Data Owner

Maryland Department of Natural Resources

Data Access: Level 5

Note however that records of Black Rail (Laterallus jamaicensis) and King Rail (Rallus elegans) are protected as Level 2 since those species are State Endangered and locations are considered sensitive. The below data downloads will not include records of this species.

Metadata download: sgml  html  txt
Data download: Full Dataset or Database Query Tool

Abstract

The Maryland Marshbird Censuses were conducted between 1990 and 1992 to provide baseline data about the distribution and relative abundance of marshbirds within Marylands Coastal Plain. The effort supplemented information gathered by the Maryland Breeding Bird Atlas (1984-1989). A team of three expert surveyors conducted point counts using tape playback of 9 species specific audio sequences to elicit responses from the targeted species of marshbirds.   

Purpose

 

The 1990-1992 Maryland marshbird project was designed to:

•       develop a technique to survey the breeding marshbirds in Maryland using tape playback methodology,
•       determine the optimum time during the dusk to dawn period for surveying marshbirds,
•       determine the optimum period during the breeding season for surveying breeding marshbirds in Maryland,
•       determine environmental factors that affect calling response of marshbirds to broadcast vocalizations,
•       document the distribution and relative abundance of marshbird breeding populations in Maryland's tidal wetlands, and
•       establish base line marshbird population indices for future assessment of relative population changes.

Contact

David Brinker: DBRINKER@dnr.state.md.us