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| Status and Trends of Biological Resources |
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To close this window and return to the previous screen, please click the "x" in the top right of your screen. PTS: 9370BQ9.1606.0 Title: WERC (Pigeon) Development of reliable population indices for band-tailed pigeons. Leaders: * Casazza, Michael L., mike_casazza@usgs.gov, 707-678-0682, FAX 707-678-5039, 6924 Tremont Road, Dixon, CA 95620 * Fleskes, Joseph P., joe_fleskes@usgs.gov, 707-678-0682, FAX 707-678-5039, 6924 Tremont Road, Dixon, CA 95620 * Gore, Pamela J., pgore@usgs.gov, 707-678-0682, FAX 707-678-5039, 6924 Tremont Road, Dixon, CA 95620 Send EMail to Leaders Locations: Canada United States,Western US,Washington United States,Western US,Oregon United States,Western US,California Longitude/Latitude: NW Corner -128.50317 50.82976 SE Corner -114.83433 33.17757 Communication Plan: Results of the study will be conveyed to client agencies in progress and annual reports, peer-reviewed journal articles, oral presentations, databases, GIS products, publication briefs, websites, and other forms of outreach. Highlights and Key Findings: Band-tailed Pigeon Population Indices and Mineral Site Use: Wildlife managers have long recognized the need for a range-wide population survey for band-tailed pigeons, which would aid management of this popular western game species. Various surveys have indicated a long-term population decline. To help design a precise index to population abundance, USGS scientists examined the effectiveness of existing survey methods in detecting long- and short-term population changes. Research results have indicated 1) three- to five-year trends were most reliably estimated using counts conducted at mineral sites where pigeons congregate, 2) the importance of weather (rainfall) on the surveys, and 3) the importance of adjacent forestland and human use of mineral sites on the likelihood of persistent use by band-tailed pigeons. Preliminary studies now being conducted using satellite telemetry are showing patterns of migration and local movements of pigeons that winter in southern California. For more: http://www.werc.usgs.gov/pubbriefs/casazzapbjun2006.html. Objectives: Program: Status and Trends of Biological Resources; Goal: 2. Develop and evaluate inventory and monitoring methods, protocols, experimental designs, analytic tools, models and technologies to measure biological status and trends; 3. Collect, manage, archive and share critical, high quality monitoring data in cooperation with parnters to enable a determination of the status and trends of biological resources; 4 Produce and provide analyses and reports that synthesize information on the status and trends of our Nation's flora, fauna, and ecosystems and respond to the needs of the scientific community, land and resource managers, policymakers, and the public. OBJECTIVES: 1. Statistically determine the effect of changes in the length, number, replication, timing, and location of existing BBS routes on the precision of band-tailed pigeon population estimates on these routes. 2. Conduct a similar statistical exercise as outlined in objective 1 using Washington¿s call-count survey data. 3. Evaluate the potential for using mineral site counts to index the Pacific Coast population of band-tailed pigeons. 4. Develop methodology to index the Pacific Coast Population of band-tailed pigeons. Statement of Problem: The band-tailed pigeon (Columba fasciata) is an important game species distributed in two distinct regions of western North America. The Pacific band-tailed pigeon (Columba fasciata monilis) is found in the mountain and foothill region primarily west of the crest of the Cascade-Sierra Nevada mountain ranges from British Columba south to Baja California (Am. Ornithol. Union 1957). All recent comprehensive literature dealing with research needs for band-tailed pigeons, identifies the establishment of a reliable population index for both the Pacific and Interior races as the top priority for research (Braun 1994; Western Migratory Upland Game Bird Tech. Comm. 1994; Jeffrey 1977; Keppie et al. 1970). No formal, uniformly applied population survey across the species range is used to index band-tailed pigeon breeding populations. Development of a reliable population index is critical for band-tailed pigeons because they may be susceptible to hunting pressure and they have a relatively low reproductive potential (1 egg clutch, 2 clutch/yr) (Gutierrez et al. 1975, Jarvis and Passmore 1992). We propose to augment the Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) to provide a reliable and precise population index for both the Pacific and Interior population of band-tailed pigeons. Investigation of how to improve the trend estimates and population indices for pigeons provided by the BBS may provide a suitable population-wide index for band-tailed pigeons. Given that a species-specific pigeon survey technique may not be cost-effective or otherwise feasible in all states, enhancement of the BBS program would seem to offer the best hope of developing a technique acceptable for management of the species. We also intend to evaluate the effectiveness of mineral spring counts, to allow comparison of results between survey methods to help assess survey validity. The opportunity exists to combine mineral spring estimates from Washington and Oregon with potentially new mineral spring counts in California to achieve an index for the Pacific Coast population of band-tailed pigeons based on mineral spring counts. These counts may offer an alternative to the roadside survey methodology of the BBS and Washington call-count survey. Comparison of results from different techniques is critical because there is no data set against which to verify our results, and consistency of results among survey methods may offer insight into the most reliable technique as well as increasing confidence in results (Sauer et al. 1994). 