Monitoring Impacts and Successes

HOW TO HELP SEARCH and RESCUE DOWNED SEABIRDS AT YOUR FACILITY

Sept. 15-Dec. 15- Monitoring effects at facilities goes hand-in-hand with minimizing mortality and injury to downed seabirds.

1. A bird found and rescued is a bird that has a chance to live.  Birds that are not found are highly susceptible to starvation, predation, and other forms of mortality (eg. being run over by cars).  We require collection of dead birds as well.
2. Active searching, data reporting, and safe seabird handling practices are key to maximizing the benefits of on-site monitoring programs. 
3. KSHCP applicants and others seeking to be Seabird-friendly Lighting Partners can request Worker Seabird Awareness and Response Training (WSART) each year from KSHCP staff.
4. A sample WSART Power Point module and monitoring forms are provided below for reference and use:

Sample Worker Seabird Awareness and Response Training module -KSHCP staff typically deliver the training at your facility. This sample gives you an idea of the information provided. If you would like the Powerpoint presentation please contact our office at 245-9160.

Sample Seabird Monitoring and Reporting forms:

           - Monitoring

           - Reporting

Seabird Identification Guide for workers

On average the KSHCP staff provides WSART to employees at 20+ facilities per year. Mahalo to those facilities for preparing and responding to downed seabirds who need our help!

Photos provided by Andrea Erichsen

Monitoring is a mandatory element of Habitat Conservation Plans. The KSHCP shall develop detailed plans for the following types of monitoring:

1. Impact monitoring at covered facilities;

2. Compliance monitoring to ensure implementation of HCP permit conditions; and

3. Efficacy monitoring of mitigation - seabird colonies, restoration techniques, population level monitoring.

More information on the KSHCP Monitoring Plans and Protocols will be posted as available.

Below are links to presentations delivered at the July 2009 Hawaii Conservation Conference:

- Bill Standley Monitoring Under Incidental Take Permits For Listed Species - an overview of the requirements for monitoring under HCPs

- Andrea Erichsen Down to Earth: Light Attraction Minimization and Monitoring Strategies for the Kaua‘i Seabird Habitat Conservation Plan

If you are not able to sucessfully see the videos, please visit the Hawai‘i Conservation Alliance web site at http://hawaiiconservation.org/2009hcc_presentations.asp or go directly to http://blip.tv/file/2393728 and browse the episodes.

Mahalo nui loa to the volunteer production team, lead by Aaron Lowe and Ron Cannarella, for making this broadcast possible.

Photos below are provided courtesty of Nick Holmes, Andrea Erichsen, and Paul Chang respectively.