Dataset Submitted

Movement data for the Colony Island Network Design and Implementation (CINDI) project to recover waterbirds in the Gulf of Mexico: Tricolored Heron (Egretta tricolor) 2023

Authors: Gawlik, Dale; Newstead, David; Giese, Jordan; Essian, David; Ballard, Bart
Identified On: Oct 23 2024 20:31 UTC
DOI: https://doi.org/10.7266/3y4qnaax
UDI: HI.x960.000:0005
Project Information

Funded By:

Research Group:
Conservation and Biodiversity

Point of Contact

Dale Gawlik
Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi / The Harte Research Institute for Gulf of Mexico Studies
dale.gawlik@tamucc.edu

Data Collection Period
2023-04-01
to
2023-12-31
Theme keywords

CINDI, Movement, Telemetry, Colony Islands, Waterbirds, Tricolored Heron, Egretta tricolor, Colony Island Network Design and Implementation

Abstract:

The waterbird population of the Gulf Coast of Texas relies on 300 natural and constructed colony islands to support the population, but the limited funds that are dedicated to island rehabilitation cannot be used to restore all islands. Managers must prioritize islands that provide the greatest benefit to waterbirds, but the prioritization process is challenging without a tool to guide their decisions. Therefore, we developed a data-driven prioritization tool that incorporates bio-geo-physical constraints on nesting as part of a pilot study. To achieve this, we collected data on island traits, foraging habitat, and landscape characteristics that influence waterbird breeding productivity. This dataset contains point locations and other associated data from GPS transmitters (Ornitrack 9, 10, or 15) that were attached to 12 nesting Tricolored Herons (Egretta tricolor) during the 2023 breeding season to assess foraging ranges around colonies in the Laguna Madre and Corpus Christi Bay systems of the Gulf Coast of Texas.

Suggested Citation:

Gawlik, Dale; Newstead, David; Giese, Jordan; Essian, David; Ballard, Bart. Movement data for the Colony Island Network Design and Implementation (CINDI) project to recover waterbirds in the Gulf of Mexico: Tricolored Heron (Egretta tricolor) 2023. Distributed by: GRIIDC, Harte Research Institute, Texas A&M University–Corpus Christi. doi:10.7266/3y4qnaax

Purpose:

The purpose of this dataset is to 1) delineate foraging ranges of Tricolored Herons (Egretta tricolor) around colonies, 2) estimate relative numbers of nests each bay system can support, and 3) estimate the probability of use for different habitats within their foraging ranges. These data are important as mobile species like waterbirds often get most of their food from a small part of their foraging range, and not necessarily the part close to the nest. Tracking data to identify the location and type of important foraging habitat for each species enables us to estimate the number of nesting pairs a bay system can support, which affects the prioritization of particular islands.

Data Parameters and Units:

Device ID, Date and time (UTC), data type, satellite count, battery (mV), battery state of charge (percentage), solar XX (mA), horizontal dilution of precision, Latitude (WGS84), Longitude (WGS84), altitude (m), speed (km/h), direction (degrees), temperature (C), magnetometer x, y, and z (micro Tesla), and accelerometer x, y, and z (m/s^2).

Methods:

This dataset used telemetered birds associated with colonies in the study area to identify distances that focal species will fly to access foraging habitat and the location of core foraging areas. During the spring of 2023, 12 Tricolored Herons (Egretta tricolor) were captured in and around target colonies and fitted with solar GPS-GSM tracking devices (model OrniTrack 9, 10, or 15, Ornitela, UAB) that constitute < 2% of a bird’s body mass. Transmitters were attached to birds via a backpack or leg-loop harness using a 4mm Teflon-elastic ribbon. The devices are solar rechargeable with a theoretical life of two years. Devices transferred data via the cell phone network and stored data onboard when in areas where suitable connections could not be made. We programmed tracking devices to collect location data once every hour.