Birds
Reports
Kirtland's Warbler: A Success Story of Cooperative Conservation on Saving an Endangered Species - Monograph, March 2012 (Legacy 10-119) (PDF)
The purpose of this project is to interview remaining early team members and partners of the Kirtland Warbler Working Group, to gather the papers, pictures and videos that document the history of the team's recovery planning process, and to summarize and archive these items to share with the conservation community, present and future.
Avian Response to Grassland Management Around Military Airfields in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast - Final Report, May 2012 (Legacy 10-381) (PDF)
Grasslands associated with airfields in the eastern U.S. frequently support breeding populations of grassland birds that are of conservation concern, but can also support bird species that are potentially hazardous to aircraft operations. A better knowledge of how various species respond to management actions in airfield grasslands will have benefits for both conservation and air safety. To address this need, this project studied the relationships among avian habitat use, grassland habitat management, vegetation structure, and landscape characteristics on three military airfields: Westover Air Reserve Base (WARB) in Massachusetts, the Lakehurst section of Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst (Lakehurst) in New Jersey, and Patuxent River Naval Air Station (PRNAS) in Maryland. This report includes detailed findings and maps.
Modeling the Impact of Climate and Anthropogenic Change on Birds and Vegetation on Military Lands in California - Final Report, July 2011 (Legacy 10-465) (PDF)
This project analyzes climate-change impacts on bird distributions on DoD lands in California, emphasizing threatened, endangered, and at-risk species (TER-S) and species of special concern, assesses changes in broad vegetation types, evaluates how changes vary regionally and among installations, determines the effects of changes in land use (housing development) on bird distributions in areas surrounding installations, tests the effectiveness of assessments of species vulnerability to climate change, and summarizes the findings that may help to inform forward-looking environmental management on DoD installations.
Habitat Use at Multiple Scales by Pinyon-Juniper Birds on Department of Defense Lands II: Nest and Territory/Colony Scale - Final Report, March 2012 (Legacy-10-425) (PDF)
Pinyon-juniper woodlands cover approximately 40 million hectares of the western US and represent the dominant woody vegetation and most biodiverse terrestrial habitats on at least six Department of Defense (DoD)installations. Pinyon-juniper habitats on DoD installations are currently threatened by drought, insects, disease, and fire, all of which can be exacerbated by climate change. As part of a four-year study, this project investigated pinyon-juniper habitat use by Gray Vireos and Pinyon Jays. The Year 1 report focused on landscape-scale habitat use; this report includes results for the nest (both species) and territory (Gray Vireo)/colony (Pinyon Jay) scales. This document includes a set of management recommendations.
Assessing the Value of Department of Defense Lands in Alaska to a Declining Species, the Rusty Blackbird. Final Report. March 2011 (Legacy 10-337) (PDF)
This project examined the ecology of Rusty Blackbirds (Euphagus carolinus) nesting on military lands in Alaska. The goal was to contribute to a range-wide understanding of the species' resource requirements and to help identify the factors contributing to the Rusty Blackbird's chronic and range-wide decline. This study was designed to assess the value of military lands in Alaska to this species within a range-wide perspective and was therefore closely coordinated with other studies throughout the species' global range which includes Alaska, Canada, and the continental U.S.
Migratory Linkages of Burrowing Owls on DoD Installations and Adjacent Lands - Final Report, December 2010 (Legacy 09-243) (PDF)
Burrowing Owl populations have declined throughout the Western U.S. and Canada, and they have been extirpated from the periphery of their breeding range. Despite these declines, they appear to be increasing in other areas. This project seeks an explanation for this paradox. That is, breeding populations might be redistributing themselves rather than declining. This report details the findings of this 5 year effort. This work provides a landscape-scale view of movements among Burrowing Owl populations which will allow conservation managers to direct their efforts appropriately. This information is vital to supporting the military mission because it will help identify the management role of DoD for conserving this species in the U.S., potentially help prevent further listing efforts for a species that is still rather common on DoD installations, and document movement patterns of a bird that breeds on many DoD installations in the region.
