North Platte River Sandhill Crane and Waterfowl Surveys 2014-2016

Creation

2017-04-21 17:21:41

Last Update

2017-08-31 19:26:57

Start Date

2014-02-18

End Date

2016-04-12

Publication Date

2017-04-21

Start Date

2014-01-01 06:00:00

End Date

2016-12-31 06:00:00

John Denton(Principal Investigator), Rob Spangler(Originator), Heather Johnson(Cooperator/Partner), 2017-04-21(creation), 2017-08-31(lastUpdate), 2014-02-18(Start), 2016-04-12(End), 2017-04-21(Publication), North Platte River Sandhill Crane and Waterfowl Surveys 2014-2016, https://www.sciencebase.gov/catalog/item/58fa3fa5e4b0b7ea545248fc

Type: webLink

Great Plains Landscape Conservation Cooperative(Distributor)

Waterfowl: Waterfowl surveys were conducted approximately once per week starting 18 February and ending 13 March from 2014-2016 (3 Springs). Surveys departed from North Platte 30 minutes before sunrise and begin directly south of the North Platte Airport (KLBF) and were completed by 13:00 local time. The route of flight will be northwest along the North Platte River to the Nebraska/Wyoming border. From that point, the route was directed to the Nebraska/Colorado border (ferry) to begin the South Platte River survey which will then follow the river to the northeast back to the confluence of the North and South Platte Rivers. The pilot reversed direction of the route on a weekly basis if it is safe in order to limit data bias associated with time of day. Cranes: Crane surveys were conducted approximately once per week starting 10 March and ending 30 April. The survey consisted of two routes – one from the city of North Platte up the North Platte River as far as Lake McConaughy (hereinafter referred to as Day 1) and the second starting from the upper extent of Lake McConaughy working upstream on the North Platte River to Oshkosh (hereinafter referred to as Day 2). For the Day 1 survey, the pilot and observer departed from the North Platte airport 30 minutes before sunrise and completed the survey in one hour or less. For the Day 2 survey, the pilot and observer departed the North Platte airport one hour before sunrise to allow for the 30 minute ferry flight to the upper end of McConaughy Lake. For both the waterfowl and crane surveys, the pilot flew the river at 300 to 400’ AGL at an airspeed of 110 to 120 knots, which gave approximately 400 yards of coverage on either side of the aircraft for a total coverage in one path of 800 yds. When this altitude does not allow full visual coverage of the valley bottom, the pilot would circle back to ensure 100% of habitat within the valley river bottoms of North and South Platte Rivers. In some areas, there were additional off channel wetland habitats that were surveyed. When that occurred, the surveyors broke off the river, counted the habitat ensuring full coverage, and then returned where they left the river to resume the survey. The Platte River floodplains varied by time of year and river flow or ice conditions. The pilot adapted to conditions present and ensured 100% coverage of habitat by doubling back and flying these wider areas. As the pilot flew the river, both pilot and observer counted waterfowl outside their respective sides of the aircraft. The following data were recorded: species, number of that species, location within the river, and habitat type.

ScienceBase WMS

• Great Plains Landscape Conservation Cooperative
• LC MAP - Landscape Conservation Management and Analysis Portal