Post by Steve Sutton on Jun 5, 2010 15:02:14 GMT -5
Montana, in cooperation with many other Western states, is participating in a survey and study of breeding waterbird populations and their locations.
Biologists surveyed 123 wetland sites across Montana in 2009, 45 percent of which had nesting waterbirds. Known as colonial waterbirds, these birds nest in colonies called rookeries. Colony size ranged from one to 2,867 nesting pairs. Franklin's gulls and American white pelicans had the largest colonies. Biologists began carrying out the second season of work on May 24.
The survey will be used to develop long-term monitoring of the population size, trends and locations of popular birds such as Clark’s grebe, Franklin’s gull, the white faced ibis, and great blue heron colonies.
"In the western U.S., including Montana, we need to determine how our waterbird populations are doing overall, what conservation issues the birds face and what actions will be the most effective in the coming years," said Catherine Wightman, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks avian biologist and all-bird conservation coordinator.
The three season priority avian project is being coordinated by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and implemented in the state by FWP during 2009, 2010, and 2011.
Montana Audubon and the Montana Bird Conservation Partnership are partners in the project.
Wightman said the results of the 2009 survey are posted on the Montana Audubon Web site. For additional information, contact Catherine Wightman by email: cwightman@mt.gov; or by phone: 406-490-2329.
Biologists surveyed 123 wetland sites across Montana in 2009, 45 percent of which had nesting waterbirds. Known as colonial waterbirds, these birds nest in colonies called rookeries. Colony size ranged from one to 2,867 nesting pairs. Franklin's gulls and American white pelicans had the largest colonies. Biologists began carrying out the second season of work on May 24.
The survey will be used to develop long-term monitoring of the population size, trends and locations of popular birds such as Clark’s grebe, Franklin’s gull, the white faced ibis, and great blue heron colonies.
"In the western U.S., including Montana, we need to determine how our waterbird populations are doing overall, what conservation issues the birds face and what actions will be the most effective in the coming years," said Catherine Wightman, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks avian biologist and all-bird conservation coordinator.
The three season priority avian project is being coordinated by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and implemented in the state by FWP during 2009, 2010, and 2011.
Montana Audubon and the Montana Bird Conservation Partnership are partners in the project.
Wightman said the results of the 2009 survey are posted on the Montana Audubon Web site. For additional information, contact Catherine Wightman by email: cwightman@mt.gov; or by phone: 406-490-2329.