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Volunteers Survey Local Bird Populations

By Emily Blumentritt
Published in the Alpine Avalanche on October 24, 2024.

An incredible variety of birds call the Trans-Pecos home. Over 500 species have been documented across the region, representing 81% of the species known to occur in Texas. Our grasslands are especially important as overwintering habitats for many species that nest farther north in the Great Plains during the summer.

One of the grassland specialists that winters here in the Trans-Pecos is the elusive Baird’s sparrow, a tiny bird with a “necklace” of fine streaking that spends much of its time running unseen through the tall grass. Another important wintering bird is the chestnut-collared longspur, which weaves through the sky in acrobatic and chattering flocks. These are just two of the many bird species that depend on high-quality grassland habitat here in the Chihuahuan Desert.

Many of our grasslands support cattle as well as birds, and a healthy grazing system helps grassland habitats thrive. Dirt livestock tanks initially created to support cattle could also support grassland birds. Last winter, volunteers recorded a flock of over 100 longspurs swooping over the water at one tank, twisting and turning together and eventually landing to grab a drink.

Many grassland birds, such as these longspurs, are in serious trouble. As grasslands are destroyed across North America, grassland bird populations have plummeted. Livestock tanks could be an important bird resource and an excellent opportunity for landowners to support bird conservation.

On a brisk September morning, Alpine and Fort Davis volunteers gathered at Dixon Water Foundation’s Mimms Unit in Marfa. Armed with binoculars and voice recorders, pairs of volunteers traveled across the ranch to reach eight dirt livestock tanks.

Once they arrived at their designated locations, volunteers watched and listened for signs of bird life. Their goal? Document what bird species are using dirt livestock tanks in the grasslands of the Marfa Plateau.

Volunteers document what species are present and describe how the birds use the tanks. A pair of observers surveys each tank to double the number of eyes and ears that can notice birds. A simple voice recorder allows volunteers to describe the action in real-time and give detailed accounts of what they see. Biologists at Borderlands Research Institute will use this bird survey data to understand what birds are visiting livestock tanks and why different tanks attract different species of birds.

Observers ready to count birds on that September morning included Texas Master Naturalists, students and faculty from Sul Ross State University, and other community members interested in birds and conservation. Since the study began last year, over 40 volunteers have lent their time and expertise to the project. Volunteers make it possible to survey many tanks simultaneously, which leads to a more accurate census of the birds at each tank.

So far, bird surveys have documented over 50 different bird species actively using livestock tanks. Some birds visit tanks for water, while others use dense vegetation to shelter or search for food. With sufficient rainfall, tanks can support ducks, from the small and charismatic bufflehead to the shy green-winged teal. Tiny migrating birds just passing through have been seen at the tanks, too, from iridescent hummingbirds feeding on nectar to colorful warblers picking up insects.

There are many ways to be involved in bird conservation. Other bird research projects that use volunteer help include Christmas Bird Counts—several of which are hosted within the Trans-Pecos every winter—and NestWatch, a citizen science program that teaches participants how to monitor hatching success.

To protect the birds that migrate through the Trans-Pecos, follow the recommendations of the Lights Out movement and turn off any non-essential lights during peak migration in spring and fall. Lights Out reduces light pollution, saves money and energy, and protects birds from window collisions and disorientation as they migrate through the night. Peak migration periods in Texas are April 22–May 12 and September 6–October 29.

Other opportunities to get outside and learn about birds in Alpine include guided hikes on Hancock Hill and events like Artwalk and Wildlife Day, where conservation organizations often host booths and would be happy to chat about birds.

Great resources are available to learn about the birds in your neighborhood. The Merlin Bird ID app can identify birds by sound and allow you to view bird species likely to be in your area. Public databases like eBird.org allow anyone to upload bird sightings, allowing researchers to track bird population trends globally. Through collaboration and community involvement, we can learn more about the birds around us daily.