IBP'S SIERRA NEVADA BIRD OBSERVATORY

The Institute for Bird Populations has a long history of avian research, monitoring, and conservation efforts in the Sierra Nevada mountains of California. Current or recent Sierra projects include:

• Black-backed Woodpecker Monitoring and Management - Working with the Forest Service to monitor Black-backed Woodpecker, a designated Management Indicator Species for burned forest; provide science-based answers to management questions; and develop a conservation strategy for the species in California.
• Assessing climate change vulnerability and developing a climate change adaptation strategy for Sierra Nevada birds - Leading a multi-agency research and conservation planning effort with funding from the California Landscape Conservation Cooperative.
• Longterm Monitoring of Bird Populations in Sierra Nevada National Parks - Using backcountry point counts to track changes in avian abundance and distribution at Yosemite and Sequoia/Kings Canyon National Parks and Devils Postpile National Monument.
• MAPS Demographic Bird Monitoring at Yosemite and Kings Canyon National Parks - Tracking bird populations at long-term monitoring stations.
• Bird Monitoring at Meadow Restoration Sites - Partnering with the National Fish and Wildife Foundation to maximize the benefits meadow restoration projects yield for Sierra birds.
• Helping the Forest Service Pacific Southwest Region to Revise its Sensitive Species List - Assessing the distribution, abundance, population trend, and vulnerability of bird species on national forests throughout California.
• Helping the National Park Service assess the Status and Vulnerability of Bird Populations in Sierra Nevada National Parks - Assessing current status and vulnerability to climate change and other factors for bird species that breed at Sequoia, Kings Canyon, and Yosemite National Parks and Devils Postpile National Monument.
• Use of Post-fire Landscapes by California Spotted Owls - Using radio-telemetry to assess the value of recently burned forest stands to California Spotted Owls.
• Yosemite Willow Flycatcher Survey - Assessing the status and distribution of Willow Flycatcher in Yosemite National Park.
• Landbird Monitoring Protocol Development - Collaborating with National Park Service personnel to develop a long-term monitoring protocol for birds in the Sierra Nevada's national parks.
• Great Gray Owl Survey - Surveying for Great Gray Owls throughout the Sierra's national forests.
• Yosemite Landbird Inventory - Conducting an inventory of the birds of Yosemite National Park.
• Sequoia and Kings Canyon Landbird Inventory - Conducting an inventory of the birds of Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks.
• Devils Postpile National Monument Landbird Inventory - Conducting an inventory of the birds of Devils Postpile National Monument.
• Sierra Nest Monitoring - Evaluating the ecological effects of commercial timberland management practices by monitoring the nest success of landbirds.
• Avian Conservation Plan for the Sierra Nevada Bioregion - Working through Calfornia Partners in Flight to advance avian conservation in the Sierra.
• Sierra Meadows - Identifying bird conservation hotspots throughout the Sierra.
• Manter Fire Project - Studying the effects of stand-replacing fire on Sierra Nevada birds.
• BBS Habitat Classification - Classifying habitat along Breeding Bird Survey routes throughout the Sierra.

Public or private land managers in the Sierra interested in collaborating with IBP to solve applied conservation problems, answer targeted research questions, or develop avian monitoring programs are invited to contact Rodney Siegel.

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