Cook Arboretum Bird Populations Monitoring Project
Large-Group Sampling: Background and Identification Tips
Tom Klubertanz and Quentin Yoerger

Introduction

    This long-term monitoring project, beginning in 2006, will greatly improve our understanding of the size of important forest bird populations in the Cook Arboretum.  It will provide useable scientific data that will be provided to the County, the Janesville Public School District, and relevant conservation groups, hopefully resulting in effective management of the site and its surrounding areas.  It also will establish baseline data that will allow detection of gradual and/or rapid ecological changes in the park.  No other such data set currently exists.  Colleague and community participation in the project is greatly desired not only to collect data, but also to increase the awareness of the species diversity in the park.

Site Background

    The Cook Arboretum is part of a forest system that runs from the Rock River northwest of Janesville and dissipates as it extends westward.  This system is one of the larger contiguous forest habitats in Rock County.  As such, it supports several breeding populations of birds that are sensitive to forest area and forest fragmentation.  Unfortunately, the Arboretum itself is the only protected portion of the forest, is small, and is surrounded by land with high market value as residential development. 

    Over 125 species of birds are known from the Cook Arboretum. The breeding birds of the arboretum include three species listed as Threatened in Wisconsin (Cerulean Warbler, Acadian Flycatcher, and Hooded Warbler) and one species, the Yellow-billed Cuckoo, listed as Special Concern in the state.  Species known only as migrants or as rare visitors to the park include one Threatened species (Kentucky Warbler) and four of Special Concern (Swainson's Thrush, Cape May Warbler, Tennessee Warbler, and White-eyed Vireo (Source:  DNR Working List).  This assemblage of species documents the importance of the Cook Arboretum and surrounding area to Rock County's forest species.  Unfortunately, although the diversity of birds utilizing the arboretum is well-known, the population densities of forest-obligate species in the park are not known.

Target Species

    The three species targeted by this study are the Hooded Warbler, Cerulean Warbler and Acadian Flycatcher, all of which are threatened in Wisconsin.  Each of these three is easily is identified by sight and/or song.  The table below gives links to sources of information about the identification and biology of these species.

Methodology

    Sampling will consist of small teams spread throughout the Arboretum and locating individuals of the three target species.  Observation teams will communicate with each other via radio to ensure that birds are not counted twice. The location of each individual observed will carefully be recorded.  Each team will consist of at least one experienced birder familiar with the target species.  All observers will be expected to have reviewed the identification tips, provided in the above section, prior to sampling.

Want to Participate?

    Community participation is desired for this project.  Simply put, we need your help.  The sampling dates for Summer 2006 are 10 June and 8 July.  Sampling will be conducted from 6 AM - 9 AM.  If you are interested please contact:

Tom Klubertanz
Associate Professor of Biology
UW Rock County
Email: tom.h.klubertanz@uwc.edu
Phone: 608-758-6553

Last updated 6 June 2006