Bank Swallow Monitoring [ds6]

Abstract

This database includes 966 records of quality controlled and assured Bank Swallow colony data on the Sacramento River. Each point feature documents a colony location for 21 years of Bank Swallow monitoring from 1986 to 2008 (no 2006 survey) on the Sacramento River between Redding and Knights Landing (280 river miles [RM]) as collected by California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW), US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), and California Department of Water Resources (CDWR). Surveys were conducted by boat from within the river channel. During surveys, colonies were identified to 0.10 RM (from Redding at RM 284RM to Verona at RM 80) and by bank side (right or left when traveling downstream). From 1986 to1997 (Legacy Data) colony locations were estimated on ACOE River Atlases and/or noted in field notebooks, and are therefore estimated point locations. From 1998 to 2008 (GIS era Data) colony locations were more accurately recorded using onboard GPS technology to map the downstream end of each colony. Coordinates were collected using either recreation-grade or mapping grade GPS units, and were either recorded on paper and later keyed into the database or were downloaded directly with other electronically recorded data and converted to ESRI shapefiles. Other data collected included an estimation of the number of active burrows (colony size) and survey date. Additional data collected irregularly and also included in this database were survey times, surveyors, land ownership above the colony, habitat or bank description at the colony and bank swallow related surveyor notes.

Purpose

This dataset was created for US Army Corps of Engineers to provide an accurate long term Sacramento River Bank Swallow monitoring dataset. It supersedes all other Bank Swallow databases through 2008 and they should be considered obsolete. It should be used when evaluating projects proposed for the Sacramento River with potential impacts to the California State threatened Bank Swallow. It provides a quality assured dataset for future Bank Swallow research, but should be used with guidance due to the variability within some attributes. We recommend that a member of the Bank Swallow Technical Advisory Group (BANS TAC) be consulted when using the database for analysis and project management purposes.

Caveats to consider when using the database

Potential inaccuracies and caveats follow, however, this data set represents a in-depth synthesis of all available information and represents as accurate a representation possible given the particulars of the data (in particular the Legacy data).

Colony locations may not be accurate particularly in the pre GPS years (1986 to 1997, the Legacy Data and associated files), due to potential surveyor error regarding boat location on the river and actual channel location relevant to the maps used for survey navigation (in the field). Inaccuracies in the QA/QC process could include interpretation error of survey and GIS layers (aerial photos, delineated river channels) used to aide in colony location during creation of the database. The range of survey dates vary in the early survey years (1986 to1991) when survey methodology was being developed, and must be considered when analyzing the number of colonies and colony size when using the temporal data (survey date ranges). Because swallow activity varies during their presence on the river (April through August) the colony location and size will vary depending on the survey date range. For example, in 1987, 12 survey dates were recorded from April 18 to July 16. The survey period did not become more standardized until 1992 (through current), when surveys were conducted 2 to 3 days in early June, during peak nesting activity.

Furthermore, the number of colonies recorded each survey year may not be comparative between the Legacy Data years due to changes in counting methodology. In some years, colonies directly across channel from each other were counted as one, though most of these were later split. If resolved, these issues were identified in the comments section.

These data (SR_BANS_1986_2008_R1234_BIOS) are part of the DG_Thesis_BANS99_08 database.

Supplementary Information

Creation of the Database

The data set is created from a review, comparison and rectification of variety of Bank Swallow monitoring paper sources including field notes, field river atlases, annual reports, published and unpublished sources, and three GIS shapefiles: DFG_bankswallow_1986_2003 (CDFG), DG_Thesis_BANS99_08 (CSU Chico) and Bank_Swallow_Survey_2007 (USFWS).

Paper Sources Quality Assessment Methods

Paper sources were received from CDFW (formerly CDFG), reviewed and sorted for relevancy and then compared with sources that were considered most accurate. Ron Schlorffs July 24, 1992 report to: Members of the Bank Swallow Recovery Team regarding Sacramento River Bank Swallow Surveys, 1986 to 92 with attached 16Jul92 Table, was used as a foundation document for comparison to other data sources. Colony locations and burrow numbers had been updated by Barry Garrison for this 1992 report for River Miles 144 to 244, through 1992 (7 years of survey data). This table continued to be updated through 2001. Discrepancies between sources were noted and clarified with the current review team and rectified where possible. Paper sources were also compared with GIS files.

