Aerial Surveys of Shorebirds at Pre-migratory Staging Sites in Western Alaska, 2018-2019

Identification_Information:

Citation:

Citation_Information:

Originator: Ruthrauff, Daniel R. (ORCID: 0000-0003-1355-9156)
Originator: Pohlen, Zachary M.
Originator: Wilson, Heather M.
Publication_Date: 20201015
Title:

Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: tabular digital data
Series_Information:

Series_Name:

Aerial Surveys of Shorebirds at Pre-migratory Staging Sites in Western Alaska, 2018-2019

Issue_Identification: ver 2.0, January 2022

Publication_Information:

Publication_Place: Anchorage, Alaska
Publisher: U.S. Geological Survey, Alaska Science Center

Other_Citation_Details:

Suggested Citation: Ruthrauff, D.R., Pohlen, Z.M., and Wilson, H.M., 2020, Aerial surveys of shorebirds at pre-migratory staging sites in western Alaska, 2018-2019 (ver 2.0, January 2022): U.S. Geological Survey data release, https://doi.org/10.5066/P9ZS5Y6N

Online_Linkage: https://doi.org/10.5066/P9ZS5Y6N
Larger_Work_Citation:

Citation_Information:

Originator: U.S. Geological Survey, Alaska Science Center
Publication_Date: 2001
Title: Population Status and Ecology of North Pacific Shorebirds
Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: website
Series_Information:

Series_Name: Alaska Science Portal
Issue_Identification: 82

Publication_Information:

Publication_Place: Anchorage, Alaska
Publisher: U.S. Geological Survey, Alaska Science Center

Other_Citation_Details:

This is a link to the broader USGS Alaska Science Center research project supported by these data. Users will find a description of the research project and links to associated reports, publications, and data products.

Online_Linkage: https://alaska.usgs.gov/portal/project.php?project_id=82

Description:

Abstract:

The data in this table document the numbers of four species of shorebird counted during aerial surveys of coastal sites in western Alaska. Survey regions encompassed coastline between the mouths of the Kuskokwim and Yukon rivers, and the northern coast of the Alaska Peninsula from the mouths of the Kvichak and Naknek rivers to Nelson Lagoon. Surveys were flown from 7-9 September 2018 and 20-22 August 2019. Also provided are two Keyhole Markup Language (KML) files with the start and end points of the aerial survey transect segments, and copies of the aerial survey images from which the counts were derived.

Purpose:

These data were collected to document the distribution and abundance of four species of shorebirds at migratory staging sites in western Alaska.

Time_Period_of_Content:

Time_Period_Information:

Range_of_Dates/Times:

Beginning_Date: 20180907
Ending_Date: 20190822

Currentness_Reference: observed

Status:

Progress: Complete
Maintenance_and_Update_Frequency: None planned

Spatial_Domain:

Description_of_Geographic_Extent:

Coastal sites in western Alaska. Specifically, coastal regions from the mouth of the Kuskokwim River north to the mouth of the Yukon River, and coastal sites along the Alaska Peninsula from the mouth of the Kvichak River south to Nelson Lagoon.

Bounding_Coordinates:

West_Bounding_Coordinate: -168.049
East_Bounding_Coordinate: -156.775
North_Bounding_Coordinate: 63.283
South_Bounding_Coordinate: 55.756

Keywords:

Theme:

Theme_Keyword_Thesaurus: USGS Metadata Identifier
Theme_Keyword: USGS:ASC323

Theme:

Theme_Keyword_Thesaurus: ISO 19115 Topic Category
Theme_Keyword: Biota
Theme_Keyword: Environment

Theme:

Theme_Keyword_Thesaurus: NASA GCMD Earth Science Keyword Thesaurus
Theme_Keyword: Animals/Vertebrates
Theme_Keyword: Birds
Theme_Keyword: Waders/Gulls/Auks and Allies

Theme:

