Alaska Gas Pipeline Bird Surveys 2011 YT

Project name: WildTrax

Dataset summary : Purpose of the Study: The goal of this project was to test the ability of forest bird habitat associations identified in the Teslin Conservation Subregion (CSR) of Bird Conservation Region #4 (BCR4) to predict bird presence/absence and habitat associations in other areas of the southern half of BCR4. The first year of field work (2011) focused on the Alaska Gas Pipeline easement due to increased activity in 2010-2011 by the Alaska Gas Pipeline Project. [Project lasted a single year] Individual Owner: Canadian Wildlife Service, Environment and Climate Change Canada - Project Lead: Katie Aitken Article Citation: Leung, M., H. Cooke, and J. Meikle. 2013. Habitat-Associations of Breeding Birds in The Alaska Gas Pipeline Easement Area of Southwestern Yukon. Unpublished report, Canadian Wildlife Service, Whitehorse Yukon. Study Area: Sites were selected within four main areas in the Southern Lakes ecoregion: 1) Takhini/Mendenhall/Dezadeash River Valleys, along the Alaska Highway between the North Klondike Highway and a few kilometres west of the Champagne Access Road, 2) Fish Lake Road, 3) near the Mary Lake subdivision south of Whitehorse, and 4) along the Alaska Highway between Jake's Corner and Johnson's Crossing. Nine sites were surveyed, with two transects each and 10-12 point count stations per transect, for a total of 185 point count stations. Period of Study: 6-17 June 2011, 04:20 - 08:49 General Methodology: Point counts were ten minutes long, divided into two 5-minute periods. During each count, all birds detected by sight or sound within 75 m of the observer were recorded and positioned on a point count data sheet. Species was recorded using a four-letter species code (see Appendix C). Behaviour, age and sex were recorded, when possible. Behaviours were noted on the data sheets using field codes. Observations of red squirrels were recorded in the same manner as for birds, using the code "RESQ". Birds that did not exhibit direct association with the surveyed habitat (i.e. birds flying above the canopy) and birds not effectively surveyed using point counts (grouse, ducks, raptors, shorebirds and swallows) were recorded on counts, but excluded from further analysis. Observers: KA=Katie Aitken, WN=Wendy Nixon Information recorded which isn't in WildTrax: For every point count: Temperature, wind; cloud cover For every detection: Quadrant, behaviour/detection type Bounding coordinates of the study area: 60.3 to 60.9 N; 133.5 to 136.6 W decimal degrees. For further information email: Donnees-SIG_SCF_NOR-Data-GIS_CWS_NOR@ec.gc.ca "This data was standardized for the Boreal Avian Modelling (BAM) Project and then transferred to WildTrax. Data was initially standardized for the BAM Version 4 SQL database. This was converted to BAM Version 6 Microsoft Access database in 2020 by updating the table structure. Finally, this data was moved to the WildTrax PostgreSQL database between 2021 to 2022 where it is accessible through the secure WildTrax website. As of 31 March 2022, data uploaded by BAM does not include some metadata. This metadata will become available in the near future following the necessary WildTrax updates. Please contact bamp@ualberta.ca if you require this metadata."

Protocol type : Point Count