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American Oystercatcher Study
Project Partners:
Gulf Coast Bird Observatory
Texas State University
Funding:
National Fish and Wildlife Foundation
ConocoPhillips
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Coastal Program
George and Mary Josephine Hamman Foundation
Jacob and Terese Hershey Foundation
Project Abstract:GCBO was awarded a two-year grant to study the Western Gulf population of American Oystercatchers in Texas. This population is little studied and most knowledge is based on anecdotal evidence and assumptions. Based on an aerial survey from winter 2003, preliminary estimates of the Western Gulf Coast population, located in Texas, show it to represent approximately 5% of the U.S. population, but little is known about how or if these birds interact with regional and/or international populations, what their reproductive parameters are, and what factors may be limiting their reproductive success. Without this knowledge, it is impossible to determine how Western Gulf Coast populations fit into the U.S. population as a whole or what conservation strategies are appropriate. We are at the beginning stages of a multi-year effort to learn more about this species in Texas. Our goals are to:
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Document the population status of the Western Gulf Coast American Oystercatcher population.
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Document the breeding parameters of the Western Gulf Coast American Oystercatcher population.
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Identify threats that may limit breeding success of individuals residing in the western limits of the species range.
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Determine strategies to mitigate the identified threats.
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Implement mitigation strategies to increase breeding success of American Oystercatchers along the Western Gulf Coast.
To help determine whether Texas oystercatchers are local in distribution or are part of larger regional or international populations, we plan to implement a mark-resighting program by color banding birds during winter and spring months and recruiting and training volunteer observers to supplement staff effort for re-sighting data. This will also help us determine whether pairs remain territorial throughout the year or only during the breeding season.
During the 2011 and 2012 breeding season, we will monitor nests in concentrated areas along the Texas coast to assess reproductive success and survival, identify major nest predators, and determine the significance of human disturbance factors. Predators of oystercatcher eggs and chicks identified in other states include coyotes, foxes, raccoons, skunks, crows, gulls, and feral cats. In Texas, rattlesnakes may also be a significant predator. We plan to monitor nests in two ways: (a) deploy time-lapse, programmable infrared-capable, video cameras which will continuously monitor nests for predators, and (b) monitor nests using trained observers to record reproductive parameters and human disturbance variables including pedestrian, vehicular, or marine traffic and distance from the subject. Nest monitoring will be performed using coordinated protocols from the American Oystercatcher Working Group.
Future research will be developed based on the outcome of the above to implement mitigation strategies appropriate for the American Oystercatcher in Texas.
Texas Banding Scheme:
Upper left: maroon color band with white codes
Lower left: no band
Upper right: maroon color band with white codes
Lower right: USFWS metal band
Click here for a listing of all birds banded in 2011
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