Theme_Keyword_Thesaurus: USGS CSA Biocomplexity Thesaurus
Theme_Keyword: Migratory birds
Theme_Keyword: Aerial surveys
Theme_Keyword: Seasonal distribution

Theme:

Theme_Keyword_Thesaurus: USGS Thesaurus
Theme_Keyword: Wildlife
Theme_Keyword: Coastal ecosystems
Theme_Keyword: Aerial photography
Theme_Keyword: Migratory species

Theme:

Theme_Keyword_Thesaurus: None
Theme_Keyword: Shorebirds
Theme_Keyword: Bar-tailed Godwit
Theme_Keyword: Hudsonian Godwit
Theme_Keyword: Marbled Godwit
Theme_Keyword: Whimbrel

Place:

Place_Keyword_Thesaurus: USGS Geographic Names Information System (GNIS)
Place_Keyword: Alaska
Place_Keyword: Yukon Delta National Wildlife Refuge
Place_Keyword: Alaska Peninsula
Place_Keyword: Egegik Bay
Place_Keyword: Ugashik Bay
Place_Keyword: Port Heiden
Place_Keyword: Hook Lagoon
Place_Keyword: Nelson Lagoon

Place:

Place_Keyword_Thesaurus: None
Place_Keyword: Yukon-Kuskokwim River Delta

Taxonomy:

Keywords/Taxon:

Taxonomic_Keyword_Thesaurus: None
Taxonomic_Keywords: Bar-tailed Godwit
Taxonomic_Keywords: Hudsonian Godwit
Taxonomic_Keywords: Marbled Godwit
Taxonomic_Keywords: Whimbrel

Taxonomic_System:

Classification_System/Authority:

Classification_System_Citation:

Citation_Information:

Originator: Integrated Taxonomic Information System
Publication_Date: Unknown
Title: Integrated Taxonomic Information System
Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: database
Series_Information:

Series_Name: Taxonomic Serial Number
Issue_Identification: TSN: 176687, 176690, 176686, 176599

Publication_Information:

Publication_Place: online
Publisher: ITIS-North America

Other_Citation_Details:

Taxonomic details were retrieved 9 October 2020 from the Integrated Taxonomic Information System online database https://www.itis.gov

Online_Linkage: https://www.itis.gov

Taxonomic_Procedures:

Species were identified by skilled observers in the field based on size, shape, behavior, and patterns of flight.

Taxonomic_Completeness:

Taxonomy is completed for all samples. No voucher specimens were collected.

Taxonomic_Classification:

Taxon_Rank_Name: Kingdom
Taxon_Rank_Value: Animalia
Taxonomic_Classification:

Taxon_Rank_Name: Subkingdom
Taxon_Rank_Value: Bilateria
Taxonomic_Classification:

Taxon_Rank_Name: Infrakingdom
Taxon_Rank_Value: Deuterostomia
Taxonomic_Classification:

Taxon_Rank_Name: Phylum
Taxon_Rank_Value: Chordata
Taxonomic_Classification:

Taxon_Rank_Name: Subphylum
Taxon_Rank_Value: Vertebrata
Taxonomic_Classification:

Taxon_Rank_Name: Infraphylum
Taxon_Rank_Value: Gnathostomata
Taxonomic_Classification:

Taxon_Rank_Name: Superclass
Taxon_Rank_Value: Tetrapoda
Taxonomic_Classification:

Taxon_Rank_Name: Class
Taxon_Rank_Value: Aves
Taxonomic_Classification:

Taxon_Rank_Name: Order
Taxon_Rank_Value: Charadriiformes
Taxonomic_Classification:

Taxon_Rank_Name: Family
Taxon_Rank_Value: Scolopacidae
Taxonomic_Classification:

Taxon_Rank_Name: Genus
Taxon_Rank_Value: Limosa
Taxonomic_Classification:

Taxon_Rank_Name: Species
Taxon_Rank_Value: Limosa lapponica
Applicable_Common_Name: Bar-tailed Godwit
Applicable_Common_Name: TSN: 176687

