Bird Conservation Science and Planning

Knowledge Area (KA)	Subject of Investigation (SOI)	Field of Science (FOS)	Percent
135	0820	2090	60%
135	0850	2090	40%

Progress 10/01/07 to 09/30/08

Outputs
OUTPUTS: OUTPUTS: During 2007-2008, Rosenberg and members of the Conservation Science Dept at Cornell Lab of Ornithology (CLO) participated in several national and international conservation initiatives including the North American Bird Conservation Initiative Monitoring subcommittee, Northeast Coordinated Bird Monitoring, Partners in Flight Science Committee, the Cerulean Warbler Technical Group, and Golden-winged Warbler Working Group.We also collaborated to produce bird-monitoring applications (eBird) across North America, Latin America, and Caribbean, and helped to organize bird monitoring data into the Avian Knowledge Network. We helped organize and participated in workshops and conferences at Cornell, Arlington, VA, Bogota, Colombia, Mexico, and several universities. Outreach and technical results are widely disseminated to the public, scientists, and resource agency managers via web sites at CLO (www.birds.cornell.edu) and Partnersinflight.org. PARTICIPANTS: In addition to Rosenberg, members of the Cornell Lab of Ornithology's (CLO) conservation science department include Ronald W. Rohrbaugh, R. Stefan Hames, James Lowe, Sara Barker, Michael Powers, Andrew Farnsworth, Eduardo Inigo-Elias, Martjan Lammertink, and Martin Piorkowski. We have also collaborated with other departments within CLO, especially programs led by Steven Kelling, Christopher Clark, Irby Lovette, Janis Dickinson, and Rick Bonney. In addition, we collaborate with other universities and non-profits, especially American bird Conservancy, National Audubon Society, PRBO Conservation Science, Manomet Center for Conservation Science, and Vermont Center for Ecosystem Studies. We also collaborate with biologists and policy-makers in state and federal agencies, especially NY Department of Environmental Conservation, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Geological Survey, and Department of Defense. TARGET AUDIENCES: Our target audiences for conservation science activities includes state and federal agency biologists, land managers, and policy-makers, university and other academic scientists, bird-watchers, and the general public. PARTICIPANTS: PARTICIPANTS: In addition to Rosenberg, members of the Cornell Lab of Ornithology's (CLO) conservation science department include Ronald W. Rohrbaugh, R. Stefan Hames, James Lowe, Sara Barker, Michael Powers, Andrew Farnsworth, Eduardo Inigo-Elias, Martjan Lammertink, and Martin Piorkowski. We have also collaborated with other departments within CLO, especially programs led by Steven Kelling, Christopher Clark, Irby Lovette, Janis Dickinson, and Rick Bonney. In addition, we collaborate with other universities and non-profits, especially American bird Conservancy, National Audubon Society, PRBO Conservation Science, Manomet Center for Conservation Science, and Vermont Center for Ecosystem Studies. We also collaborate with biologists and policy-makers in state and federal agencies, especially NY Department of Environmental Conservation, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Geological Survey, and Department of Defense. TARGET AUDIENCES: TARGET AUDIENCES: Our target audiences for conservation science activities includes state and federal agency biologists, land managers, and policy-makers, university and other academic scientists, bird-watchers, and the general public. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.

Impacts
Results from this project were integrated into bird monitoring and conservation plans in state agencies throughout the Northeast U.S. and within federal agencies at the national level. Our efforts resulted in funding several large collaborative research grants for coordination of bird monitoring programs, conservation of Golden-winged Warblers, and studying the effects of pollution on forest birds. Our expertise in bird conservation resulted in a federal government initiative to develop the first U.S. State of the Birds report - based on a request made by the President of the United States in October, 2007.

Publications

3. Rosenberg, K.V. 2008. Kentucky Warbler. In The Second Atlas of Breeding Birds in New York State (K.J. McGowan and K. Corwin, eds.). Cornell University Press, Ithaca, NY.
4. Rosenberg, K.V. 2008. Louisiana Waterthrush. In The Second Atlas of Breeding Birds in New York State (K.J. McGowan and K. Corwin, eds.). Cornell University Press, Ithaca, NY.
5. Scott, J. M., F. Ramsey, M. Lammertink, K. V. Rosenberg, R. Rohrbaugh, J. Wiens, J. M. Reed. 2008. When is an Extinct Species Really Extinct? Gauging the Search Efforts for Hawaiian Forest Birds and the Ivory-billed Woodpecker. Avian Conservation and Ecology. http://www.ace-eco.org/
1. Rosenberg, K.V. and M.F. Burger. 2008. Conservation of New York's Breeding Birds. In The Second Atlas of Breeding Birds in New York State (K.J. McGowan and K. Corwin, eds.). Cornell University Press, Ithaca, NY.
2. Rosenberg, K.V. 2008. Cerulean Warbler. In The Second Atlas of Breeding Birds in New York State (K.J. McGowan and K. Corwin, eds.). Cornell University Press, Ithaca, NY.

