VOLUNTEERS NEEDED! Survey Golden-winged Warblers for Conservation! The Golden-winged Warbler is a bird that has drawn much attention. It is currently experiencing range-wide declines, but details of its population status currently are poorly known in Minnesota. The Cornell Lab of Ornithology has initiated a citizen-science project called the Golden-winged Warbler Atlas Project which engages volunteer birders and professional biologists to survey and conduct point counts at known and potential breeding sites of Golden-wings throughout their range. The project is designed to determine the population status and habitat & area requirements of Golden-winged Warbler, Blue-winged Warbler, and their hybrids. Minnesota is probably the single most important state in the U.S. for Golden-wings, yet the atlas is very under-represented here. Thus, for the final season of the atlas project, we are especially interested in obtaining valuable data throughout the birds' breeding range in Minnesota.
This year, we are focusing efforts on better understanding Golden-wing relationships and extent of hybridization with Blue-wings. In order to meet these objectives, we are using a Hybrid Index Protocol to generate a hybrid index map. Participants will choose one or more pages from the Minnesota Delorme Atlas (gazetteer) and conduct a series of 10-minute point counts in suitable Golden-wing habitat using a standardized pre-recorded song playback tape. Project participants will receive a research kit, which includes instructions, data forms, a color poster of Golden-wings, Blue-wings, and their hybrids, and a CD that will be used in the field for playback and point counts. You do not have to be a veteran birder to do this survey; all you need to be able to do is to recognize Golden-wings and Blue-wings by song and sight. For more information and to volunteer, please contact the Minnesota state coordinator: Leakhena Au [email protected] (763) 389-3323 x.220 You can also contact the overall project leader at Cornell, Sara Barker, at [email protected], (607) 254-2465. Visit the Project website at http://birds.cornell.edu/gowap. Please let Leakhena know how you would like to be involved in this important conservation endeavor. Thanks!