Taxonomic_Classification:

Taxon_Rank_Name: Species
Taxon_Rank_Value: Limosa haemastica
Applicable_Common_Name: Hudsonian Godwit
Applicable_Common_Name: TSN: 176690

Taxonomic_Classification:

Taxon_Rank_Name: Species
Taxon_Rank_Value: Limosa fedoa
Applicable_Common_Name: Marbled Godwit
Applicable_Common_Name: TSN: 176686

Taxonomic_Classification:

Taxon_Rank_Name: Genus
Taxon_Rank_Value: Numenius
Taxonomic_Classification:

Taxon_Rank_Name: Species
Taxon_Rank_Value: Numenius phaeopus
Applicable_Common_Name: Whimbrel
Applicable_Common_Name: TSN: 176599

Access_Constraints: None
Use_Constraints:

It is requested that the authors and the USGS Alaska Science Center be cited for any subsequent publications that reference this dataset.

Point_of_Contact:

Contact_Information:

Contact_Organization_Primary:

Contact_Organization: U.S. Geological Survey, Alaska Science Center

Contact_Address:

Address_Type: Mailing and Physical
Address: 4210 University Drive
City: Anchorage
State_or_Province: Alaska
Postal_Code: 99508
Country: USA

Contact_Voice_Telephone: 907-786-7000
Contact_Electronic_Mail_Address: ascweb@usgs.gov

Data_Set_Credit:

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Migratory Bird Management, Anchorage, AK 99508

Cross_Reference:

Citation_Information:

Originator: Ruthrauff, D.R. (ORCID: 0000-0003-1355-9156)
Originator: Pohlen, Z.M.
Originator: Wilson, H.M.
Originator: Johnson, J.A. (ORCID:0000-0002-2312-0633)
Publication_Date: 2021
Title:

Bar-tailed Godwits Limosa lapponica in Alaska: revisiting population estimates from the staging grounds

Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: journal article
Series_Information:

Series_Name: Wader Study
Issue_Identification: 128(3):255-264

Publication_Information:

Publication_Place: online
Publisher: International Wader Study Group

Other_Citation_Details:

Ruthrauff, D.R., Pohlen, Z.M., Wilson, H.M. and Johnson, J.A. 2021. Bar-tailed Godwits Limosa lapponica in Alaska: revisiting population estimates from the staging grounds. Wader Study 128(3):255-264 https://doi.org/10.18194/ws.00251

Online_Linkage: https://doi.org/10.18194/ws.00251

Data_Quality_Information:

Attribute_Accuracy:

Attribute_Accuracy_Report:

Aerial surveys were conducted by trained personnel with extensive experience identifying shorebirds and conducting aerial surveys. During surveys, observations were collected via a voice-enabled tablet linked to a GPS, and surveys were downloaded and transcribed after each flight to a digital spreadsheet. The size of each flock was estimated by the primary observer, and the secondary observer attempted to photograph each flock for later correction of flock-size estimates. We collected high resolution digital photos for use in the digital enumeration process. Photos were zoomed to allow for accurate species identification and enumeration, and we used a software-generated grid to systematically search each image. These photo-verified counts are much more accurate than counts based on estimates alone, but no formal methods (i.e., double observer counts, etc.) were employed to assess the accuracy of the digitizing process. Nearly 90% of all flocks were photographed and flock sizes manually verified via this process.

Logical_Consistency_Report:

For all observations of birds, an estimate of the number of individuals is presented for each observation ('best_est'), either reflecting an estimate from the primary observer ('est_num') or a count derived from a photo collected of the flock during the survey ('actual_num'). Blank cells indicate that information was not collected (e.g., situations where a flock was not seen by the primary observer but was photographed and recorded by the secondary observer) or was not relevant (e.g., no observation for start or end of transects; see Attribute Definitions for details). Values were checked for outliers and proofed for accuracy.

Completeness_Report:

Data set is complete. No data were omitted and there are no missing data.

