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August/September 2008

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Important factors associated with riparian bird community structure along the upper San Pedro River in southeastern Arizona and northern Sonora
by Glenn Johnson
Los FresnosWe conducted bird surveys in riparian areas along the Upper San Pedro River in southeastern Arizona and northern Sonora, Mexico, in order to describe factors influencing bird community dynamics and the distribution and abundance of species of conservation concern, especially in relation to the ecosystem-altering activities of a recently reintroduced beaver population. Beginning in the summer of 2005 we established and surveyed 245 avian point count stations within the San Pedro Riparian National Conservation Area in Arizona, where we also re-visited bird survey sites in riparian portions of two different avian studies that were originally surveyed prior to the beaver re-introduction. In 2006 and 2007 we established and surveyed an additional 70 point count survey stations in northern Sonora, starting along the main stem of the San Pedro just south of the international border (33 stations on collectively-owned ejido lands) and extending up and to the western portion of the upper watershed at Las Nutrias reservoir (8 stations on private land) and Los Fresnos Land Trust (28 stations on private land jointly owned and managed by TNC-Mexico and two other Mexican NGO’s: Biodiversidad y Desarrollo Armónica and Naturalia).

Over half of 126 species detected are considered of “conservation priority” at some level by least one of several initiatives to recommend management and monitoring of bird populations. Preliminary analyses indicate that areas of beaver activity are associated with greater bird species richness, abundance of riparian bird species, and conservation concern species.

To learn more about this project, contact Glenn Johnson.

Report from the field: Sierra La Laguna Biosphere Reserve expedition
Several years ago the SJV Technical Committee performed an exercise to list five places in each SJV region that needed more avian inventory or monitoring data. The remote Sierra de La Laguna Biosphere Reserve in Baja California Sur was high on the list because it is a center of avian endemism and ranks high for conservation. This resulted in an April 2006 trip into the Reserve as part of an SJV Technical Committee meeting. We used the opportunity to collect monitoring data and take some sound recordings of the endemic species and subspecies, but the trip only scratched the surface in terms of needed work and it was clear to all involved that a return was needed. With the help of Western Field Ornithologists we organized another trip with more focused monitoring and data collecting tasks in July 2008. 

Expedition participants included Carol Beardmore (SJV Science Coordinator), Dave Krueper (SJV Technical Committee member and Western Field Ornithologists' President), Gary Nunn, Nathan Pieplow, and Dick Erickson. A huge "thank-you" goes to Eduardo Palacios (Pronatura) and Victor Anguiano (SL Biosphere Reserve), who were in charge of trip logistics and planning, as well as participated in the field work.

Trip highlights include:

  • Over 15 hours of very high quality sound recordings of the birds, including a number of calls and interactive vocalizations beyond the primary and secondary song types.
  • Over 500 avian and habitat photographs.
  • Sixteen area searches (rapid assessments) and two intensive area searches were conducted (double sampling).
  • Measurements at sixteen vegetation plots.
  • Habitat use data for nearly a dozen species.
  • Documentation of approximately twelve species, including nest cards and photographs.
  • Documentation of Baja California's fifth record of Dusky-capped Flycatcher (song and photos) in the camp at La Laguna.
  • Documentation of Baja California's first documented nesting of Whip-poor-will (adult female and two young; obtained vocalizations and photos).
  • Documentation of nesting Tropical Kingbirds at the La Paz sewage treatment plant (outside of the Reserve).

For more details about the trip, contact Carol Beardmore.

To learn more about monitoring and education efforts at the Sierra La Laguna Biosphere Reserve, contact Victor Anguiano.

SJV, partners receive Cooperative Conservation Award
Photo by Dave Menke/USFWSThe Sonoran Joint Venture, as part of the Southwestern Bald Eagle Management Committee (a diverse group of Federal, State, Tribal and private institutions), received the Secretary of the Interior's Citation Cooperative Conservation Award in recognition of its contribution to the effort to protect and conserve the bald eagle and its habitat in Arizona and Sonora. The Secretary's Cooperative Conservation Award is given in recognition of outstanding conservation achievement attained through collaboration and partnerships.

The Sonoran Joint Venture received a certificate of achievement and letter of appreciation signed by the Secretary of Interior on July 16, 2008 at a Southwestern Bald Eagle Management Committee meeting at the Arizona Game and Fish Department Office in Phoenix, Arizona.

Accolades continue for children's book
Condor: Spirit of the Canyon, written by SJV Coordinator Robert Mesta, has been selected as one of the six finalists for the 2009 ONEBOOKAZ for Kids Award.

