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Griffith Park Raptor Nest Monitoring Training Workshop

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Presentation on theme: "Griffith Park Raptor Nest Monitoring Training Workshop"— Presentation transcript:

1 Griffith Park Raptor Nest Monitoring Training Workshop
Dan Cooper Courtney Aiken Andy Spyrka February 11th & 25th, 2017 Photo: DeeDee McGann

2 Workshop Outline Introduction Monitoring Methodology
Natural history of raptors in Los Angeles Monitoring Methodology Goals of Griffith Park nest monitoring program Overview of Nest Monitoring Program Collecting and submitting data Best Monitoring Practices Field Monitoring Practice Crystal Springs Road/Old Merry-Go-Round area Pony Rides

3 Why Study Raptors? Top predators
Control prey populations Natural exterminators & clean up crew (vultures) Important environmental indicator species Human disturbance Environmental toxins (rodenticides/insecticides) Climate Eco-tourism & bird watching activities

4 Natural history - breeding raptors in Los Angeles Area
7 Raptor Species that Nest in Griffith Park 4 Diurnal Nesters 3 Nocturnal Nesters Plus several regularly wintering raptors, and influx of same-species migrants

5 Diurnal and Nocturnal Regular Breeders/Nesters of Griffith Park
Hawks, Eagles, Kites, Falcons Red-tailed Hawk Red-shouldered Hawk Cooper’s Hawk American Kestrel Peregrine Falcon (from Downtown/Glendale) Turkey Vulture? Owls Great Horned Owl Barn Owl Western Screech Owl

6 Regular Wintering and/or Transient Raptors
Hawks and Falcons Sharp-shinned Hawk Merlin Osprey Swainson’s Hawk Northern Harrier (rare) Prairie Falcon (rare) Bald/Golden Eagle (rare) Owls Burrowing Owl (rare) Northern Saw-whet Owl (rare) Long-eared Owl (rare)

7 Swainson’s Hawk migration

8 Extirpated Breeders from Los Angeles Area
Swainson's Hawk California Condor Prairie Falcon Long-eared Owl Burrowing Owl

9 Recently Returned Breeders
Peregrine Falcon Bald Eagle Osprey

10 Red-tailed Hawk Buteo jamaicensis Year-round 16 subspecies
Many different molts and varieties Very territorial especially during breeding season (starts January) Mates stay paired throughout the year Several nests from previous year may be visited and repaired before they finally choose Nest in all woodland/urban habitats Common: nests have unobstructed access & good view of surrounding environment Recent sightings: Griffith Observatory and west of the merry-go-round, Roosevelt golf course

11 Red-shouldered Hawk Buteo lineatus
Year-round resident Uncommon breeder Feeds on small mammals, reptiles, and amphibians Nest building may occur as early as November Reuse same nest for many years

12 Cooper’s Hawk Accipiter cooperii
Medium-sized hawk Long tail with 3-4 broad blackish bands Urban dwelling Preys on small birds, mammals, and reptiles Nests in riparian & oak woodland Also ornamental trees – pine, eucalyptus & elm Year-round resident Secretive and inconspicuous especially in breeding season Recent sightings: Lake Hollywood Park, along the LA River

13 Great Horned Owl Bubo virginianus
Year round resident Large owl with ear-tufts & yellow eyes Prefers open, broken woodlands and parks Nocturnal hunter, but can hunt in daylight as well Diet is 90% mammals Can nest in old nests of other species such as hawks, crows, ravens, etc. Most nests are only used 1 season Recently identified: Bronson caves & Hollywood Lake (CBC by Dan Cooper & Kathi Ellsworth/Lance Benner) Can also nest in cavities in trees and snags, cliffs, deserted buildings, artificial platforms, ledges, pipes, and can lay eggs on ground Do not do much construction or maintenance of nests Often a tree nest deteriorates to almost nothing during a season’s use 1-4 eggs All brooding by females

14 Barn Owl Tyto alba Widely distributed throughout U.S.
Favors lower elevations/flat areas Cavity nester/tolerant of disturbance Generally monogamous Feeds on small mammals Nocturnal but can hunt in low-light conditions

15 Raptor Breeding Behaviors
Typically Mate for Life Most species only 1 clutch Breed mostly in Spring-Summer Begins as early as fall Continues to at least late summer Nest Substrates Trees Structures (towers, etc.) Cliffs Ground

16 Nesting Success Factors
Habitat Prey Availability Weather dependent Seclusion Natural Selection Poisons Disease

17 Red-tailed Hawks Typically Large, Broad and Flat Nest – Saucer or Large Cup Shape Nest mostly in Willows, Oaks, Eucalyptus, Sycamores, Cliffs, and Power Towers. Will Also Use Large Bushes and Power Poles Nest Usually Placed on a Somewhat Horizontal Branch

18 Typical Placement of Red-tailed Hawk Nest on Somewhat Horizontal Limbs

19 Typical Saucer shape (Red-tailed Hawk Nest)

20 Red-shouldered Hawk Medium Cup or Saucer Shaped Nest
Typically Nests in Sycamores, Willows, Oaks, Eucalyptus and other Non-Natives, and Palms Frequently Placed on a Somewhat Horizontal Branches

