Special Projects

The Sonoran Joint Venture supports bird conservation in a number of different ways. One of our primary methods of support is our annual Awards Program. Since 2001 the SJV has provided funds through this competitive program to nineteen organizations from the U.S. and Mexico. Click on a link below to view project details from different years.

The SJV also awards discretionary funds that are used to support partners involved in ongoing projects identified as top priorities for the SJV, including monitoring and surveys of bird populations and education and outreach projects and opportunities.

Projects 2009

Pronatura Noroeste: Community participation and ecosystem services as conservation tools that use birds as indicators of habitat value

Project Description: Payments for ecosystem services are used by the federal government and are quickly becoming an important conservation tool available in Mexico today. However, lack of data on how to distinguish which habitats are most important for wildlife is still prevalent. El Cúbajo microwatershed is a key area in Southern Sonora and one in which Pronatura Noroeste has been pursuing several conservation strategies. Along with its high species diversity, El Cúbajo is an important area due to its close proximity to a natural protected area and its inclusion within several classifications for areas of high natural resource management priority. The purpose of this proposal is to define the value of habitats for wildlife within the El Cúbajo microwatershed using birds as indicators of habitat value and diversity. This proposal will provide a functional framework for ecosystem services that will support compensation tools used in conservation programs and can be applied to other areas throughout the Sonoran Joint Venture region. It will also facilitate the application of the ecosystem services rationale to local communities through monitoring, capacity building, environmental education and ecotourism experiences, providing valuable data on more than a dozen priority bird species identified in the SJV Bird Conservation Plan.

Dept. of Defense, U.S. Air Force, Luke AFB, 56 FW Range Management Office/ESM: Monitoring and an International Monitoring Training Workshop for Le Conte's Thrasher on the U.S. Air Force Barry M. Goldwater Range-East, Arizona.

Project Description: Le Conte's Thrasher (LCTH) is a poorly understood species of desert lowlands in southwestern U.S. and northwestern Mexico. According to SJV, the need for LCTH monitoring and population trend data is of the highest priority. Presently, the Arizona Game and Fish Department (AGFD) is assessing the distribution, developing a monitoring protocol, and describing habitat associations for LCTH on Arizona's USAF Barry M. Goldwater Range (BMGR). Project objectives are: (1) assemble a team to conduct and review AGFD's LCTH monitoring protocol on BMGR in January 2010, (2) concurrently, train and provide playback survey equipment for Mexican biologists, (3) promote discussions to enhance understanding of trends and threats to LCTH and other desert lowland birds in SJV's Arid Borderlands, and (4) because LCTH activity peaks months before BBS routes, monitor same points in early May 2010 to develop a detectability metric for adjusting LCTH counts in BBS data. We request an SJV Grant to (1) provide travel funds for invited experts and Mexican biologists in January 2010, (2) provide Mexican biologists with playback equipment for future surveys in Mexico, and (3) conduct additional monitoring on BMGR in May 2010 to develop a BBS detectability index.

Pronatura Noroeste: Shorebird monitoring (with emphasis on Marbled Godwit, Red Knot, and Short-billed Dowitcher) in the Guerrero Negro Lagunar Complex, Baja California Sur

Project Description:
This project involves an annual monitoring effort of wintering shorebirds in the Guerrero Negro Lagunar Complex, located in the central western portion of the Baja peninsula. This is the one of the principal wintering site for shorebirds in this region. We will continue with the banding and re-observation of Marbled Godwit, Pacific Red Knot, and Short-billed Dowitcher, three important species due to recent declines in their populations. Key program activities include: (1) undertake 12 shorebird surveys, which include the most important areas for shorebirds; (2) capture, mark, and re-sight Marbled Godwits, Red Knots, and Short-billed Dowitchers during the months of September-February; and (3) involve at least five local young people into these activities.

Pronatura Noroeste: Mexican seabird colony catalog and monitoring database

Project Description: In western North America, seabird colony catalogs and monitoring programs exist for all of Alaska, Washington, Oregon, California, and Hawaii. The next logical step is Mexico. A seabird colony catalog is essentially a list of all known seabird colonies in a given region, with best available information on species composition and population sizes. It represents the state of knowledge of the distribution and abundance of breeding seabirds. A catalog of seabird breeding colonies is needed to evaluate potential marine IBAs in the Mexican portion of the California Current. This baseline data will be useful to support the designation of Marine Protected Areas around important nesting islands. In this framework, the objectives of this project are: 1) to create a catalog of breeding colonies located on the Pacific coast of the peninsula of Baja California; 2) to determine the Pacific seabird monitoring effort on in northwest México; and 3) to compile Pacific seabird monitoring data and enter this data to update the PSMDB.

John Feenstra: Studies and conservation of Tricolored Blackbirds in Southern California

Project Description: The work proposed herein are the first critically needed steps of a long term conservation strategy aimed at stemming the extirpation of Tricolored Blackbirds from Southern California south of the Tehachapis. Proposed is a three-stage monitoring effort to locate sites important to Tricolored Blackbirds and census the population during the breeding season.

Projects 2008

Rocky Mountain Bird Observatory: Desert Grassland Conservation in Northern Mexico

Project Description: The desert grasslands of Sonora, the southwestern U.S., and northern Mexico are globally important to North American grasslands birds in winter. This project will deliver information on the abundance, distribution, and inter-annual movements of wintering grasslands birds in Sonora, including up to 30 priority species, in relation to other desert grasslands in northern Mexico and the southwestern United States. This project will expand activities in Sonora that are part of an ongoing, bi-national, regional winter grassland bird inventory and monitoring partnership in the U.S.-Mexico borderlands region. Specifically, we will conduct 24 additional 1-km line transects using Distance-sampling in grasslands in four ~300 km2 study blocks in northern Sonora, in order to inventory and monitor over-wintering grassland birds and their habitats in the region, and determine species-habitat relationships. We will also distribute Spanish-language grassland bird education and outreach materials to landowners whose properties we work on and other people working and living in grasslands. We will cooperate with and train Mexican partners to implement this project and help build their capacity for future conservation. This project will help establish a framework for grassland conservation in Sonora and northern Mexico that will help reduce and mitigate accelerating threats in the region.

Institute for Bird Populations: Stopover ecology and habitat requirements for molt-migrants in Sonora and northern Sinaloa, Mexico

Project Description: Many species of birds, including species of conservation concern, migrate to the “Mexican Monsoon Region” to undergo molt; however, virtually nothing is known about these birds during the molting period. In order to investigate the ecology of these molt-migrants and identify critical habitat requirements for molting, IBP undertook a one-year pilot study, the Molt-Migration-Stopover (MoMS) project in July-September 2007. Through mist-netting efforts we were able to successfully collect data on 23 species of known or suspected molt-migrants, including at least 10 species in Sonora and northern Sinaloa. The current proposal seeks support to operate six banding stations in Sonora and Sinaloa. In addition to obtaining important information on molt-migrants and their habitats, this project will involve the training of Mexican biologists and an educational program involving students with the Univesidad Autonoma de Sinaloa.

Orange County Chapter of the Society for Conservation Biology at University of California-Irvine: Coastal sage scrub and grassland restoration and Upper Newport Bay Ecological Reserve

Project Description: OCSCB plans to restore 4.8 acres of endangered habitat in the Upper Newport Bay Ecological Reserve of Orange County, California. As a part of the Coastal Orange County Wetlands Important Bird Area, Upper Newport Bay provides critical habitat for both water and terrestrial birds. Restoring habitat will support more birds, including the Federally Threatened coastal California Gnatcatcher. The restoration process will stress community involvement by engaging the members of OCSCB and the surrounding Orange County community. All data collected in the monitoring of the project site will be made available to the Avian Knowledge Network through online data entry. Birders in the surrounding community will be trained in area search techniques to ensure that monitoring is carried out over the long term. We will submit checklists from monitoring and birding days to California eBird.

Centro de Investigacion en Alimentacion y Desarrollo (CIAD): Monitoring of birds and outreach program in a coastal desert "Ejidal" Reserve, San José de Guaymas, Sonora

Project Description: Ejido San José is located in a coastal desert ecosystem, within the Ejido there is a cardon forest of 20 ha with around 400 cardon cacti named “El Sahuaral.” This is one of the last patches of cardon in the area of Guaymas. Cavities in the cacti provide important nesting habitat for birds including White-fronted Parrot, Purple “Arizona” Martins and Gila Woodpecker. To supplement a conservation plan for the area that is already in progress, we propose to conduct point counts for one year (two per season) and we conduct an outreach program about birds of the Sahuaral. The outcome will be a description of abundance of bird species of the area, a field guide, and an ecotourism cooperative trained as bird watching guides.

