A Plan for Monitoring Shorebirds During the Non-breeding Season in

Bird Monitoring Region Maryland – BCR 30

Prepared by: Sandy Chan

Version *.*

2003

Updated 2008
 Table of Contents
Figures and Tables.........................................................................................................................2
Introduction....................................................................................................................................3
Methods...........................................................................................................................................5
Results - Shorebirds.......................................................................................................................7
Site Descriptions.............................................................................................................................8
Hart-Miller Island........................................................................................................................8
Poplar Island..............................................................................................................................11
References.....................................................................................................................................14

Figures and Tables

Figure 1. Conceptual framework for integrated bird monitoring............................................3
Figure 2. Shorebird Planning and Bird Conservation Regions in Canada and the United
States...............................................................................................................................................4
Figure 3. PRISM sites in BCR 13, 14, 30, 27, and 31...............................................................5
Table 1. Focal shorebird species for BCR 30..............................................................................7

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Introduction

The bird conservation initiatives - waterbirds, waterfowl, shorebirds and landbirds - are
cooperating to design a comprehensive “integrated bird monitoring” (IBM) program for Canada
and the United States. The conceptual framework for IBM (Fig. 1) includes strong emphasis on
detecting species at risk and helping to protect them. These broad goals are achieved by
estimating population trends and defining requirements for viable populations. These objectives
in turn are accomplished by population modeling based on population levels, demographic rates
and habitat information. Population trends are estimated by surveying breeding populations
whenever possible, and by surveying the species for which this is not feasible at other times of
year. Surveys of all species are made throughout the year to help identify and monitor use of
suitable habitat.

Figure 1. Conceptual framework for integrated bird monitoring.

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 Most surveys in upland habitats are designed at a large spatial scale (e.g., southern
Canada and the United States) and do not require detailed information at the local level. Surveys
of wetland habitats, in contrast, must be carefully designed to insure that the habitat is well
covered, and different methods may be needed in different environments. A series of “regional
assessments” is thus being prepared to help design the wetland surveys. Regions were formed by
intersecting a Bird Conservation Region (BCR) map with a Province and State map, deleting
small polygons and smoothing the borders (Fig. 2). The resulting “Bird Monitoring Regions” can
be used to scale up results to either BCRs or Provinces and States.

Figure 2. Shorebird Planning and Bird Conservation Regions in Canada and the United States.

Adapted from: USFWS-U.S. Shorebird Plan and CWS-Canadian Shorebird Conservation Plan

The regional assessments summarize current information about wetland bird distribution,
abundance, habitat relationships and timing of use within the Region and identify information
needed to design reliable monitoring programs. These “needed pilot studies” are then prioritized
by people concerned with monitoring birds in the region and a plan is developed to carry out the
work. Carrying out the pilot studies is expected to take 1-3 years. Long-term surveys will then be
implemented. Additional details are provided in “Managers Monitoring Manual” available at
http://www.pwrc.usgs.gov/monmanual/techniques/shorebirdsnonbreedingsites.htm. More
information on regional progress can be found at the U.S. Shorebird Plan’s Regional
Conservation Plan website (http://www.fws.gov/shorebirdplan/RegionalShorebird.htm).

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 Methods
Focal wetland species of shorebirds were first identified. The initial list included all
wetland species of shorebirds that are common or abundant at any time of year within the
Region, according to Brian Harrington and based largely upon data from the International
Shorebird Surveys (ISS). Sites in which any of the focal species are common or abundant at any
time of year were then identified using a list prepared for this project and supplemented by
information provided by birding guides, ornithologists and birders knowledgeable of the Region.
Most sites were single areas, such as a National Wildlife Refuge, but dispersed sites, such as
“lakes >10 ha”, could also be identified.

Figure 3. PRISM sites in BCR 13, 14, 30, 27, and 31.

The

International Shorebird Survey (ISS) provided species numbers for some of the identified sites.
The ISS is a volunteer based survey initiated in 1974 by Brian Harrington. Volunteers select
their survey sites and are given guidelines on census frequency and data collection for spring and
fall migration. The ISS guidelines ask volunteers to survey once every 10 days from April 1st to
June 10th for spring migration, and once every 10 days from July 11th to October 31st for fall
migration. ISS records provided the maximum counts recorded for species where the identified
site is also an ISS site.

