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Results for “Birdscapes”

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6 recordsLinked to original sources
USGS2000

DC birdscape: a program for monitoring neotropical migrant birds in Washington, DC

Urban and suburban habitats often contain a variety of Neotropical migratory birds, but are poorly sampled by programs such as the North American Breeding Bird Survey. DC Birdscape was developed to inventory and monitor birds in Washington, D.C. Birds were surveyed using a systematic sample of point counts during 1993-1995. Results indicate that species richness of Neotropical migratory birds varied among land-use categories, and that maximum species richness occurred in parkland habitats. Although DC Birdscape has provided relevant information on bird distribution and species richness, it is unclear whether the information is of sufficient management interest to support its continuation as a long-term monitoring program.

Book chapter↗
USGS1997

A citywide breeding bird survey for Washington, D.C.

`DC Birdscape' was initiated in 1993 to systematically count the birds occurring throughout Washington D.C. during the breeding season. It involved a coordinated planning effort and partnership between the Audubon Naturalist Society, the National Park Service, and the National Biological Survey, and engaged the participation of more than 100 volunteers. A method for rapidly assessing the status of bird populations over a large area was developed and incorporated into a Geographic Information System to allow a multidimensional analysis of species presence and abundance across a variety of urban land use areas. A total of 91 species were observed, with an estimated total number of 115, making Washington D.C. almost as `bird rich' as nearby suburban counties. Data from the study clearly indicate that avian species are not randomly distributed throughout the Washington D.C. metropolitan area, and show affinity, at least in part, to some of the most broadly recognized land use patterns that are commonly used to zone and classify urban areas under development schemes. This study represents a prototype that will allow efficient and economical monitoring of urban bird populations.

Washington, D.C.↗
USGS2003

On the trail of Black Scoters

The location of breeding and molting areas of some seaduck species is uncertain, and little is known of seaducks' migrational paths and of habitats used during migration, breeding, and molting. The black scoter is of special concern among the seaducks, because it is both the least common of the three scoter species and the least studied. The Continental Technical Team of the North American Waterfowl Management Plan's Sea Duck Joint Venture recommended that research on this species be conducted to learn more about black scoter movements and to delineate its breeding and molting areas. The team received funding to implant satellite transmitters on this species in Baie des Chaleurs and Restigouche River in New Brunswick, Canada, with the purpose of delineating populations and identifying habitat affinities for staging, breeding, and molting

New Brunswick, Quebec↗
USGS2003

Lost and found: Louisiana’s coastal prairies

It’s hard to fathom, but in just 250 years, some 2.5 million acres of coastal prairie that once blanketed in southwest Louisiana have dwindled to just 200 in scattered parcels. The journals of early settlers give us a peek at what it was like: “plentiful game,” “seemingly infinite range for livestock forage,” “long growing season.” As the human population grew, with its concomitant increase in trade, the prairie’s demise ensued. By 1920, overgrazing and large-scale land clearing, primarily for rice production, had reduced the prairie to a fraction of its former self. This loss has had substantial effects on avian species such as Bachman’s, Texas olive, and Henslow’s sparrows, mottled duck, dickcissel, whooping crane, and Attwater’s greater prairie-chicken, now extirpated in Louisiana.

Louisiana↗