DoD Partners in Flight Program Management and Technical Support - Annual Report, November 17, 2011 (Legacy 09-1717) (PDF)
This document summarizes the goals and achievements of the Department of Defense Partners in Flight Program for 2009.
Ecological Monitoring Compendium on Wake Island Prior to Rat Removal - Final Technical Report, November 2011 (Legacy 09-438) (PDF)
Introduced rats are known to dramatically affect island biodiversity. On Wake Island, a U.S. Air Force installation in the tropical Pacific, rats predate seabirds and may have extirpated several seabird species from the island. Rats may impact a range of other biota and ecological processes on Wake. The Wake Island eradication provides a valuable opportunity to document ecological changes on such an island by monitoring various taxa before and after the operation. This report contains a Work Plan, Monitoring Protocol, and Sampling Designs for Seabird Monitoring, Shorebird Monitoring, Sea Turtle Monitoring, Vegetation Sampling, Arthropod Sampling, and Rodent Population Monitoring on Wake Island. The protocols and results described in the above reports, if replicated post eradication, can provide valuable documentation of ecological changes on Wake Island resulting from rat removal. These documented changes can then be used to generate predictions about ecological responses to potential rat eradications on other tropical islands on which the Department of Defense (DoD) has a management stake.
Cerulean Warbler Occurrence Atlas for Military Installations - Report Year One, December 2009 (Legacy 09-429) (PDF)
The Cerulean Warbler (CERW, Dendroica cerulea) is a small wood-warbler that nests and forages in the upper canopy of mature forests. Current information indicates that CERW are declining.
The Cerulean Warbler Occurrence Atlas for military installations will evaluate the CERW status on all DoD lands with appropriate habitat that fall within the species breeding range (plus a 100-mile buffer). This will allow DoD to manage proactively for CERW and to forge partnerships with state-level entities concerned with rare Neotropical migrants, such as Important Bird Areas programs and natural resource agencies. The long-term goal of all CERW management activities is to support the population and to prevent the federal listing of the CERW under the Endangered Species Act. This report details the first year efforts for this project.
Assessing the Status of Declining Rusty Blackbirds on DoD Lands in Alaska - Final Report March 2010 (Legacy 09-337) (PDF)
Range-wide declines among Rusty Blackbirds (Euphagus carolinus) have been documented for 15 years and are now tantamount to an 87 percent reduction in population size. However, it has not been until recent years that studies have sought to quantify the species resource requirements or understand the reasons for its alarming decline. This report details the accomplishments on this multi-year project that studies this declining species.
Habitat Use at Multiple Scales by Pinyon-Juniper Birds on Department of Defense Lands: Landscape Scale-Year 1 Final Report January 2011 (Legacy 09-425) (PDF)
Throughout their range, pinyon-juniper habitats are threatened by drought, insects, disease, and fire, all of which can be exacerbated by climate change, and several pinyon-juniper animal species have been classified as Species-at-Risk (SAR). This project investigates habitat use at multiple scales (landscape, territory/colony, and nest) by two pinyon-juniper SAR, Gray Vireo and Pinyon Jay, at three DoD installations in New Mexico. This study of habitat use by two at-risk species that differ in seasonal movements, social structure, and foraging habits, viewed at multiple scales and several installations, will provide a broad perspective on the management of pinyon-juniper woodlands. This report covers the first year of the project, in which focuses on landscape-scale habitat use.
Grassland Bird Productivity on Military Airfields in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast Regions, Interim Report (Legacy 09-408) (PDF)
The purpose of this study was to obtain a general picture of grassland bird reproductive success on regional military airfields, and to examine possible factors that may be affecting productivity. Of particular interest was the examination of the effects of mowing and vegetation structure on nest survival of grasshopper sparrows and eastern meadowlarks, species of conservation concern in the region.
Automated Bird and Amphibian Species Identification Computer Program - Final Report, March 11, 2011 (Legacy 09-345) (PDF)
During the third year of this project, the main objectives were to increase the species recordings, improve the reliability of the biodiversity monitoring stations (hardware), improve the species identification component of the project website (software), and provide training to a number of installations. This report details how this project met these objectives for the year.
Cooperative Red-cockaded Woodpecker Translocation Strategy throughout the Southeast - Final Report, June 2011 (Legacy 08-412) (PDF)
Since the early 1990s, the use of translocations as a management strategy has served to expedite RCW recovery throughout their range. The objective of this project was to expand translocation efforts regionally by providing additional staffing resources (i.e., translocation biologists) and expanding translocation efforts into South and North Carolina. This report details the monitoring of 100 RCW groups, banding efforts, roost cavity, and the trapping and translocation of subadult RCWs from the pool of 100 groups monitored.
Avian Response to Grassland Management on Military Airfields in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast, Interim Report (Legacy 08-381) (PDF)
Grasslands associated with airfields in the eastern U.S. frequently support breeding populations of regionally important grassland birds, but can also support bird species that are potentially hazardous to aircraft operations. A better knowledge of how various species respond to management actions in airfield grasslands will have benefits for both conservation and air safety. To address this need, we studied the relationships among avian habitat use, grassland habitat management, vegetation, and landscape characteristics on three military airfields: Lakehurst Naval Air Engineering Station (New Jersey, LNAES), Westover Air Reserve Base (Massachusetts, WARB), and Patuxent River Naval Air Station (Maryland, PRNAS).
Assessing the Value of Department of Defense Lands in Alaska to a Declining Species, the Rusty Blackbird-Final Report October 2009 (Legacy 08-337) (PDF)
Legacy Project Report: 08-337
This study evaluated the value of military installations in Alaska to breeding Rusty Blackbirds in terms of providing breeding habitats associated with high nesting abundance, reproductive success, and adult survival, and low incidence of diseases and contaminants.
Grassland Bird Productivity on Military Airfields in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast Regions - Interim Report March 2010 (Legacy 08-408) (PDF)
The goal of the first year of this ongoing project was to expand our current avian monitoring program on Lakehurst Naval Air Engineering Station (NJ), Westover Air Reserve Base (MA) and Patuxent River Naval Air Station (MD) to include demographic parameters for breeding grassland birds (i.e., reproductive success). The current study was designed to provide a clearer picture of the bird-habitat dynamics on these installations, with specific objectives in Year 1 to: (1) obtain nesting success measures for the target species, (2) relate nesting success to habitat characteristics, and (3) relate nesting success to restoration/enhancement and BASH management history. Results presented within this report should be treated as preliminary. Additional data will be collected in spring 2010 to enhance sample size and strengthen inferences about the relationships among management, habitat structure and grassland bird productivity.
Migratory Linkages of Burrowing Owls on DoD Installations and Adjacent Lands - Final Report, 2005-2008 (Legacy 05 through 08-243) (PDF)
Some populations of Burrowing Owls have declined to the decree that listed may be a possibility. Burrowing Owls breed and/or overwinter on dozens of DoD installations throughout the western U.S. and, hence, any changes in their status may affect the military mission.
Quantifying Impacts of Ground Water Withdrawal on Avian Communities in Desert Riparian Woodlands of the Southwestern U.S. Final Report, December 2009 (Legacy 08-290) (PDF)
The objective of this research project was to assess the value of riparian woodlands to the health and persistence of avian communities in the desert southwest. Specifically, to quantify the extent to which both surface water and the health of riparian vegetation influence the abundance and diversity of riparian birds. Ultimately models were developed to allow resource managers on military lands to better predict the effects of future ground water withdrawal and surface water depletion on riparian bird communities along the San Pedro River and elsewhere in the southwestern U.S.
