National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior Natural Resource Stewardship and Science Streamside Bird Monitoring Protocol for the Eastern Rivers and Mountains Network Protocol Narrative Version 3.0 Natural Resource Report NPS/ERMN/NRR—2016/1224 ON THE COVER Ovenbird (Seiurus aurocapilla) is among the most frequently encountered bird species in the ERMN. Photograph ©: Bill Thompson Streamside Bird Monitoring Protocol for the Eastern Rivers and Mountains Network Protocol Narrative Version 3.0 Natural Resource Report NPS/ERMN/NRR—2016/1224 Matthew Marshall, Caleb Tzilkowski, and Kristina Callahan National Park Service Eastern Rivers and Mountains Network University Park, PA 16802 May 2016 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. These reports are 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 comprehensive information and analysis about natural resources and related topics concerning lands managed by the National Park Service. The series supports the advancement of science, informed decision-making, and the achievement of the National Park Service mission. The series also provides a forum for presenting more lengthy results that may not be accepted by publications with 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. 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Streamside bird monitoring protocol for the Eastern Rivers and Mountains Network: Protocol narrative version 3.0. Natural Resource Report NPS/ERMN/NRR—2016/1224. National Park Service, Fort Collins, Colorado. NPS 962/132802, May 2016 ii Contents Page Figures .................................................................................................................................................... v Tables ................................................................................................................................................... vii Appendices ............................................................................................................................................ ix Revision History ................................................................................................................................... xi Revision History Log ................................................................................................................... xii Executive Summary ............................................................................................................................xiii Acknowledgments ................................................................................................................................ xv List of Key Acronyms ........................................................................................................................ xvii Background and Objectives ................................................................................................................... 1 Background and History ................................................................................................................. 1 Rationale for Monitoring Birds ...................................................................................................... 2 Streamside Birds ............................................................................................................................. 4 Measureable Objectives .................................................................................................................. 4 Sampling Design .................................................................................................................................... 7 Overview ........................................................................................................................................ 7 Parks Included ................................................................................................................................ 7 History of Protocol and Sampling Design Development ............................................................... 7 Sampling Approach and Target Population ................................................................................... 9 Sampling Frame and Sample Site Definition ............................................................................... 11 Sample Site Selection and Statistical Inference ........................................................................... 13 Sampling Frequency, Replication, and Detectable Levels of Change ......................................... 15 Sample Site Summary .................................................................................................................. 16 Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area ...................................................................... 16 New River Gorge National River ............................................................................................ 19 Bluestone National Scenic River ............................................................................................. 22 Allegheny Portage Railroad National Historic Site ................................................................. 24 Fort Necessity National Battlefield ......................................................................................... 26 Friendship Hill National Historic Site ..................................................................................... 28 iii Contents (continued) Page Field Methods ...................................................................................................................................... 31 Field Season Preparation .............................................................................................................. 31 Conducting Streamside Bird Surveys ........................................................................................... 31 Point Counts ............................................................................................................................ 31 Vegetation and Ambient Noise Measurements ....................................................................... 31 Data Management ................................................................................................................................ 33 Database Design ........................................................................................................................... 33 Data Entry, Verification, and Acceptance .................................................................................... 33 Metadata Procedures .................................................................................................................... 34 Data Backups and Archiving ........................................................................................................ 34 Data Dissemination ...................................................................................................................... 35 Data Analysis and Reporting ............................................................................................................... 37 Recommended Reporting Schedule and Format .......................................................................... 37 Recommendations for Routine Data Summaries and Analysis .................................................... 38 Birds as Indicators of Ecosystem Integrity .............................................................................. 40 Operational Requirements ................................................................................................................... 43 Personnel Requirements ............................................................................................................... 43 Qualifications, Training, and Safety ............................................................................................. 43 Annual Workload and Schedule ................................................................................................... 45 Facility