3. PROTOCOLS

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Visual and/or audio surveys can be used to detect the target species and be used to determine whether upland gamebirds are present/not detected (possible). Most of the techniques used to determine presence or absence of upland gamebirds can be modified to provide data regarding the relative or absolute abundance of a species. Relative abundance census methods rank or index population size. Comparisons can be made between areas and populations and data can be used to evaluate long-term population trends. Surveys of absolute abundance measure or estimate the number of individuals in a population. Collection of absolute abundance information often requires trade-offs between precision/accuracy and efficiency. Due to the expense and time required to determine absolute abundance, this method is not often employed for management decisions for upland gamebird species at this time. Although other methods may also be appropriate, only the complete lek survey method (used for Sharp-tailed grouse), and the territory mapping method (used for most of the inventory group) are provided in this manual. The recommended methods for the inventory of upland gamebirds is provided in Table 1.

Table 1. Recommended methods for inventory of upland gamebirds in British Columbia at the three levels of intensity.

3.1 Sampling Standards

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The following standards are recommended to ensure comparison of data between surveys, and to mitigate several sources of bias common in surveys. Individual protocols provide more detailed standards applicable to the method(s) and design recommended.

3.1.1 Habitat Data Standards

A minimum amount of habitat data must be collected for each survey type. The type and amount of data collected will depend on the scale of the survey, the nature of the focal species, and the objectives of the inventory. As most, provincially-funded wildlife inventory projects deal with terrestrially-based wildlife, the terrestrial Ecosystem Field Form developed jointly by MOF and MELP (1995) will be used. However, under certain circumstances, this may be inappropriate and other RIC-approved standards for ecosystem description may be used. For a generic but useful description of approaches to habitat data collection in association with wildlife inventory, consult the manual, "Introduction to RIC Wildlife Inventory".

3.2 Inventory Surveys

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The table below outlines the type of surveys that are used for inventorying upland gamebirds for the various survey intensities. These survey methods have been recommended by biology specialists and approved by the Resources Inventory Committee.

Table 2. Types of inventory surveys, the data forms needed, and the level of intensity of the survey.

PN = presence/not detected (possible); RA = relative abundance;
AA = absolute abundance

3.3 Presence/Not detected (possible) and
Relative Abundance

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Recommended method(s): Point counts of undefined radius, sample lek surveys, encounter transects of undefined (see Table 1 for species specific recommendations).

3.3.1 Point Counts Of Undefined Radius

Point counts involve recording observations of the target species from a survey point, regardless of their distance.

Advantages

Point counts with an undefined radius are the simplest to conduct, primarily because distances between the point and the individual do not need to be estimated.

Disadvantages

An undefined radius precludes the opportunity to estimate absolute abundance.

For some species, such as ptarmigan and spruce grouse, this technique may be less efficient than territory mapping which, with the same effort, allows estimation of absolute density.

Examples

Types: Lek surveys, coo counts, crow counts, hooting counts.

Spruce grouse: Schroeder and Boag 1989.

Blue grouse: Rogers 1963.

Ruffed grouse: Petraborg et al. 1953, Ammann and Ryel 1963.

Gray partridge: March and Church 1980, Weigand 1980, Rotella and Ratti 1986.

Ring-necked pheasant: Kimball 1949.

Wild turkey: Scott and Boeker 1972.

Band-tailed pigeon: Keppie et al. 1970, McCaughran and Jeffrey 1980.

Mourning dove: Baskett et al. 1978, Sayre et al. 1978, Dolton 1993, Sauer et al. 1994.

Office procedures

Review the section on Planning and Procedures in the Introductory manual.

Obtain relevant maps for study area (e.g. Nautical charts, 1:50 000 air photo maps, 1:20 000 forest cover maps, 1:20 000 TRIM maps, 1:50 000 NTS topographic maps).

Determine Biogeoclimatic zones and subzones, Ecoregion, Ecosection, and Broad Ecosystem Units for survey areas from maps.

Systematically chose areas to be sampled considering factors such as: 1) habitat diversity and continuity; 2) accessibility; 3) repeatability; and 4) management objectives (timber harvest, development, etc.).

Record specific routes and points on maps so that surveys can be repeated in subsequent years.

Points should be far enough apart (Table 3) so that most (if not all) birds are detected from one point. Avoid structures, such as houses, and areas of heavy vehicle traffic.

Each transect should contain a minimum of 10 and a maximum of 30 points (stops). It may be important to select a consistent number of points on each transect to make transects more comparable.

Surveys of migratory birds such as mourning doves and band-tailed pigeons should be designed to be compatible with surveys conducted in other provinces and states. For example, call-count surveys for mourning doves should consist of 20 points, 1.6 km apart.