2003 Statement of Work: Data collection at mineral sites will continue into the early Fall of 2002. Entry and analysis of data collected along the Pacific Coast (California to British Columbia) from 2001-2002 will be completed by February of 2003. A final report to the USFWS ¿ Migratory Game Bird Research Program will be completed in March of 2003. Publication of project findings in a peer reviewed scientific journal is planned for the summer of 2003. 2004 Statement of Work: A survey for band-tailed pigeons was developed using mineral site counts. The methodology was adopted by the Pacific Flyway States in 2003 and became operational in July 2004. USGS provided technical guidance and assistance in preparation for the new operational survey. Technical assistance provided to state biologists in California, Oregon, Washington and provincial biologists in British Columbia. In addition to technical assistance, USGS biologists have submitted three manuscripts for consideration of publication in peer-reviewed scientific journals. These manuscripts summarize findings from several years of study of band-tailed pigeons. 2005 Statement of Work: USGS biologists will continue to provide technical support to members of the Pacific Flyway utilizing the mineral site survey for band-tailed pigeons. WERC scientists will also assist with the analysis of wildlife trend data produced by the new survey methods. In addition to the technical assistance provided, WERC scientists will submit peer-reviewed manuscripts for publication in scientific journals detailing the results of investigations into the biology of band-tailed pigeons. 2006 Statement of Work: The transition to an operational band-tailed pigeon survey for Pacific Coast band-tailed pigeons has continued to proceed with 3 states and British Columbia participating. The US Fish and Wildlife Service has assumed responsibility for calculating trend information and maintaining the Access Database containing the survey data. USGS biologists will continue to provide technical support to members of the Pacific Flyway and the Fish and Wildlife Service in support of the mineral site survey for band-tailed pigeons during 2006. WERC scientists will also continue to assist with the analysis of wildlife trend data produced by the new survey methods. WERC scientists have partnered with the Pacific Flyway members and obtained funding for continued investigation into the breeding distribution of band-tailed pigeons. The proposal to radio-mark 5 band-tailed pigeons with satellite transmitters and monitor the distribution in breeding areas was submitted and funded through the Webless Migratory Bird Research Program of the Fish and Wildlife Service. Work will begin in FY06 and continue into the FY07. In addition to the technical assistance provided, WERC scientists will submit peer-reviewed manuscripts for publication in scientific journals detailing the results of investigations into the biology of band-tailed pigeons. Three manuscripts were accepted for publication in FY05 in peer reviewed scientific journals with two additional manuscripts planned for FY06. 2007 Statement of Work: USGS scientists will continue to provide detailed support for population trend analysis for Pacific Coast band-tailed pigeons. Analysis will be provided to the USFWS and the Pacific Flyway Study Committee for use in management of this species. Initial results from individual pigeons marked with satellite telemetry transmitters will be summarized and provided to the USFWS and Pacific Flyway members. A website was developed and will continue to be updated to disseminate project findings(http://www.werc.usgs.gov/dixon/pigeon/pigeon.asp) to partners and the general public. A final report on the feasibility of using PTT transmitters to document band-tailed pigeon breeding distribution and migration pathways will be provided to the Webless Migratory Gamebird Research Program in the Fall of 2007. The final report will contain recommendations on the use of satellite telemetry to address research needs for Pacific Coast band-tailed pigeons including relevant recommendations on sample size. The characteristics of spring and autumn migrations will also be described. The implication of migration patterns on hunter opportunities will be presented. If sufficient information has been gained during the pilot project then recommendations will include specific regions where high probability of mineral site occurrence is suggested and descriptions of winter movement patterns will be included. The information provided by this project will result in more appropriate application of band-tailed pigeon survey protocol, address the need for a better inventory of breeding areas and mineral sites used by band-tailed pigeons, and inform wildlife managers on the status of hunting opportunities for band-tailed pigeons within their state. 