Survey methods for sites include appropriate tide levels for surveys, if that information is
available. Tide levels for surveys are based on the advice of biologists and birders with
knowledge about the sites. Due to the different geography of the sites, different tide levels

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are recommended to concentrate the birds for a survey. While high tide at one site may bring in
birds that are spread out over an expansive area at low tide, high tide at another site may
completely cover the habitat or food resources and scatter the birds elsewhere. Therefore,
different tide levels may be recommended for different sites.

Additional site information may also include information about visibility. Excellent/good
visibility simply means that the birds can be seen without obstruction clearly enough to identify
to species, either by physically getting close enough or with a good scope or binoculars.

Maps showing land ownership, roads and wetlands were prepared for the region. Maps of
each site were also prepared and information useful in designing surveys for the focal species
was presented. The survey objective was assumed to be estimating the average number of birds
of each focal species present within the site during a specified interval. Up to three types of
habitat were described for each focal species: Type 1 habitat, outlined in purple on the maps,
included regularly-used areas that should be sampled using a well-defined sampling plan. Type 2
habitat, which was outlined in red, included areas used sparingly by the focal species. Type 2
habitat is not surveyed as often or with rigorously defined methods, but is surveyed less formally
every few years to document continued low use by the focal species. Type 3 habitat receives
virtually no use by the focal species during the study period and is not surveyed as part of the
monitoring program. Requests, however, are circulated for any records of the focal species
occurring in substantial numbers in these areas.

A description of each site was prepared with the following headings:

Boundaries and ownership

Focal species using the site and timing of use
Location of type 1 and 2 habitat within the site
Access to the type 1 and 2 habitat and visibility of the birds
Past and current surveys
Potential survey methods
Description
Selection bias
Measurement error and bias
Needed pilot studies
We assume for any survey that the study area and study period (within years) have been
defined. The goal of the survey was assumed to be estimating the trend, across several years, in
the average number of birds present during the study period. Bias means a long-term trend in the
ratio (number recorded)/(average number present). Selection bias ensues when some portion of
Type 1 habitat has zero chance of being surveyed, usually due to access problems, and there is a
long-term trend in the proportion of birds using the non-sampled portion. Exclusion of some
Type 1 habitat does not necessarily cause selection bias because trends in the sampled areas
might be the same as trends in the non-sampled areas. Anytime some portion of Type 1 habitat
could not be included in the sampled areas, the potential for selection bias and ways to reduce it
were discussed. Measurement error means not detecting all birds present in the surveyed area at
the time of the survey. Measurement bias is a long term trend in the proportion of birds present at
the time of the survey that are detected on the survey. Measurement error does not necessarily

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cause measurement bias because the proportion of birds detected might not change through time.
Anytime measurement error was probable, its magnitude and probable stability through time
were discussed along with ways to reduce the proportion of birds missed on the surveys.

Results - Shorebirds
Table 1. Focal shorebird species for BCR 30

CODE SPECIES
BBPL Black-bellied Plover
SEPL Semipalmated Plover
AMOY American Oystercatcher
GRYE Greater Yellowlegs
LEYE Lesser Yellowlegs
SOSA Solitary Sandpiper
SPSA Spotted Sandpiper
WHIM Whimbrel
RUTU Ruddy Turnstone
REKN Red Knot
SAND Sanderling
SESA Semipalmated Sandpiper
LESA Least Sandpiper
WRSA White-rumped Sandpiper
DUNL Dunlin
SBDO Short-billed Dowitcher

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Site Descriptions
Hart-Miller Island

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Description: Hart-Miller Island is located in Chesapeake Bay, approximately 6 ½ miles east of
Baltimore. It was originally two islands that were eroding into Chesapeake Bay. A habitat
restoration project, which is a joint effort of Maryland state agencies and the U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers, has reconstructed the islands into one island. The island is owned by the state of
Maryland; the majority of it is controlled by the Maryland Port Administration and managed by
the Maryland Environmental Services. Control of the island will eventually be transferred to the
Maryland Department of Natural Services.