The number of transects should be determined with several factors in mind: 1) the size of differences in annual population size that should be detectable; 2) the typical variation in numbers of birds detected on routes;
3) the number of years of data collection; and 4) the number of desired comparisons between habitat types, management strategies, and/or regions.

Table 3. Species-specific considerations for conducting surveys using point counts of undefined radius. The details included in this table may also be applied to other survey techniques.

Personnel

Crew size depends on extent and thoroughness of the survey.

Map reading and bird identification (visual and auditory) skills are essential.

At least one crew member must be qualified to collect and record habitat data.

Time requirements

Time allotted depends on extent and thoroughness of the survey.

A minimum of five years of data are probably needed to assess population trends.

Each transect should be surveyed once a year.

Equipment

Vehicle (optional)

Binoculars

Tape recorder and appropriate recordings (see Table 3 for species-specific method of detection)

Global positioning unit (optional)

Compass

Maps

Data forms

Field procedures

Crews should visit areas in early spring (Table 3) to maximize opportunity for observing birds.

Each route should be surveyed by one observer, generally in early morning (Table 3).

Wind should be calm or light (< 20 km/h) and precipitation minimal.

The observer should remain at each point for a standard length of time (Table 3), recording all birds detected by sound and/or sight. In the case of mourning doves, all birds detected in transit between points are also recorded.

Playbacks should consist of approximately 30 seconds of recordings, 1 minute of silence, 30 seconds of recordings, and 1 minute silence.

Data analysis

The number of birds per transect (when there is a consistent number of stops) or the number of birds per point is determined. These data enable the comparison of relative abundance for habitat type, management strategy, region, and/or year.

If surveys are continued for several years, log-linear regressions offer the best opportunity to detect fluctuations and/or differences in population trends (Geissler and Noon 1981; Geissler 1984; Dolton 1993).

3.3.2 Sample Lek Surveys

Sample lek surveys involve the counts of leks and the numbers of birds observes on leks. Sample surveys monitor specific leks or routes to obtain presence/not detected (possible) and/or an estimate of relative abundance.

Advantages

Provides counts of individual leks and number of birds/lek on an area permitting estimates of relative abundance.

Lek sites are traditional and counts are fairly reliable and easy to repeat between years.

Disadvantages

Thorough surveys are time consuming and require a skilled observer.

Relative abundance estimates may be biased because of differences between observability of leks of different size or habitat.

Examples

General: Cannon and Knopf 1981.

Sharp-tailed grouse: Ammann 1957, Hillman and Jackson 1973, Grensten 1987.

Sage grouse: Willis et al. 1993.

Office procedures

Review the section on Planning and Procedures in the Introductory manual.

Obtain relevant maps for study area (e.g. Nautical charts, 1:50 000 air photo maps, 1:20 000 forest cover maps, 1:20 000 TRIM maps, 1:50 000 NTS topographic maps).

Determine Biogeoclimatic zones and subzones, Ecoregion, Ecosection, and Broad Ecosystem Units for survey areas from maps.

Leks should be found by systematically choosing areas to be sampled considering factors such as: 1) habitat suitability; 2) accessibility;
3) repeatability; 4) historic presence; and 5) management objectives (grazing, prescribed fire, development, etc.).

The number of leks monitored should be determined with several factors in mind: 1) the size of differences in annual population size that should be detectable; 2) the typical variation in numbers of birds detected on leks;
3) the number of years of data collection; and 4) the number of desired comparisons between habitat types, management strategies, and/or regions.

Contact landowners for permission to survey private land.

Personnel

Crew size depends on extent and thoroughness of the survey.

Map reading and bird identification (visual and auditory) skills are essential.

At least one crew member must be qualified to collect and record habitat data.

Time requirements

Time allotted depends on extent and thoroughness of the survey.

A minimum of five years of data are probably needed in order to allow assessment of population trends.

Equipment

Vehicle

Binoculars

Global positioning unit (optional)

Parabolic microphone (optional)

Compass

Maps

Data forms

Field procedures

Crews should search for new leks and visit previously discovered leks in early spring (Table 3) to maximize opportunity for detecting and observing birds.

The weather should be calm or light wind (< 20 km/h) and no precipitation.

New leks can be located by stopping at regular distances (Table 3) throughout the proposed search area. The observer should remain at each site approximately 3 minutes, listening for sounds of displaying males (perhaps with a parabolic microphone).

Accurately record locations of all known leks on maps (with UTM coordinates) so that leks can be relocated on subsequent occasions.