21 Red-shouldered Hawk

22

23 (Less typical, almost cone-shaped)
Red-shouldered Hawk (Less typical, almost cone-shaped)

24 Cooper’s Hawk Typically Cup Shape
Nest in Willows, Oaks, Eucalyptus and other Non-Natives, Rarely Sycamores Frequently (but not always) Placed in Vertical Limbs

25 Cooper’s Hawk Chicks, Note Small
Branches, of Differing Diameter

26 Active Cooper’s Hawk Nests
Have Lots of Down Feathers Attached

27 COHA Cooper’s Hawks Typically Prefer a Well-Leafed-Out Tree

28 Typical Crow – Funnel or Cone Shape

29 Bathroom Break?

30 History of Griffith Park Wildlife Monitoring Program
Before 2007: Local resident sightings Early 2007: Baseline data collected on wildlife in general May 2007: Griffith Park Fire 2007 – 2008: Pre/Post fire surveys by Cooper Ecological 2008: Griffith Park Wildlife Management Plan : Opportunistic/contract surveys (multi-species) 2017: Inaugural Griffith Park Raptor Survey

31 Long-term Raptor Monitoring Program Goals
Develop baseline inventory and species list for Griffith Park Encourage and facilitate research of wildlife in Griffith Park Minimize human-wildlife conflict while still encouraging recreational activities in the park Use the information gathered to inform park staff about management of raptor species Collaborate on building a larger dataset for nest success in the county to establish adequate sample size given regional scale of threats #1 Determine “normal range” of population fluctuations to identify levels below which management action is triggered The intent is to help provide a baseline for approximate “normal” breeding success within the Wildlands, to be used to help design management strategies to minimize direct, indirect and cumulative effects caused by disturbances inherent to multiple land use practices. #2(e.g. fire, human access levels, rodenticide) AND ADAPTIVELY MANAGE ACCORDINGLY (E.G. SIGNS & ACCESS CLOSURES) #3 to determine relationship need variation in the threat #4 provides more detailed information on a shorter timescale Photo: DeeDee McGann

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33 Wilson & Harding Golf Courses
LA Zoo area Forest Lawn Wilson & Harding Golf Courses Inner Griffith Park Royce’s Canyon Old Zoo Area Bronson/Brush Griffith Observatory Aberdeen Canyon Lake Hollywood Fern Dell

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35 Raptor Monitoring Methodology
Surveys conducted on foot using binoculars & spotting scopes Active nests are monitored regularly to document egg laying, incubation, hatching and fledging

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37 Overview of Monitoring Process
Volunteers are assigned nest(s) to monitor Volunteers monitor nest a minimum of 4 times from March through June (every 3-4 weeks) Collect data on supplied data form Submit data to Raptor Survey Team within 1 week of visit In the next week or 2, Scott and I will assign nests to each volunteer. I will then create “Programs” for each volunteer that reflect the area each you are monitoring. Timing of monitoring in conjunction with egg laying, incubation, hatchling care, and fledging

38 GP Raptor Monitoring Protocol
Materials Map & directions to nest location (provided) Monitoring datasheet (provided) Binoculars Spotting scope (if necessary) Clip board, sharpie, pens/pencils Radio Parks & Rec contact info (for emergencies) Standard outdoor gear/provisions (water, hat, sunscreen, sturdy shoes, cell phone, long sleeves/pants, snacks) GPS unit (preferred, but optional) REFER GROUP TO PROTOCOL!!!

39 GPS Phone Apps Collector for ARCGIS by ESRI
iPhone & Android compatible

40 GP Raptor Monitoring Protocol
Access Notification Griffith Park is a public park – “Enter at your Own Risk” Do not need to alert us of your intent to monitor BUT… Let someone else you know where you are going and when you expect to return (friend, spouse, etc.). Remember the movie 127 hours? Follow park rules Monitor between sunrise & sunset

41 GP Raptor Monitoring Protocol
Minimizing Disturbance/Impacts Remember, you are also creating a disturbance by observing these birds Minimize time spent at the nest—just enough to determine nesting status. Leave or back off if you flush a raptor from it’s nest or if you think you are disturbing either the adults or chicks. If a new nest is observed, do not approach a nest closer than about 75 ft. and inform the program coordinator about the discovery. The use of audio playback to induce a visual observation or vocalization is prohibited. Participants should not linger at nest site unnecessarily or use this program as an opportunity to pursue other interests like wildlife photography.

42 GP Raptor Monitoring Protocol
Minimizing Disturbance/Impacts Avoid, when feasible, attracting the attention of others to the nest location Stay on existing trails as much as possible If nest monitoring necessitate off-trail access: the monitor should pair up with another volunteer don’t leave a visible social trail from the authorized trail (e.g. take different routes back and forth each time) You can bring a non-raptor survey participant with you. Participants should serve as assistants and not distractions for leads. Avoid conversation if surveying with another individual to maximize your ability to see and hear signs of raptor activity or nests

43 Send Data Send data within a week of your monitoring efforts
Scan your data sheet OR Enter data into excel and send that to us

44 Questions? We will assign you a new nest to monitor, hopefully nearby.
What if my nest fails soon after I start monitoring? Can a person be assigned to multiple nests, especially if near by?


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