- PROGRAMS
- IBP Programs Home Page
- MAPS - Monitoring Avian Productivity
and Survivorship - MoSI - Monitoring Overwinter Survival
- Regional Science and Conservation Programs
- Regional Science and Conservation Programs Home
- Sierra Nevada Science and Conservation Program
- Sierra Nevada Science and Conservation Program Home
- Birds and Forest Management
- Birds and Fire
- Birds of Sierra Nevada National Parks
- Conserving Sierra Nevada Birds of Prey
- Willow Flycatcher Conservation
- Restoring Montane Meadows and
Riparian Habitat - Monitoring Birds at California's
Vehicular Recreation Areas - Pacific Northwest Science and Conservation Program
- Southwest Science and Conservation Program
- Pacific Islands Science and Conservation Program
- Pollinator Ecology and Conservation
- Molt and Plumage Studies
- Bird Bander Training
- Burrowing Owl Research and Monitoring
RESTORATION AND BIRD MONITORING AT SIERRA NEVADA MEADOWS
IBP is teaming with the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and numerous public and private land managers to restore montane meadows and conserve populations of birds that rely on them. The main goals of the project are to:
- Develop a standardized bird survey protocol for birds at Sierra meadows. This will allow data to be compared between sites and allow land managers and to determine which measures are most aid sensitive bird species.
- Initiate pre-restoration baseline monitoring. In 2010 we began coordinating with land managers to initiate bird monitoring at planned or potential sites. Pre-restoration monitoring, especially when we coupled with nearby un-restored reference sites, will allow us to assessing the benefits of meadow restoration activities after restoration is implemented. Meadows where we have conducted monitoring efforts are mapped here.
- Advise land managers on the best design of restoration projects. At selected sites we have used pre-restoration monitoring data to help guide restoration.
- Monitor changes in bird populations after restoration is implemented.
- Coordinate conservation efforts. By working across ownerships and management areas we streamline monitoring and allow broader comparisons.
The 2012 Final Report for our Meadows Project is available here.
Above: Map of meadows, including restoration sites and reference sites, where IBP has collected bird monitoring data since 2010. Click on blue markers to learn more about the individual sites. The UCDSNM code field that appears in the icon info window links our bird data to other meadow related data for the same meadow locations. These data can be found at the Sierra Nevada Meadows Data Clearinghouse. Click here for a larger version of this map.
Photo Credits: Top of Page, Gregory Smith; Right Column, Kelly Colgan Azar
RECENT RESEARCH
Recognizing that effective conservation for many meadow species requires cooperation among many agencies and landowners, we are collaborating with a spectrum of land managers to develop a state-wide conservation strategy for the Great Gray Owl. We are also updating state population estimates of the Willow Flycatcher and identifying priority areas for restoration.
