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Re: Winter 2003 Chat -- Bachman's and Hermit



Harry and others, I would like to clarify the circumstances and activities
regarding the recent observations of Bachman's warbler in the Congaree
Swamp National Monument (COSW), SC, hopefully answering the questions that
you have posed here.  Indeed, there were reports of Bachman's warbler from
COSW from 2000 and 2001, and a rather intensive search was conducted in
2002.  No Bachman's warblers were observed during the survey period in
2002, and it is believed that the observations of 2000-2001 were a case of
mistaken identity.  It all began in 2001 when a birder/conservationist from
New Jersey reported hearing singing males and observing a female during
April at COSW.  However, no one received this report until late May, almost
a month after the initial observations.  At that time, Ken Rosenberg from
Cornell, Chuck Hunter (USFWS), myself, John Cely, Robin Carter and others
met at Congaree, searched for the bird(s), without any luck, and then
discussed future actions.  It was decided that an intensive search was
needed for 2002.  Since the Bachman's warbler coordinator for the USFWS was
in the process of vacating her position, I assumed responsibility for
coordinating this effort, partly because I coordinate the South Atlantic
Migratory Bird Initiative.  Under this initiative, the Bachman's warbler is
the highest priority species, although it is "presumed" extinct, yet much
of my work involves habitats for many bird species that utilize the same or
similar habitat.  In 2002, an extensive search was conducted in COSW, and
no Bachman's warblers were found.  I do have a final report that is
available, but I am not sure how to distribute (three documents).  Can this
listserv handle attachments?  Harry, perhaps I can send it to you to
distribute.  I am open to any suggestions to distribution.  The report will
answer the questions you have posed, and is available to the public.

 I would like to answer your questions here:

Question #1.  How many birders, at least those in SC and particularly in
the Columbia area, heard about these sightings in 2000 and 2001.  All
birders you mention in your message knew of the observations, and were
invited to participate in the 2002 survey, and in some way contributed to
the 2002 effort.  Additionally, other birders from the Columbia area were
invited.

Question #2.  Did you hear about them in time during those spring/summers
to go try to find/confirm the reports?  The observations were not broadcast
widely, and was not distributed on carolinabirds because the reports were
unsubstantiated.  If the warbler was found, then the confirmation would
have been reported and distributed widely, but the situation would be
managed by NPS personnel.  The National Park Service administers the COSW,
and management was extremely concerned about impacts, security, etc. from
the observations being broadcast, the observations at that time being only
reports and not confirmed.  It was decided that an intensive search take
place in 2002 to confirm the presence of the Bachman's warbler before any
publicity was given to the matter.  Posting to this listserv, if the bird
was confirmed, would have been a decision by the NPS and others involved
(SCDNR, USFWS), and I suspect they would have, fully realizing they would
have to manage a large influx of people, including birders, scientists,
reporters, etc.  One could only imagine what would happen at COSW if an
observation of the Bachman's warbler was confirmed, the first such
confirmation in over 40 years.

Question #3.  Why, if a report came in 2000, was a "search" not made of the
bird until 2002?  The initial report of a Bachman's warbler at COSW came in
late May of 2001, approximately one month after the birder made the
observations.  After the survey began in 2002, the observer who reported
the Bachman's warbler from COSW in 2001 stated that he saw them there in
2000, so no one knew of the observations from 2000 until 2002, and the
searches did not begin until 2002 because the reports came in too late from
2001.

Please advise on how to distribute the report, and please reply or call if
you have any questions.

                                                     
                                                     
 Craig Watson                                        
 Assistant Coordinator                               
 Atlantic Coast Joint Venture                        
 U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service                        
 176 Croghan Spur Rd., Suite 200                     
 Charleston, Sc 29407                                
 (843)727-4707, ext. 16                              
 Fax: (843)727-4218                                  
 craig_watson@fws.gov