Each lek should be surveyed by one observer in early morning (Table 3).

The observer should record all birds detected on the lek, by sex if possible.

Three counts should be obtained each year for each sage grouse lek throughout the breeding season and one annual count should be obtained for each sharp-tailed grouse lek (Table 3). Counts can be repeated for either species under the following conditions: 1) there was an obvious source of disturbance on the morning of the lek count (raptor, coyote, human);
2) weather was marginal; 3) the lek was 'vacant', despite previous years of attendance; 4) the lek is new and its status needs to be verified; and 5) the lek is in a critical area and an accurate count is especially important.

Data analysis

The number of birds per lek (sharp-tailed grouse) and the number of males per lek (sage grouse) can be used in data analysis. These data enable the comparison of relative abundance for each year, habitat, management strategy, and/or region.

If surveys are continued for several years, linear regressions offer the best opportunity to detect fluctuations and/or differences in population trends.

3.3.3 Encounter Transects

Encounter transects involve recording all observations of a target species from a transect, regardless of their apparent distance.

Advantages

Transects with an undefined width can be used to estimate relative abundance.

Simple to conduct and replicate in subsequent years, primarily because distances between the transect and the individual do not need to be estimated.

Disadvantages

An undefined transect width precludes the opportunity to estimate absolute abundance.

If conducted on a province wide scale requires cooperation from federal employees.

Examples

Types: Brood, winter flock, and rural mail carrier routes.

Blue grouse: Rogers 1963, Zwickel 1982.

Ruffed grouse: Allison 1963, Ammann and Ryel 1963. Sharp-tailed grouse: Hillman and Jackson 1973.

Sage grouse: Willis et al. 1993.

Gray partridge: Schultz 1992.

Ring-necked pheasant: Greeley et al. 1962.

Wild turkey: Wakeling 1991, Hoffman et al. 1993.

Office procedures

Systematically chose areas to be sampled considering factors such as:
1) habitat diversity and continuity; 2) accessibility; 3) repeatability;
4) management objectives (grazing, development, etc.); and 5) known observations of the target species.

Record specific transects on maps so that surveys can be repeated in subsequent years. The same transects can be surveyed for different species, and at different times of year, for breeding, brood, and winter flock data.

Transects should be 20-40 km in length.

The number of transects should be determined with several factors in mind: 1) the size of differences in annual population size that should be detectable; 2) the typical variation in numbers of birds detected on routes;
3) the number of years of data collection; and 4) the number of desired comparisons between habitat types, management strategies, and/or regions.

Personnel

Crew size depends on extent and thoroughness of the survey.

Map reading and bird identification skills are essential.

At least one crew member must be qualified to collect and record habitat data.

Time requirements

Time allotted depends on extent and thoroughness of the survey.

A minimum of five years of data are probably needed to assess population trends.

Equipment

Vehicle

Binoculars

Spotting scope (window mounted)

Maps

Data forms

Field procedures

Crews should survey transects for broods in early to mid-August and for winter flocks in mid-February to early March.

Each transect should be surveyed by one observer driving less than 25 km/h.

The observer occasionally should stop and scan openings with binoculars.

Transects should be driven to the end and back (40-80 km round trip).

Each route survey should be repeated on two consecutive mornings.

The wind should be calm or light (< 20 km/h) and precipitation minimal.

Observer records all birds seen along the transect and categorizes birds according to sex, age, group size, location, habitat type, and time.

The locations of all observations should be recorded to avoid double counting individuals when transects are repeated.

Data analysis

The number of birds per route, male:female ratios, hen:juvenile ratios, average flock or brood size, and proportion of hens with broods can be determined. These data enable the comparison of relative abundance for habitat type, management strategy, region, and/or year.

If surveys are continued for several years, linear regressions offer the best opportunity to detect fluctuations and/or differences in population trends.

3.4 Absolute Abundance

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Recommended method(s): Territory mapping and complete lek surveys (see Table 1 for species-specific recommendations).

3.4.1 Territory Mapping

Territory mapping involves determining all territories on a particular area. Mapping is important because it prevents territories from being double counted. Territorial birds can be located by visual or auditory detection and/or with the aid of trained dogs or playbacks.

Advantages

Provides complete count of territorial individuals (usually males) on an area, thus permitting estimates of both relative and absolute density.

Disadvantages

Precision of density estimates are difficult to evaluate.

Estimates biased by unknown behavioural differences between adult and young males, proportion of non-territorial individuals, and undefined sex ratios.

Examples

Spruce grouse: Schroeder and Boag 1989.

Blue grouse: Stirling and Bendell 1966.

Ruffed grouse: Davies and Bergerud 1988.

