2023 Citizen Science Summit

Waterbird Survey

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Monitor long-term population trends for bird species using the Jug Bay wetlands

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David Mozurkewich

And many more

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November 18, 2023

2023 Citizen Science Summit

2023 Citizen Science Summit

Volunteer effort

For years 2022 and 2023

39 Participants,

7.2/survey

10 x

9 x

8 x

7 x

6 x x x x

5 x x x x x

4 x x x x x x

3 x x x x x x x

2 x x x x x x x x

1 x x x x x x x x x x x

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13

Todd Bethel 25, Wayne Bierbaum 16, Cynthia Bravo 32, Liz Brown 19, Alan Christian 2, Regan Christian 8, Elaine Freible 15, Lynette Fullerton 8, Tessa Giannini 7, Anne Looker 16, Marc Manheimer 8, Brad Mann 33, Karen Mo 18, David Mozurkewich 39, Sam Scheff 2, Joanne Wood 3, Alan Young 8, Sue Young 8

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Plus 21 one-timers

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2023 Citizen Science Summit

2023 Citizen Science Summit

Methodology

• Biweekly survey of the marsh from four vantage points
• Overlook, Snail Marsh, South Blind, Pier
• Count what we see
• mid-October through March/April prior to 2016
• Year round thereafter

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Issues

• Lots of sources of error
• Birds hide in marsh (tide dependent)
• How to count large flocks
• Double/under counting. Birds fly
• Bias changes with time

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• We hope these average out adding noise, not trends

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2023 Citizen Science Summit

2023 Citizen Science Summit

RESULTS

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Data are noisy – no obvious downward trends implying

Environmental problems.

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• Present the significant findings and discoveries from the data collected.
• Use charts, graphs, or visuals to display key data points where possible.
• Explain the relevance of the findings and how they support the project's goals.

2023 Citizen Science Summit

Rusty Blackbird -- Decline

2023 Citizen Science Summit

Bald Eagle – Increase

2023 Citizen Science Summit

Pied billed Grebe -- Decline

2023 Citizen Science Summit

Wilson’s Snipe -- Decline

2023 Citizen Science Summit

Canada Goose – Decline?

2023 Citizen Science Summit

Double-crested Cormorant – Increase

2023 Citizen Science Summit

WooD Duck – Steady

2023 Citizen Science Summit

Black Duck – Steady

2023 Citizen Science Summit

Hooded Merganser – Increase

2023 Citizen Science Summit

Belted Kingfisher – unknown

2023 Citizen Science Summit

Song Sparrow – steady

2023 Citizen Science Summit

2023 Citizen Science Summit

The Future

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• Robust statistical analysis of the results is needed.

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• Look for changes in saesonal distribution

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• Continue monitoring

2023 Citizen Science Summit