Field Ornithology
EEB 3898: Field Methods in Ornithology
Intensive Summer Session 1, June 8th - 26th, 2009 MTWThF
Instructor: Diego Sustaita
Office: Biol/Pharm 404
Phone: 860-486-0309
Office hours: variable & flexible (call, email, drop by)
Course Objectives
• Acquire bird identification skills
• Learn basic field research techniques, study design, and data analysis
• Develop basic understanding of local bird biology & ecology
• Tentative* schedule:
Day | Topic | Day | Topic | Day | Topic |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
M 08 | Course introduction; Bird identification [Sibley intro/ lecture notes handout] | M 15 | Point count/transect lecture & activity [Manuwal & Carey 1991 pgs. 11-14; Reynolds et al. 1980] | M 22 | Group project(s) [TBA] |
T 09 | Distance calibration; Survey of local birds [TBA] | T 16 | Territory mapping lecture & activity (I) [Manuwal & Carey 1991 pgs. 14-17/ Ortega & Cappen 1999] | T 23 | Survey of forest birds [TBA] |
W 10 | Primer of avian ecology; Survey of local birds [MacArthur 1958] | W 17 | Behavioral observation lecture & activity [Green et al. 1996] | W 24 | Survey of coastal birds [TBA] |
Th 11 | Census techniques lecture: line transects [Manuwal & Carey 1991 pgs. 9-11; Anderson et al. 1979] | Th 18 | Density estimation lecture & activity [Thomas et al. 2002]; Territory mapping activity (II) | Th 25 | Habitat diversity & community analysis [Stiling, Chapt.16] |
F 12 | Exam 1; Mist-netting/banding (Pomfret Audubon Center)[Silkeye et al. 1999] | F 19 | Exam 2;
Habitat measurement lecture & activity [Bibby et al. 1985] |
F 26 | Instructor evaluations; Final exam |
Note: Schedule is subject to change pending weather conditions, or unforeseen birding and research opportunities.
Course Materials
• Required
o The Sibley Field Guide to the Birds of Eastern North America (from Co-op)
o Binoculars (available from us if you don’t have any)
o Field notepad/notebook
• Recommended
o Sibley’s birding basics (Knopf, New York, 2002)
o Birding by Ear: Eastern and Central North America – Peterson Field Guides
o Old shoes or hiking boots, & proper outdoor clothing (poison ivy, weather)
o Insect repellent (ticks, mosquitoes)
o Sunscreen
Assignments
• Daily reading assignments
• Class exercise worksheets
• Directed project write-ups
• Weekly exams, covering:
o Bird ID by sight & sound
o Basic biology (e.g., from observations; field guide; “All About Birds”)
o Material from lectures & readings
o Field technique scenario questions
Grading
• Midterm exams (50 points)
• Daily worksheets/field notes (150 points)
• Directed project assignments (50 points)
• Final exam (50 points)
• Total (300 points)
Grading scale: A = 100-90%, B = 89-80%, C = 79-70%, D = 69-60%, F = 59-0%. Plus/minus system will be used for the final grade. Perfect attendance & participation are mandatory!
Additional References & Websites
• Bibby CJ, Burgess ND, Hill DA, Mustoe S, editors. 2000. Bird census techniques. San Diego, USA: Academic Press.
• Gill F. 2007. Ornithology. New York: W. H. Freeman and Company.
• Stiling P. 1999. Ecology: theories and application. New Jersey: Prentice Hall.
• Clark, G. A. 1999. Birds of Storrs, Connecticut and vicinity. 3rd Ed. Mansfield, CT: Natchaug Ornithological Society & Joshua’s Tract Conservation and Historic Trust.
• SORA (Searchable Ornithological Research Archive): http://elibrary.unm.edu/sora/index.php
• Cornell Lab of Ornithology “All About Birds”: http://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds
• Natchaug Ornithological Society: http://www.nosbird.org/ (esp. “local hotspots” http://www.nosbird.org/hotspots.html)
• Connecticut Ornithological Association: http://www.ctbirding.org/index.htm
• CT Audubon Society: http://www.ctaudubon.org/
• CT Department of Environmental Protection: http://www.ct.gov/dep/site/default.asp