Breeding bird monitoring protocol for the Mid-Atlantic Network: Protocol narrative version 2.0

Johnson, Mark; Wakamiya, Sara

doi:10.36967/2313960

The Mid-Atlantic Network (MIDN) of the National Park Service’s Inventory and Monitoring Division (IMD) was established to serve 10 national parks in Pennsylvania and Virginia spanning the Blue Ridge, Piedmont, and Coastal Plain of the Mid-Atlantic region. This protocol outlines the justification and procedures for establishment of a long-term breeding bird monitoring program for network parks. This protocol is administered by Mid-Atlantic Network staff in cooperation with the Natural Resource Management (NRM) staff of each participating park and utilizes citizen scientists to aid in data collection. To establish this monitoring program, a protocol was developed and pilot tested in six participating network parks. The primary objectives of this protocol are to determine the status and long-term trends in breeding bird species composition, relative abundance, and occupancy, and evaluate changes in bird populations relative to park management regimes. The sampling design was developed to address the priorities of each network park through consultation with park NRM staff and engagement with subject matter experts. The design should provide enough power to both address the status of breeding bird populations in network parks, as well as detect changes in trends in these data over time. Protocol procedures were developed to meet protocol objectives, address resource management needs, and provide opportunities for citizen scientists to contribute significantly to their local park and the MIDN network as a whole. This protocol consists of a narrative (this document), Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) outlining specific aspects of the monitoring protocol, and a Quality Assurance Plan document that establishes standards for data quality. Data collected as part of this protocol are stored locally in databases developed by the network and uploaded to the National Park Service’s DataStore, available via the Integrated Resource Management Application portal (https://irma.nps.gov/DataStore/). Reporting on these data occurs at regular intervals to enable park NRM staff to incorporate results into park management. The latest versions of the SOPs, data summary reports, and additional supporting information can be accessed online at the National Park Service’s Mid-Atlantic Network website (https://www.nps.gov/im/midn).

Breeding bird monitoring protocol for the Mid-Atlantic Network: Protocol narrative version 2.0

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