This file provides data pertaining to occurrence (i.e., presence) of all bird species encountered during rapid surveys on both rapid and intensive plots. Each record pertains to a unique species observed on a given plot. Therefore, survey plots may have more than one record when more than one species was observed on a given plot. Each species is listed only once per plot and includes species seen or heard both inside and outside (usually within 200 to 300 meters) plot boundaries (including species counted during PRISM surveys - see ‘YKD PRISM rapid survey data’).
A portion of these data are available on ServCat (https://ecos.fws.gov/ServCat/Reference/Profile/57583).
Much of these data have been published in Lyons, J.E., S.C. Brown, S.T. Saalfeld, J.A. Johnson, B.A. Andres, K.M. Sowl, R.E. Gill, Jr., B.J. McCaffery, L.R. Kidd, M. McGarvey, B. Winn, H.R. Gates, D.A. Granfors, and R.B. Lanctot. In press. Global importance of the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta, Alaska, to breeding shorebirds. Ornithological Applications.
These data do not represent all locations within the Yukon Delta National Wildlife Refuge where specific avian species may be present, as surveys only occurred in discrete survey plots. Additionally, individual birds may have went undetected within survey plots, as detectability was likely less than 100%, and is a function of many variables, including differences in species, habitat, time-of-year, weather conditions, survey effort, and individual surveyor. The data providers have invested considerable effort in QA/QC, but it is possible that undetected errors remain. It is strongly recommended that careful attention be paid to the contents of the metadata file associated with these data to evaluate data set limitations, restrictions or intended use. The originators of this dataset shall not be held liable for improper or incorrect use of the data described and/or contained herein.
Potential users of these data should first contact the data authors listed below, as potential biases may occur within the data depending on the intended use. Therefore, potential users should contact the data authors to discuss intended use and how these data may or may not be applicable.
see 1) Saalfeld, S. T., H. R. Gates, S. C. Brown, K. M. Sowl, B. A. Andres, J. A. Johnson, J. E. Lyons, B. J. McCaffery, and R. B. Lanctot. 2022. Survey Protocol for the Arctic Program for Regional and International Shorebird Monitoring (PRISM). Version 1.0. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Division of Migratory Bird Management, Anchorage, AK, 2) Saalfeld, S. T., H. R. Gates, S. C. Brown, K. M. Sowl, B. A. Andres, J. A. Johnson, J. E. Lyons, B. J. McCaffery, and R. B. Lanctot. 2022. Program for Regional and International Shorebird Monitoring (PRISM) – Yukon Delta National Wildlife Refuge Surveys (2015–2016), Version 1.0. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Division of Migratory Bird Management, Anchorage, AK, and 3) annual field protocols for specific methodologies.