Migratory Bird Monitoring Using Automated Acoustic and Internet Technologies (Legacy 07-245) (PDF)
This document details a multi-year project for the development of an innovative acoustic and internet monitoring network that provides tools to monitor migratory activity by species, to contribute towards more accurate population estimates for these species, and to provide information for more accurate environmental risk assessments (for Migratory Bird Treaty Act, MBTA, and Endangered Species Act, ESA) and Integrated Natural Resource Management Plans (INRMPs).
Assessing the value of Department of Defense Lands in Alaska to a Declining Species, the Rusty Blackbird (Legacy 07-337) (PDF)
The goals of the project were to evaluate the value of military installations in Alaska to breeding Rusty Blackbirds by determining habitats with high breeding occurrence, nest abundance, and reproductive success. Also evaluated were the incidence of disease, parasites, and contaminants within the population.
Avian Response to Grassland Management Around Military Airfields in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast-Interim Report December 2009 (Legacy 07-381) (PDF)
(Legacy 07-381) This study examined the effects of vegetation structure and management regimes on the abundance and distribution of birds on military airfields. It focused on how airfield mowing practices affect habitat use by both high-risk species and species of conservation concern. This first year of the study included; 1) How are birds distributed across each site during the migratory and breeding periods? 2) How are avian relative density or species-specific occupancy related to vegetation characteristics on each site? 3) How are avian relative density or species-specific occupancy related to past management practices? 4) Are patterns of avian activity near runways and approach zones nonrandom with respect season or time of day? and 5) are there avian activity hot spots on individual bases that could pose higher risk?. The report contains detailed maps.
Grassland Birds Wintering at US Navy Facilities in Southern Texas - Final Report, July 2010 (Legacy 07-189) (PDF)
Grassland birds have undergone widespread decline throughout North America during the past several decades. A large number of exotic plant species, including grasses, have been introduced in North America, but most research on the effects of these invasions on birds has been limited to breeding birds, primarily those in northern latitudes. Research on the effects of exotic grasses on birds in winter has been extremely limited. This is the first study in southern Texas to examine and compare winter bird responses to native and exotic grasslands. This study was conducted during a period of six years (2003-2009) on United States Navy facilities in southern Texas including Naval Air Station-Corpus Christi, Naval Air Station-Kingsville, Naval Auxiliary Landing Field Waldron, Naval Auxiliary Landing Field Orange Grove, and Escondido Ranch, all of which contained examples of native grasslands, exotic grasslands, or both.
Legacy Bird Species at Risk Monitoring in and around Camp Navajo and the Naval Observatory Flagstaff Station, AZ Final Report, October, 2010 (07-344) (PDF)
Two Department of Defense installations, Camp Navajo Army Depot and Naval Observatory Flagstaff Station are located approximately 10 miles west of Flagstaff, Arizona. This study focused on determining the effects of forest thinning on Cordilleran and Olive-sided Flycatchers, and other bird species as to inform proper management to prevent further listing of wildlife residing on DOD properties. The report provides management recommendations to guide the conservation efforts for these priority bird species within the project area, while preserving the military mission for both installations.
Analysis of California Migration Patterns using NEXRAD and On-the-ground Data (Legacy 06-329) (PDF)
Patterns of Avian Migration in California: An analysis and comparison of results from NEXRAD Doppler Weather Radar and Multiple Mist-net Stations
Migratory linkages of Burrowing Owls on DoD Installations and Adjacent Lands: Where do Owls Breeding on DoD Installations in the Southwestern U.S. Spend the Winter? (Legacy 05 and 06-243) (PDF)
This report details progress during 2005-2006 on project that seeks to locate Burrowing Owl nests on Department of Defense installations throughout the western U.S., determine the migratory linkages and connectivity of Burrowing Owl populations on DoD installations and adjacent lands, Determine where Burrowing Owls nesting on DoD installations and adjacent lands spend the winter, and estimate the extent to which individual owls move among populations, both among DoD installations and between DoD installations and lands managed by other entities.
