Welcome to the Lower Colorado River Multi-Species Conservation Program
Lower Colorado River Multi-Species Conservation Program Balancing Resource Use and Conservation

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Wildlife Activities

      Research and Monitoring - System Monitoring for Riparian Obligate Avian Species

Black-tailed gnatcatcher carries food to its nest to feed nestlings. This territory was observed in the spring of 2009 at the Havasu NWR - Great Basin Bird Observatory - Amy LeistBiologists scout area search plots at the Bill Williams NWR in March of 2009 - Great Basin Bird Observatory - Amy LeistBiologists scout area search plots by kayak at the Bill Williams NWR in March of 2008. Some area search plots are only accessible by kayak or boat - Great Basin Bird Observatory - Amy Leist

System Monitoring for Riparian Obligate Avian Species

The objective of this project is to monitor distribution, population size and long-term trends of breeding bird species in riparian habitats within the LCR MSCP project area. This includes all non-covered riparian land bird species and the following six focal LCR MSCP covered species:

However, other non-covered riparian landbirds are also monitored through this project.

The sampling plan utilized for this project will yield estimations of population density, distribution and long term trends by species. The following are the major components of the sampling plan:

  1. Double sampling area search protocol utilizing rapid and intensive area searches;
  2. Stratified random sampling design, stratifying the LCR MSCP project area by habitat type and region and
  3. Power analysis conducted to obtain appropriate sample size for detecting a 50% decline over 20 years.

Surveys were conducted annually since 2007 and will continue to be conducted annually till at least 2015. As of 2009, population estimates have been calculated for the Sonoran yellow warbler, Arizona Bell’s vireo, Gila woodpecker and summer tanager. Vermilion flycatchers were detected in such low numbers that population estimates could not be calculated. Gilded flickers have yet to be detected during the surveys. The Bill Williams River region held overall the largest proportion of covered species.

Estimated number of territories of covered species within the LCR MSCP project area, based on system wide surveys completed from 2007-2009.

Species Population Estimates
Arizona Bell's vireo 4027
Sonoran yellow warbler 3610
Gila woodpecker 2774
Summer tanager 720

As of 2009 the following were the most abundant non-covered riparian landbird species detected within the LCR MSCP project area:

  • Abert’s towhee
  • Brown-headed cowbird
  • Black-tailed gnatcatcher
  • Common yellowthroat
  • Gambel’s quail
  • Marsh wren
  • Mourning dove
  • Verdin
  • White-winged dove
  • Yellow-breasted chat

For additional information on this project, please refer to Work Task D6: System Monitoring for Riparian Obligate Avian Species (PDF). Find Technical Reports for this Work Task here.

Updated October 14, 2011