Progress 01/01/07 to 12/31/07

Outputs
OUTPUTS: During 2007, Rosenberg and members of the Conservation Science Dept at Cornell Lab of Ornithology (CLO) participated in several national and international conservation initiatives including the North American Bird Conservation Initiative Monitoring subcommittee, Northeast Coordinated Bird Monitoring, Partners in Flight Science Committee, the Cerulean Warbler Technical Group, and Golden-winged Warbler Working Group.We also collaborated to produce bird-monitoring applications (eBird) across North America, Latin America, and Caribbean, and helped to organize bird monitoring data into the Avian Knowledge Network. We helped organize and participated in workshops and conferences at Cornell, Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, Point Reyes Bird Observtory, and several universities. Outreach and technical results are widely disseminated to the public, scientists, and resource agency managers via web sites at CLO (www.birds.cornell.edu) and Partnersinflight.org. PARTICIPANTS: In addition to Rosenberg, members of the Cornell Lab of Ornithology's (CLO) conservation science department include Ronald W. Rohrbaugh, R. Stefan Hames, James Lowe, Sara Barker, Michael Powers, Andrew Farnsworth, Eduardo Inigo-Elias, Martjan Lammertink, and Martin Piorkowski. We have also collaborated with other departments within CLO, especially programs led by Steven Kelling, Christopher Clark, Irby Lovette, Janis Dickinson, and Rick Bonney. In addition, we collaborate with other universities and non-profits, especially American bird Conservancy, National Audubon Society, PRBO Conservation Science, Manomet Center for Conservation Science, and Vermont Center for Ecosystem Studies. We also collaborate with biologists and policy-makers in state and federal agencies, especially NY Department of Environmental Conservation, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Geological Survey, and Department of Defense. TARGET AUDIENCES: Our target audiences for conservation science activities includes state and federal agency biologists, land managers, and policy-makers, university and other academic scientists, bird-watchers, and the general public.

Impacts
Results from this project were integrated into bird monitoring and conservation plans in state agencies throughout the Northeast U.S. and within federal agencies at the national level. Our efforts resulted in funding several large collaborative research grants for coordination of bird monitoring programs, conservation of Golden-winged Warblers, and studying the effects of pollution on forest birds. Our expertise in bird conservation resulted in a federal government initiative to restore bird populations, mentioned specifically in a speech by the President of the United States in October, 2007.

Publications

Hamel, P.B. and K.V. Rosenberg. 2007. Breeding Habitat Management Guidelines for Cerulean Warbler. 15th Central Hardwood Forest Conference, 27 February-1 March, 2006, Knoxville, Tennessee. pp. 364-374. IN: Buckley, David S.; Clatterbuck, Wayne K., eds. 2007. Proceedings, 15th central hardwood forest conference. e-Gen. Tech. Rep. SRS 101. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Southern Research Station. 770 p.
Van Horne, B., P. Schmidt, B.Andres, L. Barnhill, J. Bart, R. Bishop, S. Brown, C. Francis, D. Hahn, D. Humburg, M. Koneff, B. Peterjohn, K.V. Rosenberg, J. Sauer, R. Szaro and C. Vojta. 2007. Opportunities for Improving Avian Monitoring. U. S. NABCI Monitoring Subcommittee Report.
Blancher, P.J., K.V. Rosenberg, A.O. Panjabi, B. Altman, J. Bart, C.J. Beardmore, G.S. Butcher, D. Demarest, R. Dettmers, E.H. Dunn, W. Easton, W.C. Hunter, E.E. Inigo-Elias, D.N. Pashley, C.J. Ralph, T.D. Rich, C.M. Rustay, J.M. Ruth and T.C. Will. 2007. Guide to the Partners in Flight Population Estimates Database. Version: North American Landbird Conservation Plan 2004. Partners in Flight Technical Series No 5. http://www.partnersinflight.org/
Butcher, G.S., D.K. Niven, A.O. Panjabi, D.N. Pashley and K.V. Rosenberg. 2007. WatchList: The 2007 WatchList for United States Birds. American Birds 61:18-25.