Migratory Linkages of Burrowing Owls on DoD Installations and Adjacent Lands: Report December 2006 (Legacy 06-243) (PDF)
This report details the project Objectives that include locating Burrowing Owl nests on DoD installations throughout the western U.S., determine the migratory linkages and connectivity of Burrowing Owl populations on DoD installations and adjacent lands, determine where Burrowing Owls nesting on DoD installations and adjacent lands spend the winter, estimate the extent to which individual owls move among populations, and bring together a wide assortment of national and international partners to identify migratory linkages and prevent further population declines and listing efforts. This work will provide a landscape level view of movements among Burrowing Owl populations which will allow conservation managers to direct their efforts appropriately.
Migratory Linkages of Burrowing Owls on DoD Installations and Adjacent Lands - Report December 2006 (Legacy 06-243) (PDF)
This report details the project Objectives that include locating Burrowing Owl nests on DoD installations throughout the western U.S., determine the migratory linkages and connectivity of Burrowing Owl populations on DoD installations and adjacent lands, determine where Burrowing Owls nesting on DoD installations and adjacent lands spend the winter, estimate the extent to which individual owls move among populations, and bring together a wide assortment of national and international partners to identify migratory linkages and prevent further population declines and listing efforts. This work will provide a landscape level view of movements among Burrowing Owl populations which will allow conservation managers to direct their efforts appropriately.
Management Strategies for Reversing Declines in Landbirds of Conservation Concern on Military Lands: Enhanced Species - Landscape Models and Avian Demographics (Legacy 05-103) (PDF)
September 2006. This document reports on enhancements to a species-landscape model that predicts effects of landscape change on a suite of adult and young birds in the eastern and central U.S. Findings will be used as the basis for subsequent management guidelines for installations in that region of the U.S.
Management Strategies for Reversing Declines in Landbirds of Conservation Concern on Military Installations: Analysis of MAPS Data from Military Installations Outside the Legacy-funded Network (Legacy 05-103) (PDF)
November 15, 2006. This report reviews data from 46 MAPS monitoring stations that have operated in the past or are still operating (in 2006) using non-Legacy funding sources. These data showed effective demographic monitoring of 34 landbird species at 27 of the 46 stations located on DoD installations. Seven of the 34 species are listed in the Partners in Flight North American Landbird Conservation Plan as Species of Continental Importance (SCI). The goal of this analysis was to report demographic parameter values for as many species as possible, compare them to other regional- or continental-scale estimates, and recommend future monitoring efforts.
Standardized Monitoring Strategies for Burrowing Owls on DoD Installations (Legacy 05-243) (PDF)
December 2006. This report details methods and protocols for trapping, tagging, measuring, monitoring and reporting on Burrowing Owls in the southwest. Includes diagrams and sample data monitoring sheets.
Final Report for Fall 2005 and Spring 2006, Legacy Program: Migratory Bird Monitoring Using Automated Acoustic and Internet Technologies (Legacy 05-245) (PDF)
This report details a project by Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology to develop digital autonomous recording units (ARUs) that record mp3 and binary (BIN) sound files for periods of up to 6 weeks in duration. Also examined are ARU reliability, applicability to tasks, and recording quality. This report includes results of testing over 27,000 hours of data in fall 2005 and spring 2006. The document also outlines problems and constraints encountered in developing and applying hardware and software technologies.
Conserving Shorebirds on Department of Defense Lands (Legacy 04-17) (PDF)
Meant to serve as a companion to Shorebird Management Manual, by Douglas L. Helmers, this useful guidebook will assist Department of Defense resource managers in identifying important shorebird management opportunities by providing (1) information on migration timing of various habitat guilds, and (2) information on the relative abundance of different species of shorebirds in different regions of the country during spring and autumn migrations. Contains numerous graphs, maps and beautiful photos.
