Research Training in Wildlife Biology
Instructor: Dr. Chris Floyd, University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire
Course Description:
Students will gain hands-on experience in field identification and population estimation (e.g., abundance, density, survival, and recruitment) of birds and mammals of the Rocky Mountains. Techniques learned will include point count, transect, grid, trail camera, and track surveys; live-trapping and mark-recapture; and statistical analyses of census data.
Course Evaluation: Grades will be based on written assignments, field quizzes, participation in collaborative activities, a field notebook, and a final exam (practical and written).
Textbooks: There is no formal textbook for this class; assigned readings will be published articles; students are expected to read these articles before class. However, I do ask that the students who do not yet own a bird field guide purchase a copy of the National Geographic Field Guide to the Birds of North America, or comparable guide. Field guides will be available for purchase in the Gothic Store.
Required equipment: Binoculars (we have only a few to loan out, so please bring your own or try to buy/borrow a pair), field notebook, pencil or field pen, daypack, water bottle, snacks, sweater/fleece and shell, hat, sunscreen, sunglasses, and hiking boots.
Prerequisites: One year of college biology
Tentative schedule (Unless otherwise announced, classes will meet in Barclay classroom upstairs.)
Wednesday, June 16
06:00-07:00: Gothic townsite—bird/mammal species ID, life history, and habitats
08:00-12:00: Local field trip—population surveys (Snodgrass Mt)
• Topic: How to estimate bird populations?
• Model system: Planned ski resort development on Snodgrass Mt and its potential effect on bird populations
o Snodgrass development plans require surveys for wildlife populations. What species live there? Are there some with which we should be especially concerned (e.g., willow flycatcher)?
o Students get into groups of 2-3 and survey different habitat zones: meadow, aspen, willow; develop their own methods, taking into consideration factors such as error, variation, accuracy, bias, sample size, replicates, response vs. independent variables, study area bounds, habitat measurements
13:00-15:00: Barclay classroom—groups discuss population survey methodology
19:00-21:30: Local field trip—mammal/bird species ID, life history, and habitats
Thursday, June 17
06:00-07:00: Gothic townsite—bird/mammal species ID, life history, and habitats
08:00-12:00: Local field trip—population surveys (continued)
• Students conduct point counts of breeding birds in aspen woodlands south of Gothic
13:00-16:00: Barclay classroom
• Discussion
o Citizen science censuses; e.g., BBS, X-mas counts, Partners in Flight, etc.
• Data analysis/statistics
o Enter/compile data
o Learn DISTANCE software and other analyses
Friday, June 25
05:30-06:30: Dining Hall—eat early breakfast
06:30-11:00: Field research techniques (TBA)
13:00-15:00: Barclay classroom—discussion
19:30-21:30: Field trip TBA
Wednesday, June 30
• Field trip (possibly overnight) TBA
Thursday, July 1
• Field trip (possibly overnight) TBA
Wednesday, July 7
• 05:30-06:30: Dining Hall—eat early breakfast
• 06:30-11:00: Field research techniques (TBA)
• 13:00-15:00: Barclay classroom—discussion
• 19:30-21:30: Field trip TBA
Thursday, July 8
• 05:30-06:30: Dining Hall—eat early breakfast
• 06:30-11:00: Field research techniques (TBA)
• 13:00-15:00: Barclay classroom—discussion
Wednesday, July 14
• 06:00-07:00: Gothic townsite—practice bird ID
• 08:00-12:00: Field/practical exams
• 13:00-15:00: Written exam and/or student presentations