New jersey audubon will conduct point count surveys at jbmdl lakehurst during the 2023 breeding season to quantify abundance and occupancy by grassland bird species, including NJ-listed threatened and…

New jersey audubon will conduct point count surveys at jbmdl lakehurst during the 2023 breeding season to quantify abundance and occupancy by grassland bird species, including NJ-listed threatened and endangered species such as grasshopper sparrow (ammodramus savannarum) and eastern meadowlark (sturnella magna ) in areas that are mowed to maintain the grass at a height of 7-14 inches compared to areas where the grass is not mowed until the conclusion of the growing season in late september. Surveys will be conducted weekly from may 10 through july 28 (10 weeks). Data will be collected using 0-3 and 3-5 -minute observation periods. Bird data will include all species seen heard within 100 meters of the survey point.at the conclusion of the 2023 breeding season, we will undertake data analysis on the 5 years of the survey using detection probability modeling and appropriate statistical analysis to look at differences between the two treatment areas in providing habitat for by grassland birds. We will tabulate and summarize the data collected over the five years of the study, and because imperfect detection can bias survey results, we will use distance sampling and model detection probability to correct for these biases. We will adjust the densities within each point count circle based on the raw data using the formula corrected density measured density detection probability. We will compare bird density of mowed and UN-mowed points using repeated measures parametric statistics and provide a final report with the results of the study. This project contributes to joint base mcguire-DIX-lakehurst s goal to prevent flocking birds from nesting near airfields on the joint base. Nesting migratory birds will benefit through informed decision making by joint base staff that best protects nesting birds while allowing for airfield operations.