I thought this might be of interest to some on the SBB list.
Dotty Calabrese
Alcatraz Bird Census starting up...
Posted by: "Dan Daniel" [[email protected]] ddandan12
Date: Thu Sep 21, 2006 2:13 pm (PDT)
For more than a decade there has been a census of the
bird population of Alcatraz during the winter months.
Basic trends of species, numbers, and habitats are
used by the Park Service for restoration, development,
and remediation issues.
Now that the nesting season is over, this year's
census is about to start. There is an orientation
meeting this Saturday morning, September 23, which
involves coming out to the island on the staff boat at
8:30 and doing a walk-around.
The census is done by walking around the island with
another census taker and counting the bird population
in specific sections, recording species, numbers, and
habitats. Familiarity with local birds is needed, but
expertise is not expected. Parts of the census require
access to parts of the island that are closed to the
public, so on even the slowest bird day you will be
seeing Alcatraz and the Bay in ways that are unique
(although most areas are paved, there is some minor
hiking involved through some shoreline areas).
There are 12 sections that take 10 minutes each. With
travel time (free ferry ride from Pier 41 and back),
the total time is about 3+ hours.
If you have nay interest and want more information,
call the island's biologist, Chris Hellwig, at
415-561-4908!
Some questions could be asked here as I know that
there are a couple of other people who are regulars
here who take part in the census...
Dan Daniel
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