Monitoring Avian Productivity and Survivorship
(MAPS)
The Monitoring Avian Productivity and Survivorship (MAPS) Program was created by The Institute for Bird Populations, Point Reyes Station, California in 1989 to assess and monitor the vital rates and population dynamics of over 120 species of North American land birds. There are now around 500 MAPS sites operated by public agencies and private organizations cooperating to provide long-term data on the productivity, survivorship, and population estimates of local breeding birds. In 2003, Beaver Creek bird banders began operating a MAPS site at the Beaver Creek Reserve Field Research Station.
MAPS sites operate under specific protocols using constant-effort mist netting and banding of local birds in a suitable 20-hectare area during the breeding season. The BCR Field Research Station MAPS site straddles Beaver Creek on the west end of the Henke property. Eleven mist nets have been set up at “random” locations in the 8-hectare center of the area. The specific net locations were chosen to provide good opportunities to catch resident breeding birds. Some nets catch more birds than other nets. Sometimes this can be attributed to the fact that different habitats have more birds than others. But it may also be because the birds apparently don’t always agree on the suitability of these locations as good flight paths. The nets are opened within one half hour of sunrise and closed six hours later on one day in each of seven consecutive ten-day periods starting May 31st. The schedule is designed to start after most spring migration has ended and finish before fall migration has begun.
Banders licensed by the USGS Bird Banding Laboratory oversee the operation of each MAPS session. Volunteers assist with recording data on the banding sheets, carrying birds from the nets, taking photos, releasing birds, and perhaps placing a band on a bird’s leg. Volunteers require training for some activities, and there is no guarantee they will do more than observe on their first day! When opportunities allow, volunteers will be shown how to identify species and determine the age, gender, and other physical attributes of the birds. Trained volunteers are most helpful at the start of each session to help open nets and there are typically more birds captured in the early morning than later in the day.
Visitors
Observers are always welcome, and the likelihood of having an opportunity to see birds close up is quite high, especially early in the day. However, be aware that processing of the birds needs to be done rapidly, especially on hot days and while the parent birds are incubating or feeding young in the nest, so it may not always be possible to view birds up close for long. More than anything else, banders are responsible for the safety and welfare of the birds they study. This means that stress and risks of harm to the birds need to be minimized. Access to the banding area is restricted and numbers may be limited, so anyone wishing to visit must make arrangements beforehand by calling the Reserve in advance.
Virtual Net Tour
Results
Breeding Bird List
To Volunteer
Volunteers should call the Reserve well ahead of time to let us know the dates they can assist and arrange for training if necessary.
