ABO - Research Updates

Wrangell St. Elias Waterfowl Surveys

The Alaska Bird Observatory branched out into the world of waterfowl this spring. As part of cooperative efforts among state and federal agencies in the preparation for response to an avian influenza virus H5N1 outbreak in North America, we conducted aerial surveys during May and June, 2007, to investigate the chronology, distribution and areas of aggregation, and species of waterfowl present in Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve. Surveys were flown along transects spaced at 2-mile intervals throughout probable waterfowl habitat within the Park and were replicated in three consecutive weeks between 24 May and 13 June. Estimates of abundance declined from a high in week 1 to the lowest in week 3. Diving ducks were the most abundant group, and of 19 observed species, scaup were the most common. Few large aggregations of waterfowl were observed. The majority of observations consisted of breeding pairs and lone males. Therefore, we suspect that waterfowl use during spring may be limited primarily to nesting and brood rearing. The final report is available under Research Reports.

Updated 9/13/2007

	Fall 2007 CFMS wrap-up: · From 23 July to 30 September 2007, captured a total of 3,861 birds · 3,178 birds were banded as first-time captures; the remaining birds were recaptures (518), returning birds from previous years (89) or birds that remained unbanded (76) · The most abundant species banded (first-time captures) were Yellow-rumped Warbler (780), Dark-eyed Junco (492), Orange-crowned Warbler (390), Lincoln’s Sparrow (278) and American Tree Sparrow (253). Together, these five species comprised 69% of all birds banded · 38 species were captured and 36 banded (we do not band ducks and grouse) · Young (Hatch Year) birds represent the majority of our fall captures (89%) · Caught two Arctic Warblers in one week during mid- August. Arctic Warblers are rare migrants to the Tanana Valley. These two birds are the first at the station since 1999 and represent the 20^th and 21^st captures of this species over the 16-year banding history · Captured our first Chipping Sparrow on September 14th. In addition to being a new species for the station, this bird was a Hatch Year bird—providing evidence that this species is likely breeding locally. Mist-netting at CFMS, in addition to incidental observations from local birders, is helping to document the possible range expansion of this songbird species to interior Alaska · Other notable captures include an adult male Merlin, three young Wilson’s Snipe, an adult American Three-toed Woodpecker, an adult Northern Shrike and three Golden-crowned Sparrows · Over 40 volunteers, including 4 youth, contributed 1040 hours of service Collaborated with Institute of Arctic Biology, University of Alaska, Fairbanks (UAF) in collecting samples to test birds for avian influenza (H5N1). UAF staff collected 2,594 samples from multiple songbird species · Educated ~1500 people (school groups and independent visitors) s2007 Fall Report
Rusty Blackbird Project After wonderful months of hiking through fens, followed by some massive amounts of data entry, the Rusty Blackbird season is over. The young have fledged, the adults are gathering for another migration, and the crew is ready to migrate themselves. Some are heading to graduate school, some are staying in Fairbanks, and one is going to fly with the condors. We had a wonderful season, and can’t wait for another, to learn from the infamous Rusty Blackbirds. Updated 8/8/2007
Photo by Nancy DeWitt	Bird Air Strike Hazard Project The field effort for the BASH project is winding down and the field crew reports that the movement of birds through Eielson is declining steadily as autumn progresses. As the field work finishes up, the data entry, compilation, and analyses are winding up. A lot of time is being spent drafting out the report, and working on analyses of the spring data. On notable recent finding is that the data show that weather significantly impacts the flight elevation of migrating Canada and Cackling Geese. On overcast days, geese fly lower and with variation on average than on clear days, creating a higher density of birds at lower elevations. Updated 9/13/2007
Arctic Warbler Project Season Wrap-Up and Accomplishments (3 June –6 July 2007) This “maintenance” year was a great success! We couldn’t have done so much without the generous support of our members, Arctic Audubon Society, the Bureau of Land Management, ABO volunteers and ABO biologists. Stay tuned for next year’s results! Re-staked plots 3 and 4, which were used from 2004-2006 Monitored activities of all songbird species utilizing the study plots Documented arrival dates for male (June 6, 2007) and female (June 13, 2007) Arctic Warblers to study area Monitored locations of colorbanded Arctic Warblers using the study plots Re-sighted 11 returning Arctic Warblers (already colorbanded in previous years) Colorbanded 15 new adult Arctic Warblers—12 males and 3 females Found 3 Arctic Warbler nests and GPS’d their locations Documented first egg dates for Arctic Warblers on study plots (June 20, 2007) Documented hatching dates for Arctic Warblers on study plots (July 5, 2007) Had the help of amazing ABO Volunteers (Frank and Judy Williams, Ron and Mary Kay Teel, Joyce Potter and Jack Rasmussen) Was able to stay at the stunning Maclaren Lodge Bunkhouse and partake in their wonderful food (especially the pie!) and company Updated 8/7/2007
	Tree Swallow Nestbox Project The Tree Swallow Mentoring project has officially come to an end for the 2007 season. This year we were able to monitor a total of 39 nests out of the 130 boxes and band a total of 178 Tree Swallow Chicks. After all the fun work of monitoring the nests and banding the chicks, we wrapped up the season by cleaning out all of the boxes. This year’s work was made possible by the hard work of the Tree Swallow Mentoring Project youth volunteers, so a big thank you goes out to Quinn Evenson, Jesse Miller-Harris, Spalding Bristow, Mikayla Eager, and Ryan DeCorso. Thank you all for your hard work and dedication to the project! Updated 8/17/2007
Wrangell St. Elias Waterfowl Surveys The Alaska Bird Observatory branched out into the world of waterfowl this spring. As part of cooperative efforts among state and federal agencies in the preparation for response to an avian influenza virus H5N1 outbreak in North America, we conducted aerial surveys during May and June, 2007, to investigate the chronology, distribution and areas of aggregation, and species of waterfowl present in Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve. Surveys were flown along transects spaced at 2-mile intervals throughout probable waterfowl habitat within the Park and were replicated in three consecutive weeks between 24 May and 13 June. Estimates of abundance declined from a high in week 1 to the lowest in week 3. Diving ducks were the most abundant group, and of 19 observed species, scaup were the most common. Few large aggregations of waterfowl were observed. The majority of observations consisted of breeding pairs and lone males. Therefore, we suspect that waterfowl use during spring may be limited primarily to nesting and brood rearing. The final report is available under Research Reports. Updated 9/13/2007	Greater Scaup Photo by Doug Lloyd

Alaska Bird Observatory- Research Updates

Rusty Blackbird Project

Bird Air Strike Hazard Project

Arctic Warbler Project

Tree Swallow Nestbox Project

Wrangell St. Elias Waterfowl Surveys