wildlife Monitoring program-2015

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Bird surveys will use the point-count method. A point-count sampling area is defined by a 100m-radius circle from the sampling point(Exhibit 2). The surveyor arrives at a point and waits 5-10 minutes for birds to habituate to the surveyor's presence. While waiting,the surveyor completes the general items on the data sheet, including weather(see Bird Point Count Data Form,Appendix A). (The data form has all the codes needed to complete a point count.) The surveyor sketches and labels the different habitat cover types in and around the 100m-radius circle using AES's habitat classes(see Appendix A). Dimensions of the habitat and distances from the sampling point are noted. Significant features in the 100m radius area are drawn: roads, hedgerows,structures,ditches, and open water. The surveyor records all bird species seen and heard during a 10-minute sampling period and notes whether individuals are inside or outside the 100m radius. Mapping of bird locations is done to avoid double-counting individuals,to indicate the habitat a bird was using,and indicate whether a bird was inside or outside the 100m radius. For each species,the number of individuals is recorded in three time periods. A surveyor notes species by the American Ornithologist's Union alpha code for common names (AOU 2012); codes for the bird's behavior is also recorded. The alpha code of each bird's location is drawn on the map. Birds flying overhead at an elevation greater than 30m are not counted. In each survey,a point-count is done twice at the same location and the results averaged for data analysis. One point count sampling location was established, near the northeast corner of the wetland (Exhibit 1). From this location the entire wetland is visible(although the southern portion is outside the 100m radius). For establishing trends(see below),the metrics used from bird surveys are the total species encountered,total number of individuals seen,and total number of species that are associated with wetlands. Dragonflies and Damselflies Dragonfly and damselfly presence is surveyed along a walking transect. On this predetermined path the surveyor records all individuals of dragonflies and damselflies observed. Mead (2009) is an excellent field guide to dragonfly and damselfly species in the Upper Midwest. The dragonfly-damselfly transect at the Nelson Wetland begins in the parking area above the wetland, continues northwest and downhill to the north edge of the wetland,then follows the wetland's boundary, returning to the parking lot (Exhibit 1). The transect is walked slowly. When a dragonfly or damselfly is encountered,the observer stops to record the species or genus,with the aid of binoculars if necessary. Experts may use a net to carefully capture an individual and release it unharmed. Netting should not be tried without experience as these insects are easily damaged or killed. Since walking the transect will disturb birds, it is important that the bird point count is completed prior to beginning the insect transect. Surveys should occur in weather similar to that for birds—light or no winds and no significant rain. Dragonflies and damselflies are most active when temperatures are above 50 degrees F.,although a few species fly at lower temperatures. As a result,they are most active in the growing season between 9am and 5pm,and sampling should be conducted in this period. Surveys will be conducted from spring through fall; peak dragonfly activity occurs in mid-to late summer. 4 1 P a g e