Progress 01/01/06 to 12/31/06

Outputs
Critical information gaps currently limit the scientific basis of conservation decision-making and land-management. Bird and biodiversity conservation often is based on incomplete science and may miss important priorities or opportunities for solutions. Results from this study will establish links between conservation research and policy and will guide management to stabilize or reverse bird-population declines throughout the Western Hemisphere.During 2006, Rosenberg and members of the Conservation Science Dept at Cornell Lab of Ornithology participated in several national and international conservation initiatives including the North American Bird Conservation Initiative Monitoring subcommittee, Northeast Coordinated Bird Monitoring, Partners in Flight Science Committee, the Cerulean Warbler Technical Group, and Golden-winged Warbler Working Group.We also collaborated to produce bird-monitoring applications (eBird) across North America, Latin America, and Caribbean.

Impacts
Results from this study will establish links between environmental variables and declines in forest-breeding birds. Identifying causative factors will inform conservation planning in forested regions and guide management to stabilize or reverse bird-population declines.

Publications

Buehler, D. M., A. M. Roth, R. Vallender, T. c. Will, J. L. Confer, R. Canterbury, S. B. Swarthout, K. V. Rosenberg, L. M. Bullock. 2006. Status and Conservation Priorities of Golden-winged Warbler (Vermivora chrysoptera in North America. Auk 162:2

Progress 01/01/04 to 12/31/04

Outputs
During 2004, we continued to sample roughly 40 study sites in NY state for breeding thrush populations, soil-calcium levels, and abundance of calciu-rich prey. In addition we have continued our citizen-science based study (Birds in Forested Landscapes) of forest sites throughout North America, focusing on forest-breeding bird species that have beennidentified as a high priority for conservation. Based on work from past years we completed a report to US Forest Service examining the effects of recreational development at Forest Service campgrounds on breeding birds. We began a collaboration with other researchers studying mercury contamination and bio-geochemical pathways in northern forests, and we submitted a collaborative proposal to NSF to continue these studies.

Impacts
Results from this study will establish links between environmental variables and declines in forest-breeding birds. Identifying causative factors will inform conservation planning in forested regions and guide management to stabilize or reverse bird-population declines.

Publications

Hames, R. S., K. V. Rosenberg, J. D. Lowe, S. E. Barker. 2005. Understanding the risk to Neotropical migrant bird species of multiple human-caused stressors: Process behind the patterns. Ecology and Society.

Progress 01/01/03 to 12/31/03

Outputs
Bird conservation consists of a large, landscape level citizen-science project, Birds in Forested Landscapes (BFL), regional coordination of international initiative, Partners in Flight (PIF), and two smaller citizen-science atlas programs, the Golden-winged Warbler Atlas Project (GOWAP) and the Cerulean Warbler Atlas Project (CEWAP). BFL involves professional biologists and volunteer citizen-scientists studying the effects of habitat fragmentation and acid rain on forest-breeding birds throughout North America. GOWAP and CEWAP determine the population status and habitat and area requirements of Golden-winged and Cerulean warblers on public and private lands. Over 1,700 volunteers have surveyed 5,000+ sites for these projects since 1997. Results are being incorporated into state and regional bird conservation plans, a series of habitat guidelines for land managers, and species atlas publications. These products are available to land managers, policy makers, and industry workers alike. Work in Mexico involves partnerships with agency and other biologists to assess conservation status and monitor populations of migratory and resident birds, including assessing the impact of legal and illegal trapping for the cage bird trade.

Impacts
Results are being incorporated into state and regional bird conservation plans, to set habitat guidelines for land managers.

Publications

Rosenberg, K.V., R.S. Hames, R.W. Rohrbaugh, Jr., S. Barker Swarthout, J.D. Lowe, and A.A. Dhondt. 2003. A land managers guide to improving habitat for forest thrushes. The Cornell Lab of Ornithology.

