Statisticians
from the USFWS and USGS have stratified the habitat and developed a
protocol to survey GSL.  Survey Protocol is presently in draft format
and could be changed right up to implementation.


John F. Cavitt PhD, Director
Office of Undergraduate Research
Associate Professor

Mailing Address
Dept. of Zoology
Weber State University
2505 University Circle
Ogden, UT 84408-2505

(801) 626-6172
(801) 626-8541
Avian Ecology Lab 
(801) 626-8634
cell:(801) 791-4438
FAX: (801) 626-7445
homepage: http://faculty.weber.edu/jcavitt
http://departments.weber.edu/avianecologylab





"A thing is right when it tends to preserve the integrity, stability,
and
beauty of the biotic community. It is wrong when it tends otherwise."


Aldo Leopold