WESTERN YELLOW-BILLED CUCKOO

SURVEY PROTOCOL TRAINING WORKSHOP
TBD 2024, HOTCHKISS, COLORADOREGISTER NOW

A WORKSHOP FOR BIOLOGISTS, CONSULTANTS, 

AND LAND MANAGERS INTERESTED IN OBTAINING THE 

REQUIRED PERMIT TO SURVEY FOR YELLOW-BILLED CUCKOOS

 

This workshop is an official U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) endorsed event and fulfills partial training requirements for ESA §10(a)1(A) permit to conduct western yellow-billed cuckoo surveys. The first day is an afternoon class session and will present an overview of yellow-billed cuckoo ecology, habitat, and behavior along with the current call-playback survey protocol (Halterman et al. 2016). Participants spend the next morning implementing the survey protocol in the field in small groups at sites where cuckoos have been detected near the North Fork of the Gunnison River. At the end of the field session, participants complete a short exam and receive a training certificate. USFWS personnel will present regulatory information, including rationale for the YBCU Endangered Species Act (ESA) listing, permitting under ESA §10(a)1(A), and consultations under ESA §7, as well as answer participant questions. Adam Petry will host the event and coordinate the class and field sessions.

DR. MURRELET HALTERMAN, WORKSHOP LEADER

 

Dr. Murrelet Halterman is the lead author of the current western yellow-billed cuckoo survey protocol. She has studied yellow-billed cuckoos in California, Arizona, and Nevada for over 30 years and has conducted primary research on the bird’s home range, vocalizations, and mating systems. She has coordinated statewide survey efforts for the species and led numerous protocol training workshops. In addition, USFWS personnel will present regulatory information and answer participant questions, including rationale for the YBCU Endangered Species Act (ESA) listing, permitting under ESA §10(a)1(A), and consultations under ESA §7. Adam Petry will host the event and coordinate the class and field sessions.

CLASS SESSION: TBD, 2024 (IN-PERSON)

 

12:00 pm        Welcome and Introductions

12:15 pm        Federal Status and Process (Listing, Consultations, Permits, Reports, Critical Habitat)

1:15 pm          YBCU Biology

2:00 pm          YBCU Habitat

2:30 pm          YBCU Identification

3:00 pm          YBCU in Colorado

3:30 pm          Survey Protocol

4:30 pm          Q&A with USFWS, Dr. Murrelet Halterman, and Adam Petry

5:00 pm          End Session

*All Times Mountain Standard Time

 

FIELD SESSION: TBD, 2024

6:00 am      Meet at Hotchkiss City Market Parking Lot

6:30 am      Travel to Hotchkiss Habitat Overlook Point

7:00 am      Survey Site 1 (Hotchkiss Survey Site)

9:00 am      Survey Site 2 (Paonia Survey Site)

10:30 am    Return to Hotchkiss 

11:00 am    Q & A Session

12:00 pm    End Session

"This workshop is one of the best T&E species workshop I have had the pleasure of attending. The professionals leading it are incredibly knowledgeable about the species and their passion for the conservation of this species is contagious. The classroom portion paired with the field section will give you the understanding needed to perform the surveys. You will leave this workshop inspired. Highly recommend!"

– Spencer Morrison, 2017 Training Attendee and Private Consultant

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

 

I want to survey for cuckoos. Is this training required?

Yes. Due to the species listing as federally threatened, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service requires that anyone who conducts surveys for the western Distinct Population Segment (DPS) of the yellow-billed cuckoo must first successfully complete a USFWS-approved survey protocol training workshop as well as successfully complete the number of supervised survey hours specified by the USFWS region where surveys will take place. Both the workshop and the specified number of supervised field hours are required in order to be eligible for an ESA §10(a)1(A) Recovery permit application to survey for yellow-billed cuckoos.

Can I attend training and conduct surveys in the same season?

Unfortunately not. According to the USFWS Region 6 Permit Coordinator: “Recovery permits for YBCU take a minimum of 60-90 days to issue from the point of receipt of an application. The USFWS does not have an expedited process available given the workloads of all who are involved in the review and issuance process. Participants should plan on the training and additional survey hours counting toward a valid permit beginning in the [following] season.” If you need to complete surveys this year, please contact the workshop coordinator for additional information and resources.

Does this workshop offer Continuing Education Credits?

Yes. The Wildlife Society will allow a maximum of 7 Continuing Education Units (CEU’s) in Category I of the Certified Wildlife Biologist® Renewal/Professional Development Certificate Program for participation in the Western Yellow-billed Cuckoo Survey Protocol Training Workshop. Participants will just need to list these CEU’s on their Renewal or Professional Development Certificate application.

In addition, The Wildlife Society will allow a maximum of 3.5 Continuing Education Units (CEU’s) for participation in the Western Yellow-billed Cuckoo Advanced Field Workshop/Camp.

Attending both the workshop and advanced field camp could count for up to 10.5 CEU’s on a CWB® Renewal or Professional Development Certificate application.

Are supervised survey hours transferrable to other USFWS regions?

Yes. All supervised field hours (surveying for the western DPS of the yellow-billed cuckoo) obtained through Western Biology’s survey protocol training workshop and advanced field workshop/camp in USFWS Region 6 will count toward supervised field hours in other USFWS Regions. 

What food and lodging options are available near Hotchkiss?

Please visit the North Fork Valley website for details. If you have specific needs or requests, please contact info@westernbiology.com.

Is there a refund policy?

Yes. Full refunds are available through May 1. After May 1, unfortunately, no refunds are available due to the difficulty of filling the reservation.

What should I bring/wear?

For the field session, please wear field-appropriate clothing and water-resistant boots. Please also bring binoculars, bug spray, sunscreen, clipboard, pencil, and snacks.

How do I pay and register?

Simply follow the website instructions on the registration page to complete a secure transaction. You will receive an email confirmation following the purchase. Check (payable to Western Biology and mailed to the P.O. Box listed below) is strongly preferred if the amount being paid is more than $300. Paypal payment is available for all registration payments. Important: No Paypal account is required to complete a successful and secure Paypal transaction. Simply select the Paypal option and follow the necessary instructions.

Is anything provided for the workshop?

Yes. Basic workshop materials provided will include a PDF version of the most current survey protocol, a sample hard copy data sheet package, and a high-definition survey-grade call-playback audio recording MP3/WAV file suite. These documents plus a comprehensive package of supporting digital materials will be emailed to all paid registrants two weeks prior to the workshop via a private file share link. To save on paper resources, if you would like a hard copy version of the current protocol, we ask that you please print one at home. Bottled water and coffee will also be provided for the field session.

Western Biology, LLC | P.O. Box 482 | Hotchkiss, CO 81419

 

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