Positional_Accuracy:

Horizontal_Positional_Accuracy:

Horizontal_Positional_Accuracy_Report:

Positions reflect location of plane when flock was detected. Positions were determined by the survey plane's on-board GPS; accuracy estimated to be within 3 m. Horizontal positions are specified in geographic coordinates to the nearest 0.001. Latitude and longitude values are specified in Decimal degrees. The horizontal datum used is World Geodetic System of 1984.

Lineage:

Methodology:

Methodology_Type: Field
Methodology_Description:

Following approaches detailed by Gill and McCaffery(1999), surveys were conducted by pilot-biologist H. Wilson of the US Fish and Wildlife Service's office of Migratory Bird Management in a Cessna 206. Surveys were conducted at speeds of approximately 100 knots at altitudes of about 150 feet. D. Ruthrauff (U.S. Geological Survey) and Z. Pohlen (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service) served as observers, and Z. Pohlen and C. Gelasso (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service) were secondary observers/photographers. Surveys were timed to coincide with periods when the majority of individuals from the target species were believed to be present at migratory staging sites along mudflats in western Alaska (late August / early September). Survey routes followed the coast, and were timed with daytime periods of high tides. High tides serve to group the birds into flocks that are easily detected during surveys. The four species of shorebirds detailed in this data release are large-bodied and display diagnostic plumage characteristics that facilitate easy identification by trained observers.

Source_Information:

Source_Citation:

Citation_Information:

Originator: Gill, Jr., R.E.
Originator: McCaffery, B.J.
Publication_Date: 1999
Title:

Bar-tailed Godwits Limosa lapponica in Alaska: a population estimate from the staging grounds

Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: journal article
Series_Information:

Series_Name: Wader Study Group Bulletin
Issue_Identification: 88:49-54

Publication_Information:

Publication_Place: online
Publisher: International Wader Study Group

Other_Citation_Details:

Gill, Jr., R.E., McCaffery, B.J. 1999. Bar-tailed Godwits Limosa lapponica in Alaska: a population estimate from the staging grounds. Wader Study Group Bulletin 88:49-54.

Type_of_Source_Media: publication
Source_Time_Period_of_Content:

Time_Period_Information:

Single_Date/Time:

Calendar_Date: 1999

Source_Currentness_Reference: publication date

Source_Citation_Abbreviation: Gill and McCaffery 1999
Source_Contribution: Description of aerial survey study area and technique

Source_Information:

Source_Citation:

Citation_Information:

Originator: Ersts, P.J.
Publication_Date: 2020
Title: DotDotGoose
Edition: 1.5.1
Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: software
Publication_Information:

Publication_Place: online
Publisher: American Museum of Natural History

Other_Citation_Details:

Ersts, P.J. DotDotGoose (version 1.5.1, May 2020). American Museum of Natural History, Center for Biodiversity and Conservation. Available from https://biodiversityinformatics.amnh.org/open_source/dotdotgoose

Online_Linkage:

https://biodiversityinformatics.amnh.org/open_source/dotdotgoose

Type_of_Source_Media: software
Source_Time_Period_of_Content:

Time_Period_Information:

Single_Date/Time:

Calendar_Date: 2020

Source_Currentness_Reference: access date

Source_Citation_Abbreviation: Ersts 2020
Source_Contribution:

Software for digitizing and counting individual birds in photos taken during aerial surveys.

Process_Step:

Process_Description:

In the evening following each day's survey, audio transcripts of aerial surveys were transcribed to a digital database that linked observations with the survey plane's GPS-flight path, a system that georeferenced each observation. The start and end of each transect were noted in the database to provide the spatial extent of the surveys. Photos collected during the surveys were downloaded and reviewed each evening as well, but photo verification did not occur until a later date due to time constraints.