Arizona Game & Fish Department: Coordinated Bird Monitoring in Arizona: implementing surveys for riparian associated priority species in the Arid Borderlands and Mexican Highlands regions

Project Description: The Arizona Coordinated Bird Monitoring Program provides a framework for the design and implementation of the long-term monitoring of Arizona’s birds. The first segment of the program is to implement statewide riparian surveys. The objectives are to estimate and monitor the number of birds, by species, breeding (or attempting to breed) within riparian habitats in our study area and to elucidate habitat relationships. These riparian obligate species are typically not adequately monitored by Breeding Bird Surveys because of its sampling methodology (e.g., road-based point counts). The sampling plan calls for conducting 180 surveys (plots) over a 3 year period, with approximately 60 plots done each year. We will use double sampling to carry out the surveys. The proposed work will form a critical part of a three-year monitoring effort that will contribute to the goal of determining current population status and detection of biologically significant trends of riparian associated species statewide.

Pronatura Noroeste, AC: Community participation in shorebird monitoring (with emphasis on Marbled Godwit and Red Knot) in the Guerrero Negro Lagunar Complex, Baja California Sur

Project Description: This project involves an annual monitoring effort of the shorebirds that winter in the Guerrero Negro-Ojo de Liebre Lagunar Complex, located in the central western portion of the Baja peninsula. This is the one of the principal wintering site for shorebirds in this region. We will continue with the banding and re-observation of Marbled Godwit and Pacific Red Knot, two important species due to recent declines in their populations. An additional objective is the involvement of young people from local communities in project activities, which is aimed to help spark their interest in shorebird conservation. Key program activities include: (1) teach a 20 hour bird monitoring course for local young people; (2) undertake 12 shorebird surveys, which include the most important areas for shorebirds; (3) capture, mark, and re-sight Marbled Godwits and Red Knots during the months of September-February; and (4) involve at least five local young people into these activities.

Arizona Western College: Wetlands education and outreach in Yuma, Arizona

Project Description: Arizona Western College is seeking funds to educate Yuma residents on the importance of wetlands restoration for bird conservation. Wetlands in the Yuma area are critical habitat for the endangered Yuma Clapper Rail, Southwestern Willow Flycatcher, and Western Yellow-billed Cuckoo. Riparian habitats in the Sonoran and Mojave deserts support over 33% of plants and animals in the desert southwest but only comprise 5% of the land mass. Unfortunately, 90% of the riparian areas in this region have been destroyed by development or replaced by agriculture. This project will form a unique partnership between Arizona Western College, Yuma Heritage Area, and Fred Phillips Consulting LLC to grow trees on the campus of Arizona Western College for wetlands restoration; and perform wetlands outreach and education.

Arizona Game and Fish Department: The 2009 Veracruz Model: An Innovative Approach of Training, Stewardship, and Capacity Building for Wetland Conservation in Mexico

Project Description: Since 1996, the Arizona Game and Fish Department has partnered with various wetland organizations and scientists from the United States, Canada, and Mexico, and the Ramsar Convention, to offer training opportunities for wetland managers in Mexico. On February 2-15, 2009, the 11th Wetlands Training Course will take place in the State of Baja California, Mexico. The training course consists of lectures and field exercises regarding the principles, and basic techniques and methodologies of modern wetland definition, classification, evaluation, legislation, conservation and management, including resident and migrant species, with special emphasis on shorebirds and waterfowl. The second component of this model is a public awareness campaign that will be designed to promote the ecological and economic importance of wetland, the Ramsar Convention, the NAWMP, NAWCA, and the Sonoran Joint Venture among the public and governmental agencies in Baja California. This campaign includes a special event to celebrate Mexico’s World Wetlands Day, on February 2, 2009 (with national media coverage); a photography contest; an artwork contest for children; wetland related conferences; television and radio programs; and press conferences and releases.

O.S.C. Vive Cadegomo, A.C.: Community outreach in La Purísima for bird conservation, Baja California Sur

Project Description: This project will work with community members of La Purísima, Baja California Sur, to gain a better understanding of the importance of the region to birds. Specific objectives include: (1) obtain an description of the birds of the region throughout the annual cycle in order to determine bird use of this oasis; (2) identify the areas and times of year critical to birds, as well as habitat requirements, conservation needs, and threats; (3) involve the community in monitoring and conservation activities, including at least 3 talks in primary and secondary schools and involving four teachers and ten students in different research activities; and (4) teach a capacity building course focusing on avitourism, directed at teachers from the community and to the public in general

Projects 2007

Arizona Game and Fish Department: The 2008 Veracruz Model: An Innovative Approach of Training, Stewardship, and Capacity Building for Wetland Conservation in Mexico

Project Description: Since 1996, the Arizona Game and Fish Department has partnered with various wetland organizations and scientists from the United States, Canada, and Mexico, and
the Ramsar Convention, to offer training opportunities for wetland managers in Mexico. On February 4-17, 2008, the 10th Wetlands Training Course will take place in the State of Sinaloa, Mexico. The training course consists of lectures and field exercises regarding the principles, and basic techniques and methodologies of modern wetland definition, classification, evaluation, legislation, conservation and management, including resident and migrant species, with special emphasis on shorebirds and waterfowl. The second component of this model is a public awareness campaign that will be designed to promote the ecological and economic importance of wetland, the Ramsar Convention, the NAWMP, NAWCA, and the Sonoran Joint Venture among the public and governmental agencies in Sinaloa. This campaign includes a special event to celebrate Mexico’s World Wetlands Day, on February 2, 2008 (with national media coverage); a photography contest; an artwork contest for children; wetland-related conferences; television and radio programs; and press conferences and releases. This project will be implemented within the Pacific Lowlands Region, a SJV priority region.

Buenos Aires National Wildlife Refuge: Masked Bobwhite Monitoring in Known and Potential Habitat in Sonora, Mexico

Project Description: Masked bobwhite (Colinus virginianus ridgewayi) is one of the most endangered birds in North America. With fewer than 100 birds estimated in the wild on Buenos Aires National Wildlife Refuge and a suspected population of 300 birds in Mexico, this species is at its lowest numbers in decades. Prolonged drought conditions accompanied by continued grazing of its desert grassland habitat have made this species vulnerable to extinction in the heart of its range in Mexico. A Mexican biologist will be hired to survey/monitor known populations of the endangered Masked Bobwhite and to investigate historical and rumored bobwhite locations to verify their existence. The biologist will also make landowner contacts and acquire permissions for surveys, and begin the process of acquiring cooperation from landowners in the masked bobwhite reintroduction effort.

Bureau of Land Management: South Mittry and Pratt Riparian Restoration

Project Description: Bureau of Land Management proposes to use Sonoran Joint Venture funds to purchase equipment and diesel fuel for a pump to irrigate 72 acres of a cottonwood & willow forest in varying stages of development. The project is located adjacent to Mittry Lake and near the Lower Colorado River in southwest Arizona. The restored riparian wetland habitat will benefit many SJV priority species including willow flycatcher and yellow-billed cuckoo. (1) irrigate a field to support 12 acres of a mature cottonwood-willow forest; (2) irrigate a field to support 27 acres of newly-planted cottonwood and willows; and (3) irrigate a field to support 34 acres of a native cover crop, and reduce salinity in the field for future cottonwood-willow plantings.

Monte Sonorense: Mangrove Restoration and Bird Monitoring at Estero La Cruz, Sonora

Project Description: Estero La Cruz (ELC) constitutes a unique mangrove habitat located in the central coast of Sonora. Situated practically at the limit of the northern distribution of mangrove in the continent, ELC provides wintering and breeding habitat for most of the priority bird species for coastal wetland within the SJV’s Arid Borderland Region, including Sonoran Clapper Rail, Northern Pintail, Mangrove Warbler, Whimbrel, Black Skimmer, and Marbled Godwit, among many others. At least three species of mangrove are present at this estuary: black, red, and white. Shrimp farms constitute a grave threat to the integrity of coastal wetlands in Sonora. Considering the urgent need for mangrove conservation, this project will focus on implementing mangrove restoration activities at three sites located on the northwest side of ELC and will monitor marshbirds and other avian species.

