Legacy-funded Bird Projects
The following projects are being funded by the Legacy Program for 2009. See https://www.dodlegacy.org for more details on each project.
2009 Legacy-funded Bird Projects
09-243: Migratory linkages of Burrowing Owls on DoD installations
POC: Courtney Conway/Univ of AZ and Carol Finley/Kirtland AFB
Synopsis: We analyze stable isotope ratios of feathers, genetics from blood samples, and radio telemetry from Burrowing Owl on > 39 DoD installations throughout the western U.S. to determine migratory status and quantify migratory linkages.
09-337: Assessing the status of declining Rusty Blackbirds on DoD lands in Alaska
POC: Steve Matsuoka/USFWS
Synopsis: Identify demographic deficits and migratory routes for Rusty Blackbirds breeding on DoD lands in Alaska. This will identify both the mechanisms of the species’ 90–98% decline and important areas throughout the species' flyway.
09-345: Automated bird and amphibian species identification computer program
POC: Mitchell Aide/Univ of Puerto Rico
Synopsis: We will provide maintenance to the acoustical monitoring stations established at three installations, develop analytical tools that will be available on the project web site, and provide intense training for the local managers.
09-408: Grassland bird productivity on military airfields in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast regions - Continuation Year 2
POC: Kimberly Peters/NJ Audubon
Synopsis: One-year continuation of DoD Project #08-408, which aims to monitor local demographic parameters (e.g., nest survival, fledging success) on three military bases in the Northeast/Mid-Atlantic, and identifies these parameters as targets for management.
09-425: Habitat use at multiple scales by pinyon-juniper birds
POC: Carol Finley/Kirtland AFB
Synopsis: We will study pinyon-juniper habitat use by two Species At Risk, Pinyon Jay and Gray Vireo, at multiple scales and installations, create GIS habitat models, and make management recommendations for both species.
09-427: Tracing the geographic origin of migratory birds breeding on DoD lands using stable isotopes
POC: Peter Marra/Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center
Synopsis: Management decisions for migratory birds are focused on breeding grounds, yet migrants spend the majority of the year in the tropics. Our research will map where migrants breeding on military lands winter and provide essential information to land managers.
09-429: Cerulean Warbler Occurrence Atlas for military installations
POC: Michele Richards/Ft Custer and John Brenneman/Kalamazoo Nature Center
Synopsis: The Cerulean Warbler Occurrence Atlas will uncover the presence or absence of CERW on all DoD sites within the species’ breeding range. This will improve DoD’s ability to access this data and to forge partnerships.
09-439: Acquisition and Preservation of Current and Historical Avian Databases from DoD Military Natural Resources Programs
POC: Richard Fischer/Army Corps
Synopsis: Acquire avian inventory and monitoring data in electronic form from installations, permanently archive these data, and input into the Avian Knowledge Network for regional analyses to support installations on MBTA, EO13186, and the new Migratory Bird Rule.
09-440: Implementation of the DoD Coordinated Bird Monitoring Plan
POC: Jonathan Bart/USGS
Synopsis: This project will implement the recently-completed DoD Coordinated Bird Monitoring Plan. Project personnel will work closely with DoD installations that conduct bird monitoring and assessments to insure that they understand and follow the new guidelines.