Field notes #1 Pilot Survey

Summary of test survey: 

Because this is a new study, we will be conducting a few test surveys. The purpose of the pilot survey was to evaluate the planned sampling design and to test out the camera, effectiveness of data sheet design and evaluate chosen survey sites. This is the information the team collected on our first test survey.

Date: 12/15/15

Survey start: 2:37pm        Survey End: 5:30pm

Official low Tide: 4:48pm

Conditions: sunny; 10% cloud cover; 84°

Water monitoring: pH 7.84         salinity 1.021 PPT

Bird Counts
	Count	Behavior observed	Disturbance
Great Egret	7	F,R	0
Great Blue Heron	7	F,R	0
Little blue Heron	1	R	0
White Ibis	1	FO	0
Unidentifiable	2		0
*F=foraging	R= roosting/resting	FO = fly over

NOTES: 

1. Water monitoring equipment: We could not calibrate the official monitoring equipment in time for pH testing; so we used fish tank monitoring strips as a test run. pH levels may not be accurate. Calibration will be completed before the official Study start date of Jan 8, 2016. These measurements are not vital to the study, however offer an added layer of investigation to water quality issues and food sources. 

2. Survey times: we found the sample design of two hours on either side of high tide (using methods from the British Trust for Ornithology Waterbird Survey 2013-14 study) was not effective for this location. The low tide was not very low and very little of the mud flats were exposed until the official low tide times. Even then, only small portions were exposed.

We will be examining low tide/sunrise/sunset schedules to decide which is most effective for this location.

 

Team Members: Diane Arrieta; Leah Plocharczyk, Grant Kramer