Waterbird Monitoring

KEY ACHIEVEMENTS

Collection of updated waterbird and habitat use data for application in the Canal del Infiernillo Ramsar Site update process

Systematic nest searching and at-sea monitoring of Craveri’s Murrelets on and around the islands of the Midriff Region

Presentations of data and educational information at multiple conferences, working groups, and community forums

Jaime Martínez and Paulina Camarena monitoring at Estero Tastiota

Regular monitoring was conducted on Alcatraz Island, in regional estuaries, and at sea. In addition, this season we expanded work in the Infiernillo Canal as part of the updating effort for the Ramsar site with valuable contributions from Comcaac waterbird experts. The Waterbird Monitoring Program (WMP) also increased its efforts to document nesting sites for the endangered Craveri’s Murrelet on several of the Midriff Islands. The WMP collaborated with external researchers, NGOs, community groups, and governmental agencies to implement coordinated field work and to apply results to conservation and management actions. Moving forward, we plan to continue supporting community participation and leadership in the ever-increasing knowledge, appreciation, and conservation of waterbirds.

Collaborations

• Active participation in the Binational Brown Pelican Monitoring Network and post-reproductive monitoring • Contributions to regional projects including the Northwest

Brant study, migratory shorebird counts, and shorebird nest searching

Long-term monitoring

• 9 Canal del Infiernillo estuaries censuses, recording 54 species, 10 of which are protected as threatened species • 41 censuses in La Cruz, Cardonal and Tastiota estuaries; regular monitoring of 14 nesting species on Alcatraz Island • 10 Craveri’s Murrelet nest surveys on Alcatraz Island, nest searching on Datíl and San Esteban islands, and 3 noctural surveys on San Esteban

Craveri's Murrelets (Synthliboramphus craveri) at sea

Red-billed Tropicbird (Phaethon aethereus)

Education and Training

• Increased Comcaac leadership of the Grupo Coijaac waterbird monitoring group • Facilitation of the first waterbird drawing contest for local youth, culminating in an experiential activity around Isla Alcatraz for all of the participants • Mentorship of 4 Prescott College students • 2 training presentations to touristic service providers

Brants (Branta bernicla) in the Infiernillo Canal

Information Sharing

• Scientific presentations in the Forum for Environmental Health of Ramsar Site Laguna la Cruz and the Sonoran Joint Venture Science Working Group • Publication of a short article in the Sonoran Joint Venture eBulletin, consistent posting on E-bird, and progress on 2 article manuscripts for publication

Impact: Long-term waterbird monitoring, data analysis collaboration, information sharing, and community participation contribute to regional habitat and species protection and conservation efforts.