Avian Inventory and Monitoring Needs for Fire Island National Seashore: A Review of Available Literature and Data

Peters, Kimberly

For park managers to develop effective strategies to maintain the viability of avian populations they must know which populations occur in their parks, their status, and potential threats. New Jersey Audubon Society (NJAS), under a cooperative agreement with the National Park Service (NPS), conducted a comprehensive review of existing avian information for Gateway National Recreation Area (GATE) and Fire Island National Seashore (FIIS), two parks within NPS's Northeast Coastal and Barrier Network. In an earlier report (Mizrahi 2004), we discussed how we constructed an NPSpecies-compatible database for each unit of GATE and FIIS. We also developed a systematic method to classify the residency status of species that occur during more than one distinct period of the annual cycle, and a standardized way to present additional residency status and abundance information in the database. The systematic method for classifying the residency status of birds coincided with the National NPS NPSpecies Data Dictionary https://science1.nature.nps.gov/npspecies/web/main/start). After careful review of current documents and data sets, and with a working knowledge of avian abundance and distribution patterns in the region immediate to the park, we completed all fields in the FIIS database and corrected inaccuracies. We used NatureBib and other bibliographic databases to identify information source and data sets to use in evaluating existing knowledge gaps regarding FIIS's avian resources. Given the number of species that must be considered by park managers, and limits on resources available to conduct active species management, the need to prioritize among species is important. Our assessment of avian resource management needs was made within the context of regional and national conservation objectives. To identify information sources, our review mainly focused on comprehensive, multiyear reports and databases, and published, peer-reviewed manuscripts. Additionally, we reviewed recent scientific permit applications for research and monitoring efforts at FIIS. We also interviewed several natural resource staff from FIIS to augment our perspective regarding inventory and monitoring needs throughout the park. We found that several conservation priority species, across all avian groups, lack sufficient data to make informed resource management decisions. Seaside and Salt Marsh Sharp-tailed Sparrow and Prairie Warbler (passerines), Northern Harrier, American Kestrel, Short-eared and Barn Owl (raptors), American Oystercatcher, Willet and American Woodcock (shorebirds), American Black and Wood Duck (waterfowl), and Black Rail and Little Blue Heron (waterbirds), are examples of the species that may require additional inventory and monitoring to support informed management actions. We also found that information about avian species during migration was lacking for some taxa. Additionally, we noted that studies examining the effects of human activity on avian behavior and population health have not been implemented within the park, despite the potential for direct human disturbance in this popular recreation area. For those species, species groups, or guilds identified as requiring additional abundance and distribution data, we outlined several methods (e.g., point counts, MAPS) that could be used to accomplish inventory and monitoring needs. Overall, we found that FIIS is an important barrier island ecosystem that provides habitat for a diversity of avian species. Although the park is not critical to the viability of any avian population, it contains essential habitats used by a wide variety of species throughout the annual cycle.

Avian Inventory and Monitoring Needs for Fire Island National Seashore: A Review of Available Literature and Data

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