Second Florida Breeding Bird Atlas

1. Second Florida Breeding Bird Atlas

2. Why should you help the Atlas? (BBA II) • Atlas surveys are fun • It is done on your own time schedule • It’s birding with a purpose • We are all volunteers We need your help!

3. Expected Output • Updated distribution maps of breeding birds • Change maps highlighting breeding distribution • Relative abundance maps • Comparison of BBA changes with trends revealed by the Breeding Bird Survey. • Breeding chronology information. • Specific location information on a score of species of conservation interest.

4. Summary of the Birding Protocol • Species list • Breeding evidence • Focal species • Change map • Missed species in the quad • Mini-routes

5. Objectives: Field Studies • Provide a sample of studied areas • Provide additional information on breeding • Determine and map breeding distribution • Provide a reliable data base • Involve citizen scientists in a fascinating research project. • Work with land owners to serve as ambassadors to the community. • Finish the project in a timely manner. • Produce relative abundance data

6. Objectives: Analysis and Publication • Analyze the database developed for conservation information, particularly for species of conservation concern. • Publish results of the Atlas on the Internet, including distribution, distribution changes, and analyses. • Publish a book of the results.

7. Atlas Grid • Grid-based survey of the bird species breeding in Florida • Grid is based on US Geological Survey quadrangles • Each Quad is broken into six survey Blocks • Areas vary from 10.7 square miles to 11.2 square miles

8. Atlas Plan

9. Maps

10. Definitions • BBA I • BBA II • Quad • Block • Sample Block • Comparison Blocks • Priority Blocks

11. Atlas Minimum Field Goals • Resurvey the SE Block of every USGS Quad covering Florida. • In the event the SE Block is over water, resurvey the next Block that was selected • If the SE Block is available, but was not covered in the first Atlas, it should be thoroughly covered • Should require at least two early morning visits during the breeding season some follow-up

12. When is a Priority Block Done? • Primary guide: You have covered all the habitats present during the time the birds are breeding and also tried for nocturnal species. • Secondary guide: You have reached about the same number of breeding species reported in BBA I

13. For Non-priority Blocks • After you have covered the Priority Block, cover habitats not present in the priority block • Missed Species are a mark of success • Under no circumstances should you add a species because you “know it is present”

14. Atlas Regions

15. Selection of Blocks to Cover • Systematic sample of one block out of six • Matched paired sample with the first atlas • Missed species • Miniroutes • Atlasing additional blocks • Cruising the Quad for New, Focal and Uncommon Species

16. Focal and Non Focal Species

17. Safe Dates

18. Breeding Codes: OB Category • Observed: No Local Breeding Evidence • O Species (male or female) observed in a block during its breeding season with no evidence of breeding.

19. Breeding Codes: PO Category • SH Species (male or female) observed in suitable nesting habitat during safe dates. • SM Singing male present, or breeding season calls (or drumming by woodpeckers) heard

20. Breeding Codes: PF Category • S 7 or more territorial males observed • S = seven discrete observations of a species • P Pair observed in suitable nesting habitat • T Permanent territory presumed • C Courtship behavior or copulation • V Visiting probable nest site • A Agitated behavior • B Brood patch or cloacal protuberance

21. Breeding Codes: CO Category • NB Nest building • DD Distraction display • NU Used nests or egg shells • FE Female with egg in oviduct • FY Recently fledged young • CF Carrying food for young • ON Adults entering or leaving a nest • FS Adult carrying fecal sac • IP Incubating position • NE Nest with egg(s) • NY Nest with young • Cowbird egg or young

22. Web Site and Data Entry

23. Species Accounts • Not all codes apply to all species.

24. Exotic Species • Egyptian Goose among other species are becoming part of our avifauna. • Please record all unrestrained exotics. • Even Chickens! (Red Jungle Fowl) • Exotics are a part of our environment regardless of whether we can put them on our ABA list or not.

25. Colonial Waders • Colonial waders (not Green heron or bitterns) should be coded as O unless they are observed at a nest colony. • V – Visiting probable nest site can be used for species at the site but where no actual nesting activity was observed.

26. Vultures • Soaring vultures are O • SH can be used for birds rising from suitable habitat in the morning (not near a feeding spot) or roosting April – July. • Breeders roost near the nest site and control access to roost sites.

27. Kites • Swallow-tailed Kites may forage miles from nest site. Flocks and high flying birds should be coded as O • They stay closer to nest site when young are in the nest. • Preferred dates 4/20-6/20. • Mississippi Kites similar, preferred dates 5/1-7/15.

28. Sandhill Cranes • Wintering Sandhill Cranes are found in flocks. • Be sure not to record these flocks as SH or any other codes. • Focal species only in Regions 1-4.

29. Crested Caracara • Adults tend to stay on territory (generally less than half the size of a block.) • Juveniles (brown colored) often wander. Individual juveniles should be coded as O. Juveniles with adults can be coded FY. • 2nd and 3rd year birds do not breed but look like adults. Code these as SH.

30. Barn Owls • Migrants are possible. • Preferred dates 4/1 – 8/31 • Mark winter birds as O and look for better evidence.

31. Chimney Swifts • Swifts rarely forage more than 0.5 km from nest site. • Flying swifts can be coded as T – Territorial (within safe dates.) • Trio flying can be coded as C.

32. Ruby-throated Hummingbird • Southbound migrants may appear by July 1 • Preferred dates 5/1 – 6/30. • If someone reports birds at a feeder, ask if they were present during preferred dates.

33. Purple Martin • Fledge early and form large roosts. • Juveniles away from nest sites should not be recorded as breeders. • PO codes not to be used (martins on a house can be coded V- Visiting probable nest site.)

34. Barn Swallows (and others) • Should not use PO codes. • Swallows forage far and wide. • Only record breeding evidence when an actual nest site is found. • V – Visiting nest site can be used for swallows flying under a bridge.

35. Louisiana Waterthrush • Very early migrant. • Migrants arrive by late June in north FL • Non-singing birds after June 25 should not be recorded as breeders. • Preferred date range 5/1 – 6/30.