Birds of Denali - Research and Monitoring

Research by Bird Type:

RAPTORS

WATERFOWL

PASSERINES

The Research and Resource Protection Division at Denali is actively involved in many different bird studies. Most of these studies incorporate both ecological and management issues. The following provides a brief overview of our recent and current projects. For more information on these projects please contact Carol McIntyre at [phone] or via e-mail.

Monitoring Reproductive Success of Golden Eagles and Gyrfalcons

In 1988 we started a comprehensive study of the ecology of golden eagles and gyrfalcons. The major objectives of the study were to document reproductive characteristics of each species, examine response of the breeding populations to changes in food supplies and habitat, document nesting phenology (timing of events), document nesting area habitat characteristics, and describe food habits. Since 1988 we've collected data at 56 to 80 golden eagle nesting areas and 12 to 26 gyrfalcon nesting areas using aerial and foot surveys. The first surveys are conducted soon after egg laying is completed (mid-April) to determine occupancy and breeding status. The second surveys are conducted late in the nesting season to determine nesting success and productivity. Summary reports of this monitoring project are available upon request.

Documenting Annual Movements of Juvenile and Subadult Golden Eagles

We are using satellite radio telemetry to test a series of hypotheses regarding annual movements of juvenile and subadult golden eagles from Denali. Results from this project indicate that most juvenile and subadult golden eagles from Denali migrate in late September, following the Rocky Mountains south as far as northern Mexico. Wintering ranges extend from central Alberta to northern Mexico, as far west as central Washington and as far east as central Kansas. Juveniles and subadults return to Alaska in late May and show little tendency to return to Denali. Their summer range extends from the Kenai Peninsula north to the Arctic Ocean, as far west as Cape Lisburn and as far east as the Mackenzie River delta. This is a cooperative project between Denali and the U.S. Geological Survey, Biological Resources Division, Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center.

Examining Environmental Factors Influencing Reproductive Success and Survival of Golden Eagles

We are developing a landscape-scale model to examine the influence of topography, habitat and prey availability on nesting golden eagles in Denali. This is a cooperative project between Denali and the US Geological Survey, Biological Resources Division, Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center.

Examining Fidelity of Golden Eagles to Nesting Areas

We are using molecular genetic techniques to identify individual golden eagles at selected nesting areas to determine site fidelity and population turnover. By collecting shed feathers at nesting areas over a series of years we can determine whether areas are occupied by the same breeders. This noninvasive monitoring technique is being developed in partnership with the US Geological Survey, Biological Resources Division, Alaska Science Center.

Comparing Golden Eagle Reproductive Success in Relation to Human Activities

We are using our long-term data set to compare the reproductive success of golden eagles nesting within the Denali park road corridor and in areas of high human visitation with areas with little human visitation in Denali. This project is funded through the NPS Fee Demonstration Program.

Breeding Biology and Dietary Analysis of Northern Hawk-Owls

We are examining breeding habitat and food habits of nesting northern hawk owls in Denali. John Shook, a biological technician at Denali and graduate student at Boise State University is conducting this project, in cooperation with the Tetlin National Wildlife Refuge. The NPs Fee Demonstration Program supports this project.

Determining the Distribution, Abundance and Habitat Associations of Cliff Nesting Raptors and Trumpeter Swans on the South Side of the Alaska Range

We initiated a multi-component resources project on the south side of the Alaska Range in 2000. The goal of this project is to obtain information needed by managers to protect resources on the South Side of Denali National Park and Preserve (SSD). The goal of avian component of the project is to provide Denali managers with information necessary to minimize disturbance to cliff-nesting raptors and waterfowl on SSD. The Natural Resources Protection Program funds this project.

Statewide Trumpeter Swan Surveys

Over 300 pairs of trumpeter swans breed in Denali each year. The US Fish and Wildlife Service conducts statewide surveys every five years to assess the population trends of this once endangered species. Denali cooperates with the the US Fish and Wildlife Service to support these statewide surveys and to provide assessments of the trumpeter swan population in Denali. We counted over 1000 trumpeter swans in Denali in 2000, with the highest densities in the northwestern portion of the preserve.

Monitoring Population Trends in Passerines and Near-Passerines

One of the objectives of the monitoring program for passerines and near-passerine birds (songbirds) in Denali is to determine trends in their abundance. We use data from three projects summarized below to meet this objective.

Monitoring Passerines and Near-Passerines Using Point Counts

From early to late June, data on the abundance of songbirds is collected at specific locations along and near the Denali park road. Most of the surveys are conducted in spruce dominated forests. Observers visit each "point"once per year and record the number (and species) of birds heard and seen at each point. Data from these surveys has been compiled annually and used to examine interannual differences in frequency of occurrence of songbirds. This is a cooperative project between Denali and the Alaska Bird Observatory.

Recent annual reports of this project are available on the web.

Monitoring Avian Productivity and Survivorship (MAPS)

We are using constant-effort mist netting to assess and monitor the vital rates and population dynamics of passerine birds along the road corridor in Denali. From early June to early August, songbirds are captured,banded, measured and released at six banding stations along the Denali park road. Data collected on the number of birds captured allows us to calculate estimates of abundance, productivity, and survival for about12 species of songbirds. This is a cooperative project between Denali and the Institute of Bird Populations.

The North American Breeding Bird Survey

The North American Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) is a large-scale survey of North American birds. It is a roadside survey, primarily covering the continental United States and southern Canada, although streamside surveys are also used in remote area of Alaska and Canada. Today thereare approximately 3,700 active BBS routes across the continental US and Canada, of which nearly 2,900 are surveyed annually. The BBS has accumulated over 30 years of data on the abundance, distribution, and population trends of more than 400 bird species. These data are widely used by researchers, federal and state (and provincial/territorial)agencies, non-governmental organizations, and the public for various management and research purposes. For example, these data can reveal whether major population changes of a species in certain states are related to a continental decline or merely represent population shifts within their breeding range.

The National Park Service runs two BBS routes in Denali in mid-June. An additional route is run south of the park by a long-term BBS volunteer.(This route is not in the park or conducted by park personnel, but information generated from observations along this BBS route provides us with additional information on the distribution and abundance of birds in the Denali area).

Results from the Denali BBS routes are available on the web.

***Look for the Toklat, Savage, and Petersville Road routes.

Integrated Passerine Monitoring: A Community Based Approach

Denali's scientists are developing a long-term monitoring study for detecting both temporal and spatial variation in bird communities across Denali. This study is being developed cooperatively with the Central Alaska Network monitoring program.

Denali Institute Autumn Passerine Banding Station

The Denali Institute operates an autumn passerine migration station to assess the timing,abundance, and species diversity of passerine migration near Moose Creek. Passerine birds are captured, banded with US Fish and Wildlife Service aluminum leg bands, measured, and released.

Summary reports of this project are available on the web.

Christmas Bird Count

Nan Eagleson, a resident of Denali Park, coordinates and compiles results from the Audubon Christmas Bird Count in the Denali area. While this is not a park-based project, the data is useful for examining patterns, distribution, and population trends of birds during the winter in the count area.

Results from Denali's Christmas Bird Count are available on the web.