Despite the importance of riparian areas to maintaining bird diversity and the rapid loss and degradation of these areas by anthropogenic factors, there is little information on the habitat requirements and population trends of riparian bird species in Montana. Therefore, collecting baseline and long-term trend data, and understanding requirements for riparian bird species is considered a top priority in Montana’s Coordinat
ed Bird Monitoring (CBM) plan. The Montana CBM plan recommends developing standardized survey protocols to more effectively pool data collected by various natural resource institutions across the state. Starting in 2002, the Avian Science Center, with funding from PPL-Montana and the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), began conducting intensive bird surveys along > 500 mi Madison/Missouri River Complex and developed a standardized protocol for monitoring birds in riparian habitats. In 2005, the Avian Science Center expanded this program to riparian habitats along major rivers across western Montana, with hopes to expand throughout the State. We have also begun efforts to target our surveys in areas actively receiveing restoration treatments.
Many of the factors influencing riparian birds, such as habitat availability and configuration, and landscape context, occur at large scales. In order to analyze the influence of these factors, we developed a watershed-based sampling design where watersheds (4th code HUCs) are randomly selected for monitoring from all watersheds in the state containing a large-order stream. To date, we have surveyed 5 watersheds in western Montana, in addition to the watersheds of the Missouri and Madison rivers. Understanding how factors at both local and regional scales influence avian populations will help in implementing habitat restoration and developing conservation strategies for these critical habitats.
Objectives: 1) develop a standardized riparian bird monitoring protocol for Montana, 2) collect baseline information on bird populations in riparian habitats across the state, 3) conduct long-term bird monitoring to estimate population trends, and 3) determine factors influencing riparian bird distributions, including habitat associations.
Funders: MT Fish WIldlife and Parks, State Wildlife Grants
Project Duration: 2004 - ongoing (surveys in 2006 occured only along a portion of the Big Hole River).
Products: Our 2005 Final Report is now available.
Contact: Anna Noson
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