Pronatura Noroeste: Monitoring Program for Wetland Birds in Northwestern Mexico

Project Description: A partnership or organizations from the U.S. and Mexico will work together to develop a detailed monitoring program for wetland birds in critical sites of northwest Mexico. The program will address issues to standardize sampling schemes, temporality of surveys, field protocols, data integration and reporting, as well as the use and distribution of the information for the conservation of priority wetland birds and their habitats. The program will also offer opportunities to develop the capacity in Mexico for implementing long-term monitoring initiatives and to link monitoring with the management of Natural Protected Areas, Ramsar Wetlands, and Western Hemisphere Shorebird Reserve Network sites.

Pronatura Noroeste: Public Participation for the Restoration of the Colorado River Delta

Project Description: Pronatura Noroeste proposes to undertake community reforestation campaigns in riparian zones at the Colorado River Delta, Baja California and Sonora, Mexico. This project is aimed at increasing the extent of current bird habitat conservation initiatives by involving communities in ongoing or new wetland enhancement efforts. This project will engage teachers students in the reforestation of 36 acres (3600 trees) in priority sites at the Colorado River Delta. Reforestation activities include installation of hydraulic infrastructure, removal of cattle, removal of exotic plant species and planting native wetland and riparian vegetation. Teachers and students will participate in the last two activities. We will also increase the public support for conservation activities at the Colorado River Delta; and strengthen existing education and conservation agendas in the Colorado River Delta.

Pronatura Noroeste: Distribution, Abundance, and Reproductive Status of the Mexican Duck on the Sonoran and Sinaloan Coasts

Project Description: The increase in agricultural development in Sinaloa and Sonora in recent decades has caused important changes in habitats where the primary vegetation was originally lowland forest. The hydro-agricultural infrastructure, such as wells, dikes, and drains has supported the emergence of new niches that bird species are taking advantage of in both states. Despite numerous studies by ornithologists, the Mexican Duck (Anas diazi) has not been recorded on the Sonoran or Sinaloan coast. The species is listed under NOM-Ecol-059-2001 as threatened with extinction. Because the species has never officially been registered on the coast of these states, it is not considered of hunting interest under NOM-059. According to hunters and hunting clubs, however, approximately 300 or more individuals are hunted in the region every season. This project will (1) determine the distribution and abundance of the Mexican Duck in Sinaloa and Sonora during the breeding season; (2) document the different breeding habitats of the Mexican Duck in Sonora and Sinaloa: (3) determine the reproductive chronology and characterize the breeding habitat of the Mexican Duck in a site to be determined (Bahía de Santa María, Angostura Sinaloa, in Ejido Bachobobampo, Ahome Sinaloa or in Ejido La Trinidad, Guasave, Sinaloa); (4) begin a marking program for the Mexican Duck (both ducklings and breeding adults); and (5) determine if there are plumage differences between Mexican Duck populations in northwest Mexico and the rest of the country.

University of Arizona: A Training Workshop for Secretive Marshbirds on the Lower Colorado River

Project Description: Many species of secretive marshbirds (rails, bitterns, grebes, etc) are species of regional, national, and continental conservation concern. The Yuma Clapper Rail is listed as Federally Endangered in the U.S. and Federally Threatened in Mexico. A region-wide survey effort has been conducted each year since 1975 and biologists from many state, federal, and tribal agencies help conduct these surveys. However, no training has been given to participants in this annual survey. To fill this need, workshops have been conducted annually for the past four years to train biologists how to identify marshbird calls, fill out standardized data sheets, and conduct surveys. The marshbird training workshops have been very popular; 179 biologists have attended the workshops from state and federal agencies, Native American tribes, and nongovernmental conservation organizations. We are requesting funding from SJV to cover costs associated with this workshop in March 2008.

Projects 2006

Click on the links below to read project objectives, summaries, and to find contact information.

Environmental Education Exchange: Best Practices in Wetland Education: Regional training for conservation biologists and managers in the SJV Region

Project Description: In 2005 the Environmental Education Exchange, through a grant from the North American Wetland Conservation Act (NAWCA) performed a review and evaluation of environmental education materials and programs from five different wetland conservation projects supported by NAWCA in different parts of Mexico. The outcome of this study is a report that gathers the most effective tools and strategies, as well as lessons learned from all these projects and presents "Best Practices for Wetlands Education in Mexico." The Exchange plans to organize five regional training workshops geared toward conservation biologists and project managers in the SJV region interested in using environmental education as a tool for achieving their conservation goals. The workshops will also include a presentation of these best practices, as well as the North American Association for Environmental Education's Guidelines for Excellence in Environmental Education. Participants will receive a copy of the guidelines, recently translated into Spanish, and will have an opportunity to work through the process of creating an environmental education resource for their own specific programs, implementing the recommendations from these two documents. The Exchange will collect participants' experiences in the use of environmental education for their programs and present them in a final report to the SJV.

Monte Sonorense: Rio Sonoyta Bird Monitoring and Community Outreach Project

Project Description: Rio Sonoyta, a rare lowland desert stream and spring that supports important riparian and migratory bird assemblages and endangered native fishes and turtles, faces major threats such as groundwater withdrawal, unmet infrastructure needs (e.g., modern sewage treatment facilities), and invasive exotic species. Maintaining and improving function of the Rio Sonoyta ecosystem is critical to the conservation of migratory birds and other sensitive species as well as to public health in the municipality of Sonoyta. A cornerstone in achieving this is the need to develop a biological baseline and monitoring plan in concert with community outreach. We propose to use Sonoran Joint Venture funds to support the first year of riparian bird monitoring and community outreach, both critical and complementary steps to improving the function of Rio Sonoyta. Over the course of the project we will (1) maintain and increase listed, sensitive, and other native species diversity and abundance; (2) increase community stewardship of Rio Sonoyta resources; (3) increase opportunities for sustainable economic development (i.e., ecotourism) and recreational use in the area; and (4) improve hydrological function and maintain water quantity, improve water quality, and decrease human exposure to sewage and trash.

The Hummingbird Monitoring Network: Developing skill and partnerships needed to monitor over-wintering Rufous Hummingbird populations and other North American hummingbirds in Sinaloa, Mexico

Project Description: This proposal requests support for training and travel costs associated with establishing a monitoring site for Rufous Hummingbirds and other North America hummingbird species near El Palmito, Sinaloa. The project will initiate partnerships that will help the Hummingbird Monitoring Network fulfill its mission and provide the skills needed for biologists and students from Sinaloa to conduct hummingbird research by using banding techniques approved by the North American Banding Council. This training will expand the skill set of Pronatura employees so scientific studies, inventories, and monitoring can be conducted to obtain more information for this unique family of birds.

PRBO Conservation Science: Partners In Flight Desert Bird Conservation Plan: Web-based Regional Focal Species Maps for the Mojave and Colorado Deserts

Project Description: CalPIF has created a series of interactive, web-based focal species maps to compliment its bird conservation plans. These maps contain contemporary, by-species breeding status information for 83 focal species, enabling the viewer to zoom in on site, select sites to obtain current breeding information, view current and historic range maps, and obtain additional site information and principal investigator contact information. The popular CalPIF focal species maps have proven to be an effective conservation tool to spur research interest in map "gaps", to expose local extirpations in areas assumed to host declining species, and to standardize California's approach to avian monitoring. This project will create similar interactive, regional maps for fifteen focal species from the Desert Bird Conservation Plan that occur in the Mojave and Colorado deserts outside of California, in the SJV region.

Pronatura Noroeste: Public Involvement and Education in the Colorado River Delta

Project Description: This project will increase the scope of Pronatura Noroeste's Public Involvement and Education Program (PIE) in the Colorado River Delta. The delta is a Wetland of International Importance in the Ramsar Convention, an Important Bird Area in Mexico, and a priority wetland under the North American Wetland Conservation Act. It is one of the areas with the highest bird diversity in northwestern Mexico. The main threat to the delta is the lack of a guaranteed source of water to maintain natural systems. Pronatura is undertaking initiatives to maintain and enhance critical bird habitat by allocating and directing instream flows. This project represents an opportunity to increase communities' knowledge about and appreciation of wetlands in the Colorado River Delta and involve them in existing wetland conservation projects. At the same time, we seek to strengthen the links between the education and the conservation agendas in the region, giving wetlands education a more relevant role. The solid alliances in the region and the funds received from the SJV will allow Pronatura to (1) strengthen existing education and conservation agendas in the Colorado River Delta; (2) engage educators in a public involvement and education program aimed at increasing participants' understanding of and appreciation for wetlands; (3) involve teachers, students, and communities in existing efforts to restore the Colorado River Delta; and (4) train teachers in Mexicali, Baja California, and from communities in the Colorado River Delta in Sonora.

