Information for Participants

Photos: left, Acadian Flycatcher by Anne Geraghty; right, Red-eyed Vireo nest with cowbird egg by Tom Klubertanz

Invitation

     Members of the community, whether experienced birders, beginning birders, or individuals simply interested in documenting changes in the bird populations of the Cook Arboretum, are invited to assist in Large-group Sampling of three of the park's most sensitive forest birds: Cerulean Warbler, Hooded Warbler, and Acadian Flycatcher.  By focusing on these three important species, we reduce the difficulty of learning forest bird songs and field marks for identification.  The Birds of the Cook Arboretum Research Project (BCARP) would not be possible without the contribution of dozens of volunteers who have helped sample the park.

Large-group Sampling Methodology

    Sampling consists of volunteers spread throughout the Arboretum in an attempt to locate individuals of the three target species.  Less experienced birders are paired as necessary with experienced birders who are familiar with the target species.  It is exceedingly difficult for an individual to accurately census birds in a forested habitat; the Acadian Flycatcher, for example, generally is very active and mobile.  In Cook Arboretum, trails often are in ear-shot of each other, meaning that a bird heard while hiking on one trail can easily be double-counted while hiking later on a parallel trail.  In Large-group Sampling, however, volunteers spread out across the various trails of the park and communicate with each other via radio to ensure that birds are not counted twice. The location of each Cerulean Warbler, Hooded Warbler, or Acadian Flycatcher is plotted on a detailed park map by each volunteer, thereby allowing better determination of the true location of the bird as well as creating a cross-reference of simultaneous observations. 

2024 Sampling Dates

     Likely 2024 dates for large-group sampling  are first or second Saturdays in June and July.  Exact dates will be announced soon.  Sampling is from 6 AM to 9 AM, in good weather for birding.  Be prepared for hilly terrain, only a few biting insects, and most importantly, an outstanding birding experience and opportunity to contribute to our knowledge about forest birds in Rock County.

Want to Participate?

    Volunteers are always needed for this project.  Simply put, we cannot collect quality data without the help of members of the community. If you are interested please contact:

Tom Klubertanz, Professor of Biology

Department of Integrated Studies

University of Wisconsin-Whitewater at Rock County

2909 Kellogg Avenue

Janesville, WI   53546

E-mail: klubertt@uww.edu

Phone: 608-898-5069

    In addition, individuals interested in knowing more about Rock County's birds are encouraged to enroll in the Rock County Wisconsin Birding group on Facebook.  Group members share observations, post photos, obtain identifications, and receive notifications regarding bird-related citizen-science projects in the area.

Identification tools for species targeted by Large-group Sampling

     To improve the success of Large-group Sample, we hope the all volunteers review the following links to identification tips prior to sampling.