Background:

The Crooked River National Grassland is planning on doing a widespread fire treatment on public land east of Madras.  The area ranges from Smith Rocks in the south to near Willowdale in the north.  Pre-burn and Post-burn avian data are being collected to monitor the affects of this action on local birds.  An emphasis is being placed on monitoring Gray Flycatchers because of their status as a species of concern.

Methods:

A standard point count method is used.  Surveyors are provided maps with random points.  Surveyors drive to those points and listen for 10 minutes, recording every species heard.  When Gray Flycatchers are heard, compass readings distance estimates are recorded.  There are 10 such points in each route.  Surveys begin as sunrise and usually take 3-4 hours.  Follow-up surveys are then done to locate Gray Flycatcher nests.