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BIRD BANDING AT AMISTAD NRA

Amistad NRA has operated a bird banding program during 1998, 1999 and 2000 following a design protocol developed by the Institute for Bird Populations. The MAPS (Monitoring Avian Productivity and Survivorship) study involves capturing birds with mist nets, identifying species and sex, and banding the birds with U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service bands. Twelve mist nets are operated for five hours during nine separate visits at the specified banding station.  This procedure allows for the determination of bird productivity and survivorship for the general study area. The MAPS banding station at Amistad NRA will be operated for a minimum of 5 years, through 2003.

Birds are treated humanely during this procedure, and the resulting information helps the National Park Service monitor, protect, and improve the bird habitat. This survey will also help us update the area bird list.

The project is dependent on volunteer assistance. Experience is not necessary, but if you are interested in birds, science, and helping the National Park Service, contact:

Amistad NRA's Natural Resource Specialist, David Larson at (830) 775-7493 x 204.

All Bird Banding sessions will begin 30 minutes before sunrise. volunteers are welcome! If interested contact David Larson (Natural Resources Management Specialist, Amistad NRA) at 830-775-7491 x 204, or Amistad NRA Volunteer Coordinator, Annmarie Mikelski at x 212. All interested participants will meet 1 hour before sunrise at the Amistad NRA headquarters building on Hwy 90 (5 miles W. of Del Rio).

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Greg Sedbrook   (L) ,David Larson (NPS), Tim Gleason  and Mark Peapenburg (NPS)(R)

2001 BIRD BANDING SCHEDULE

RESULTS

In 1998, 33 species of birds were captured, a total of 213 new birds were banded and 37 birds were recaptured.

In 1999, 31 species of birds were captured, a total of 266 new birds were banded and 136 birds were recaptured.

In 2000, 39 species of birds were captured, a total of 415 new birdswere banded and 136 birds were recaptured.

In order to determine productivity, the ratio of adult birds to juvenile birds captured are compared. The following table looks at the seven most common species at the banding station and shows the number of adult and young captured, the percent change in populations between 1998 and 1999, and the proportion of young to the total population captured in 1999.

Table 1. The seven most common birds captured at Amistad, percent change in populations and proportion of young.

At this time, no conclusions can be made from the above table, except to show present events of interest, such as, the number of young Bewick's Wrens banded in 1999, the number of adult Yellow-breasted Chats captured in 1998 and 1999, and the proportion of young for Northern Cardinal and Verdin.

CONCLUSION

The vegetation habitats found at the Amistad banding station can best be described as a riparian woodland system comprised mainly of Huisache (Acacia farnesiana), Honey Mesquite (Prosopis glandulosa), River Cane (Arundo donax), Spiny Hackberry (Celtis pallida) and Prickly Pear Cactus (Opuntia engelmannii).

The above plants form many edges and openings in this woodland system providing excellent habitat for the species listed in Table 1. By looking over the birds captured in the past two years, one can see that most of the birds are woodland species dependent on brushy vegetation cover.

The MAPS program at Amistad, in the upcoming years, will be looking closely at the changes in capture rates and productivity. Documenting changes in populations of birds at Amistad will assist in determining trends over a larger region. The Yellow-breasted Chat, a neo-tropical migrant, and the most common bird captured at the banding station, spends the winter months in southwestern Mexico. By tracking this species productivity and survivorship in a non-disturbed riparian woodland, Amistad NRA will be able to determine trends in this birds population that may be caused by outside park influences.

This MAPS banding station will be operated for a minimum of 5 years, through 2003. Volunteer assistance in operating a bird banding station is of great value and necessity. Interested participants should contact the Natural Resources Specialist (David Larson) at the following number (830)775-7491 ext 204.

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