Southern Sierra Research, Inc.: Monitoring population and nesting success of Yellow-billed Cuckoos on the San Pedro Riparian National Conservation Area

Project Description: Yellow-billed Cuckoos are a Federal candidate for endangered status, an Arizona Species of Special Concern, and have multiple listings indicating their status as a species of concern under Partners in Flight. Their regional population trend has shown a marked decline, they are of regional conservation concern, and there is a major threat in the region to their breeding status. Despite this, little is known of Yellow-billed Cuckoo long-term population trends or basic biology. This information is critical because a great deal of effort is currently spent on surveys and habitat restoration, with little knowledge of what these surveys tell us about population numbers, or if these restoration projects are providing the habitat that cuckoos require. This project will (1) monitor the declining Yellow-billed Cuckoo population on the San Pedro River in Arizona; (2) monitor cuckoo nests to determine prey base; (3) monitor cuckoo nestling mortality; and (4) search for banded cuckoos to determine site fidelity.

The University of Arizona: Distribution and abundance of birds of conservation interest and identification of important bird areas in Sonora, Mexico

Project Description: We propose to present information on distribution, abundance, and habitat of breeding birds throughout Sonora, Mexico, and identify areas of conservation interest across a range of vegetation communities. To generate estimates of value of significance, we will devise a ranking system based on species richness, presence of species that are locally or regionally rare, and threats to birds or habitat. We will then summarize these rankings by vegetation community and region. We will also summarize information on distribution of approximately 25 bird species by mapping presence and absence of each species at over 600 localities in Sonora. We will focus on species listed on the Partners in Flight Watch List or those with high regional rankings in the Sonora-Mojave or Sierra Madre Occidental regions. These new data will provide information on species and areas of high conservation value and identify threats to birds and their habitats in areas where little data are currently available. This research will aid conservation planners and biologists with regional species assessments and identification of the highest priority sites, habitats, and bird populations for conservation. Our efforts will provide some of the technical assistance needed to efficiently develop and implement conservation plans and aid the SJV in their mission.

The University of Arizona: Montane Forest Birds in the Santa Catalina Mountains: Monitoring Population Trends and Reproductive Success and Examining potential limiting factors for breeding populations

Project Description: The goal of this study is to further our understanding of the population status, reproductive success, habitat needs, and potential limiting factors for breeding populations of montane forest birds in the Santa Catalina Mountains of southeastern Arizona. We will assess population status by conducting breeding bird surveys on four study plots. We will determine reproductive success and habitat requirements for breeding birds by locating and monitoring nests and measure vegetation characteristics at nest sites (and at random points for comparison) within each plot. In addition, we will evaluate the effect of human disturbance and recent wildfires on breeding bird populations. The study will address both research and monitoring needs for multiple species of birds (including two Partners in Flight Watch List species) that inhabit montane forests within the SJV region. In addition, the study addresses two potential limiting factors (wildfire and human disturbance) that have been identified by Partners in Flight as having the potential to limit breeding populations of montane forest birds in the region.

Buenos Aires National Wildlife Refuge/US Fish & Wildlife Service: Monitoring Masked Bobwhites in Known and Potential Habitat in Sonora, Mexico

Project Description: Masked bobwhite (Colinus virginianus ridgewayi) is one of the most endangered birds in North America. With fewer than 100 birds estimated in the wild on Buenos Aires National Wildlife Refuge and a suspected population of 300 birds in Mexico, this species is at its lowest numbers in decades. Prolonged drought conditions accompanied by continued grazing of its desert grassland habitat have made this species vulnerable to extinction in the heart of its range in Mexico. A Mexican biologists will be hired to survey/monitor known populations of the endangered Masked Bobwhite and to investigable historical and rumored bobwhite locations to verify their existence in northern Sonora, Mexico. Project outcomes will include a report and database of numbers and locations of birds surveyed, locations of new populations discovered or verified, and an assessment of the potential for habitat enhancement and conservation. We will also locate areas of appropriate habitat to which birds could be translocated.

Projects 2005

Pronatura Noroeste, A.C.: Land acquisition for the conservation of the Sierra de Alamos-Río Cuchujaqui forests

Project Description: The goal of this project is to implement private legal mechanisms to protect (by acquisition) 3,500 hectares of tropical deciduous forest and Madrean pine-oak woodland within the Sierra de Alamos-Río Cuchjaqui Reserve in southeastern Sonora and to develop a management and monitoring plan for the area. Despite being a protected area, forests in the reserve are being impacted by grazing and logging. The target conservation area is nearly pristine, yet it is under pressure from surrounding activities. Owners of the land are willing to participate in private conservation mechanisms, providing an excellent opportunity for habitat protection for species of concern, such as Elegant Trogon and Military Macaw, as well as for over 100 species of Neotropical migratory landbirds that winter or rest in the area. This initiative is a joint effort between Pronatura, the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, Nature and Culture International, the Sierra de Alamos-Río Cuchujaqui Reserve, and the Sonoran Joint Venture to guarantee the long-term protection of bird habitat in the region.

Pronatura Noroeste, A.C.: Public Involvement and Education Program in the Gulf of California

Project Description: The objectives of this program are to (1) promote a regional approach to wetland conservation based on an education strategy implemented through elementary school teachers from coastal communities; (2) engage educators from five coastal states in Mexico in a public involvement and education program aimed at increasing participants' understanding of and appreciation for wetlands; and (3) support wetland conservation projects in the Gulf of California, triggering the roles of teachers as community leaders. We will do this by printing 800 posters and 100 Teacher Wetland Guides focusing on wetland conservation in the Gulf of California. These educational materials are part of Pronatura's Public Involvement in Education Program, which strives to involve communities in wetland education, conservation, and protection.

PRBO Conservation Science: Use of restored riparian habitat in the Colorado River Delta in the overwintering period

Project Description: This project will (1) describe the wintering ecology of Neotropical migrants in riparian habitat in the Colorado River Delta, Baja California and Sonora; and (2) evaluate the value of riparian restoration efforts for migrants during the nonbreeding period.
PRBO is relating bird use, overwinter site persistence, and survivorship to silvicultural practices, water flow regimes, and other restoration activities. Work is being conducted at twenty study plots at six sites in California and Mexico. Mexican graduate students are using this research as the basis for theses and other students are serving as interns, allowing researchers to incorporate an intensive, biologist training component to the project.

Arizona Game and Fish Department: The 2006 Veracruz Model: an innovative approach to training, stewardship, and capacity building for wetland conservation in Mexico

Project Description: Since 1996, the Arizona Game and Fish Department has partnered with various wetland organizations and scientists from the United States, Canada, and Mexico, and the Ramsar Convention to offer training opportunities for wetland managers in Mexico. From 30 January - 12 February 2006 the 8th Wetland Training Course will take place in the city of La Paz, Baja California Sur, Mexico. This training course consists of lectures and field exercises regarding the principles and basic techniques and methodologies of modern wetland definition, classification, evaluation, legislation, conservation and management, including resident and migrant species, with special emphasis on shorebirds and waterfowl. Participants will receive a 650-page training manual that complements information provided during the workshop. The second component of this model is a public awareness campaign that will be designed to promote the ecological and economic importance of wetlands, the Ramsar Convention, the North American Waterfowl Management Plan, the North American Wetland Conservation Act, and the Sonoran Joint Venture among the public and governmental agencies in the state of Baja California Sur. This campaign includes a special event to celebrate the official World Wetlands Day on 2 February 2006; a photography contest; an artwork contest for children; wetland-related conferences; television and radio programs; and press conferences and releases. The Mexican government recognized the Veracruz Model with a Wetland Conservation Award during a World Wetland Day Ceremony in February 2004.