Progress 01/01/02 to 12/31/02

Outputs
Bird conservation research currently consists of a large citizen-science project, Birds in Forested Landscapes (BFL), regional coordination of international initiative, Partners in Flight (PIF), continuation of long term studies of social behavior of endangered Florida Scrub Jays, investigation of the value to birds of lands in experimental energy development through harvest and coppicing of willow trees on abandoned farmland, and assessment of bird conservation needs and impacts of wild bird trade in Mexico. BFL involves volunteer researchers in studying the effects of habitat fragmentation and recreational development on forest-breeding birds throughout North America. Over 1700 volunteers have surveyed 3,000 sites since 1997 for forest thrushes, hawks, Cerulean Warblers and Golden Winged Warblers. Results are being incorporated into regional bird conservation plans and are being summarized in a series of guidelines for land managers. The PIF work is resulting in detailed bird conservation plans, which are available to land managers and policy-makers at www.partnersinflight.org. Work in Mexico involves partnerships with agency and other biologists to assess conservation status and monitor populations of migratory and resident birds, including assessing the impact of legal and illegal trapping for the cage bird trade.

Impacts
No impact reported.

Publications

Hames, R. S., K. V. Rosenberg, J. D. Lowe, S. E. Barker And A. A. Dhondt. 2002. Effects of forest fragmentation on North American tanager and thrush species in eastern and western North America. Studies in Avian Biology 25:81-91.
Donovan, T. M., C. J. Beardmore, D. N. Bonter, J. D. Brawn, R. Cooper, R. Ford, J. A. Fitzgerald, S. A. Gauthreaux, T. L. George, W. C. Hunter, T. E. Martin, J. Price, K. V. Rosenberg, P. D. Vickery, and T. B. Wigley. 2002. Priority research needs for the conservation of Neotropical migrant landbirds. Journal of Field Ornithology, 73:329-339.
Hames, R. S., K. V. Rosenberg, J. D. Lowe, S. E. Barker, and A. A. Dhondt. 2002. Adverse effects of acid rain on the distribution of the Wood Thrush Hylocichla mustelina in North America. Proc. National Academy Sci. 99:11235-11240.

Progress 01/01/01 to 12/31/01

Outputs
Progress Report: Bird conservation research currently consists of a large citizen-science project, Birds in Forested Landscapes (BFL), regional coordination of international initiative, Partners in Flight, continuation of long term studies of social behavior of endangered Florida Scrub Jays, and investigation of the value to birds of lands in experimental energy development through harvest and coppicing of willow trees on abandoned farmland. BFL involves volunteer researchers in studying the effects of habitat fragmentation and recreational development on forest-breeding birds throughout North America. Over 1700 volunteers have surveyed 3,000 sites since 1997 for forest thrushes, hawks, Cerulean Warblers and Golden Winged Warblers. Results are being incorporated into regional bird conservation plans and are being summarized in a series of guidelines for land managers. The PIF work is resulting in detailed bird conservation plans, which are available to land managers and policy-makers at www.partnersinflight.org. A new initiative in 2001 focuses on bird conservation assessment and planning in Mexico.

Impacts
(No impact reported.)

Publications

Hames, R. S., K. V. Rosenberg, J. D. Lowe, S. E. Barker And A. A. Dhondt. 2002 in press. Effects of forest fragmentation on North American tanager and thrush species in eastern and western landscapes. Pp. in L. George and D. S. Dobkins Editors. The effects of habitat fragmentation in western North America, Seattle, WA, Cooper Ornithological Society
Donovan, T. M., C. J. Beardmore, D. N. Bonter, J. D. Brawn, R. Cooper, R. Ford, J. A. Fitzgerald, S. A. Gauthreaux, T. L. George, W. C. Hunter, T. E. Martin, J. Price, K. V. Rosenberg, P. D. Vickery, and T. B. Wigley. 2002 In press. Priority research needs for the conservation of neotropical migrant landbirds. Journal of Field Ornithology.

Progress 01/01/00 to 12/31/00

Outputs
Progress Report: Bird conservation research currently consists of a large citizen-science project, Birds in Forested Landscapes (BFL), regional coordination of international initiative, Partners in Flight, continuation of long term studies of social behavior of endangered Florida Scrub Jays, and investigation of the value to birds of lands in experimental energy development through harvest and coppicing of willow trees on abandoned farmland. BFL involves volunteer researchers in studying the effects of habitat fragmentation and recreational development on forest-breeding birds throughout North America. Over 1700 volunteers have surveyed 3,000 sites since 1997 for forest thrushes, hawks, Cerulean Warblers and Golden Winged Warblers. Results are being incorporated into regional bird conservation plans and will be summarized in a series of guidelines for land managers. The PIF work is resulting in detailed bird conservation plans, which are available to land managers and policy-makers at www.partnersinflight.org.

