Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center


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Standard Operating Procedures: Extensive Variables

Bird Survey SOP

Bird surveys will be conducted on all wetlands. Surveys will consist of initially of making observations from a high vantage point near the wetland and recording the number and location of all birds in the wetland. Observers will then walk wetland perimeter and record all birds not observed from the high vantage point. The number and locations of all nest found will also be recorded.

Equipment List
Binoculars	__________
Wind meter	__________
Field Form No. 9	__________
Clip board	__________
Thermometer	__________

11.2. Special linkage variables collected for NPWRC
Bird survey

11.3. Wetland Bird Survey, Field Form No. 9 (Appendix A)

11.3.a. Record wetland identification number, date, observer, start time (military), % basin zone, wind velocity (mph), temperature, and % surrounding habitat within 1/4 mile.

11.3.b. From a high vantage point, record the bird species and number of birds visible in each wetland zone (i.e., open water, emergent vegetation, mudflat, wet-meadow, low prairie, flooded woody, woody vegetation, and aerial. Then approach and walk around the wetland and record the bird species and number of all birds not already recorded. Additionally, record the locations of any bird nests found. After the survey is complete record the ending time and temperature.

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