Predictive Modeling of Landbird Populations (Legacy 03-103) (PDF)
DDT Contamination of Migrating Birds Using White-Faced Ibis as an Indicator Species (Legacy 03-1875) (PDF)
Implementing Rotational Partial Rest/Patch-Burn Grazing in the Flint Hills, Kansas (Legacy 03-188) (PDF)
Protect significant biological systems (tallgrass prairie) and species (emphasis on grassland birds), and establish programs for the restoration and rehabilitation of altered or degraded habitats near Fort Riley
Assessing the value of Department of Defense Lands in Alaska to a Declining Species, the Rusty Blackbird (Legacy 07-337) (PDF)
The goals of the project were to evaluate the value of military installations in Alaska to breeding Rusty Blackbirds by determining habitats with high breeding occurrence, nest abundance, and reproductive success. Also evaluated were the incidence of disease, parasites, and contaminants within the population.
DDT Contamination of Migrating Birds Using White-Faced Ibis as an Indicator Species (Legacy 03-1875) (PDF)
This document summarizes a project that investigated the source of DDE/DDT contamination on the wintering grounds of the White-faced Ibis in California and Mexico and verified that nesting sites on NAS Fallon, NV were not the sources of contamination.
Fact Sheets
DoD PIF Key Focus Area: Communicating Guidance and Policies - Bird Conservation in the Military (PDF)
DoD PIF Key Focus Area: Habitat and Species Management - Bird Conservation in the Military (PDF)
DoD PIF Key Focus Area: Information and Education - Bird Conservation in the Military (PDF)
DoD PIF Key Focus Area: Monitoring - Bird Conservation in the Military (PDF)
DoD PIF Key Focus Area: Partnerships and Cooperation - Bird Conservation in the Military (PDF)
DoD PIF Key Focus Area: Research - Bird Conservation in the Military (PDF)
DoD PIF Key Focus Area: Stewardship - Bird Conservation in the Military (PDF)
Fact Sheet: Cerulean Warbler Occurrence Atlas for Military Installations - Year 2 (Legacy 10-429) (PDF)
Fact Sheet: Habitat Use at Multiple Scales by Pinyon-Juniper Birds (Legacy 10-425) (PDF)
Fact Sheet: Implementation of the DoD Coordinated Bird Monitoring Plan (Legacy 09-440) (PDF)
Fact Sheet: Automated Bird and Amphibian Species Identification Computer Program (Legacy 09-345) (PDF)
Fact Sheet: Cerulean Warbler Occurrence Atlas for Military Installations (Legacy 09-429) (PDF)
Fact Sheet: Avian Response to Grassland Management on Military Airfields (Legacy 08-381) (PDF)
Fact Sheet: 2006 Annual Report DoD Partners in Flight Program (PDF)
This 2 page fact sheet details the accomplishments of the DoD Partners in Flight Program for 2006 in such areas as Conserving Birds and their Habitats, Partnerships and Leadership, Accomplishments and Recognition, Migratory Bird Legislation, and Getting the Word Out.
Fact Sheet: DoD Partners in Flight Program Management and Technical Support (Legacy 07-17) (PDF)
This fact sheet summarizes the activities and accomplishments of the DoD Partners in Flight program for fiscal year 2007.
Fact Sheet: Identifying Management Strategies for Reversing Declines of Neotropical Landbirds of Conservation Concern on Military Installations (Legacy 05-103) (PDF)
This document summarizes a project that gathered information on declining BCC Neotropical land birds to ultimately develop land management recommendations for DoD lands in the southeastern U.S. This Legacy-funded project utilized the Monitoring of Avian Productivity and Survivorship (MAPS) program to provide critical demographic data on 100+ species in the eastern and central US, which will be the basis for subsequent landscape management strategies to be employed in DoD installations in that region.