The University of Arizona: Montane forest birds in the Santa Catalina mountains

Project Description: The goal of this study is to further our understanding of the population status, reproductive success, habitat needs, and potential limiting factors for breeding populations of montane forest birds in the Santa Catalina Mountains of southeastern Arizona. Mixed-conifer forest and Madrean pine-oak woodlands support a unique and diverse avian community. This avian community is vulnerable to disturbance because the area encompassed by montane forests represents only a small fraction of the total landmass of the region. Moreover, the highest densities of breeding birds in the Santa Catalina Mountains are concentrated in a relatively small number of drainages that contain montane riparian vegetation. In recent years, the potential for disturbance to these important breeding areas has increased dramatically. We lack not only a clear understanding of the potential impact of these threats on forest birds in southeastern Arizona but also basic information on the population status, reproductive success, and habitat needs for the vast majority of these species. We propose to assess population status by conducting breeding bird surveys on ten study plots. We will determine reproductive success and habitat requirements for breeding birds by locating and monitoring nests and measure vegetation characteristics at nest sites (and at random points for comparison) within each plot. In addition, we will evaluate the effect of human disturbance and recent wildfires on breeding bird populations.

The Hummingbird Monitoring Network: Habitat requirements for successful nesting of hummingbird species in the Madrean Pine-Oak woodlands of southeastern Arizona

Project Description: Two recent studies have shown that sites in southeastern Arizona support large numbers of hummingbirds, particularly during southbound migration. Results from HMN's monitoring work in southeastern Arizona suggest that the Madrean pine-oak woodlands support the largest number of hummingbird species in the Sonoran Joint Venture region. However, little is known about habitat requirements for nesting and long-term reproductive success of most hummingbird species. This project will increase knowledge of habitat requirements of hummingbirds in this little-known and very important habitat. The Hummingbird Monitoring Network (HMN) and the Southwestern Research Station in the Chiricahua Mountains are developing a partnership to study habitat requirements for successful nesting of hummingbird species in the Madrean Pine-Oak Woodlands. Over the course of this project we will (1) determine if there are specific habitat requirements for nesting of hummingbird species in this zone; (2) determine if grazing alters the habitat sufficiently to effect change in nesting success; (3) determine the best long-term monitoring sites for all North American hummingbirds; and (4) estimate abundance so trends in populations can be detected.

The University of Arizona: Investigating the effects of re-introduced beaver on avian community dynamics along the san Pedro River, Arizona

Project Description: The San Pedro River's riparian forest is a regionally important area for breeding and migrating birds. Many land managers and restoration ecologists see the re-establishment of beaver as a potentially invaluable and low-cost tool for the restoration of riparian environments. In 1999, the Bureau of Land Management, in cooperation with the Arizona Game and Fish Department, re-introduced beaver in the San Pedro Riparian National Conservation Area, resulting in their successful establishment. Because diversity and density of breeding birds increases with volume and density of vegetation, bird communities will likely be influenced by beaver. Effective management of riparian systems requires that we understand how beaver activity affects bird communities. In this study, we will quantify the influence of beaver on bird community composition on the San Pedro, and, for select priority bird species, determine differences in density and nest success among areas with and without beaver. Over the course of this project we will (1) compare density, nest success, species richness, and diversity of bird species found in areas influenced by beaver as compared to those without beavers at multiple scales in the San Pedro Riparian National Conservation Area; (2) describe influence of beaver on vegetation and habitat structure that may explain bird community dynamics; and (3) inform land managers and restoration ecologists regarding potential influence of beaver re-introduction projects on local bird communities, especially in riparian ecosystems of the southwest.

Projects 2004

Audubon California Starr Ranch Bird Observatory: Coastal sage scrub habitat restoration and avian monitoring

Project Description: Starr Ranch (SRS) is a 4,000 acre Audubon Sanctuary in the foothills of the Santa Ana Mountains in southeast Orange County, California. SRS has been working on non-chemical control of the highly noxious exotic artichoke thistle (Cynara cardunculus) in over 700 acres of heavily invaded habitats. Since 1999, artichoke thistle has been reduced to 0-5% cover in over 340 of the 700 acres. This project aims to restore 250 acres to coastal sage scrub habitat and to concurrently monitor changes in bird assembly and nesting success over the course of restoration. During the project we will (1) monitor breeding activity of all passerines and near passerines; and (2) monitor nesting success of several focal bird species over the course of habitat restoration, beginning at baseline through a minimum of five years or until the breeding bird composition and nesting success is comparable to pristine coastal sage scrub reference sites.

Centro de Investigación en Alimentación y Desarrollo, A.C. (CIAD): Pesticide effects on Migratory Landbirds of Sinaloa and Sonora, Mexico

Project Description: Migratory landbirds are exposed to a variety of threats on their wintering, breeding, and migratory stopover habitats. Pollution is one of the least known threats due to the difficulty in measuring its effects on birds. In this project CIAD will use a methodology specifically designed to measure the impacts of organophosphate and carbamate pesticides on migratory landbirds. These impacts will be measured by the percent of cholinesterase inhibited in blood samples. Blood samples of migratory landbirds will be collected in Bahía Santa María, Sinaloa and in the Colorado River Delta, Sonora. CIAD will select common species in order to compare values between these two sites, since both areas are influenced by large agricultural districts. A significant result of this project will be to determine the levels of cholinesterase inhibition of migratory landbirds before they cross the border to the United States, particularly learning where on their migration they tend to experience the greatest exposure (Sinaloa or Sonora).

Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County: Monitoring breeding colonies and post-breeding movements of terns and skimmers in coastal northwestern Mexico and southern California

Project Description: This project will monitor the populations of terns and skimmers breeding at selected locations in coastal northwestern Mexico and southern California. It focuses on three species that commonly co-occur and establish significant breeding colonies in the region: Gull-billed Tern (Sterna nilotica), Royal Tern (Sterna maxima), and Black Skimmer (Rynchops niger). Gull-billed tern and Black Skimmer are birds of conservation concern in BCR regions 32 and 33. All three taxa are Species of Special Concern in California. Specifically, this project will (1) collect information on breeding population size (number of breeding pairs) and productivity (number of fledglings per pair) for each focal species; (2) initiate a banding program to uniquely mark juvenile birds of each species and continue ongoing banding efforts at the Salton Sea; and (3) survey selected coastal locations during the non-breeding season to document juvenile and adult dispersal and identify important wintering habitats in northwestern Mexico. Standardized monitoring protocols for breeding colonies and post-breeding surveys will enhance our ability to detect population trends in terns and skimmers in the region and elucidate factors responsible for detected changes, identify important non-breeding habitats and their potential threats, and enhance knowledge of population connectivity throughout the annual cycle. The project also provides field assistance and training for Mexican field technicians and students.

Northern Arizona University Center for Sustainable Environments: Seri Indian community's Proyecto Zilcaalc for migratory waterfowl habitat conservation at Mexico's northernmost Pacific mangrove habitat

Project Description: This project involves an indigenous coastal community in habitat conservation and migratory waterfowl monitoring at the northernmost Pacific mangrove habitat in Mexico. The Seri Indians, or Comcáac, are the last hunting, gathering, and fishing culture in the arid regions of North America to retain their native language, traditional ecological knowledge base, and non-agricultural subsistence base among the majority of its tribal members (ca. 650) into the 21st century. This project, which emerged from the Desemboque community after five years of a para-ecologist capacity-building effort, seeks to develop community leadership and monitoring skills to better manage the coastal habitats of migratory birds. The project objectives were written by a Seri resource management team in order to allow the first phase of implementation of a "traditional community habitat conservation plan" recognized by the Mexican government and developed by tribal members with NAU technical assistance. This project will (1) establish a long-term monitoring program for migratory birds; (2) develop an online catalog of Birds of Comcáac Country and a tri-lingual field guide, with checklist cards to systematize local data collection; (3) offer opportunities for birding ecotourists and visiting professional ornithologists to contribute to the catalog by being guided on birding tours by native para-ecologists; (4) establish a permanent archive of bird counts from visitors, electronically cross-referenced by habitat, site, date, season, and year; (5) protect special or vulnerable habitats from human uses during nesting seasons; and (6) train young interns in monitoring and in turn, involve them in teaching primary and secondary school children in their community as means to recruit future ornithologists.

Pronatura Noroeste: Habitat enhancement for endangered rails at the Ciénega de Santa Clara, Sonora, Mexico

Project Description: The Ciénega de Santa Clara is the largest marsh wetland in the Sonoran Desert, extending over 5,800 hectares. It supports nearly 75% of the total population of the Yuma Clapper Rail, an endemic marshbird of the Lower Colorado River and its delta that is protected as Endangered in the United States and Threatened in Mexico. The Ciénega de Santa Clara also supports significant numbers of California Black Rail (Endangered in Mexico), Virginia Rail (Under Special Protection in Mexico), American and Least bitterns, as well as hundreds of thousands of shorebirds, ducks, and geese. The purpose of this project is to conduct prescribed burns on some portions of the Ciénega de Santa Clara (approximately 20% of the Ciénega; about 1,100 ha) in order to rejuvenate the emergent vegetation and enhance the habitat for Yuma Clapper Rail, California Black Rail, and other birds. The fires will be conducted in areas that have been identified as showing an increase in cattail density, an accumulation of dead plant material, and a reduction in marshbird densities. These activities will be conducted by a binational team that has been involved with rail conservation along the Lower Colorado River, including the Upper Gulf of California and Colorado River Delta Biosphere Reserve, the Arizona Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, the Bureau of Land Management, and Pronatura Noroeste. The team will conduct marshbird surveys, following the Standardized North American Marshbirds Monitoring Protocols, prior to the prescribed burns and at least three years after the burns as an assessment tool to evaluate the effectiveness of the project.

Pronatura Noroeste: Implementation of the Bird Conservation Plan for the Colorado River Delta: outreach and monitoring

Project Description: The Colorado River Delta is one of the most important areas for bird conservation in the Sonoran Desert. The delta supports more than 150,000 migratory waterbirds, is a critical stopover site for over 100 species of Neotropical migratory landbirds, and provides habitat for endangered species such as Yuma Clapper Rail and California Black Rail. A binational team of environmental groups, universities, and agencies has developed a Bird Conservation Plan (BCP) for the Colorado River Delta. The plan identifies activities and strategies to maintain healthy populations of birds and is a guideline for conservation activities in the region. The goal of this project is to implement key outreach and monitoring activities identified in the BCP. Specific objectives include: (1) develop awareness of the biological importance of the Colorado River Delta among primary school children; (2) train school teachers on environmental topics and provide them with materials so they can continue environmental education in their classrooms; (3) develop awareness of the biological importance of the Colorado River Delta among community leaders, decision-makers, and stakeholders; (4) involve and train community members in monitoring efforts; (5) detect significant changes in bird populations in the delta region; (6) associate these changes (if any) to changes in habitat features and management actions; (7) provide data for the long-term evaluation of the effectiveness of the conservation strategies; and (8) provide opportunities in the field for environmental education and outreach.

Pronatura Noroeste: Community Participation in Bird Conservation in Bahía de Los Angeles, Baja California, Mexico

Project Description: Pronatura Noroeste received support from the Sonoran Joint Venture to promote the involvement of the local community in bird conservation and monitoring activities in Bahía de Los Angeles, Baja California, Mexico (BLA). The BLA region is used as a breeding, roosting, and feeding ground by large numbers of seabirds and wading birds. The incipient local ecotourism industry is not aware of the importance and potential of birds as a natural attraction in this region. Consequently, birds and their coastal habitats are not included in the local conservation agenda, despite the fact that the area is being proposed as a new coastal and marine National Park. At the same time, the "Valle de los Cirios" Federal Wildlife Reserve, which covers all terrestrial habitats in the desert, does not have a bird conservation plan or monitoring strategy. This project strives to fill these gaps by (1) providing formal avitourism training as an incentive to involve locals in the sustainable use and conservation of birds and their habitats in Bahía de Los Angeles; and (2) supporting and facilitating conservation and monitoring actions, as well as local participation in these activities, by involving locals in the development of a first GIS database on terrestrial and coastal birds in the region.

Pronatura Noroeste: Management Plan to Increase Reproductive Success of Endangered Snowy Plovers and Least Terns in Ceuta Bay, Mexico

Project Description: Ceuta Bay is one of the most important sites for the conservation of resident, migratory, and breeding birds in the state of Sinaloa. Pronatura has undertaken studies in the area regarding the reproductive success of two colonies of endangered species: Snowy Plover (Charadrius alexandrinus) and Least Tern (Sterna antillarum). Reproductive success in the area has been around 30% for each species, with 30 plover nests and 150 tern nests. Causes for nest failure include flooding, predation by coyote, bobcats, and Peregrine Falcon, cattle and horse trespassing, and human disturbances. This project aims to increase reproductive success, primarily through the construction of water control mechanisms to control flooding events in the nesting areas. Additionally, a fence will be built to control large mammal and human access to the area. Signs will be posted to inform visitors about the nesting area in order to reduce human intrusion.

Proyecto Corredor Colibrí: Riparian and Madrean Pine-Oak Avian Monitoring at Habitat Restoration Sites, Villa Verde and Los Campitos, Sonora, Mexico

Project Description: This project continues and expands bird monitoring efforts at the Villa Verde and Los Campitos drainages, both in the Sonoran Upper San Pedro Watershed. This project is three-fold in scope. First, funds will be used for outreach efforts to landowners to extend bird monitoring efforts to newly identified critical habitat sites. This will include one-on-one communication with landowners to discuss the conservation importance of their property and to plan, design, and implement bird monitoring efforts. PCC will also facilitate communication and cooperation between landowners in the drainages. This will be essential in planning larger scale monitoring and conservation endeavors for the ecosystems as a whole. Second, in addition to facilitating monitoring at these new sites, SJV support will be used to continue existing bird monitoring efforts at both Los Campitos and Villa Verde. Together, these bird surveys will provide valuable inventory data for Villa Verde and Sierra La Elenita, increasing knowledge and understanding of bird populations at these sites. They will also offer comparison data for other montane and lowland riparian and Madrean pine-oak sites in the region. Specifically this project will (1) protect and enhance bird habitat in the Sierra Madre Occidental AICA; (2) improve knowledge of bird populations in montane and lowland riparian and Madrean pine-oak habitat; (3) gain an understanding of the effects of habitat restoration on montane and lowland riparian and Madrean pine-oak bird populations; and (4) provide an example of low-cost habitat restoration techniques for local landowners.

University of Arizona: Importance of Northwestern Mexico in the Conservation of Burrowing Owls

Project Description: The western Burrowing Owl (Athene cunicularia hypugaea) has declined in many areas of its breeding range and is considered a species of national conservation concern in the United States and federally endangered in Canada. However, an overall evaluation of the species current status has not been possible due to lack of information on the abundance of Burrowing Owls in Mexico, where the species is widely distributed. In addition, observed declines in breeding populations in the United States and Canada may be related to factors on the wintering grounds in Mexico. This project is designed to address these issues. Researchers will estimate densities of Burrowing Owls in western Sonora during the breeding season of 2004 by surveying the irrigation districts of Guaymas, Costa de Hermosillo, Caborca, and Mexicali-San Luis Rio Colorado, using a standardized roadside point-count survey. They will also attempt to determine the ratio of migrant:resident Burrowing Owls in western Sonora during winter through stable isotope analyses of feathers.

USGS: Bird Migration Patterns in the Arid Southwest

Project Description: This project uses Doppler weather surveillance radar to document bird migration patterns in the desert southwest, including information on migrant density, migrant-habitat associations, height, and direction, as well as temporal and geographic variation in these factors. The project will also document the limitations in using weather radar data to address these questions. The information produced by this project will be valuable to resource managers in protecting migratory birds and conserving habitat, as well as conducting regulatory activities (e.g., siting and permitting of facilities posing threat to migratory birds).

Projects 2003

Colorado Plateau Field Station: Yellow-billed Cuckoo habitat requirements and riparian habitat inventory of the Salt River Valley and the lower San Pedro River, Arizona, USA

Project Description: Western populations of the Yellow-billed Cuckoo (Coccyzus americanus occidentalis) have decreased and the species’ future is uncertain. Despite this, the basic habitat requirements of this species are largely unknown. Some of the largest concentrations of the western Yellow-billed Cuckoo occur within the Sonoran Joint Venture boundaries, including along the Salt and the San Pedro rivers. We currently have funding from the Salt River Project to conduct cuckoo surveys during the 2003 breeding season. The areas to be surveyed are located in the Salt River, including around Roosevelt Lake, and the Lower San Pedro River. We propose to expand upon this work by using radio-telemetry to track individual Yellow-billed Cuckoos in order to better determine cuckoo breeding habitat and food requirements. Through this project we will: (1) identify habitat requirements of the western Yellow-billed Cuckoo, a Candidate Species under the Endangered Species Act; (2) inventory riparian habitat in the Salt River and the Lower San Pedro River and identify areas of Yellow-billed Cuckoo habitat and potential habitat; and (3) identify and survey riparian restoration areas for Yellow-billed Cuckoo presence/absence and breeding and compare restoration area habitat characteristics with known cuckoo habitat.

Havasu National Wildlife Refuge: Expansion of the Little Greenhouse Project

Project Description: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has cooperated with other agencies such as the Bureau of Land Management and the Bureau of Reclamation in the planting of native cottonwood and willow poles on Havasu National Wildlife Refuge on the lower Colorado River. The Refuge has a nursery of cottonwood and willow trees which are harvested to provide poles for revegetation projects on Refuge property. In 1996, the Refuge approached Diamondback Elementary School (DES) in Bullhead City, Arizona with a proposal to grow honey mesquite trees. The Refuge began The Little Greenhouse Project by funding a 7'x12' greenhouse and provided seeds, soil, and pots. Two fifth grade classes from DES raise the trees and conduct experiments on them throughout the year. Topock Elementary School (TES) located in Topock, Arizona has repeatedly expressed interest in participating in this program. With funding from the Sonoran Joint Venture, the Refuge will establish a greenhouse at TES. The expansion of The Little Greenhouse Project to TES would double the number of trees planted on the Refuge every year and help cultivate an educational relationship between TES, the community of Topock, and the Refuge.

Point Reyes Bird Observatory: Capacity Building for Avian Monitoring and Conservation in Baja, California, Mexico

Project Description: PRBO Conservation Science, with partners from the Centro de Investigación Científica y de Educación Superior de Ensenada (CICESE) and Terra Peninsular, A.C., and support from the Sonoran Joint Venture, have been expanding collaborative, bi-national bird studies, training and monitoring programs, and conservation efforts in northwestern Baja California, with an emphasis on the seriously threatened riparian and coastal scrub habitats. The South Coast Ecoregion, which extends from Santa Barbara, California to the El Rosario area of Baja California, includes coastal scrub vegetation at low elevations, chaparral at mid-elevations, and mixed conifer forests at higher elevations. The ecoregion is under severe pressure from development and commercial interests; coastal scrub is the most threatened vegetation type in Baja California as it is particularly susceptible to coastal development projects on both sides of the border. Through this project we will (1) present a seven-day training course in avian monitoring methods to 10-15 students and staff from protected areas in Mexico; (2) provide intensive training in the form of internships or on-site tutoring to 4 students to gain proficiency in monitoring techniques; (3) further establish an outreach program to educate local communities and governmental officials about migratory bird conservation and habitat stewardship; and (4) initiate standardized monitoring of migrant and resident birds in coastal scrub, chaparral, and mixed conifer forests.

Point Reyes Bird Observatory: The Desert Bird Conservation Plan

Project Description: Migrant and resident bird populations of the Mojave and Sonoran deserts of southeastern California, southern Nevada, western Arizona, and northwest Mexico face numerous threats. As development increases across these habitats, local and federal agencies will require a comprehensive guide for managing affected bird communities of the deserts. The Desert Bird Conservation Plan (BCP) will follow the content and style of previously completed California Partners In Flight bird conservation plans, based on the cornerstones of focal species, focal species accounts, and recommendations. Focal species accounts, distribution maps, and plan recommendations will be based on the most recent information available. This means the Desert BCP will be a living document, always subject to periodic revision. This project will allow PRBO to (1) organize, edit, and draft the eighth of California Partners In Flight's habitat-based bird conservation plans, the Desert Bird Conservation Plan; (2) secure agency, NGO, and private participation in the plan's creation; and (3) raise additional funds to assist Mexican researchers in contributing to the Desert Bird Conservation Plan.

Proyecto Corredor Colibrí: Villa Verde Restoration Site Monitoring, Sonora, Mexico

Project Description: Much of the conservation work in the San Pedro Watershed of Arizona stops at the U.S. border, and areas located just a few miles south remain almost unknown. Villa Verde, a main tributary to the Upper San Pedro River, is located approximately 25 km southeast of the San Pedro Riparian National Conservation Area and the U.S.-Mexico border, in Sonora, Mexico. In 2002, Proyecto Corredor Colibrí, with the support the Sonoran Joint Venture, IMADES, The Nature Conservancy, and a large number of volunteers from both sides of the border, implemented a restoration project at Villa Verde with the goal of improving riparian habitat for Neotropical migratory birds by working with rural landowners to control erosion and grazing practices on their land. In order to appraise this project's utility for other landowners in the region, as well as future conservation projects, it is critical to gain a better understanding of the long-term effects of our efforts. This monitoring project will (1) gather baseline data to help quantify changes in bird and plant communities at the Villa Verde restoration site; and (2) assess the effectiveness of different restoration techniques for improving bird habitat.

Sonoran Institute: Mapping the Possible: Products of the Conservation Priorities Workshop of the Colorado River Delta

Project Description: The objective of this proposal is to develop and distribute the complete products of the Mapping Conservation Priorities of the Colorado River Delta Workshop. This binational workshop took place in Tijuana, Mexico on October 14-17, 2002. Working in interdisciplinary teams, participants had the opportunity to discuss the biophysical characteristics and ecological relationships of terrestrial and marine portions of the delta in Mexico. Based on this analysis, they defined conservation priority areas, their threats, and opportunities for conservation and restoration. We propose to distribute products resulting from the workshop, which include: (1) a bilingual report describing the identified priority areas for conservation, an ecological assessment of these areas, a hydrologic assessment of the quantity, quality, and timing of water flows required to support each of these areas, and the identified priority research needs; (2) a poster-sized map showing priority areas for conservation and a summary of their ecological importance, threats and opportunities for conservation; and (3) a Geographic Information System database with the general information available for the delta, the information used during the workshop, and the results from the workshop.

Sonoran Institute: Brochure printing and local guide training to enhance the quality of birding experience in the Santa Cruz and San Pedro Rivers

Project Description: This project will promote environmental and economic stability in the Santa Cruz watershed by implementing conservation strategies that address both ecological and community issues. In 2000 the Sonoran Institute established the Community Conservation Center (CCC) of the Santa Cruz River in San Lázaro, Sonora. The CCC functions as a field station and community outreach facility for a variety of environmental education and applied research activities on the Santa Cruz River. We are currently monitoring birds in this corridor and have established a bird watching club, Los Halcones (the Falcons) in the community. Birds along this international riparian corridor are an important mechanism for community outreach, environmental education, and conservation and riparian restoration. This project proposes to (1) print a regional, binational brochure that includes general information on bird diversity, conservation and restoration initiatives of different groups, how to get to the different areas of interest, community involvement in conservation and cultural and general visitation services of the Santa Cruz River in Mexico; (2) continue with technical support and training of Los Halcones as bird guides of the region; and (3) establish a stronger connection and collaboration between the different actors of avian studies of the Santa Cruz River.

Southeastern Arizona Bird Observatory: Arizona/Sonora Migration Monitoring Network

Project Description: This project is a coordinated series of six sites (three mountain and three lowland, four in Arizona and two in Sonora) selected to measure and monitor bird migration across a broad front of southeastern Arizona and northern Sonora through the use of constant effort mist netting. The six sites selected comprise a variety of elevations, habitats, and management regimes. They include lowland riparian and mountain sites selected for their migrant potential. A range of cooperators from both sides of the border will be involved and will gather data on habitat use, phenology, and site fidelity of Neotropical migrants during migration in southeastern Arizona and northern Sonora.

Tucson Audubon Society: Arizona's Important Bird Areas Program: Sites Inventory Component

Project Description: Tucson Audubon Society (TAS) leads the Important Bird Area Program (IBA) for the state of Arizona. This program works with Audubon chapters, agency biologists, university scientists, regional non-profits, and citizens to provide a statewide inventory of sites critical to birds of conservation concern, sites where birds congregate in large numbers, or sites with an exceptional habitat type, supporting species restricted to the habitat type. This project will allow TAS to complete the inventory of Arizona IBAs and manage site information through a World Bird Database-Arizona Sites Catalog. The completed inventory will be used to assess priority sites for conservation and conduct species protection analysis based landscape level distribution.

University of Arizona/Pronatura: Avian Monitoring in the Colorado River Delta, Mexico

Project Description: The Colorado River Delta supports over 300,000 wintering waterbirds and is a critical stopover site for over 100 species of Neotropical migratory landbirds. This wetland system also provides habitat for significant populations of endangered species, such as the Yuma Clapper Rail and the California Black Rail. The goal of this project is to continue the implementation of a multi-species avian monitoring program in the Colorado River Delta. The program is designed to detect trends in populations and vital rates of focus avian groups that will help guide management and restoration efforts in the delta. Major components of the program include marshbird surveys, bird banding to monitoring migratory landbirds, a MAPS station, and point counts in the riparian areas. The program has a robust scientific support, but also includes a strong community component, by training and including local residents as part of the monitoring team. Specific objectives include: (1) detect significant changes in bird populations in the delta region; in particular marshbirds, migratory landbirds, and riparian songbirds; (2) monitor vital rates (productivity and survivorship) of riparian songbirds; (3) associate these changes (if any) to changes in habitat features and management activities; (4) provide data for the long-term evaluation of effectiveness of the conservation, management, and restoration strategies; (5) contribute this information to regional and continental analyses of bird population trends; and (6) develop a strong community participation in the monitoring efforts.

Accomplishments to Date:

• Annotated checklist of birds, including their status and phenology, in the Colorado River Delta.
• Information on population trends of Yuma Clapper Rail and California Black Rail in the delta. This information was used to list the California Black Rail as Endangered in Mexico and update the status of the Yuma Clapper Rail (changed from Endangered to Threatened), provided a basis to update the Management Plan of the Upper Gulf of California and Colorado River Delta Biosphere Reserve, set management guidelines for the Ciénega de Santa Clara and El Doctor wetlands, and provided feedback and evaluation of the restoration efforts in the Rio Hardy.
• Information on the breeding status of the Yellow-billed Cuckoo and the Southwestern Willow Flycatcher in the delta.
• Information on the abundance, diversity, distribution, habitat affinities, vital rates, and temporal patterns of riparian birds in the floodplain of the Colorado River in Mexico. This effort included monthly surveys at 240 point counts during 15 months and a MAPS station. This information is providing basis for a conservation plan for the Colorado River in Mexico, which will include the allocation of an environmental instream flow.
• Information on the patterns of species richness, abundance, and temporality of Neotropical migratory landbirds using the Colorado River Delta as a stopover site. We have captured, banded, and processed 2,308 birds from 63 species. This information has been sent to the Bird Banding Laboratory of the USGS, and also shared with other institutions working on regional analyses of bird migration. The collected data have provided new insights on landbird migration through the Sonoran Coast and the Upper Gulf of California region, as well as information on stopover ecology of landbirds in desert wetlands, and new bird records for the region.
• All the bird data were used to develop a Bird Conservation Plan for the Colorado River Delta.
• The bird data and bird records have been integrated into a relational database, and also integrated into layers of the Colorado River Delta Geographic Information System.
• We have conducted two training workshops in bird monitoring techniques (April 2002 and March 2003), with the support of Point Reyes Bird Observatory. The workshops have provided training for 11 Mexican biologists and 4 community members of Ejido Luis Encinas Johnson. The workshop included training in bird identification, bird banding and processing, the implementation of several monitoring protocols (point counts, area searches, Southwestern Willow Flycatcher surveys, Yellow-billed Cuckoo surveys, and marshbird surveys), and data gathering, compilation, and analysis.

View publications and manuscripts resulting from the project.

University of Arizona: Yuma Clapper Rail survey training

Project Description: The Yuma Clapper Rail is an endangered species found in Arizona, California, and Nevada with significant populations along the Colorado River, Salton Sea, and the Salt/Gila Rivers. The population has recently expanded to the Virgin River and may be expanding up the Verde and Salt rivers east of the Phoenix metropolitan area. Annual surveys have been conducted since 1978 at sites on the Colorado River, with other locales added as rails were documented in those areas. Surveys are conducted by volunteer personnel from State and Federal agencies with landowner/management or wildlife management responsibilities for a survey area. This project will provide for the development and implementation of a 2-day training course on marshbird monitoring protocols to train these volunteers in standardized methodology. The course include habitat and biological information on the Yuma Clapper Rail, photo recognition of the species and other similar species, identification of calls made by the rail and other species likely to be encountered during the survey, and proper survey techniques and equipment. Field exercises to identify rails and other species will be part of the second day activities.

University of Arizona: Habitat protection of a long-term study site in the tropical deciduous forest of Sonora, Mexico

Project Description: Presently not much is known about the structure, dynamics, and fauna of the tropical deciduous forest. Relatively easy access and recent botanical surveys of the tropical deciduous forest around Alamos, Sonora provide an opportunity to consolidate ecological knowledge and cultivate interest among scientists and naturalists. In addition, the recovery from disturbance and response to protection of disturbed areas in the tropical deciduous forest is unknown. The Alamos study site is part of an important riparian migratory corridor for birds, in a federally protected area, and is a well-known ecotourism spot for birders. This project will enable us to protect the study site from livestock and woodcutting, which will allow studies on ecosystem function and recovery from disturbance. Funding will also support censuses of local avifauna to monitor changes concurrent with the recovery of the vegetation. The archive and integration of this information will be invaluable for the scientific community investigating the tropical deciduous forest, community conservation education and planning, and economic development of the area through ecotourism related to birding.

USGS Arid Lands Field Station: Effects of the Ryan Wildfire on wintering grassland birds and winter grassland structure and composition in southeastern Arizona

Project Description: On 29 April 2002, the Ryan wildfire swept through 38,000 acres of the Sonoita Valley in southeastern Arizona. This fire offers a valuable opportunity to conduct post-fire research to determine the effects of such a substantial wildfire on wintering grassland birds and the structure and composition of the grasslands on which they rely. The opportunity is particularly valuable because three years (1999-2001) of avian and vegetation data exist for this upland grassland habitat prior to the fire, with which post-fire data can be compared. The pre-fire data were collected as part of a larger study on wintering habitat used by grassland birds in southeastern Arizona. This study will provide information about the biological effects of wildland fire in grassland ecosystems, specifically about how wildfires affect vegetative structure and composition and wintering grassland bird abundance and habitat use. It will assist managers in addressing locally important information needs about how wildland fire affects wintering grassland birds of conservation concern and the distribution of invasive exotics such as Lehmann Lovegrass. In order to ensure the comparability of pre-fire and post-fire data, the same plots and methods used in the previous study will be used again for this project. The post-fire study will involve all of the plots located on the Audubon Appleton-Whittell Research Ranch (burned) and Davis Pasture of the BLM Las Cienegas RCA (unburned), for purposes of comparison. Bird communities will be surveyed using a combination of mist netting and transect surveys. Standard vegetation composition and structure measures will be used to characterize the grassland habitat.

Projects 2002

• American Eagle Research Institute: Yaqui River Bald Eagle Report
• IMADES: Developing and Implementing a Conservation Plan for Sonoran Riparian Habitats
• Pronatura: Assessment of the Distribution and Relative Abundance of Rails in the Coastal Wetlands of the Baja Peninsula and Sonora, Mexico
• Proyecto Corredor Colibrí: Riparian Restoration at Villa Verde, Sonora, Mexico
• Sonoran Institute: Survey and Catalog of Avian Species of the Santa Cruz River, Sonora, Mexico
• Sonoran Institute: Mapping Conservation Priorities in the Colorado River Delta: A State-of Knowledge Workshop
• Southeastern Arizona Bird Observatory: Sonoran Bird Monitoring Project
• University of Arizona: Avian Monitoring on the Colorado River Delta

Projects 2001

• Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum: Bilingual Pollinator Brochure
• City of Yuma: Yuma East Wetlands Restoration Project
• Ducks Unlimited: Whitewater Draw Wetlands Restoration Project
• Liberty Wildlife: Avian Electrocution Reduction Manual for Arizona and the Southwest Translation
• Pronatura: California Least Tern Monitoring and Protection
• Sonoran Institute: Santa Cruz River Avian Monitoring
• University of Arizona: Avian Monitoring in the Colorado River Delta
• University of Arizona: Peregrine Falcon Monitoring
• University of Arizona: Ferruginous Pygmy-Owl Habitat Assessment
• University of Arizona: Effects of Prescribed Fire on Yuma Clapper Rails and California Black Rails on the Lower Colorado River