2008 Statement of Work: We will continue to monitor up to 22 PTT marked band-tailed pigeons using satellite technology. The locational data provided every 48 hours will be used to document migration patterns including critical information about the timing of Fall migration, distribution on breeding and wintering areas, identification of key nesting habitats and potential mineral sites for inclusion in a range-wide population index. The locational data will also be incorporated into a website for dissemination of data to project partners and the interested public. The website will include static maps of migration patterns as well as Google Earth files that can be downloaded for detailed viewing. This should allow our state partners easy access to the locational data for marked band-tailed pigeons within their state or province and assist them with local management issues such as harvest regulations for this species. We will evaluate the locational data to take advantage of remotely sensed habitat information via the GAP program or other sources to assess landscape level habitat use by Pacific Coast Band-tailed Pigeons. 2009 Statement of Work: We will continue to monitor up to 18 PTT marked band-tailed pigeons using satellite technology. The locational data provided every 48 hours will be used to document migration patterns including critical information about the timing of Fall migration, distribution on breeding and wintering areas, identification of key nesting habitats and potential mineral sites for inclusion in a range-wide population index. The locational data will also be incorporated into a website for dissemination of data to project partners and the interested public. The website will include static maps of migration patterns as well as Google Earth files that can be downloaded for detailed viewing. This should allow our state partners easy access to the locational data for marked band-tailed pigeons within their state or province and assist them with local management issues such as harvest regulations for this species. We will evaluate the locational data to take advantage of remotely sensed habitat information via the GAP program or other sources to assess landscape level habitat use by Pacific Coast Band-tailed Pigeons. Product: Report Planned Michael L. Casazza Cory T. Overton, 2008, A Landscape Level Approach to Habitat Utilization by Pacific Coast Band-Tailed Pigeons, Product: Report Planned Michael L. Casazza Cory T. Overton, 2008, Progress Report - Using Satellite Telemetry to Track Migration of Pacific Coast Band-Tailed Pigeons, Product: Report Planned 2008, Progress Report - Using Satellite Telemetry to Track Migration of Pacific Coast Band-Tailed Pigeons, Product: Report Planned Michael L. Casazza Cory T. Overton, 2009, Migration pathways and timing of Pacific Coast Band-tailed Pigeons: Implications for Management, USGS Product: Report Planned 2009, Final Report - Using Satellite Telemetry to Track Migration of Pacific Coast Band-Tailed Pigeons, Product: Report Planned Casazza, M. L., and C. T. Overton, Habitat use by band-tailed pigeons in northern California, Product: Report Planned Overton, C. T., M. L. Casazza, R. A. Schmitz, Multi-scale modeling of band-tailed pigeon abundance and variability in mineral site use, Product: Report Planned Feasability analysis of using PTT transmitters to document Pacific coast band-tailed pigeon breeding distribution and migration corridors., USGS Product: Websites Delivered Casazza, M. L., C. T. Overton, and W. M. Perry, 2006, EVALUATION OF SATELLITE TELEMETRY TECHNIQUES FOR MIGRATION AND DISTRIBUTION OF BAND-TAILED PIGEONS, USGS Product: Websites Delivered Michael L. Casazza Cory T. Overton William M. Perry, 2007, Website Upgrade to incorporate Google Earth Maps to track band-tailed pigeon migration along the Pacific Coast., USGS Product: Posters Delivered Casazza, M. L., J. L. Yee, D. L. Orthmeyer, M. R. Miller, C. T. Overton, and R. Schmitz. 2002. Development of a reliable population index for Pacific Coast band-tailed pigeons. Poster given at Pacific Flyway Symposium, Newport, OR, March 2002. Product: Presentations Delivered Casazza, M.L., J.L. Yee, D.L. Orthmeyer, and M.R. Miller. 2001. Developing a reliable population index for band-tailed pigeons. The Wildlife Society 8th Annual Conference. Reno, Nevada Product: Report Delivered Casazza, M. L., J. L. Yee, C. T. Overton, D. L. Orthmeyer,and D. R. Yparraguirre. 2001. Development of mineral site counts to reliably index the Pacific Coast breeding population of band-tailed pigeons. USGS Final Report to Webless Migratory Game Bird Research Program, USFWS. Product: Report Delivered Casazza, M. L., J. L. Yee, D. L. Orthmeyer, M. R. Miller, C. T. Overton, and R. Schmitz. 2002. Development of a reliable population index for Pacific Coast band-tailed pigeons. 2002 Progress Report. [Technical_Report] Product: Report Delivered Casazza, M. L., Yee, J.L., Miller, M. R., and D. L. Orthmeyer. 1998. Analysis of Band-tailed Pigeon Population Estimates - 1998 Progress Report. Product: Report Delivered Casazza, M.L., J. L. Yee, M.R. Miller, D.L. Orthmeyer. D. Yparraguirre, and R.L. Jarvis. 2000. Development of Reliable population indices for Band-tailed pigeons. USGS Final Report to Webless Migratory Game Bird Research Program Denver CO. [Technical_Report] Product: Report Delivered Casazza, Michael L, Julie L. Yee, Michael R. Miller, Dennis L. Orthmeyer, Daniel R. Yparraguirre, Robert L. Jarvis, and Cory T. Overton. 2005. Evaluation of current population indices for band-tailed pigeons. Wildlife Society Bulletin. 33(2):606-615 Product: Report Delivered Overton, C. T., R. A. Schmitz, M. L. Casazza. 2005. Linking landscape characteristics to mineral site use by band-tailed pigeons in western Oregon, USA: Coarse-filter conservation with fine-filter tuning. Natural Areas Journal 26(1):38-46 Product: Report Delivered Overton, C. T., R. A. Schmitz, and M. L. Casazza. 2005. Post-precipitation bias in band-tailed pigeon surveys. Wildlife Society Bulletin. 33(3)1047-1054. |
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