Source_Used_Citation_Abbreviation: Ersts 2020
Process_Date: Unknown

Process_Step:

Process_Description:

Prior to each day's survey, we synchronized the clocks in the plane GPS and the camera in order to facilitate linking the survey estimates with photos. We also directly transcribed photo identification numbers into the aerial survey voice transcript to further ease in linking observations. To count the individual birds in each photo, we used two software packages, 'CountThings.com' https://countthings.com/ and 'DotDotGoose' (Ersts 2020). Both packages allow users to load photos, apply a grid to each image to enable systematic searching, and digitize objects in images via mouse clicks. Both software packages allow for the counting of multiple classes of objects in each image, so we were able to count any of the four target species in each image. The software packages tally species-specific totals in each image, and export totals to a comma separated file for subsequent analysis. We saved each digitized image with species-specific colored dots highlighting individual birds for ease of future reference.

Process_Date: Unknown

Spatial_Data_Organization_Information:

Indirect_Spatial_Reference:

Area names are listed to describe generalized field survey locations.

Direct_Spatial_Reference_Method: Point

Spatial_Reference_Information:

Horizontal_Coordinate_System_Definition:

Geographic:

Latitude_Resolution: 0.001
Longitude_Resolution: 0.001
Geographic_Coordinate_Units: Decimal degrees

Geodetic_Model:

Horizontal_Datum_Name: World Geodetic System of 1984
Ellipsoid_Name: World Geodetic System of 1984
Semi-major_Axis: 6378137
Denominator_of_Flattening_Ratio: 298.257223563

Entity_and_Attribute_Information:

Detailed_Description:

Entity_Type:

Entity_Type_Label: godwit_aerialSurvey_westernAlaska_ruthrauff_2018_2019.csv
Entity_Type_Definition:

Table with aerial survey details and counts of four species of shorebirds at sites in western Alaska, 2018 and 2019. Presented in a Comma Separated Value (CSV) formatted table.

Entity_Type_Definition_Source: Author defined

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: year
Attribute_Definition: Year survey was conducted.
Attribute_Definition_Source: Author defined
Attribute_Domain_Values:

Range_Domain:

Range_Domain_Minimum: 2018
Range_Domain_Maximum: 2019
Attribute_Units_of_Measure: Year (YYYY)

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: month
Attribute_Definition: Month survey was conducted.
Attribute_Definition_Source: Author defined
Attribute_Domain_Values:

Range_Domain:

Range_Domain_Minimum: 8
Range_Domain_Maximum: 9
Attribute_Units_of_Measure: Month (MM)

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: day
Attribute_Definition: Day of month on which survey was conducted.
Attribute_Definition_Source: Author defined
Attribute_Domain_Values:

Range_Domain:

Range_Domain_Minimum: 7
Range_Domain_Maximum: 22
Attribute_Units_of_Measure: Day (DD)

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: obs_loc
Attribute_Definition: Location in survey plane where primary observer was seated.
Attribute_Definition_Source: Author defined
Attribute_Domain_Values:

Enumerated_Domain:

Enumerated_Domain_Value: frontRight
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: Front seat, right side of plane.
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: Author defined

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: observer
Attribute_Definition: Initials of primary observer.
Attribute_Definition_Source: Author defined
Attribute_Domain_Values:

Enumerated_Domain:

Enumerated_Domain_Value: DRR
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: Dan R. Ruthrauff
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: Author defined

Attribute_Domain_Values:

Enumerated_Domain:

Enumerated_Domain_Value: ZMP
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: Zak M. Pohlen
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: Author defined

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: area
Attribute_Definition: Name of survey area
Attribute_Definition_Source: Author defined
Attribute_Domain_Values:

Enumerated_Domain:

Enumerated_Domain_Value: YKD
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: Author defined

Attribute_Domain_Values:

Enumerated_Domain:

Enumerated_Domain_Value: AKP
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: Alaska Peninsula
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: Author defined

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: transect
Attribute_Definition: Uniquely numbered/named transect unit
Attribute_Definition_Source: Author defined
Attribute_Domain_Values:

Unrepresentable_Domain:

Section of each survey area's coasts were delimited by unique numbers (YKD) or site names (AKP).

