Plum Island Ecosystem LTER Database
http://ecosystems.mbl.edu/PIE
Acceptance and utilization of PIE-LTER data requires that:

The Principal Investigator be sent a notice stating reasons for acquiring any data
and a description of the publication intentions.

The Principal Investigator of the data set be sent a copy of the report or
manuscript prior to submission and be adequately cited in any resultant
publications.

A copy of any resultant publications should be sent to:
(Principal Investigator)
Ecosystems Center;
Marine Biological Laboratory
Woods Hole, MA 02543
PLUM ISLAND ECOSYSTEM LTER DATABASE
DATA FILE: MON-EX-PRNWR Salt Marsh Birds.xls
MON-EX-PRNWR Salt Marsh Birds.txt
DOCUMENTATION FILE:
MON-EX-PRNWR Salt Marsh Birds.doc
YEAR: 1999-2001
PI: Nancy Pau
OTHERS: Deborah Melvin, Robert Buchsbaum
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DATA FILE: This file contains census data on salt marsh
birds using 100 m radius counting circles for the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge
KEYWORDS: salt marsh birds, Parker River National Wildlife Refuge
SITE TYPE: Higher Trophic Levels
RESEARCH LOCATION: Counting circles located on salt marsh habitats adjacent to
Plum Island Sound and within the boundaries of the Parker River National Wildlife
Refuge.
EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN AND METHODS: Standard breeding bird censuses with
100 m radius counting circles. Observing periods divided into 0-3 min, 3-5 min, and 510 minutes for comparison with other censuses. For 3-5 min period, only additional birds
not recorded in the 0-3 period are recorded. For 5-10 min period, only additional birds
not recorded in the 0-5 min period are recorded. Birds recorded either visually or by
sound. Counting circle boundaries set a minimum of 200 m from each other. Observer
distinguished between birds within 50 m of the center point, birds from 50-100 m, and
those beyond 100 m. Counts carried out from late May through August over a three-year
period. Placement of circles within vegetated salt marsh habitat.
NOTES AND COMMENTS:
Temperature inconsistently recorded
VARIABLE DESCRIPTION:
Census Unit – Code name of individual counting circles
xUTM – the X coordinate location of the center of the census unit in UTM
yUTM – the Y coordinate location of the center of the census unit in UTM
Date – The date of the survey (DD-MMM-YYYY)
Time – Time in EST
Observer – Name of person making observations
Temp – Temperature at beginning of survey (oF). A blank space indicates that no reading
was taken
% Cloud – Estimation of the percent of cloud cover
Scientific Name – an abbreviation of the scientific name of the bird species. First two
letters of genus in upper case, first five letters of species name in lower case
Common Name – full common name of the bird species
0-3 <50m – Number of individuals of that species seen within the 50 m counting circle
during the first 3 minutes of entering the circle
3-5 <50m – Additional individuals observed or heard from 3-5 minutes within the 50 m
radius counting circle. These were individuals not seen or heard in the first 0-3 minutes.
5-10<50m - Additional individuals observed or heard from 5-10 minutes within the 50 m
radius counting circle. These were individuals not seen or heard in the first 0-5 minutes.
0-3 50-100m - Number of individuals of that species seen or heard between 50 and 100 m
within counting circle during the first 3 minutes of entering the circle.
3-5 50-100m – Additional individuals observed or heard from 3-5 minutes from 50- 100
m radius within counting circle. These were individuals not seen or heard in the first 0-3
minutes.
5-10 50-100m - Additional individuals observed or heard from 5-10 minutes from 50100 m radius within counting circle. These were individuals not seen or heard in the first
0-5 minutes.
0-3 >100m – Number of individuals of that species seen outside the 50 m counting circle
within the first 3 minutes of entering the circle
3-5 >100m – Additional individuals observed or heard from 3-5 minutes outside the 100
m radius counting circle. These were individuals not seen or heard in the first 0-3
minutes.
5-10 >100m - Additional individuals observed or heard from 5-10 minutes outside the
100 m radius counting circle. These were individuals not seen or heard in the first 0-5
minutes.
CALCULATIONS:
FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT: Nancy Pau, Parker River National Wildlife
Refuge or Robert Buchsbaum
OTHER DATA FILES TO REFERENCE: MON-EX-PRNWR Breeding Birds.xls;
MON-EX-PRNWR Volunteer Birds.xls
REFERENCE CITATIONS:
DATA AVAILABILITY STATUS: Type 2
ARCHIVE INFORMATION:
Date of entry: January 14, 2004
Data entered by: Robert Buchsbaum
Comments: