CLNP Avian Survey Report 003

8/16/2019 CLNP Avian Survey Report 003

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Prepared by Laura Gooch 6 August 2015

Background

In 2000, the National Audubon Society designated Cleveland Lakefront Nature Preserve(CLNP), also known as Dike 14, as an Important Bird Area because the area provides essential

habitat for migratory, breeding, and wintering birds. CLNP is an 88-acre peninsula on the south

shore of Lake Erie that was originally formed by the Corps of Engineers’ disposal of dredge

spoils between 1976 and 1999. The area is located at the intersection of four migratory bird

routes: Lake Erie, the Lake Erie shoreline, the Cuyahoga River Valley, and the Doan Brook

Valley. Over time, its diverse habitats have sustained 280 species of birds, 41 species of

butterflies, and many mammals.

In 2012 the Cleveland-Cuyahoga County Port Authority (lease holder and manager for the

property) changed the area’s name from Dike 14 to Cleveland Lakefront Nature Preserve and

opened CLNP to the public. In 2014, Western Cuyahoga Audubon Society, Kirtland Bird Club,

and the Audubon Society of Greater Cleveland adopted CLNP as a site for on-going monitoring

of bird activity and initiated this Avian Survey Project. The project received funding through a

grant from the Grange Insurance Audubon Center’s IBA Small Grants Program.

This progress report describes work on the project between April 1 and July 31, 2015.

Summary of Work to Date

The Avian Survey Project has progressed according to the timeline proposed in the grant

application to the IBA Small Grants Program. Survey frequency has been very good during the

spring and summer, with 2 or more surveys in every week but one (one survey that week) and 3

or even 4 surveys in most weeks. A total of 45 surveys were performed between April 1 and July

31, of which 38 were complete surveys. Three of the 7 incomplete surveys were cut short due to

weather, and 5 of the seven surveyed more than half the points. There are now three surveyors

who perform weekly surveys most weeks, and about 8 others who fill in when the regular

surveyors are unavailable.


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Twenty-one volunteers participated in at least one survey during this reporting period, of whom

13 have participated in more than one survey during the project to date.

All data (except for one day, for which data are pending) have been initially entered by the

volunteer surveyors, compiled in a central database, and uploaded into Cornell Lab of

Ornithology’s ebird database. Data summaries have also been posted on in a Google docs

worksheet (see https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1vc-

chWRU_Ld5lrMxKzQm7ZvdmjnE_HnSKRYZiAQdNn4/edit?usp=sharing).

Summary of Data

Detailed summaries of the species observed during the Avian Survey Project from 1 April 2015

through 31 July 2015 are attached. Surveys have documented 169 species of birds at the site

since the survey’s inception. In addition to the attached detailed tables, the two tables below

summarize the most frequently observed species for two time periods: 1) all surveys to date, and2) 1 April – 31 July 2015.

Results of All Surveys to Date (Table 1)

Table 1 summarizes the most commonly observed species during all surveys to date. The table

presents frequency of observance in three ways: 1) the percentage of points at which a species

was counted (left column); 2) the percentage of overall surveys during which the species was

counted at one or more points (middle column); and 3) the average number of individuals

counted per survey (right column). It should be noted that the data are preliminary and have not

been adjusted for species detectability or other factors, so that vocal or visually obvious species

may be over represented.

Over the full 13 months of observations, Red-winged Blackbirds have been reported at the most

points, followed by Songs Sparrows, American Robins, Yellow Warblers, and American

Goldfinches (see Table 1, left column). The list of most commonly reported species changes

somewhat when the number of surveys during which the species was reported is considered,

rather than the number of points at which it was observed (see Table 1, middle column1). By this

measure, Northern Cardinal is the most commonly observed, followed by American Goldfinch,

American Robin, Song Sparrow, and Downy Woodpecker. These are all non-migratory (or

partially migratory) species that may be regularly present but in smaller numbers.

The average number of individuals of each species recorded per survey provides an assessmentof the species that are most numerous (see Table 1, right column). By this measure, Red-winged

Blackbirds are most common, followed by American Robins, Chimney Swifts (feeding over the

area), Yellow Warblers, and Song Sparrows.

1 Percent of Surveys Reported is based on checklist data. Percent of Points Reported and Individuals

Counted/Survey are based on point count data.


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Results Spring through Midsummer 2015: 1 April-31 July (Table 2)

Results from the spring through midsummer of 2015 give a good reflection of species breeding

at CLNP. As can been seen from Table 2, migratory species are strongly represented in the

spring and summer data. Red-winged Blackbird, Song Sparrow, Yellow Warbler, American

Robin, Willow Flycatcher, and Warbling Vireo top the list of species observed at the most

points. American Robin, Red-winged Blackbird, and Song Sparrow were all observed at some

point during every survey. Northern Cardinal, American Goldfinch, Eastern Towhee and

Northern Flicker were also observed at some point during many of the surveys. These species are

present in relatively small numbers, but are regularly observed. The most numerous species

observed are similar for all surveys and the spring/summer data.

