nest monitoring

Knowledge graph centered on nest monitoring with 66 nodes and 146 connections. Top connected: Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory, Gothic, Barbey's Larkspur, Larkspurs, Engelmann Spruce.

Method synopsis

Standard protocol for locating Mountain White-crowned Sparrow nests using behavioral cues and rope-dragging, followed by regular monitoring every 2-5 days throughout the breeding cycle.

Synthesized from method descriptions across 2 papers using this protocol.

Procedure from a recent peer-reviewed implementation

Steps below were extracted from the most recent peer-reviewed implementation of this protocol in the corpus — The depredation of Mountain White-crowned Sparrow (<i>Zonotrichia leucophyrys oriantha</i>) nests by the golden-mantled ground squirrel (<i>Callospermophilus lateralis</i>) and long-tailed weasel (<i>Mustela frenata</i>) (2019), The Wilson J. of Ornithology. Implementations in other papers (listed below) may differ.

1. Nest location using behavioral cues
   Researchers searched for nests by observing adult birds exhibiting specific behaviors: territorial chipping vocalizations, returning females flying low into vegetation and making seeping vocalizations
   Quantities: Multiple nests located during each field seasonDuration: Conducted throughout breeding season May through late JulyConditions: During summer breeding season in montane meadow habitat
   Equipment: behavioral observation
2. Alternative nest location using rope-dragging
   Systematic rope-dragging method conducted in willow thickets using aluminum cans attached to rope held by 2 researchers, creating clattering noise that caused tender female MWCS to flush from nests, followed by searching the flush area
   Quantities: 2 researchers per rope-dragging effortDuration: Used as alternative when behavioral cues insufficientConditions: In dense willow thicket habitat
   Equipment: aluminum cans, rope
3. Initial nest marking and location recording
   GPS coordinates recorded for each located nest, flagging tape placed below vegetative canopy approximately 5 m to the north and south of nest location for future reference

Typical Equipment

• aluminum cans
• rope
• hand-held GPS unit
• flagging tape
• voucher images for aging

Output Measurements

• nest locations
• nest status
• nestling age
• egg age

Papers Using This Protocol (2)

Species Studied With This Protocol

Places Where Used