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Prairie Falcon Monitoring Protocol for Pinnacles National Monument Narrative - Version 2.3

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Prairie Falcon Monitoring Protocol for Pinnacles National Monument Narrative - Version 2.3 National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior Natural Resource Stewardship and Science Prairie Falcon Monitoring Protocol for Pinnacles National Monument Narrative - Version 2.3 Natural Resource Report NPS/SFAN/NRR—2011/466 ON THE COVER Juvenile prairie falcon. Photograph by: Gavin Emmons Prairie Falcon Monitoring Protocol for Pinnacles National Monument Narrative - Version 2.3 Natural Resource Report NPS/SFAN/NRR—2011/466 Gavin Emmons Jim Petterson National Park Service Pinnacles National Monument Research and Resource Management 5000 Highway 146 Paicines, CA 95043 Marcus Koenen David Press National Park Service Golden Gate National Recreation Area Fort Cronkhite, Bldg 1063 Sausalito, CA 94965 November 2011 U.S. Department of the Interior National Park Service Natural Resource Stewardship and Science Fort Collins, Colorado The National Park Service, Natural Resource Stewardship and Science office in Fort Collins, Colorado publishes a range of reports that address natural resource topics of interest and applicability to a broad audience in the National Park Service and others in natural resource management, including scientists, conservation and environmental constituencies, and the public. The Natural Resource Report Series is used to disseminate results of scientific studies in the physical, biological, and social sciences for both the advancement of science and the achievement of the National Park Service mission. The series provides contributors with a forum for displaying comprehensive data that are often deleted from journals because of page limitations. All manuscripts in the series receive the appropriate level of peer review to ensure that the information is scientifically credible, technically accurate, appropriately written for the intended audience, and designed and published in a professional manner. This report received formal, high-level peer review based on the importance of its content, or its potentially controversial or precedent-setting nature. Peer review was conducted by highly qualified individuals with subject area technical expertise and was overseen by a peer review manager. Views, statements, findings, conclusions, recommendations, and data in this report do not necessarily reflect views and policies of the National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior. Mention of trade names or commercial products does not constitute endorsement or recommendation for use by the U.S. Government. This report is available from the San Francisco Bay Area Network Inventory and Monitoring Program (http://science.nature.nps.gov/im/units/sfan/index.cfm) and the Natural Resource Publications Management website (http://www.nature.nps.gov/publications/nrpm/). Please cite this publication as: Emmons, G., J. Petterson, M. Koenen, and D. Press. 2011. Prairie falcon monitoring protocol for Pinnacles National Monument: narrative - version 2.3. Natural Resource Report NPS/SFAN/NRR—2011/466. National Park Service, Fort Collins, Colorado. NPS 114/111562, November 2011 ii Revision History Log Prev. Revision Author Changes Made Reason for Change New Version # Date Version # NA Sept. 26, G. Emmons, 1st draft sent for NA 2003 A. Fesnock review NA June G. Emmons, Refined and Respond to internal 1.02 2005 A. Fesnock. augmented contents review 1.02 May G. Emmons, Clarifications, Respond to peer- 1.1 2008 D. Press, J. largely to data review comments Pettersen, analysis section M. Koenen 1.1 May M. Koenen, Clarifications, Respond to peer- 2.1 2009 G. Emmons, largely to data review comments P. Johnson, analysis; inclusion D. Adams of SOPs in main document 2.1 Mar M. Koenen Added final To incorporate findings 2.2 2010 changes to from Starcevich and sampling design Steinhorst (2010) and data analysis 2.2 June D. Adams, Made title change Respond to request 2.3 2011 D. Roberts corrections on p.ii, from P. Latham, PWR 20, and 27. I&M Prgm Mgr. iii CONTENTS Page Figures............................................................................................................................................ ix Tables ............................................................................................................................................. xi Appendixes .................................................................................................................................. xiii Executive Summary ...................................................................................................................... xv Acknowledgements ..................................................................................................................... xvii Acronyms ................................................................................................................................... xviii 1 - Background and Objectives ....................................................................................................... 1 1.1 Issue Being Addressed and Rationale for Monitoring Raptor Populations ...................... 1 1.1.1 Historical Development of Breeding Raptor Monitoring in Pinnacles ......................................................................................................................... 2 1.2 Monitoring Questions ....................................................................................................... 2 1.3 Monitoring Objectives ...................................................................................................... 3 1.4 Management Objectives .................................................................................................... 3 1.5 Other Raptor Species ........................................................................................................ 3 1.6 Trigger for Management Activities................................................................................... 5 2 - Sampling Design........................................................................................................................ 7 2.1 Population Being Monitored ............................................................................................. 7 2.1.1 Territories ............................................................................................................... 7 2.2 Sampling Frequency and Replication ............................................................................... 9 2.3.1 Sampling Frequency .............................................................................................. 9 2.3.2 Intensified Sampling .............................................................................................. 9 2.3.3 Length of Site Visit ................................................................................................ 9 2.3 Sample Size and Statistical Power .................................................................................... 9 2.3.1 Occupancy Analysis ............................................................................................. 10 v CONTENTS (continued) Page 2.3.2 Fecundity Sample Design .................................................................................... 12 2.4 Sample Design Summary ................................................................................................ 14 3 - Field Methods .......................................................................................................................... 17 3.1 Field Season Preparations ............................................................................................... 17 3.2 Field Season Surveys ...................................................................................................... 17 3.3 Ancillary Data ................................................................................................................. 18 3.4 End of the Field Season .................................................................................................. 19 4 - Data Management .................................................................................................................... 21 4.1 Management of Statistical Data ...................................................................................... 21 4.2 Overview of Database Design......................................................................................... 21 4.3 Data Entry and Verification ............................................................................................ 21 4.4 Metadata and Data Archival Procedures ......................................................................... 22 5 - Analysis and Reporting ........................................................................................................... 25 5.1 Reporting Schedule and Formats .................................................................................... 25 5.1.1 Bi-Weekly Update ................................................................................................ 25 5.1.2 Annual Report ...................................................................................................... 25 5.1.3 Analysis and Synthesis Report ............................................................................. 27 6 - Operational Requirements ....................................................................................................... 29 6.1 Roles and Responsibilities .............................................................................................. 29 6.1.1 Tasks for the SFAN Raptor Technician: .............................................................
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