Species of Particular Interest

With the exception of Red-headed Woodpecker, all of the five species of special interest have

been observed at CLNP. Singing Wood Thrush were observed consistently in the interior of the

site (primarily Points 5 and 14) between late May and mid July and there appears to have been

one or two pairs breeding there. Chimney Swifts fed over the area in significant numbers,

beginning in early May. The area does not include suitable swift breeding habitat, but may

nonetheless be serving as an important feeding area. Magnolia Warbler has been an occasional

visitor during spring and fall migration, as has Yellow-bellied Sapsucker.

54% 95% 73

47% 88% 22

45% 86% 18

37% 86% 16

25% 84% 16

24% 76% 14

24% 68% 10

20% 63% 8

19% 62% 6

19% 60% 6

17% 57% 5

13% 56% 5

13% 56% 4

13% 54% 3

13% 53% 3

.

.


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Other Notable Species and Observations

Surveyors have been pleased to note the number and variety of species that are either confirmed

or probable breeders at CLNP. In addition to the numerous breeding birds mentioned above, the

following species were among those noted with some regularity during the breeding season

(taxonomic order): Wild Turkey (hen and 7 poults), Yellow-billed Cuckoo (52% of surveys mid

June-31 July), Black-billed Cuckoo (40% of surveys early June-31 July), Great Crested

Flycatcher, Eastern Kingbird (observed with nesting material), Warbling Vireo, Red-eyed Vireo,

Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Brown Thrasher, Northern Mockingbird, Wood Thrush, Common

Yellowthroat, American Redstart, Eastern Towhee, Indigo Bunting, Orchard Oriole, and

Baltimore Oriole. This is not a complete list of birds breeding at CLNP.

Eastern Meadowlark were present in moderate numbers during migration, as were a variety of

sparrow species. The lack of breeding sparrows other than Song Sparrow has perhaps been theonly disappointment of the surveys to date.

Future Activities

Surveys will continue at the rate of at least one per week, and regular reporting will continue.

Feedback will be provided to regular surveyors, comparing species and numbers reported by

different surveyors. This information will be presented in a way that allows each individual to

94% 100% 114

74% 100% 34

70% 100% 32

69% 98% 24

36% 93% 21

31% 93% 13

30% 91% 13

29% 84% 11

29% 84% 9

27% 82% 9

23% 80% 7

21% 78% 7

20% 76% 7

20% 73% 7

18% 73% 6

.

.


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evaluate his or her own observations without knowing which observations were made by any

other individual. Although no detailed analysis of differences among observers has yet been

made, a preliminary review indicates that there is very good agreement among surveyors.

The Cleveland-Cuyahoga County Port Authority is in the process of renewing the submerged

land lease for the site, which will expire in 2016. The proposed 50-year lease renewal will

designate CLNP as a nature preserve. In addition, the Port Authority has commissioned a land

restoration plan for CLNP, focusing primarily on the control of invasive species. The proposed

plan envisions phased treatment of invasive species at CLNP over a number of years (5-10

years), with some accompanying seeding and planting of native species. Treatments will be

timed in late summer (August) in an effort to minimize the impact on breeding birds and fall

migrants and will involve only one section of CLNP per treatment. The Port Authority has

contracted for a first treatment in August 2015.

Avian Survey Project Timeline

A detailed timeline of Avian Survey Project activities to date is as follows:

• March 2014 – Partner organizations began to recruit volunteers interested in conducting

surveys.

• May 2014 – Kirtland Bird Club member Laura Gooch agreed to coordinate the surveys.

• 31 May 2014 – Black Swamp Bird Observatory research director Mark Shieldcastle

conducted an orientation and training session for interested volunteers (25 participants).

•

July 2014 – A document outlining monitoring protocols, guidelines, and other materials forthe survey (attached) was developed and distributed to interested volunteers.

• 2 July 2014 – Laura Gooch, Julie West, and Gary Neuman placed 17 metal stakes marking

the point count locations.

• 4 July 2014 – Julie West and Gary Neuman conducted the first systematic survey.

• 14 July 2014 – The survey protocol document was distributed.

• 20 July 2014 – A training survey is conducted, attended by three volunteers.

• 27 July 2014 – A training survey is conducted, attended by three volunteers.

• 16 July 2014 – Systematic surveys began.

•

29 August 2014 – Five stakes damaged by mowing were replaced.• 16 March 2015 – Points 4, 5, and 6 were moved to improve coverage of some parts of the

site. Revised point count protocols including formal partial surveys were distributed.

• 22 March 2015 – Volunteer training survey held, attended by four volunteers.

• 5 April 2015 – Volunteer training survey held, attended by eight volunteers.

• 31 July 2015 – Surveys continue


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Acknowledgements

Special thanks are due to: Dick Hoffman and Ken Vinciquerra, who are conducting weekly

surveys and to Brian Bonhomme, Claire Johnson, Anna Julnes, Karen and Rich Kassouf, LizMcQuaid, and Marty Reynard, who have stepped up to perform surveys and help out in other

ways when needed.

Attachments

• CLNP/Dike 14 – Avian Survey: Checklist 4/1-7/31/15

• CLNP/Dike 14 – Avian Survey: Count Summary 4/1-7/31/15


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CLNP Avian Survey Report 003

Documents