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Winter surveys – Inland waterbodies

Waterbirds can be hard to obtain good winter information about because they move around a lot and because surveying waterbodies often requires a different approach to other habitats. Consequently, we plan to conduct supplemental surveys of lakes and ponds. Because of the way that birds use these sites, we will focus on the waterbody as the area over which species should be counted, with a goal of counting all individuals using the waterbody, regardless of where block boundaries lie.

Protocol

• Pick a lake or pond in your block and identify a point that will allow you to see as much of the site as possible.
• For larger lakes, it is OK to move between multiple survey points to ensure that you can see all parts of the lake. If you do move, however, be careful to pay attention to where birds are, so that they do not get double-counted if seen from different locations. For the state’s largest lakes, attempting to get complete surveys may be impractical, in which case, use the methods described for shoreline surveys of the coast and major rivers.
• Record the latitude and longitude of the center of the waterbody (note that this may not be exactly where you observe the birds from) and give the waterbody a name.
  Instructions on how to provide location information are here.
• Visit as frequently as you are able (ideally at least every two weeks, but even 1-2 visits are valuable) and count all waterbirds and birds of prey using the site. Frequent surveys will allow us to understand how use of these habitats changes over the course of the winter.
• There is no fixed period of time for these surveys – simply spend whatever time it takes to count all birds on the waterbody. For many of the state’s ponds and small lakes, that might just be a few minutes, but be sure to record the start and end time of each survey.
• Counts should include all geese, swans, ducks, grebes, coots, shorebirds, gulls, loons, cormorants, herons, and kingfishers.
• Because birds of prey are sometimes drawn to waterbodies to hunt, we ask that you also record any osprey, eagles, hawks, harriers, falcons, or owls seen during your survey. Reporting other species is optional.
• Record your best estimate of the percent of the waterbody that is covered by ice.
• Data can be submitted as an eBird checklist using the center of the waterbody as the location point (see example image below); please write “CT Bird Atlas waterbody survey” in the comments box and share with the ctbirdatlas account (for instructions on how to do this, go here). Alternatively, data can be submitted on the form here, again providing the latitude and longitude for the center of the waterbody.

Locating a survey marker: When entering a site location for a waterbody, simply place the location marker (blue pin) in the center of the waterbody, as shown for Hansens Pond in the image from eBird, below. If you are submitting data using the paper form, you can use Google Earth on a phone or computer to select the point and then read off the coordinates (for an example see this page here).

Winter surveys – Shoreline POINTS

Not all waterbirds spend time on lakes and ponds and as the winter proceeds many will shift to the coast or to moving water. To document these movements and quantify the distribution of coastal species, we have devised a slightly modified version of the inland waterbody survey that will work better for long continuous stretches of water, such as the coast and larger rivers (e.g. Connecticut, Housatonic, Thames, etc.). This protocol can also be used for large lakes that may be difficult to survey entirely (e.g., Candlewood Lake, Barkhamstead Reservoir). Coastal counts will be especially important as they will allow us to update analyses used to inform the state’s Blue Plan.

Protocol

• Pick a point where you can scan Long Island Sound or a section of a major river or lake. If you have a coastal block, or one that lies on one of the state’s big rivers, then pick at least one site in your block. If you do not have one of these blocks, then feel free to pick a good site in another block, especially if it is a site where few people go birding.
• Record the latitude and longitude of the point you observe from and give the location a name. Instructions on how to provide location information are here.
• Visit as frequently as you are able (ideally at least once every two weeks, but even 1-2 visits are valuable) and count all waterbirds and birds of prey visible from the observation point. Frequent surveys will allow us to understand how use of these habitats changes over the course of the winter.
• There is no fixed period of time for these surveys – simply spend whatever time it takes to count all birds visible from the point you have chosen. For many sites, that might just be a few minutes, but be sure to record the start and end time of each survey.
• Although it is useful to report birds flying by, the priority is to document birds using the water at the survey site, so prolonged sea-watches are not necessary.
• Counts should include all geese, swans, ducks, grebes, coots, shorebirds, alcids, gulls, terns, loons, gannets, cormorants, herons, kingfishers, and any rarer seabirds.
• Because birds of prey often concentrate along the coast, we ask that you also record any osprey, eagles, hawks, harriers, falcons, or owls seen during your survey. Reporting other species is optional.
• Although unlikely, if there is ice cover, record the proportion of visible water that is frozen.
• Data can be submitted as an eBird checklist using the point from which observations were made as the location; please write “CT Bird Atlas shoreline survey” in the comments box and share with the ctbirdatlas account (for instructions on how to do this, go here). Alternatively, data can be submitted on the paper form here, again providing the latitude and longitude for the observation point.

 

Winter surveys – COMMUNAL ROOSTS

Because roost sites concentrate birds in one spot, they present good opportunities to count birds. If you know of a site that is regularly used by multiple roosting birds, then consider conducting regular surveys of the birds as they come in to roost. Also, keep an eye out for birds travelling consistently in one direction at dusk or dawn, as you may be able to follow them and find a roost. Species most likely to form roosts include geese, ducks, shorebirds, gulls, vultures, crows, robins, starlings, and blackbirds. Most roosts occur at night, requiring counts to occur as dusk approaches. Coastal waterbirds (e.g., shorebirds) often roost during high tide, rather than at night. Although small songbirds are not usually thought of as forming communal roosts, species such as house sparrows, finches, and even kinglets and creepers, will sometimes congregate in one spot. Reports of these species would be welcomed too.

Protocol

• Pick a location where you know birds gather to roost (roost sites do not have to be in your block).
• Record the latitude and longitude of the roost site (note that this may not be exactly where you observe the birds from) and give the site a name. Instructions on how to provide location information are here.
• On each visit, try to arrive before birds start to enter the roost and stay until it is completely dark, so that you do not miss birds. For high tide roosts, arrive before the tide peaks and stay until high tide.
• Visit as frequently as you are able (ideally at least once every two weeks, but even 1-2 visits are valuable) and count birds as they come in to roost.
• Also record any other unusual species seen in the area, especially birds of prey, which are often attracted to roosts to hunt.
• Data can be submitted as a stationary eBird checklist using the roost site as the location point; please write “CT Bird Atlas roost survey” in the comments box and share with the ctbirdatlas account (for instructions on how to do this, go here). Alternatively, data can be submitted on the paper form here, again providing the latitude and longitude for the center of the roost site.