IWMM Update July 2011 Update on status of program Feedback on Pilot Season Protocol changes Protocol validation Database changes Coordination through Fall Update on modeling

Update on status of program Moving from “Pilot Phase” to “Setup Phase” Tasks for Setup Phase (next 2-3 years): Validate Protocols Refine Protocols Develop online database Develop fully integrated model Develop decision tools

Feedback on Pilot Season FWS Region/state # units # whole area counts # veg surveys # point count locations # point count surveys Region 3 - Midwest Region 4 - Southeast Region 5 - Northeast Total Survey data – end Sept 2010 to end Feb 2011 (spring 2011 still being rolled together)

Do metrics make biological sense? Water depth category guild Swans & geese Dabbling duck Diving duck Wading birdsshorebirds Dry Saturated/mudflat " " " >48"

Didn’t change between surveys at 75% of sites Jump from low to high unlikely? Do we need to record more than once? Change in Stem Density between 1 st & 2 nd veg surveys (n=123 units) 2 nd survey LowMediumHighTotal 1 st survey Low Medium High Total Are changes in metrics logical?

Seed Head Index Low Medium High

% cover% height% preferred food 30 SAV0<1"20% near tall edge 2 Open water201"-6"10Stem density High Annual356"-1'25Seed Head Index Medium Perennials451'-2'5Interspersion Medium Bare02'-10'15 10'-30'20 >30'5 VA003CE_SADA1_ _3

Protocol Update No point counts Bi-weekly counts OK Flush counts OK (but not required) Clarifications, e.g. – Ice cover, clarification with water depth – Stem Density, within vegetated areas – Young birds, guidance on when to include – Flooding regime

Survey Schedule Black bars = main survey periods (weekly or biweekly bird counts)Hatch bars = secondary bird survey, counts could continue if migratory water birds are present, survey frequency can be reduced (biweekly or monthly) 1 = First spring vegetation survey (start of spring waterfowl migration) 2 = Second spring vegetation survey (just before peak of spring shorebird migration) 3 = First fall vegetation survey (peak of fall shorebird migration) 4 = Second vegetation survey (peak of seed production, before start of main waterfowl migration)

Protocol validation Hopefully going to team with EPA Compare our ocular estimates with more comprehensive NWCA Employ roving field techs Might ask for assistance from participants – Note this will be entirely voluntary – Would involve just one IWMM Veg survey at a site surveyed by EPA

Database changes Online database development likely in2012 Will continue using Access database Need for participants to query their own data Some minor changes New “front end” will be sent to all partners in August – a quick and easy update You’ll retain all existing data

Coordination through Fall Use Ning website for Q&A Contact Andy Wilson through Ning (PM) Otherwise, primary regional contacts: Brian Loges, Upper Miss (3) John Stanton, Lower Miss & South Atlantic (4) Bill Thompson, North Atlantic (5)