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: wind_dir
Attribute_Definition:

Direction of prevailing wind during survey period. Blank cell indicates that no information was recorded.

Attribute_Definition_Source: Author defined
Attribute_Domain_Values:

Enumerated_Domain:

Enumerated_Domain_Value: N
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: North
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: Author defined

Attribute_Domain_Values:

Enumerated_Domain:

Enumerated_Domain_Value: NW
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: Northwest
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: Author defined

Attribute_Domain_Values:

Enumerated_Domain:

Enumerated_Domain_Value: NE
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: Northeast
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: Author defined

Attribute_Domain_Values:

Enumerated_Domain:

Enumerated_Domain_Value: W
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: West
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: Author defined

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: wind_speed_kts
Attribute_Definition:

Wind speed (knots) during survey. Blank cell indicates that no information was recorded.

Attribute_Definition_Source: Author defined
Attribute_Domain_Values:

Range_Domain:

Range_Domain_Minimum: 5.0
Range_Domain_Maximum: 15.0
Attribute_Units_of_Measure: Knots

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: ceiling
Attribute_Definition: Condition and altitude of cloud ceiling
Attribute_Definition_Source: Author defined
Attribute_Domain_Values:

Enumerated_Domain:

Enumerated_Domain_Value: unlimited
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: No clouds
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: Author defined

Attribute_Domain_Values:

Enumerated_Domain:

Enumerated_Domain_Value: 5000
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: Ceiling at 5,000 feet
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: Author defined

Attribute_Domain_Values:

Enumerated_Domain:

Enumerated_Domain_Value: 2500
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: Ceiling at 2,500 feet
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: Author defined

Attribute_Domain_Values:

Enumerated_Domain:

Enumerated_Domain_Value: 500
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: Ceiling at 500 feet
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: Author defined

Attribute_Domain_Values:

Enumerated_Domain:

Enumerated_Domain_Value: partly cloudy
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: Broken ceiling
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: Author defined

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: obs_conditions
Attribute_Definition:

Subjective observation conditions based on ceiling, winds, tide level, etc.

Attribute_Definition_Source: Author defined
Attribute_Domain_Values:

Enumerated_Domain:

Enumerated_Domain_Value: excellent
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: Excellent observation conditions.
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: Author defined

Attribute_Domain_Values:

Enumerated_Domain:

Enumerated_Domain_Value: tide too low
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition:

Tide too low to effectively group birds, but conditions otherwise good.

Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: Author defined

Attribute_Domain_Values:

Enumerated_Domain:

Enumerated_Domain_Value: good
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: Good observation conditions.
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: Author defined

Attribute_Domain_Values:

Enumerated_Domain:

Enumerated_Domain_Value: ok
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: Observation conditions less than good, but still manageable.
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: Author defined

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: tide
Attribute_Definition: Relative tide position during survey.
Attribute_Definition_Source: Author defined
Attribute_Domain_Values:

Enumerated_Domain:

Enumerated_Domain_Value: falling
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: Tide falling.
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: Author defined

Attribute_Domain_Values:

Enumerated_Domain:

Enumerated_Domain_Value: high
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: Tide high.
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: Author defined

Attribute_Domain_Values:

Enumerated_Domain:

Enumerated_Domain_Value: rising high
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: Tide rising and approaching high limit.
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: Author defined

Attribute_Domain_Values:

Enumerated_Domain:

Enumerated_Domain_Value: low
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: Tide low.
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: Author defined

Attribute_Domain_Values:

Enumerated_Domain:

Enumerated_Domain_Value: rising
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: Tide rising.
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: Author defined

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: lat
Attribute_Definition: Location of plane during observation, north latitude.
Attribute_Definition_Source: Author defined
Attribute_Domain_Values:

Range_Domain:

Range_Domain_Minimum: 55.934
Range_Domain_Maximum: 62.541
Attribute_Units_of_Measure: Decimal Degrees

