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North American Marsh Bird Survey
The amount of emergent wetland habitat in North America has declined sharply during the past century. Populations of many marsh birds that are dependent on emergent wetlands appear to be declining. For many reasons, numerous
federal agencies are cooperating to monitor marsh bird populations in North America to estimate population trends. Continued monitoring will also allow resource managers to evaluate whether management actions or activities adversely impact
wetland ecosystems. Any management action that alters water levels, alters salinity, reduces mudflat/open-water areas, alters invertebrate communities, or reduces the amount of emergent plant cover within marsh habitats could potentially affect
habitat quality for marsh birds. The survey protocol used for the 2008 Marsh Bird Survey at Otter Point Creek is a standardized survey methodology intended for use on National Wildlife Refuges and other protected areas across North America. (See website at ag.arizona.edu for a .pdf version of the complete survey protocol).
Objectives of Program
This survey protocol is intended to provide guidance to individuals planning to survey secretive marsh birds to reach different objectives.
- Document presence or distribution of marsh birds within a defined area
- Estimate or compare density of secretive marsh birds among management units, wetlands or regions
- Estimate population trend for marsh birds at local or regional scale
- Evaluate effects of management actions on secretive marsh birds
- Document habitat types or wetland conditions that influence abundance or occupancy of marsh birds
The following are a list of the marsh bird species in the calling survey at Otter Point Creek.
- American Bittern (AMBI) Botaurus lentiginosus
- King Rail (KIRA) Rallus elegans
- Least Bittern (LEBI) Ixobrychus exilis
- Sora Rail (SORA) Porzana carolina
- Virginia Rail (VIRA) Rallus limicola
Below is a map showing the monitoring stations.
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