1. Using electronic field recordings to increase the detectability of bird species at point count sights
Deborah Cushman
Timothy Johnson
Robert Keys, PhD
Department of Biology, Cornerstone University

2. Introduction
Monitoring of bird populations is important in light of environmental changes
Point counts are commonly used monitoring method
Limitations of point counts include misidentification, training, and missed species
Don’t jump right to the purpose. Talk about reasons for using the efr. Look at introduction in the proposal. Limitations 12345

3. Objectives
We hypothesize that electronic field recordings (EFR) will show that certain bird species are often less detectable in field point counts, but that training can increase the ability of observers in the detection of these missed species.
We predict that observer detectability will increase significantly with each point count series when EFRs are used.
EFR’s will enable observers to increase detection of bird species having lower detection probability
Intro leads right into objectives. Use hypothesis.
We hypothesize that electronic field recordings will show that certain bird species are often less detectable in field point counts, but that training can increase the ability of observers in the detection of these missed species.
Significant improvement week to week
Ultimate get all birds beat efr
EFRs will enable observers to increase detection of bird species having lower detection probability

4. Methods Pierce Cedar Creek Institute, Barry County, Michigan Equipment
32 Points count sites
6 Replicates
Multiple habitats
Equipment
Zoom H4n Field Recorder
2  ME62 Sennheiser Omnidirectional Microphones
Point counts
5 minutes
Radius < 75 meters
Analysis of EFR
Raven Pro 1.5
Raven picture

5. Results Partially completed analysis of four series
Significant increases in observer accuracy
Although there is improvement we are still not at the same accuracy level as the recorder

6. Observers vs. EFR
Alk about limitations of the efr reasons for why difference is decreasing
Detection accuracy is significantly improving with the use of the EFR from series to series
Though detection accuracy has improved significantly, there is still a significant difference between the EFR and the field observers.
However, this difference is decreasing with each subsequent series of observations (figure 2)

7. Conclusion
Our current analysis shows that the use of electronic field recordings can increase the detectability rate of field recorders at point count sites.
Our current analysis shows that

8. Where do we go from here? Complete point count series 5 and 6
Analysis of detectability accuracy
Analysis of low detection bird species

9. Acknowledgements Willard and Jessie Pierce Foundation
Pierce Cedar Creek Staff
Cornerstone University
Dr. Robert Keys
Brooke Kiel
Emily Finch

10. Questions