The 1,100-acre island contains two non-tidal, dredged material placement cells. Hart-Miller State
Park is on the North Cell (800 acres), which is open to the public and receives many visitors
during the summer. There is little shorebird presence here. The South Cell (300 acres), which is
closed to the public, supports the dredged material containment facility where the majority of
shorebirds concentrate. Environmental restoration of the South Cell has begun to provide
consistent habitat for shorebirds by creating 200 acres of wetlands within it. A pumping system
will manage water levels in this cell by drawing up and releasing water from the Bay to benefit
shorebird use.

Although the facility is not open to the general public, birders are allowed on the property on
weekends, provided that proper arrangements are made. Access is by the Maryland
Environmental Services workboat, which travels to the island most but not necessarily all
weekends.

Gene Scarpulla from the Baltimore Reservoir Natural Resources Office conducted surveys on the
island almost every weekend from May 1996 through May 2002. According to Mr. Scarpulla the
most numberous species present are: BBPL, SEPL, GRYE, LEYE, WHIM, SAND, SESA,
LESA, WRSA, DUNL, and SBDO.

Survey Method: Ground surveys on the South Cell. Most of the island is still an active, dredged
material placement facility so habitat changes from week to week. A walking circuit, beginning
and ending at the boat dock, covers six to eight miles depending on the route taken. First-time

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surveyors of Hart-Miller must be accompanied by Mr. Scarpulla, or another birder experienced
with the island. In the 800-acre North Cell of Hart-Miller Island, viewing conditions can be less
than optimal due to distance, sun angle, heat shimmer and haze.

Selection Bias: Selection bias is possible if access to boat trips to the site is restricted.

Measurement error: This can be a problem when viewing and counting distant birds, such as
yellowlegs, which are visible at greater distances than small “peeps.” A pilot study may be
needed to determine how measurement error varies among species at this site.

Measurement bias: Not applicable.

Pilot Studies: None needed.

Local Contacts: Gene Scarpulla, Baltimore Reservoir Natural Resources Office.

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Poplar Island

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Description: Poplar Island is the site of a habitat restoration project in upper middle Chesapeake
Bay. It consists of 1,100 acres of island divided into many cells, located approximately 34 miles
southeast of Baltimore and 2 ½ miles northwest of Tilgman Island in Talbot County, MD. The
project is a joint effort involving U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Maryland Port Administration
and other federal and state agencies to rebuild Poplar Island using dredged material. The Poplar
Island Environmental Restoration Project began in May 1998 when dikes were constructed to
contain dredge material. The effort is to connect several eroding islands into one larger island
with 570 acres of upland habitat and 570 acres of wetlands. The project will eventually provide
habitat for Least and Common Terns and herons.

Maryland Environmental Services has contracted Jan Reese from Environmental Regulations
Consultant, Inc. to conduct inter-annual bird surveys on the island. Surveys have been conducted
twice a month throughout the island since October 2002. Unusually wet and cold weather at the
start of 2003 may have delayed spring shorebird migration on the island. According Jan Reese,
the site is an unproven shorebird migration spot, but the potential for shorebird use is significant
given the availability of shallow water habitat. In spring 2003, storm-water filled all of the cells
and there was a push to dry them out over the summer. September storm Isabel breached the
island in several places, but the restoration project has been working to fill these in again.

Survey Method: Access to Poplar Island is restricted. The Maryland Environmental Services
boat takes Mr. Reese out to the island once every two weeks. Ground surveys throughout the
island.

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Selection Bias: Unknown.

Measurement error: Unknown.

Measurement bias: Unknown.

Pilot Studies: PRISM will review Poplar Island on a regular basis to determine if it becomes
attractive to shorebirds as the habitat reconstruction project continues.

Local Contacts: Jan Reese, Environmental Regulations Consultant, Inc.

Cece Donovan, MD Environmental Services 410-974-7261.

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 References
Canadian Wildlife Service. Canadian Shorebird Conservation Plan. Accessed August 2008.
http://www.cws-scf.ec.gc.ca/mbc-com/default.asp?lang=en&n=D1610AB7 .

U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service. U.S. Shorebird Plan. Accessed August 2008.
http://www.fws.gov/shorebirdplan/RegionalShorebird/RegionsMap.asp

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