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: long
Attribute_Definition: Location of plane during observation, west longitude.
Attribute_Definition_Source: Author defined
Attribute_Domain_Values:

Range_Domain:

Range_Domain_Minimum: -166.182
Range_Domain_Maximum: -157.046
Attribute_Units_of_Measure: Decimal Degrees

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: gps_time
Attribute_Definition: Time of observation based on plane's GPS clock.
Attribute_Definition_Source: Author defined
Attribute_Domain_Values:

Range_Domain:

Range_Domain_Minimum: 11:57:53
Range_Domain_Maximum: 6:36:00
Attribute_Units_of_Measure: HH:mm:ss

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: species
Attribute_Definition:

Species observed or start/end of transect. Taxonomic details provided in the Taxonomy section of this metadata record.

Attribute_Definition_Source: Author defined
Attribute_Domain_Values:

Enumerated_Domain:

Enumerated_Domain_Value: begin_tran
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: Beginning point of transect.
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: Author defined

Attribute_Domain_Values:

Enumerated_Domain:

Enumerated_Domain_Value: end_tran
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: Ending point of transect.
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: Author defined

Attribute_Domain_Values:

Enumerated_Domain:

Enumerated_Domain_Value: Bar-tailed Godwit
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: Observation relating to Bar-tailed Godwit(s).
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: Author defined

Attribute_Domain_Values:

Enumerated_Domain:

Enumerated_Domain_Value: Marbled Godwit
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: Observation relating to Marbled Godwit(s).
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: Author defined

Attribute_Domain_Values:

Enumerated_Domain:

Enumerated_Domain_Value: Whimbrel
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: Observation relating to Whimbrel(s).
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: Author defined

Attribute_Domain_Values:

Enumerated_Domain:

Enumerated_Domain_Value: Hudsonian Godwit
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: Observation relating to Hudsonian Godwit(s).
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: Author defined

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: est_num
Attribute_Definition:

Estimated number of bird(s) in observation. Blank cells indicate that information was not collected (e.g., situations where a flock was not seen by the primary observer but was photographed and recorded by the secondary observer) or was not relevant (e.g., no observation for start (begin_tran) or end (end_tran) of transects.

Attribute_Definition_Source: Author defined
Attribute_Domain_Values:

Range_Domain:

Range_Domain_Minimum: 1
Range_Domain_Maximum: 7000
Attribute_Units_of_Measure: Birds

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: actual_num
Attribute_Definition:

Actual number of bird(s) in observation as verified by counts derived from photo taken during survey. Blank cells indicate that information was not collected (e.g., situations where a flock was not seen by the primary observer but was photographed and recorded by the secondary observer) or was not relevant (e.g., no observation for start (begin_tran) or end (end_tran) of transects.

Attribute_Definition_Source: Author defined
Attribute_Domain_Values:

Range_Domain:

Range_Domain_Minimum: 1
Range_Domain_Maximum: 29937
Attribute_Units_of_Measure: Birds

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: best_est
Attribute_Definition:

Best estimate of bird(s) in observation. For flocks that were photo-verified, this value equals the value of 'actual_num'; for flocks without photo verification, this value equals the value of 'est_num'. Blank cells indicate that information was not collected (e.g., situations where a flock was not seen by the primary observer but was photographed and recorded by the secondary observer) or was not relevant (e.g., no observation for start (begin_tran) or end (end_tran) of transects.

Attribute_Definition_Source: Author defined
Attribute_Domain_Values:

Range_Domain:

Range_Domain_Minimum: 1
Range_Domain_Maximum: 29937
Attribute_Units_of_Measure: Birds

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: image_id
Attribute_Definition:

Filename of image (.jpg or .tif) from which count value in 'actual_num' field is derived. All images are provided in the folder "godwit_aerialSurveyImages_westernAlaska_ruthrauff_2018_2019" included with this data package.

