Research

The Center conducts research and field studies related to the conservation and protection of wild bird populations and their habitats. Examples include an annual coastal hawk migration survey, post-release radio telemetry, a long-term Swallow-tailed kite study, and participation in cooperative investigations concerning avian genetics, biomedicine and associated topics. A “citizen science” approach to a number of research initiatives raises awareness about ecological issues, educates participants about species of concern and their associated habitats, and allows the public to become engaged contributors to wildlife conservation. The Center maintains research associations with universities and professional conservation organizations throughout the United States and abroad, including the Hawk Migration Association of North America, the Raptor Research Foundation, and the USGS Patuxent Wildlife Research Center.

Swallow Tailed-Kite

Hawk Watch Survey

During 1995-1997, the Center for Birds of Prey coordinated the SC Coastal Hawk Migration Survey (SCCHMS).  During 2006, the Center for Birds of Prey re-opened two fall hawk migration watch stations near Awendaw, SC.  SC Coastal Hawk Migration Survey data is submitted to a national monitoring database and published annually in Hawk Migration Studies by the Hawk Migration Association of North America and made available online at www.hawkcount.org.  This data contributes to conservation of birds of prey by monitoring regional and national population trends, identifying migratory pathways and critical migratory habitat.  

Volunteers signed up for observation shifts from 1000-1200 and 1300-1500 Monday-Sunday.  Observations occurred between 10 September and 1 December 2006.  We scheduled volunteer hours in advance to minimize overlap and achieve equal effort at the two sites.  Sites were located between Charleston and Georgetown, SC at North Tibwin Plantation and the Center for Birds of Prey Hack Box.  Volunteers were supplied with Hawk Watch dataforms, pencils, clipboard and hawk identification materials at the watch sites.

Eighteen volunteers and four ICBP staff members logged in 132.7 hours.  Because more than one volunteer may have been present during a shift, volunteer hours for the watch totaled 182.8.  During the watch, 3637 hawks were observed.  The average number of hawks per observation hour was 25.6 + 30.6.  Significantly more hawks were observed per observation hour at ICBP hack box (29.5 + 35.2) (Students t-value = 0.017) than at North Tibwin Plantation (18.64 +18.43).  However, when vultures were excluded from analyses there was no significant difference between the two watch locations (Students t-value = 0.96; ICBP = 6.18 + 5.08 and NOTI = 6.13 + 6.42).   Of the thirteen species observed, there was a significant difference in numbers of Northern Harriers and Red-shouldered Hawks between the two watch locations.  Migrating hawks peaked during the weeks between 1 Oct – 4 Nov 2006 on both locations .  This peak in activity was not consistent for all species.   Mean number of hawks per hour was highest at ICBP Hack box (80.3 + 72.1) and at North Tibwin Plantation (37.67 + 26.35) during the week of 29 Oct -4 Nov 2006.  However, when vultures were excluded from analyses, number of hawks per hour peaked at ICBP and North Tibwin during the week 1-7 Oct (ICBP = 9.83 + 7.25, NOTI = 10.50 + 10.15).

Citizen Science for Swallow-tailed Kites

During the 2006 field season, a grant provided by Arcadia Wildlife Preserve allowed ICBP to assemble historical data, identify nesting areas in the South Carolina Coastal Plain north of the Francis Marion Forest, and to organize a SC Swallow-tailed Kite (STKI) Working Group to identify research, education, and conservation objectives.  The SC Working Group for Swallow-tailed Kites serve as partners in Swallow-tailed Kite conservation initiatives by providing in-kind support, expertise, and funding.  This group includes members from Clemson University, The Center for Birds of Prey, South Carolina Audubon, South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, The Nature Conservancy, USFW Atlantic Joint Venture, USFW Waccamaw National Wildlife Refugee, and US Forest Service.

With an estimated number of only 3700 individuals remaining, the Swallow-tailed Kite (Elanoides forficatus) is of highest conservation concern and has been recommended for consideration as federally endangered.  A priority research need identified by the Swallow-tailed Kite Southeastern Working Group is the development of a standardized, cost-effective monitoring program that establishes both distribution and population trends for this species.

As a conspicuous and easily identifiable species, the Swallow-tailed Kite is an excellent candidate for a citizen-science monitoring program.  Citizen-science programs carry the additional bonus of raising public awareness about ecological issues, educating the public about species of concern and their associated habitats, and allowing the public to become engaged supporters of wildlife conservation.  Because they are striking and awe-inspiring birds, Swallow-tailed Kites may act as a flagship for the conservation of the threatened habitats that they are associated with and an umbrella of protection for other species of concern associated with bottomland-hardwood forests and grasslands.

The overall goal of this research is to develop and evaluate the effectiveness of a citizen-science program as a monitoring and education tool using the breeding Swallow-tailed Kite as a study species.   This study addresses a specific need for the species by exploring a cost-effective monitoring tool.  The study scope, however, is broader in that it addresses the value and validity of citizen-science in wildlife conservation.  We hope that information gained from this study will provide a model for future citizen-science initiatives, important information on Swallow-tailed Kite distribution, productivity, and habitat use, while increasing citizen knowledge and awareness about Swallow-tailed Kites and their habitats in South Carolina.