Fact Sheet: Conservation of Indigenous Birds on Wake Atoll (Legacy 01-134) (DOC)
This document summarizes a project dealing with the removal and eradication of feral cats on Wake Atoll (Marshall Islands, Micronesia) in order to preserve the indigenous birds whose numbers were declining due to heavy predation by numerous feral cats.
Assessing the value of Department of Defense Lands in Alaska to a Declining Species, the Rusty Blackbird (Legacy 07-337) (PDF)
The goals of the project were to evaluate the value of military installations in Alaska to breeding Rusty Blackbirds by determining habitats with high breeding occurrence, nest abundance, and reproductive success. Also evaluated were the incidence of disease, parasites, and contaminants within the population.
Fact Sheet: The Grassland Birds of US Navy Lands in Southern Texas (Legacy 07-189) (PDF)
Important Bird Areas (PDF)
International Conservation (PDF)
Fact Sheet: Northern Aplomado Falcon (USFWS) (PDF)
Tech Notes
Speeches and Presentations
Presentation: Acoustic Technologies for Monitoring Birds: Past, Present, and Future (Legacy 10-245) (PDF)
A. Farnsworth, R. Charif, M. Powers, A. Klingensmith, M. Pitzrick,L. Grove, D. Cusano, K. Rosenberg, R. Rohrbaugh. The Cornell Lab of Ornithology.
Presentation: Breeding habitat use and reproductive ecology of Rusty Blackbird (DOC)
This presentation details the goals methods and findings of a study on the decline of the Rusty Blackbird.
PowerPoint Presentation: Migratory Linkages of Burrowing Owls on DoD installations and adjacent lands (PPT)
This 13 slide presentation presents the hypothesis that this species is redistributing populations in the southwest rather than declining and outlines the methods that will be employed during the course of the project to gather data to corroborate or disprove this hypothesis.
Publications
Don't Let Your Cat Go AWOL! Indoor Cats Are Safe Cats (PDF)
Pamphlet: DoD Legacy Project: Migratory Linkages of Burrowing Owls (PDF)
This 2 page publication summarizes the objectives, goals, benefits, and those involved in this 4 year project that studies burrowing owls, a species at risk in the southwest.
Migratory Linkages of Burrowing Owls Pamphlet (Legacy 09-243) (PDF)
This 2 page publication summarizes the objectives, goals, benefits, and those involved in this 4 year project that studies burrowing owls, a species at risk in the southwest.
Cornerstone Magazine 1996, V2 No. 1 (PDF)
Guidance
Landscaping to Attract Birds (DOC)
Bald Eagle Management Guidelines (PDF)
This memorandum from the Office of the Assistant Deputy Under Secretary of Defense (Environment, Safety, and Occupational Health) provides guidance for all installation managers on Management Actions to Protect Bald Eagles after Delisting and provides additional information in the attached Bald Eagle Recovery Questions and Answers, publication from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
1996 Management Guidelines for the Red-cockaded Woodpecker on Army Installations
Memorandum: Guidance to Implement the MOU to Promote Conservation of Migratory Birds, (April 3, 2007) (PDF)
(April 3, 2007) This memorandum from the Office of the Undersecretary of Defense (Acquisition, Technology and Logistics) provides a call for all DoD personnel to work cooperatively with the FWS to implement the actions described in the Conservation of Migratory Birds MOU. The attachment to the memorandum provides useful tools in implementing migratory bird conservation by the DoD.
Articles
Migratory Birds, Zone Defense (DOC)
Steppingstones DoD PIF Newsletter
State of the Birds - DoD (PDF)
General Information
DoD Partners in Flight
Partners in Flight focuses resources on the improvement of monitoring and inventory, research, management, and education programs involving birds and their habitats. The central premise of Partners in Flight is that the resources of public and private organizations in the Western Hemisphere must be combined, coordinated, and increased in order to achieve the greatest success in conserving bird populations in this hemisphere.