Impacts
no impact reported

Publications

Pashley, D. N., C. J. Beardmore, J. A. Fitzgerald, R. P. Ford, W. C. Hunter, M. S. Morrison, and K. V. Rosenberg. 2000. Partners in Flight: Conservation of the land birds of the United States. American Bird Conservancy. 92 pp.
Hames, R. S., K. V. Rosenberg, J. D. Lowe, and A. A. Dohndt. 2001. Site reoccupation in fragmented landscapes: testing predictions of metapopulation theory. Journal of Animal Ecology 70.
Carter, M. F., W. C. Hunter, D. N. Pashley, and K. V. Rosenberg. 2000. Setting conservation priorities for landbirds in the United States: the partners in flight approach. Auk 117:541-548.

Progress 01/01/99 to 12/31/99

Outputs
Bird conservation research currently consists of a large citizen-science project, Birds in Forested Landscapes, regional coordination of international initiative, Partnes in Flight, continuation of long term studies of social behavior of endangered Florida Scrub Jays, and investigation of the value to birds of lands in experimental energy development through harvest and coppicing of willow trees on abandoned farmland. BFLinvolves volunteer researchers in studying the effects of habitat fragmentation on forest-breding birds throughout North America. Over 1700 have surveyed 3,000 sites in three breeding seassons for forest thrushes, hawks, Cerulean Wablers and Golden Winged Warblers. Results are being incorporated into regional bird conservation plans and will be summarized in a series of guidelines for land managers. The PIF work is resulting in detailed landbird conservation plans and first drafts of these plans were completed in 1999.

Impacts
(N/A)

Publications

Rosenberg, K.V., R.W. Rohrbaugh, Jr., S.E. Barker, J.D. Lowe, R.S. Hames, and A.A. Dhondt. 1999. A land managers guide to improving habitat for scarlet tanagers and other forest-interior birds. Cornell Lab of Ornithology.
Rosenberg, K. V. and J. V. Wells. 1999. Global perspectives on Neotropical migrant conservation in the Northeast: Long-term responsibility vs. immediate concern. In R. E. Bonney, D. Pashley, R. J. Cooper, and L. Niles (Eds.). Strategies for bird conservation: The Partners in Flight planning process. Cornell Lab of Ornithology.
Rosenberg, K. V., J. D. Lowe, and A. A Dhondt. 1999. Forest fragmentation and breeding tanagers: a continental perspective. Conservation Biology 13:568-583.
Wells, J. V. and K. V. Rosenberg. 1999. Grassland bird conservation in eastern North America. In Vickery, P and J. Herkert (Eds.). Ecology and conservation of grassland birds in the western hemisphere. Studies in Avian Biology 19.

Progress 01/01/98 to 12/31/98

Outputs
Bird conservation research currently consists of a large citizen-science project, Birds in Forested Landscapes (BFL), regional coordination of the international initiative, Partners in Flight (PIF), continuation of long-term studies of the social behavior of endangered Florida Scrub Jays,and investigation of the value to birds of lands in experimental energy development through harvest and coppicing of willow trees on abandoned farmland. BFL is involves volunteer researchers in studying the effects of habitat fragmentation on forest-breeding birds throughout North America. To date, over 1700 have surveyed over 3,000 sites in three breeding seasons for forest thrushes, hawks, and Cerulean Warblers. Results are being incorporated into regional bird conservation plans and will be summarized in a series of guidelines publications for land managers. The PIF work is resulting in detailed landbird conservation plans for the 12 eco-phsyiographic regions of the northeastern U.S. First drafts of these plans will be completed in early 1999.

Impacts
(N/A)

Publications

T.C. Grubb, Jr., G.E. Woolfenden and J. W. Fitzpatrick. 1998. Factors affecting nutritional condition of fledgling Florida Scrub-Jays: a ptilochronology approach. Condor 100: 753-756.

Progress 01/01/97 to 12/31/97

Outputs
As a follow-up on "Project Tanager" (NYC-171303), in which we developed a research protocol to determine the influence of landscape features on the presence and possible breeding of Tanager species, we developed the "Birds in a Forested Project". In this study volunteer participants follow a rigorous protocol to determine the presence and possiblle breeding of two species of Accipiter hawks, and 7 species of North-american thrushes throughout North America, and how landscape features (in particular habitat fragmentation) influences them. 1,700 volunteers or groups participated in 1997. There exist significant differences between the species as regards their sensitivity to landscape features. By using GIS we want to determine the geographical scale at which landscape influences birds.

Impacts
(N/A)

Publications

No publications reported this period