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University of Arizona: Yuma Clapper Rail Survey Training Objectives: (1) Create course materials for a Yuma Clapper Rail survey training workshop, to include compact discs of bird calls for instruction and testing, printed handouts, and other information; and (2) Facilitate a two-day Yuma Clapper Rail Survey training course for biologists. Project Description: The Yuma clapper rail is an endangered species found in Arizona, California, and Nevada with significant populations along the Colorado River (AZ, CA, NV), Salton Sea (CA), and the Salt/Gila Rivers (AZ). The population has recently expanded to the Virgin River (AZ, NV) and may be expanding up the Verde and Salt rivers east of the Phoenix metropolitan area (AZ). Annual surveys have been conducted since 1978 at sites on the Colorado River with other locales added as rails were documented to occur in those areas. Surveys are accomplished by personnel from State and Federal agencies with landowner/management or wildlife management responsibilities for a survey area. All survey efforts are voluntary; there is no directed funding to provide for agency personnel time. In the past, the survey effort benefitted from having personnel with many years experience in both the species and the areas being surveyed. Over the last 10 years, a great deal of that experience has been lost as personnel have retired or left the area. The core group now doing surveys has a considerable amount of experience; however, their numbers are few and there are many newcomers with significantly less experience. Reliance on the few experienced personnel remaining to provide training for new staff is not an efficient method to achieve necessary levels of competence. Additionally, with the expansion of the rail into new habitat areas, additional surveys for Section 7 consultation under the Endangered Species Act are needed. These surveys are often done by private contractors who obtain scientific research permits from the Fish and Wildlife Service. Providing a minimum standard of experience needed for these permits to be issued has been a topic of discussion between Region 1 and Region 2 that has not fully been resolved. A standardized training course for both new agency personnel and private contractors would address these issues. This project will provide for the development of a 2-day training course consisting of both lab and field exercises. Included in the lab portion of the course would be 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 would be part of the second day activities. Contact: |