This project will conduct the first large-scale, statewide population survey and comprehensive status assessment in california for the purple martin (progne subis), a state species of special concern

This $283,577 Formula Grant award from the U.S. Department of the Interior Fish and Wildlife Service under the State Wildlife Grants (CFDA 15.634) program will fund a statewide population survey and comprehensive status assessment for the Purple Martin (Progne subis), a California species of special concern. The survey will be conducted during the 2025 breeding season by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) in partnership with the Institute for Bird Populations (IBP). The project aims to document occupancy, estimate colony sizes, and determine population trends to inform conservation priorities and management actions for the Purple Martin in California. IBP will serve as a sub-grantee, providing survey implementation and technical expertise. This effort represents the first large-scale, statewide assessment of the Purple Martin population in California, addressing a critical data gap for this species of special concern.

The project will build off the tested methodologies developed by project partner and species expert, daniel airola (airola and grantham 2003, airola 2009, 2020, in prep), the large-scale bird survey experience of the institute for bird populations ( research partners ), and the results of previous surveys that have established a 2009 baseline from which occupancy and population trends can be evaluated. The survey will be developed, implemented, and reported on in coordination with a california department of fish and wildlife (CDFW) purple martin statewide survey advisory group representing the six regions where purple martins occur. The survey will be led by daniel airola and rodney siegel of the institute of bird populations (IBP) and conducted during the 2025 breeding season by daniel, an IBP manager, and several trained field technicians, with support from cooperating agency staff and volunteers. Survey sites will include those with past survey data and additional sites identified in ebird, to represent the species throughout its range in california. Surveys will document occupancy and estimate colony sizes at all survey sites. Population trends will be determined for 30 sites with previous population data, and changes in occupation (OCCURRENCE) will be evaluated for additional previously unsurveyed sites (e.g., in southern california). Ebird data will be used, through comparison with surveyed sites, to develop a minimum population estimate for the state. Survey results will inform conservation priorities and management actions for purple martins in california. This project is consistent with the species of special concern priorities to conduct long-term species monitoring, inform landscape management practices, and supports a discrete, critical nongame management effort.