Using Forest Service multiple species inventory and monitoring protocols to count birds at forest inventory and analysis plots on the Caribbean landscape: results, observations, and challenges from year 1 of a 2-year study

Abstract

We conducted double-observer point counts of birds from December 3 to December 31, 2005, on preestablished permanent Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) plots and National Park Service System trails within the Virgin Islands National Park, St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands. We had three objectives: (1) to collect abundance and distribution data for wintering land birds, particularly neotropical migrants, in the subtropical dry and moist forests of St. John; (2) to test for differences between data collected on the FIA systematic grid and data collected using point counts established along randomly selected National Park System trails and; (3) to evaluate the effectiveness of Multiple Species Inventory and Monitoring (MSIM) protocols in the tropics. We recorded all species of birds (resident and migrant) observed or heard, and the distance from observers to each individual. Broad habitat descriptions were made for trails where habitat data were not already available. In year 1, we identified 47 indigenous species of birds, including 17 species of neotropical migrants. The most frequently recorded species was the resident songbird Caribbean Elaenia, with 517 registrations. The most frequently recorded migrant songbird was the American redstart (98 registrations). We present an overview of the Forest Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture FIA and MSIM protocols as well as results, observations, and challenges from year-1 sampling efforts on St. John.

Parent Publication

• Proceedings of the eighth annual forest inventory and analysis symposium

Citation

Oswalt, Sonja N.; Brandeis, Thomas J.; Steadman, David W.; Robinson, Scott K. 2009. Using Forest Service multiple species inventory and monitoring protocols to count birds at forest inventory and analysis plots on the Caribbean landscape: results, observations, and challenges from year 1 of a 2-year study. In: McRoberts, Ronald E.; Reams, Gregory A.; Van Deusen, Paul C.; McWilliams, William H., eds. Proceedings of the eighth annual forest inventory and analysis symposium; 2006 October 16-19; Monterey, CA. Gen. Tech. Report WO–79. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service. 165-170.