Willow ptarmigan: Jenkins et al. 1963, Mossop 1988.

Rock ptarmigan: Weeden 1965.

White-tailed ptarmigan: Braun et al. 1973.

Gray partridge: McCabe and Hawkins 1946, Tapper 1988.

Ring-necked pheasant: Tapper 1988.

Office procedures

Review the section on Planning and Procedures in the Introductory manual.

Obtain relevant maps for study area (e.g. Nautical charts, 1:50 000 air photo maps, 1:20 000 forest cover maps, 1:20 000 TRIM maps, 1:50 000 NTS topographic maps).

Determine Biogeoclimatic zones and subzones, Ecoregion, Ecosection, and Broad Ecosystem Units for survey areas from maps.

Areas should be selected for survey based on factors such as: 1) habitat diversity and continuity; 2) accessibility; 3) repeatability; and
4) management objectives (grazing, timber management, development, etc.).

The number and/or size of areas to be monitored should be determined with several factors in mind: 1) the size of differences in annual population size that should be detectable; 2) the typical variation in numbers of territories;
3) the number of years of data collection; and 4) the number of desired comparisons between habitat types, management strategies, and/or regions.

Each area should be 'gridded' with observation points to insure detection of all territorial males. The distance between observation points should be approximately half the distance used for points undefined radius (Table 3).

Contact landowners for permission to survey private land.

Personnel

Crew size depends on extent and thoroughness of the survey.

Map reading and bird identification (visual and auditory) skills are essential.

At least one crew member must be qualified to collect and record habitat data.

Time requirements

Time allotted depends on extent and thoroughness of the survey.

A minimum of five years of data are needed to assess of population trends.

Equipment

Vehicle (optional)

Binoculars

Tape recorder and appropriate recordings (if doing playbacks)

Global positioning unit (optional)

Compass

Maps

Data forms

Field procedures

Crews should thoroughly survey each area once for territorial males in early spring (Table 3).

Surveys should be conducted by an observer in early morning (Table 3).

The weather should be calm or light wind (< 20 km/h) and no precipitation.

The observer should remain at each observation point long enough to detect sounds of displaying males and/or responses to playbacks. Distances between observation points should be approximately half the distances used for point counts of undefined radius (Table 3).

Playbacks should consist of approximately 30 seconds of recordings, 1 minute of silence, 30 seconds of recordings, and 1 minute silence.

Record locations of territorial birds to avoid counting them more than once. Care needs to be taken when using playbacks as birds can be 'drawn' in from long distances in response to the recording.

Record all miscellaneous observations of females and males encountered while travelling between observation points.

Data analysis

The number of males per km² should include both territorial and non-territorial males; large numbers of non-territorial males will result in biased estimates of population size.

Population size and/or density (birds/km²) are estimated by multiplying the number of males by two (assumes a male:female sex ratio of 1:1). If more females than males are detected, multiply the number of females by two.

These data enable the comparison of estimated absolute abundance for each year, habitat, management strategy, and/or region.

If surveys are continued for several years, linear regressions offer the best opportunity to detect fluctuations and/or differences in population trends.

3.4.2 Complete Lek Surveys

Lek surveys are counts of leks and numbers of birds observes on leks. Complete lek surveys are counts of all leks in a defined area, providing an estimate of absolute abundance.

Procedures for complete lek surveys are the similar as those provided for sample lek surveys (see section 3.3.2), except for the following changes.

Field procedures

As in section 3.3.2 except - New leks can be located by stopping at regular distances (Table 2). The entire survey area should be 'gridded' with observation sites to insure detection of all leks. The observer should remain at each site approximately 3 minutes, listening for sounds of displaying males (perhaps with a parabolic microphone).

Data analysis

Data collected include number of birds per lek (sharp-tailed grouse) or number of males per lek (sage grouse), number of birds per km² (sharp-tailed grouse) or number of males per km² (sage grouse), and number of leks per km². These data enable the comparison of estimated absolute abundance for each year, habitat, management strategy, and/or region.

Population size and/or density (birds/km²) are estimated using the following equations:

Sharp-tailed grouse: population = total number of birds on leks X 2

Sage grouse: population = total number of males on leks X 3

The equation for sharp-tailed grouse assumes the following: 1) male:female sex ratio is approximately 1:1; 2) most males are observed on leks; and 3) most birds counted on leks are males. The equation for sage grouse assumes the following: 1) male:female sex ratio is approximately 1:2; and 2) most males are observed on leks.

If surveys are continued for several years, linear regressions offer the best opportunity to detect fluctuations and/or differences in population trends.

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Published by the Resources Inventory Committee