Project Startup and Objectives

Our initial objectives were to 1) identify and document upland bird species by audio and visual sightings and mist-netting, 2) generate a bird checklist of upland bird species for Mitchell Lake Wetlands (MLW), and 3) establish a Monitoring Avian Productivity and Survivorship (MAPS) program. Our work began in October of 1994 and continues on a weekly basis. Implementing objective three depends on finding enough dependable volunteers and the re-establishment of water flow from Bird Pond to Skip’s Pond to the lake.

Standardized Sampling and Methods

Mist Net and Banding Protocol

We began netting in October of 1994 by selecting random areas in diverse habitat types to determine where the bird activity would be highest. In March of 1995, we established our standardized net sites. They include seven separate locations (refer to map), each with two net lanes. Two sites are set in woodlands, two in savannas, two in grasslands and one in “weedy annuals.” We are operating two to three sites per visit. Each net is open for a period of four hours, beginning one half hour before sunrise. Each site is run two times during the three months of spring (March, April, May), the three months of summer (June, July, August), the three months of fall (September, October, November) and the three months of winter (December, January, February.) All nets are 2.6 meters by 12 meters and have 30mm mesh. Habitat and net lane descriptions have been given for each location.

Count Points

Two lines of count points and two peripheral points were established in the fall of 1995. The lines run 70 degrees ENE along the uplands (see map.) Each line consists of five points, 300 meters apart. The additional two points are situated near the net sites in Warbler Woods and Retama Shores. Ten minutes are required at each point where the counter records the individual birds at an estimated distance. The counts are conducted four times each year, one time per season, between sunrise and 11:00 a.m. to survey spring and fall migrants, breeding birds and summer and winter residents.

Annual Results/December 2000 – November 2001

Mist Net and Banding Results

No banding was done in the standardized (off-road) sites due to vegetation-clogged net lanes.

Point Counts

Counts have been conducted for the winter, spring, summer and fall months of 2000-2001. A total of 98 species and 4508 individuals were recorded. A summary of the data is included in this report (Table 3.) Thanks to the counters with such good ears coordinated by Mike Scully!

Random Banding and Observations

We continue to operate mist nets randomly in areas of high bird activity. In these locations, we have banded a total of 912 birds representing 58 species (Table 1.) 122 birds were recaptured. The oldest recapture was a Myrtle Warbler recaptured on 4 February 2001. It was originally banded on 25 March 1995. The total number of birds banded since the beginning of the project is 3261 individuals representing 94 species (Table 2.) We made 47 visits to MLW.

2001 Activities

1. As a result of rain this year, most standardized net lanes are clogged with vegetation.

2. Mowing was done in October on some of the standardized sites but many lanes still need to be cleared.

2002 Activity Plans

1. Have some “clearing parties” and get the standardized net lanes cleared.

2. We are available to provide banding demonstrations and educate interested groups as part of the San Antonio Audubon Society’s Education Committee efforts.

3. One end of each net lane has a ½ inch pipe set in concrete at ground level. We plan to extend the length of each net lane about one meter and concrete in the other end of each net lane. This will speed set-up time for the nets.

4. Make preparations to apply for MAPS status depending on the fulfillment of objective 3 as stated in Project Startup and Objectives.