News from Scientists at the USGS Patuxent Wildlife Research Center
Monday, May 17, 2004
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Second Breeding Bird Atlas On May 17, Susan DeFord of the Washington Post visited Patuxent to interview Chandler Robbins regarding the second Breeding Bird Atlas of Maryland and the District of Columbia, now entering its third summer of field work. She was especially interested in changes detected since the first Maryland / DC atlas (1983-87) and the reasons for these changes; the spread of nesting Canada Geese (farm ponds) and Tree Swallows (farm ponds and nest boxes), decline of grassland sparrows and meadowlarks (replacement of large fields by suburban housing), and loss of low-nesting forest songbirds (forest fragmentation and overbrowsing by deer). Ms. DeFord will return to participate in some atlas field work and learn techniques we use to confirm that birds observed are actually nesting. Contact Chandler Robbins, Laurel, MD, 301-497-5641 BBC-TV "Secrets of the Caribbean" On Wednesday, May 6th, Dr. J. Michael Meyers, USGS wildlife biologist at PWRC-Athens interviewed with the BBC-TV Natural History Unit on their upcoming program "Winds of Change," which is part of the series "Secrets of the Caribbean." Dr. Meyers discussed how plants and animals evolved with hurricanes on the island of Puerto Rico. He also described the adaptations that many wildlife populations have to survive these storms. Not all animal populations, especially highly endangered ones, will survive on these islands during a severe storm. Extra storm precautions for the survival of the Puerto Rican Parrot, an extremely endangered species on the island, have been successful. Although 50% of the wild parrot population was killed by Hurricane Hugo, the population did recover to pre-storm levels very rapidly. All parrots in the two separate captive populations survived the last two hurricanes on the island. Contact J. Michael Meyers, Athens GA, 706-542-1882 Cicada Counting Sam Droege and Keith Pardieck have asked Breeding Bird Survey participants to track 17-year Periodical Cicadas on their bird survey routes this year. Brood X is due to emerge at approximately the same time that birds are surveyed in a wide number of states throughout the East. Their calls are loud, easy to identify, and continuous throughout the day. Seventeen years ago participants were similarly asked to survey for cicadas and the results between the two surveys will be compared. Contact Sam Droege, Laurel, MD, 301-497-5840 |
Breeding Bug Survey from 17 Years Ago The following is taken from the PWRC files 17 years ago, written by Matthew Perry. You would think that the Breeding Bird Survey would only be involved with surveying breeding birds, but that is not always the case. In 1987, thousands of volunteer birders will be taking advantage of the unusual phenomenon of the emergence of the biggest brood of 17-year cicadas, by recording the presence of 17-year cicadas while conducting their annual bird survey. It all began 17 years ago! In early 1970, Biologist Danny Bystrak, who was working with Chan Robbins on the survey, came up with an interesting idea. Why not ask all volunteers to record the frequency of occurrence of cicadas in their survey area. The news at that time, as in the spring of 1987, was full of reports on how the insects would soon be emerging after their 17-year subterranean slumber. The idea was good, but occurred too late to accomplish in 1970. With 17 years to plan for the next emergence, Danny was determined he could pull it off in 1987. Forms and instructions were prepared and included in the normal packets mailed to observers. As the volunteers listen for a "poor Sam Peabody" call of the white-throated sparrow or the clear "teacher" call of the ovenbird, they also will listen to the varied calls of the cicadas. Three species of 17-year cicadas exist in the East. Each produces a different sound, which will challenge the ears of birders. The most common sound is the one often described as the sound of a spaceship landing. This loud droning sound is the result of thousands of male insects singing in unison. Another species produces a sound similar to the more common annual cicada, although it occurs in greater abundance. The third species produces a sound similar to the lawn sprinkler that interrupts the water flow producing a "tick, tick, tick" sound, familiar in many suburban areas. Remarkably, all three species emerge on the same 17-year cycle. Bystrak feels that volunteers, who will be sending their data to Sam Droege, present coordinator of the Breeding Bird Survey, have an opportunity to assist in an important entomological survey. Because the routes are already established and consist of 50 stops for each observer, the ability to collect a wealth of data exists. If frequency of locations at which cicadas are calling is a function of the abundance of cicadas, then it should be possible to determine areas of concentration as well as the overall distribution of cicadas. Entomologists in the East are interested in the results of Bystrak's survey. They should not justify having their own special survey for an insect that appears only once in 17 years, so it is fortuitous that the Breeding Bird Survey was already established. In the past, rural mail carriers have assisted in certain game-bird surveys, but no one has suggested they be recruited for insect work. Time will tell if the Breeding Bird Survey becomes an important 17-year insect survey. In the meantime, entomologists are wishing Bystrak good luck, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service can be proud they have an employee who has the foresight to plan 17 years in advance. Contact Matthew C. Perry, Laurel, MD, 301-497-5622 |
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