Modeling seasonal detection patterns for burrowing owl surveys

Quresh Latif; Kathleen D. Fleming; Cameron Barrows; John T. Rotenberry

doi:10.1002/wsb.97

Treesearch

Modeling seasonal detection patterns for burrowing owl surveys

Formally Refereed

Authors:

Quresh Latif, Kathleen D. Fleming, Cameron Barrows, John T. Rotenberry

Year:

2012

Type:

Scientific Journal

Station:

Rocky Mountain Research Station

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1002/wsb.97

Source:

Wildlife Society Bulletin. 36: 155-160.

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Abstract

To guide monitoring of burrowing owls (Athene cunicularia) in the Coachella Valley, California, USA, we analyzed survey-method-specific seasonal variation in detectability. Point-based call-broadcast surveys yielded high early season detectability that then declined through time, whereas detectability on driving surveys increased through the season. Point surveys without call-broadcasts yielded the lowest detectability rates overall. To maximize detectability, we recommend coupling early season point-based call-broadcast surveys with late-season driving surveys. Occupancy models proved useful for integrating data from multiple methods to analyze distributional patterns while accounting for variation in detectability.

Keywords

Athene cunicularia, burrowing owl, California, call-broadcast surveys, detectability, occupancy models, population monitoring

Citation

Latif, Quresh S.; Fleming, Kathleen D.; Barrows, Cameron; Rotenberry, John T. 2012. Modeling seasonal detection patterns for burrowing owl surveys. Wildlife Society Bulletin. 36: 155-160.