GIS File Sources Quality Assessment Methods 2013/2014

The GIS data points for years 1986 to 1997 (Legacy Data) underwent a rigorous QA/QC process. GIS file attributes were compared with paper sources for accuracy among the various sources, specifically for the critical data from these datasets: colony location (river mile and bank side), and size (burrow number). Colonies were repositioned based on locations recorded on the May 1984 River Atlas during the first Sacramento River Bank Swallow surveys (1986/87) and the GIS sources noted below in this paragraph. These point locations were visually reviewed and updated by Adam Henderson (DWR/BANS surveyor). Joe Silveira (USFWS/BANS surveyor), Colleen Hatfield (CSU Chico professor/BANS Legacy QA/QC project director) and Dawn Garcia (BANS Legacy QA/QC project contractor, BANS thesis 2009) during several sessions (see Biographies heading for reviewer qualifications). A. Henderson (DWR) provided essential GIS sources as data layers including historic aerial photos, historic river channel delineations, floodplain geology and soils, and revetment for the Bank Swallow survey river miles and years. Ron Schlorff (CDFG BANS surveyor, survey methodology co-founder) met with those noted above for file data orientation and data reviews, including a final review to resolve colony location/attribute questions that we could not resolve. We visually reviewed each colony for each year on a large screen, starting at the most upstream colony RM291.8L and adjusted points and attributes as necessary through the most downstream colony at RM80.5R. When appropriate, point locations were conservatively modified based on institutional BANS survey and river knowledge (Adam Henderson, Joe Silveira and Ron Schlorff), multiple GIS layers and consultation with paper sources.

The later years of the project, the GIS era survey years 1999 to 2008 in the database DG_Thesis_BANS99_08, had been thoroughly reviewed by Colleen Hatfield, Joe Silveira, Ron Schlorff and Adam Henderson, prior to thesis submittal to CSU Chico in 2009. These data were merged with the Legacy Data years (1986 to 1998) and reviewed once again visually (using the above methods) for spatial accuracy. Garcia also compared GIS data to paper sources to identify and resolve discrepancies, ensuring accuracy of the DG_Thesis_BANS99_08 database.

Database Author and Reviewer Biographies Relative to the Bank Swallow

Dawn Garcia , Avian Ecologist. MS., Geological and Environmental Sciences, Avian Ecology, CSU Chico 2009. BANS TAC member (2008 to current). Conducted quality analysis/ quality control (QA) on Bank Swallow data from 1998 to 2008 to create MS thesis: Spatial and Temporal Patterns of the Bank Swallow on the Sacramento River, 1998 to 2008. Developed a brochure and website (bankswallows.org) to educate landowners along the Sacramento River about Bank Swallow ecology and incentive programs that protect swallow habitat, 2010. Bank Swallow surveyor (2008).

Publications and Documents

Bank Swallow (Riparia riparia) Conservation Strategy for the Sacramento River Watershed, California (BANS-TAC 2013)

Poster: Revisiting the Sacramento River California Bank Swallow (Riparia riparia) Colony Inventory Database: 1986 to 2010, for the Middle Sacramento River Science Conference, June 2013, Chico, CA.

Poster: Bank Swallow (Riparia riparia) Colony Population Status and Trends on the Middle Sacramento River 1999 to 2012. For the Middle Sacramento River Science Conference, June 2013, Chico CA.

Poster: Spatial and temporal patterns of the banks swallow (Riparia riparia) colonies on the Sacramento River, 1999 to 2008. D. Garcia, J. Silveira, A. Henderson and C. Hatfield. Presented at the US Chapter of the International Association of Landscape Ecology. April 2011. Portland OR.

Bank Swallows on the Sacramento River, a 10 year update on populations and conservation status. Central Valley Bird Club Bulletin. Garcia, D., R. Schlorff, and J. Silveira. 2008.

Colleen Hatfield , PhD. Professor of Biological Sciences CSU Chico. BANS TAC member since 2009. Major Advisor to Dawn Garcia, MS thesis: Spatial and Temporal Patterns of the Bank Swallow on the Sacramento River, 1998 to 2008.

