The COA is cooperating with the State DEP to provide breeding bird information to be included in the Natural Diversity Database (NDDB). The NDDB contains information on listed species (i.e. endangered, threatened or special concern) and is used by the DEP to protect sensitive species and their habitats.
Reporting Instructions for the COA/CTDEP
One report should be prepared for each species at each location. Multiple visits in the same year can be included and summarized on the same form. Knowledge of the species’ historical presence at the site can be summarized in the area indicated under the site information.
Download Instructions and Forms:
Completed forms should be sent to the Coordinator:
Buzz Devine, 18 South Street, Plymouth, CT 06782.
Maps
Maps
are an essential part of submitting an observation. In order for us to include your observation in the Natural Diversity Data Base we need to be able to locate the site on a topographic map. Please provide a topographic map with the observation clearly marked. Include directions and any distances and landmarks that would be helpful to map and relocate the site. If you used a GPS unit in the field, please include a map to help us verify the coordinates.
Here are some internet sources where you can print or download topographic maps:
- Microsoft Research Maps http://msrmaps.com/Default.aspx. Print or download aerial photos and topographic maps as jpegs. For more advanced use in GIS applications you can download the world file, which has the coordinates for georeferencing the image. (formerly terraserver)
Most of these internet services will let you search by street address, by coordinates, or by place name. Be sure to show an area large enough to identify the site and some surrounding landmarks. You can set the scale, but it usually doesn’t print. It is helpful to write the scale on the map. Street maps can be provided in cases where street landmarks are sufficient for relocating the site.
Evidence of breeding
On the fist page of the form, list all dates on which the site was visited. In the Behavior section record any observed behavior that might indicate that birds are nesting in the area. Under the breeding code section, list the one date on which you observed the highest level of breeding evidence. Use the Breeding Bird Atlas Breeding Codes found at the end of this document as a guide in what to look for. Behavior that falls into the Probable or Confirmed categories offers the best evidence of breeding activity.Choose one breeding code that indicates the highest level of breeding activity. Codes in the Confirmed section are considered higher evidence than those in the Probable or Possible sections. (For example, observing fledglings (FL) is higher than observing territorial birds (T)).
In order to avoid recording migrating birds, a list of dates has been developed for certain species to determine when best to look for breeding activity. If you have questions about appropriate observation dates you can ask the coordinators.
Species Dates:
Alder Flycatcher (SC) June 1 – July 15
Brown Thrasher (SC) May 15 – August 1
Golden-winged Warbler (E) May 15 – August 1
King Rail (E) May 15 – July 15
Northern Parula (SC) May 15 – July 15
Pied-billed Grebe (E) May 15 – August 1
Saltmarsh Sparrow (SC) May 15 – September 1
Seaside Sparrow (SC) May 15 – September 1
Sharp-shinned Hawk (E) May 15 – August 1
Care should be used to avoid disturbing nesting individuals, including limiting the use of call/response tapes.
Help Tips for the digital field form
Each time you click or tab to a field of the MSWord fill-in field form, a message should appear at the bottom of your Word window. Additional help tips are available by pressing the F1 key for each field. A pop-up help message will appear. This may be useful for seeing which breeding codes are appropriate for the breeding code fields. Not all fields have tips.
DEP Scientific Collecting Permits
http://www.ct.gov/dep/lib/dep/fishing/fishing_forms/scicoll.pdf
A special permit from the Department of Environmental Protection is required for all activities that involve the capture, marking, salvage, release or disturbance of protected wildlife species.
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