FreeLists / tn-bird / [TN-Bird] Tenn. River Valley Shorebird Meeting

[OLCOOT1@xxxxxxx]

May 4-5, 2006
Memphis, TN
 
The second TN-Valley Shorebird Monitoring Meeting was held here in Memphis.  
The meeting was attended by members of TVA, USFW, TWRA and University of  
Tennessee. Hill Henry of TVA is heading the organization and data collection 
and  
gave an over view of the progress made during the last year. Jason Mitchell 
did  a great job in moving the meeting through a list of objectives and keeping 
the  focus on the goals of the mission; Learning more about the TN River 
Valley  Shorebird resources and identifying ways to enhance these resources in  
Tennessee, Alabama and Kentucky.
 
Goals: Identify past and present shorebird use sites throughout the valley.  
Develop a regional monitoring plan. Determine the temporal and spatial  
distribution of shorebirds at stop over and wintering sites. Exploring ways to  
enhance and develop shorebird habitats.
 
The selections of sites along the TN River Valley were reviewed. Results of  
the past year of surveys conducted were shown with impressive and revealing  
graphs. New techniques for mapping potential areas using flyover LIDAR were  
shown. John Laux, a graduate student under Matt Grey at UT, had an impressive  
program, reviewing his work at two locations in east Tennessee. Drew Wiwra was  
introduced and will be doing similar work here in the western region this 
year,  making for an excellent comparison of the two regions as John Laux's 
work  
will continue this coming season.
 
The site priorities and responsibilities were discussed by Jenny  Fiedler, 
using very detailed maps of the entire river valley, which  TVA has developed 
and made available. Using computer modeling, these  aerial photos predict the 
extent of shorebird habitat at certain river stages  along the length of the 
valley. Methods of data collection and  reporting for the International 
Shorebird 
Survey which is run by the  Manomet Center for Conservation Sciences in 
Maine, were reviewed.
 
After a full day of programs and discussions, we started Friday  morning in 
the rain with a hardy group at the "Pits" in Ensley Bottoms. The rain  moved 
out and we were rewarded with up-close and great looks at 15 species of  Wind 
Birds, including a single male Wilson's Phalarope in understated plumage  among 
the 2500 or so birds present.
 
Thanks, for the informative program, go to Hill Henry, Jason  Mitchell and 
Jenny Fiedler of TVA and also to  Dr. Grey and graduate  students at UT, plus 
members of USFW, and TWRA. These folks are making the  system move forward 
through their time and efforts. Great progress has been made  since last years 
jump 
start program.
 
They will be needing other volunteers for monitoring as more and more sites  
are defined. Here is your opportunity to help the health, bio-diversity and  
viability of this river that joins our three states.  
Good Birding  !!!

Jeff R. Wilson / TLBA
6298 Memphis-Arlington Road
Bartlett, TN  38135



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                  EXCELLENT MAP RESOURCES
Topographical Maps located at http://topozone.com/find.asp
Tenn.Counties Map at http://www.lib.utexas.edu/maps/states/tennessee3.gif
Aerial photos to complement google maps http://local.live.com

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