Posters
Assessing & Reducing BASH Risk Potential of Migrating Osprey (Legacy 06, 07, and 08-292) (PDF)
This poster details this multiyear project that results in detail spatial and temporal mapping of migrating osprey along the eastern seaboard, which will aid installations in avoiding collisions with this species.
Quantifying Impacts Of Groundwater Withdrawal On Avian Communities In Desert Riparian Woodlands of the Southwestern U.S. (PDF)
A poster presentation detailing this Legacy-funded effort and presented at the 2007 Sustaining Military Readiness Conference in Orlando FL.
Assessing and Reducing BASH Risk Potential of Migrating Osprey (Legacy 06/07/08-292) (PDF)
This poster details this multiyear project that results in detail spatial and temporal mapping of migrating osprey along the eastern seaboard, which will aid installations in avoiding collisions with this species.
BASH
Bird Aircraft Strike Hazard (BASH) (PDF)
Grassland Bird Productivity on Military Airfields in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast Regions - Interim Report March 2010 (Legacy 08-408) (PDF)
The goal of the first year of this ongoing project was to expand our current avian monitoring program on Lakehurst Naval Air Engineering Station (NJ), Westover Air Reserve Base (MA) and Patuxent River Naval Air Station (MD) to include demographic parameters for breeding grassland birds (i.e., reproductive success). The current study was designed to provide a clearer picture of the bird-habitat dynamics on these installations, with specific objectives in Year 1 to: (1) obtain nesting success measures for the target species, (2) relate nesting success to habitat characteristics, and (3) relate nesting success to restoration/enhancement and BASH management history. Results presented within this report should be treated as preliminary. Additional data will be collected in spring 2010 to enhance sample size and strengthen inferences about the relationships among management, habitat structure and grassland bird productivity.
Fact Sheet: Grassland Bird Productivity on Military Airfields (Legacy 08-408) (PDF)
Presentation: Assessing BASH Risk Potential of Migrating and Breeding Osprey in the Mid Atlantic Chesapeake Bay Region (2007) (PDF)
This presentation describes the materials, procedure, application, and results of Osprey captured and marked as part of the Assessing BASH Risk Potential of Migrating and Breeding Osprey in the Mid-Atlantic Chesapeake Bay Region project. This is a collaborative multi-agency effort where breeding adults and nestlings were live-captured, fitted with satellite transmitters, and released from nest locations surrounding Langley Air Force Base in the Back River on the western shore of the Chesapeake Bay of Virginia.
Enhancement of Reference Collections for Bird Strike Identification on Phase II (Legacy 03-144) (PDF)
Poster: Assessing BASH Risk of Breeding and Migrating Osprey (PDF)
This poster summarizes the purpose, methods and first years result of this project which tracks osprey from Langley AFB, VA with the ultimate goal to reduce Bird Air Strike Hazard (BASH). This poster was presented at the 2007 Sustaining Military Readiness Conference in Orlando, FL.
Assessing BASH Risk Potential of Migrating and Breeding Osprey in the Mid-Atlantic Chesapeake Bay Region - Final Report, May 2011 (Legacy 08-292) (PDF)
The recovery and expansion of Osprey populations in North America in recent years has resulted in an increased threat of collisions (strikes) with aircraft. High Osprey population levels and this species' ability to adapt to human development and activity have resulted in concerns among military pilots, flight safety officers, and natural resource managers about Osprey-strike risks. This study provides an unprecedented understanding of Osprey movements along the eastern seaboard during all parts of their annual cycle (i.e., breeding season, fall migration, wintering period, and spring migration). This project demonstrated an advanced operational risk management process emphasizing the safe-guarding of military assets and preserving readiness. This project resulted in expansion of current bird avoidance model systems while determining effective solutions for reducing Osprey-strike risks implemented through the combined partnerships of flight safety officers, airspace managers, natural resource managers, wildlife biologists, and geospatial analysts.
