Monitoring Fall Migration of Secretive Marsh Birds Using Autonomous Recording Units in the Upper Mississippi River: Preliminary Results of Sora
Madelyn Slaven Wildlife Ecology and Management
Ava Cross-Weisbeck (Not Pictured) Natural Resource Master’s Student
Secretive marsh birds are among the most difficult wetland birds to monitor due to their cryptic behavior, particularly during migration. This study examined the fall migration timing and spatial distribution of Sora ( Porzana carolina ) along the Upper Mississippi River extending downstream from a location in Pool 5 near Buffalo City, Wisconsin, to a location in Pool 8 near La Crescent, Minnesota, a distance of approximately 45 River Miles. These sites differ in latitude as well as aquatic vegetation composition and structure. Using kayaks for access, autonomous recording units (ARUs) were deployed in emergent marsh habitats dominated by species such as wild rice, arrowhead, bur-reed, and river bulrush. ARUs recorded continuously for approximately 44 days from early September through mid-October. Audio files were analyzed using BirdNET for species-specific vocalizations to determine arrival and departure dates, as well as to compare temporal patterns among sites. Our results from this study indicate that ARUs are effective for monitoring secretive marsh birds during migration. Our preliminary analyses showed the probability of daily detection of Sora was 59%, and our estimated occupancy was 50%. We estimated a departure date of October 7th, 2025, for the pool 8 site. These findings provide valuable information for wetland management and conservation planning for secretive marsh birds during fall migration.
Advisors: Stephen Winter, Ph.D. Jason Riddle, Ph.D. Marie Perkins, Ph.D.
Subject Area: Wildlife
Type: Poster
74
Jim and Katie Krause CNR Student Research Symposium
Made with FlippingBook - Share PDF online