Arizona Bald Eagle Nestwatch Program. The Arizona Bald Eagle Nestwatch Program (ABENWP) in Arizona began as a weekend volunteer effort by the U. S. Forest Service and Maricopa Audubon Society in 1. The program was developed to monitor breeding bald eagles in areas with high recreational pressure. As biologists discovered more nests and identified potential threats to the population, the program expanded into a multiagency effort contracting approximately 2. The nestwatchers collect behavioral data, contact and educate the public within the immediate breeding area, and identify potential threats to the success of the breeding cycle. Beginning in February, nestwatchers are stationed at 1. The on- site protection and education provided by nestwatchers has contributed to a high percentage of the bald eagle's success. Since 1. 98. 3, the ABENWP has helped save more than one year in productivity, representing 6. Arizona during that time. The ABENWP also indirectly increases breeding area productivity through public contacts, education, and proactive protection. Nestwatchers prevent many potential impacts to the breeding cycle by contacting the recreating public before they enter the breeding area and inadvertently disturb the breeding adults. Clearly, this aspect of the program is most important because of its dual function: 1) protecting the breeding cycle, 2) educating the public about Arizona's bald eagles. The Arizona Bald Eagle Nestwatch Program is now soliciting contracts for the 2. How big is an eagle's nest? Learn the answers to common questions about bald and golden eagle nesting. The Arizona Bald Eagle Nestwatch Program (ABENWP) in Arizona began as a weekend volunteer effort by the U.S. Forest Service and Maricopa Audubon Society in 1978. Statewide Captive Breeding Program Started : Bald Eagle Population Slowly Soaring. Occupied bald eagle breeding areas now exist on the. The Arizona Bald Eagle Nestwatch Program began as a weekend volunteer effort by the U.S. Montana Field Guide contains a. Comment The FWP Bald Eagle database documented 550 breeding territories in 2010. Montana Natural Heritage Program. Arizona Bald Eagle Management Program. Fish and Wildlife Service to remove the bald eagle from the. This is your opportunity to be a part of this nationally recognized conservation effort. Application information can be downloaded from http: //procure. Applications are due by December 2, 2. FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS 1. One breeding area in the White Mountains (9,0. What are the goals of the Arizona Bald Eagle Nest Watch Program (ABENWP)? There are three goals to the ABENWP: data collection, education, and conservation. Data collection. Data collection is the most time consuming of the three goals. Education. Seasonal breeding area closures restricting all foot entry exist around many of the monitored breeding areas. There are a few breeding areas where closures do not exist, but the presence of nestwatchers should be sufficient to protect the area from potentially deleterious human activities. While the closures are posted, the recreating public often find their way into a closed area. Thus, nestwatchers are needed to provide guidance and education to the public on how they can help the bald eagles. There are always people who say they want to monitor breeding areas where recreational pressures are low. However, the ABENWP exists because of the human activity that may affect the breeding attempt. Without that threat, there would be no program. On the other hand, there are different levels of human activity at the breeding areas we monitor. Those with an educational background may want to choose to monitor a breeding area with higher recreational pressure. Conservation. While the word conservation describes why the ABENWP exists, in this context, it means helping save bald eagles in life- threatening situations. When the ABENWP began in 1. ABENWP could have by saving bald eagles. Since 1. 98. 3, more than one year worth of productivity has been saved from intervening in life- threatening situations. The typical situations encountered are nestlings falling from the nest, entanglement in fishing line, or nests threatened with inundation. Why Be a Nestwatcher? Most often, people who want to be a nestwatcher have recently left college and are looking for experience in the field of wildlife biology. The ABENWP helps you practice some of the more obvious, but important skills of a field biologist. Nestwatchers will camp for extended periods in the field, 1. As a field biologist, being comfortable in this environment is important. Living conditions cannot get in the way of performing the work. Nestwatchers will practice observation skills. None of the bald eagles are telemetered, so all data must be collected through direct observation. Being attentive, as well as anticipating and interpreting the bald eagle behaviors, are important aspects of being a field biologist. Nestwatchers will have the opportunity to collect, interpret, and report on data that has been collected. Bit by bit, it may be a tad boring, but after collecting and organizing all of the data meticulously, a comprehensive report is the final product. Bald eagle management is a multiagency, cooperative effort. While the Arizona Game and Fish Department and the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service share the lead for bald eagle management activities, many different agencies and Native American Tribes are also involved because of their activities within bald eagle habitat. There are few opportunities where a person can actually watch a family of animals throughout their breeding season and positively affect their outcome. Nestwatchers are the center of Arizona Game and Fish Department's on- the- ground management efforts at the breeding area. Not only do they collect information to help the managing agencies learn about particular habits of the pairs and how to better manage them, but they also influence people's opinions about bald eagles. Nestwatchers often have the sense of reward and accomplishment at the end of the season. The ABENWP is a management- based program. All information collected and activities performed are geared toward learning about and protecting the eagles, and increasing their survivability. Most wildlife managers agree that without the ABENWP, there would not be the abundance and distribution of bald eagles that currently exists in Arizona. What Do I Do On Days Off? The Arizona Game and Fish Department does not provide any housing. The silver lining is that there is an opportunity to explore Arizona. Nestwatchers most often go traveling on their days off. Many have family or friends in the state that they drop in on and bring their nestwatch partners along. The early part of the season is the best time to be in the desert. There are some of the best birding locations in the country in southern Arizona. As it warms up a bit, it’s time to explore the pine forest, mountain streams, Grand Canyon, etc. Everyone will tell you: Once the season is done, they still haven't seen everything or been everywhere. How Are BREEDING AREAS Chosen? The program will begin with all nestwatchers monitoring about 1. The ins and outs of each breeding area will be discussed. Some people will be limited by the type of vehicle they have because a four- wheel drive is required. After discussing the breeding areas at orientation, nestwatch teams will choose the breeding area that they wish to monitor. If more than one team desires to monitor the same area, then straws will be drawn. There may be a breeding area where two pairs of nestwatchers monitor and have staggered schedules so there is a constant nestwatcher presence. All breeding areas have advantages and disadvantages to them. Nestwatchers will stay at the same breeding area throughout the season. However, if a breeding area fails, then, based upon which breeding areas are active, what types of vehicles people have, and what management needs are, teams will be moved to another location. Sometimes people are disappointed in moving because they get comfortable at a breeding area; this is the half- empty attitude. Believe it or not, not all bald eagles behave the same! How Often Do I Get Paid? Nestwatchers get paid after every two 1. That means about once a month. Checks will be available during the four- day off period and may be picked up at the Arizona Game and Fish Department office in Phoenix. Be prepared. 7. What Is The Work Schedule? Nestwatchers perform their contractual duties on a 1. All days are spent camping in the field.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. Archives
January 2017
Categories |