FWS Migratory Bird Division Grant: Advancing Nano Tag Tracking for Coastal Bird Monitoring

Funds under this award are to be used by the recipient to meet the following objectives:

(1) Maximize the performance of NanoTag tracking technology for determining offshore flight paths and distributions of Common Terns and American Oystercatchers, including optimizing detection ranges and effectively modeling and interpreting tracking data.

(2) Use satellite telemetry to validate precision and ranges of NanoTags attached to American oystercatchers.
(3) Track the frequency and duration of movements of Common Terns and American Oystercatchers into Federal waters in eastern Nantucket Sound, and east of Cape Cod & Nantucket during breeding, staging, and migration periods, using NanoTags and an array of automated telemetry stations.

(4) Evaluate the feasibility (including comparative costs and benefits) of expanding the technology to other species (including listed species) in Federal waters along several sections of the U.S. Atlantic coast.
(5) Estimate productivity (number of fledged young produced per pair) of Nano-tagged individuals and compare to productivity of local breeding populations.

(6) Relate productivity of Nano-tagged individuals to movement patterns and habitat use.

(7) Use results to inform the safest and most effective methods for expanding NanoTag tracking to Roseate Terns and Piping Plovers.

Specific duties undertaken by the recipient to meet these objectives will include but not be limited to:

• Planning, coordinating logistics, and carrying out field work (approx. May – Aug 2013) to:
i) Capture and tag 15 American Oystercatchers and 75 Common Terns on breeding grounds — Monomoy Island, Chatham, MA, and Nantucket, MA (MA 9th Congressional District) with NanoTags furnished by the Service

ii) Tag 5 of the 15 Nano-tagged oystercatchers with Platform Terminal satellite tags furnished by the Service

iii) Set up ≥8 NanoTag telemetry receiving stations (and station infrastructure, such as towers) in eastern Cape Cod and the Islands (and on the Hyline Ferry) and regularly download tracking data

iv) Perform experiments to test and maximize performance of NanoTags in the field

v) Conduct conventional NanoTag telemetry from using boat-based, aerial, and ground-based telemetry

vi) Monitor nesting productivity of tagged birds

• Analyzing data

• Assuming primary authorship of a final report for Bureau of Ocean Energy Management by March 19, 2013, with assistance from collaborators including the Service

• Writing peer reviewed articles, and delivering professional presentations on findings, at the discretion of the recipient

FWS Migratory Bird Division staff anticipates making the following contributions to the project, constituting “substantial FWS involvement”:

• Assist with project design, implementation, success evaluation, and design modifications

• Manage project funds and coordinate effective interactions among project collaborators to assure that project objectives are carried out efficiently

• Plan and moderate project meetings with collaborators and the primary funder

• Procure NanoTag, receiving station, and satellite tracking equipment and provide it to the cooperator

• Manage satellite tracking service contracts

• Assist in field operations and data collection when/if necessary

• Assist with drafting of an annual report to project funder, Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM)

• Oversee funding distribution and planning for subsequent study years (if additional funding is procured)

• Serve as project liaison to BOEM, and advising them how to effectively implement project findings