ONEBOOKAZ is coordinated by the Arizona State Library, Archives, and Records Department; it’s an exciting program with the goals of promoting literacy and bringing communities together through reading.

This year ONEBOOKAZ celebrates literature by encouraging the reading and exploration of a book with an Arizona topic or theme, fostering a sense of community through the shared experience of reading that same book, and involving participants in a series of events that will be connected to the book.

The finalists were narrowed down from an extensive list of nominees by the ONEBOOKAZ Committee, which consists of teachers, librarians, museum professionals, and book sellers from all over the State.

Help Choose the Winner!
You can vote for the winner by visiting the ONEBOOKAZ website. Excerpts from the six finalists, as well as other details, are available on the website.

Condor: Spirit of the Canyon can be ordered directly from the author, by visiting local bookstores, or by following this link.

Upcoming grant deadlines
We have recently added information about a number of new funding opportunities for those doing work in the SJV region. Please take the time to browse through the complete list of funding opportunities.

  • Bureau of Reclamation Lower Colorado River Water Conservation Program
    Deadline: 13 October 2008
    Description: The Bureau of Reclamation is requesting proposals for soil and moisture conservation. This funding opportunity will provide assistance in developing effective water management and conservation plans; encourage and promote implementation of water efficiency measures; demonstrate conservation technologies; and promote and support water education within the Yuma area. Total Federal assistance available is $240,000. Between two and five cooperative agreements will be awarded, generally not to exceed $80,000 per agreement.
  • North American Wetlands Conservation Act Program
    Deadline:     30 October 2008 (U.S. Small Grants); TBA June 2009 (Mexican Standard Grants); TBA 2009--generally August (U.S. Standard Grants)
    Description:     The North American Wetlands Conservation Act provides matching grants to private or public organizations or to individuals who have developed partnerships to carry out wetlands conservation projects in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The program provides US, Mexican, and Canadian Standard Grants (between $50,000 and $1,000,000) and US Small Grants (up to $75,000). For more details on how to apply, visit the NAWCA section of the SJV website. And be sure to check out the Playa Lakes Joint Venture's Timeline for preparing a NAWCA Proposal. Important note: Anyone considering applying for a U.S. grant should coordinate their application with SJV Science Coordinator Carol Beardmore (602-242-0524 ext. 248). The SJV will need to be involved not only to provide guidance but also because we rank all applications that are submitted (Mexican applicants do not need to coordinate with the SJV, although we are happy to provide assistance).
  • Webless Migratory Game Bird Research
    Deadline: 1 November 2008
    Description: The Webless Migratory Game Bird Research program is soliciting proposals on any webless migratory game bird topic identified as a research need in from a species group Workshop, a management plan (national, regional, or state), the 1994 book entitled Migratory Shore and Upland Game Bird Management in North America (copies available from David Dolton), or a regional Technical Committee priority list. A list of research priorities is included for the Western, Central, and Southeastern Regions.
  • Fund for Wild Nature
    Deadline: 1 November 2008, 1 February 2009; 1 May 2009; 1 November 2009
    Description: The Fund for Wild Nature provides money for campaigns to save and restore native species and wild ecosystems, including actions to defend wilderness and biological diversity. The fund supports advocacy, litigation, public policy work, development of citizen science, and similar endeavors. The fund does not support basic scientific research, private land acquisition, individual action or study, or conferences, and rarely supports proposals from organizations with annual budgets greater than $250,000. The fund will only support media projects that have a clear strategic value and a concrete plan for dissemination of the final product. The fund gives special attention to ecological issues not currently receiving sufficient public attention and funding. The fund seeks proposals with visionary and yet realistic goals to create tangible change. All proposals must be highly cost effective and be for projects in the United States, Canada, or Mexico.
  • Neotropical Migratory Bird Conservation Act
    Deadline:         13 November 2008
    Description:     We are pleased to announce the 2008 Request for Proposals under the Neotropical Migratory Bird Conservation Act. The Act establishes a matching grants program to fund projects that promote the conservation of these birds in the United States, Latin America, and the Caribbean. Projects may include activities to benefit bird populations and their habitats, research and monitoring, law enforcement, and outreach and education. All grant requests must be matched by partner funds at least 3:1. Partner funds from a U.S. federal source may be involved in the project, but are not eligible as match.

Upcoming meetings and workshops
See complete details about upcoming meetings and workshops.

The SJV E-Bulletin is the electronic newsletter of the Sonoran Joint Venture (SJV). Each issue, published bilingually, contains information for SJV partners, landowners, educators, natural resource managers, and others. To submit an item for consideration for publication, contact Jennie Duberstein.

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