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), 2024

Authors: Gawlik, Dale; Newstead, David; Giese, Jordan; Essian, David; Ballard, Bart
Identified On: Oct 29 2024 15:58 UTC
DOI: https://doi.org/10.7266/pr3pj20d
UDI: HI.x960.000:0006
Project Information

Funded By:
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

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
2024-05-16
to
2024-09-30
Theme keywords

CINDI, Movement, Telemetry, Colony Islands, Waterbirds, Colony Island Network Design and Implementation, Great Egret

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 15 nesting Tricolored Herons (Egretta tricolor) during the 2024 breeding season to assess foraging ranges around colonies on the mid- and lower 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), 2024. Distributed by: GRIIDC, Harte Research Institute, Texas A&M University–Corpus Christi. doi:10.7266/pr3pj20d

Purpose:

The purpose of this dataset is to 1) delineate foraging ranges 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), satellite count, battery state of charge (percentage), horizontal dilution of precision, Latitude (WGS84), Longitude (WGS84), altitude (m), speed (km/h), direction (degrees), temperature (C), 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. In 2024, 15 Tricolored Herons 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.

Instruments:

Solar GPS-GSM tracking devices (model OrniTrack 9, 10, or 15, Ornitela, UAB)