Publications and Documents

Poster: Revisiting the Sacramento River California Bank Swallow (Riparia riparia) Colony Inventory Database: 1986 to 2010, for the Middle Sacramento River Science Conference, June 2013, Chico, CA.

Poster: Spatial and temporal patterns of the banks swallow (Riparia riparia) colonies on the Sacramento River, 1999 to 2008. D. Garcia, J. Silveira, A. Henderson and C. Hatfield. Presented at the US Chapter of the International Association of Landscape Ecology. April 2011. Portland OR.

Adam Henderson, Senior Environmental Scientist, MA Physical Geography. California Department of Water Resources (CDWR). BANS TAC member 2008 to current. Bank Swallow Surveyor (2008 to current). Developed on-board GIS survey data collection methodology. Coauthor of the Bank Swallow Conservation Strategy (2014). Reviewed and counseled Dawn on thesis database DG_Thesis_BANS99_08.

Publications and Documents

Bank Swallow (Riparia riparia) Conservation Strategy for the Sacramento River Watershed, California (BANS TAC 2013)

Poster: Revisiting the Sacramento River California Bank Swallow (Riparia riparia) Colony Inventory Database: 1986 to 2010, for the Middle Sacramento River Science Conference, June 2013 Chico, CA.

Poster: Bank Swallow (Riparia riparia) Colony Population Status and Trends on the Middle Sacramento River 1999 to 2012. For the Middle Sacramento River Science Conference, June 2013, Chico CA.

Poster: Spatial and temporal patterns of the banks swallow (Riparia riparia) colonies on the Sacramento River, 1999 to 2008. D. Garcia, J. Silveira, A. Henderson and C. Hatfield. Presented at the US Chapter of the International Association of Landscape Ecology. April 2011. Portland OR.

Bank Swallow Population and Habitat Trends along the Sacramento River, Red Bluff to Colusa. Riparian Habitat Conservation and Floodplain Management in California. In Conference Proceedings, Riparian Habitat Joint Venture Conference. December 2007. Sacramento, CA. Silveira, J., R. Schlorff, A. Henderson, and M. Singer.

Jennifer Isola , Wildlife Biologist, US Fish and Wildlife Service, SRNWR. Bank Swallow Surveyor (1998 to 2012). Operates and manages the refuges geospatial database, which includes the annual Bank Swallow survey (Red Bluff to Colusa portion).

Sacramento River Bank Swallow Colonies - between Red Bluff and Colusa, June annual colony survey maps.

Poster: Bank Swallow (Riparia riparia) Colony Population Status and Trends on the Middle Sacramento River 1999 to 2012. For the Middle Sacramento River Science Conference, June 2013, Chico CA.

Poster: Status and Trend of the Bank Swallow Along the Sacramento River for the Riparian Habitat Joint Venture Conference, December 2007, Sacramento, CA.

Ron Schlorff , Wildlife Biologist, California Department of Fish and Game Nongame Bird and Mammal Program, 1978 to 2008 (retired). Conducted research and recovery activities for endangered bird and mammal species including the Bank Swallow from 1986 to 2008. Collaborated with Barry Garrison, and other Department and agency biologists, to develop research programs, survey methodologies, impact mitigation, and recovery strategies for bank swallow breeding populations on the Sacramento River and elsewhere within the species range in California. BANS TAC member 2008. Authored and coauthored numerous publications and Department files.

Publications and Documents

Reviewed and counseled Dawn on thesis database DG_Thesis_BANS99_08. Co-author on peer reviewed publication: Bank Swallows on the Sacramento River, a 10 year update on populations and conservation status.

Poster: Revisiting the Sacramento River California Bank Swallow (Riparia riparia) Colony Inventory Database: 1986 to 2010, for the Middle Sacramento River Science Conference, June 2013 in Chico, CA.

Poster: Bank Swallow (Riparia riparia) Colony Population Status and Trends on the Middle Sacramento River 1999 to 2012. For the Middle Sacramento River Science Conference, June 2013, Chico CA.