File naming convention: YYYYMMDD_TRANSECT_nn: where YYYY = survey year, MM = month, DD = day, TRANSECT = transect name or number, and nn = two-digit sequential number of image along each transect

Attribute_Definition_Source: Author defined
Attribute_Domain_Values:

Unrepresentable_Domain: Filename of image

Detailed_Description:

Entity_Type:

Entity_Type_Label: godwit_aerialSurveyImages_westernAlaska_ruthrauff_2018_2019
Entity_Type_Definition:

Folder (with sub-folders) containing digital aerial imagery from shorebird surveys in western Alaska. Sub-folders are grouped by year and region. Each survey folder contains the digital photos from the survey flight. Photos that were enumerated using the CountThings software have dots indicating the location of each bird that was counted in the image.

File naming convention: YYYYMMDD_TRANSECT_nn: where YYYY = survey year, MM = month, DD = day, TRANSECT = transect name or number, and nn = two-digit sequential number of image along each transect

Entity_Type_Definition_Source: Author defined

Detailed_Description:

Entity_Type:

Entity_Type_Label: godwit_aerialSurveyTransects_YKDelta_ruthrauff_2018_2019.kml
Entity_Type_Definition:

Keyhole Markup Language (KML) file with the start and end point of aerial survey transects along the coast of the Yukon-Kuskokwim River Delta.

Entity_Type_Definition_Source: Author defined

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: transect
Attribute_Definition: Number of the aerial survey transect segment
Attribute_Definition_Source: Author defined
Attribute_Domain_Values:

Unrepresentable_Domain: Number of the aerial survey transect segment

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: name
Attribute_Definition:

Name of general geographic area of the aerial survey transect segment

Attribute_Definition_Source: Author defined
Attribute_Domain_Values:

Unrepresentable_Domain: Name of the aerial survey transect segment

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: LAT
Attribute_Definition:

Latitude of start and end points of each survey transect segment (Decimal degrees).

Attribute_Definition_Source: Author defined
Attribute_Domain_Values:

Unrepresentable_Domain:

Latitude of start and end points of each survey transect segment (Decimal degrees).

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: LON
Attribute_Definition:

Longitude of start and end points of each survey transect segment (Decimal degrees).

Attribute_Definition_Source: Author defined
Attribute_Domain_Values:

Unrepresentable_Domain:

Longitude of start and end points of each survey transect segment (Decimal degrees).

Detailed_Description:

Entity_Type:

Entity_Type_Label:

godwit_aerialSurveyTransects_AKPeninsula_ruthrauff_2018_2019.kml

Entity_Type_Definition:

Keyhole Markup Language (KML) file with the start and end point of aerial survey transects along the north coast of the Alaska Peninsula.

Entity_Type_Definition_Source: Author defined

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: transect
Attribute_Definition: Name of the aerial survey transect segment
Attribute_Definition_Source: Author defined
Attribute_Domain_Values:

Unrepresentable_Domain: Name of the aerial survey transect segment

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: lat
Attribute_Definition:

Latitude of start and end points of each survey transect segment (Decimal degrees).

Attribute_Definition_Source: Author defined
Attribute_Domain_Values:

Unrepresentable_Domain:

Latitude of start and end points of each survey transect segment (Decimal degrees).

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: long
Attribute_Definition:

Longitude of start and end points of each survey transect segment (Decimal degrees).

Attribute_Definition_Source: Author defined
Attribute_Domain_Values:

Unrepresentable_Domain:

Longitude of start and end points of each survey transect segment (Decimal degrees).

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: start_end
Attribute_Definition: Label for the start or end of each survey transect segment.
Attribute_Definition_Source: Author defined
Attribute_Domain_Values:

Enumerated_Domain:

Enumerated_Domain_Value: BEGT
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: Label for the start of each survey transect segment.
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: Author defined

Attribute_Domain_Values:

Enumerated_Domain:

Enumerated_Domain_Value: ENDT
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: Label for the end of each survey transect segment.
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: Author defined

Aerial Surveys of Shorebirds at Pre-migratory Staging Sites in Western Alaska, 2018-2019

Metadata: