Spring 2001 Whooping Crane Migrational Survey Protocol Implementation Report

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Tracking crews will collect information on the physical and biological characteristics of the sites used by whooping cranes. The same information will be completed for each sighting, so that comparative evaluation of the data set can be made. Characteristics of crane use locations will be described and measured as soon as practical after the crane group leaves the study area. Habitat parameters will be described and measured for the purpose of comparative habitat analyses. Crews will strictly adhere to guidelines regarding minimization or elimination of crane disturbance, provided by the FWS, while conducting the monitoring. Technicians will work with the FWS and NGPC in collecting use site data. III.C. Timing Ground monitoring to conduct movement tracking and use site monitoring will begin March 10. Aerial surveys of the river to locate whooping crane groups will be conducted in the spring from March 18 to approximately April 30. Aerial surveys will also be conducted in the fall, approximately October 7 — November 5. Opportunistic observations will be collected during all times of the year. Measurements of habitat characteristics at whooping crane use sights will occur immediately following each observation regardless of how the birds were found (aerial or opportunistic). Crane movements will be monitored until the crane group leaves the study area or is no longer observable. Measurements of habitat characteristics will be taken after the group departs the study area. IV. METHODS W.A. Definitions Crane activity - Feeding activity- crane walking in an area flipping over objects and probing for food. Loafing activity- crane standing still in one place Preening activity- crane preening feathers Crane group — one or more cranes in a migrating unit. May be an individual crane, a family unit, or small flock. Sighting — observation of a crane group in the study area. Confirmed Sighting - Observation made by a State or Federal biologist or officer or by other known qualified observer (trained ornithologist or birder with experience in identification of whooping cranes). A photograph may also be used to confirm sightings. Probable Sighting - No confirmation made by State or Federal biologist or officer or by other known qualified observer, yet details of the sighting seem to identify the birds as whooping cranes. To be classified as a probable sighting each of the following factors must be met: (1) location of sighting is within normal migration corridor and is an appropriate site for whooping cranes, (2) date of sighting is within period of migration, (3) accurate physical description, (4) number of birds is reasonable, (5) behavior of the birds does not eliminate whooping cranes, and (6) good probability that the observer would provide a reliable report. February 23, 2001 Draft — WC Monitoring Protocol 5