Bank Swallows on the Sacramento River, a 10 year update on populations and conservation status. Central Valley Bird Club Bulletin. Garcia, D., R. Schlorff, and J. Silveira. 2008. Central Valley Bird Club Bulletin.

Bank Swallow Population and Habitat Trends along the Sacramento River, Red Bluff to Colusa. Riparian Habitat Conservation and Floodplain Management in California. In Conference Proceedings, Riparian Habitat Joint Venture Conference. December 2007. Sacramento, CA. Silveira, J., R. Schlorff, A. Henderson, and M. Singer.

Poster: Status and Trend of the Bank Swallow Along the Sacramento River for the Riparian Habitat Joint Venture Conference, December 2007, Sacramento, CA.

Importance of hydrologic and landscape heterogeneity for restoring Bank Swallow (Riparia riparia) colonies along the Sacramento River, California. 2005. Moffantt, K.C., E.E. Crone, K.D. Holl, R.W. Schlorff, and B.A. Garrison. Restoration Ecology.

Monitoring Bank Swallow Populations on the Sacramento River: A Decade of Decline. 1997. Transactions of the Western Section of the Wildlife Society.

Population trends and management of the Bank Swallow (Riparia riparia) on the Sacramento River, California. 1989. Garrison, B.A., R.W. Schlorff, J.M. Humphrey, S.A. Laymon, and F.J. Michny. USDA Forest Service, GTR PSW 110.

Joe Silveira , MS, Wildlife Biologist, US Fish and Wildlife Service, SRNWR. BANS TAC member 2008 to current and co-author of the Bank Swallow Conservation Strategy, 2014. Bank Swallow Surveyor (1997 to current). Thesis committee advisor to Dawn Garcia, editor of 2009 Thesis, Spatial and Temporal Patterns of the Bank Swallow on the Sacramento River, 1999-2008. Reviewed and advised for thesis database DG_Thesis_BANS99_08.

Publications and Documents

Bank Swallow (Riparia riparia) Conservation Strategy for the Sacramento River Watershed, California (BANS TAC 2013)

Appendix A. Detailed Information on Individual Ecological Indicators: Number of Bank Swallow (Riparia riparia) Nest Burrow; Number of Bank Swallow Nesting Colonies. In Successes, Failures, and Suggested Future Directions for Ecosystem Restoration of the Middle Sacramento River, California. San Francisco Estuary and Watershed Science. Golet, G.H. et al. 2013.

Poster: Revisiting the Sacramento River California Bank Swallow (Riparia riparia) Colony Inventory Database: 1986 to 2010, for the Middle Sacramento River Science Conference, June 2013, Chico, CA.

Poster: Bank Swallow (Riparia riparia) Colony Population Status and Trends on the Middle Sacramento River 1999 to 2012. For the Middle Sacramento River Science Conference, June 2013, Chico CA.

Poster: Spatial and temporal patterns of the banks swallow (Riparia riparia) colonies on the Sacramento River, 1999 to 2008. D. Garcia, J. Silveira, A. Henderson and C. Hatfield. Presented at the US Chapter of the International Association of Landscape Ecology. April 2011. Portland OR.

Bank Swallows on the Sacramento River, a 10 year update on populations and conservation status. Central Valley Bird Club Bulletin. Garcia, D., R. Schlorff, and J. Silveira. 2008.

Bank Swallow Population Status and Habitat Restoration along the Middle Sacramento River. Ecesis. Silveira, J. 2008.

Bank Swallow Population and Habitat Trends along the Sacramento River, Red Bluff to Colusa. Riparian Habitat Conservation and Floodplain Management in California. In Conference Proceedings, Riparian Habitat Joint Venture Conference. December 2007. Sacramento, CA. Silveira, J., R. Schlorff, A. Henderson, and M. Singer.

Poster: Status and Trend of the Bank Swallow Along the Sacramento River for the Riparian Habitat Joint Venture Conference, December 2007, Sacramento, CA.

Disclaimer: The State makes no claims, promises, or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, reliability, or adequacy of these data and expressly disclaims liability for errors and omissions in these data. No warranty of any kind, implied, expressed, or statutory, including but not limited to the warranties of non-infringement of third party rights, title, merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, and freedom from computer virus, is given with respect to these data.