Ventana Wildlife Society                                                                   EXHIBIT 3-A

19045 Portola Drive, Suite F1

Salinas, California  93908

 

 

 

 

The Carmel River Riparian Corridor

Avian Habitat Monitoring Program

 

 

PROPOSAL FOR PROFESSIONAL AVIAN MONITORING SERVICES

 

 

 

EXHIBIT A:  SCOPE OF SERVICES

 

This proposal encompasses the three tasks outlined below.  Exhibits B and C (attached) detail a fee and work schedule.

 

 

Task 1: Transect monitoring: SPRING 2006

A biologist from the Ventana Wildlife Society will collect and analyze Species Diversity Index (SDI) data along 18 transects at 9 sites in the Carmel River riparian corridor and 2 transects at one site in the Carmel River Lagoon wetlands. The task will require up to 10 field days. SDI sampling protocol will follow the avian point count method described below.  The methodology used from the Monterey Peninsula Water Management District project inception in 1993 through 2005 provided a clear model of local avian community.  However, in order to define the Carmel River as it relates to other local watersheds including the Big Sur, Big Creek, Salinas, and Nacimiento and in watersheds throughout the country it is necessary to alter this protocol to one that is more in line with national standards.  Further, points along transects will no longer be lumped but remain as discrete points such that each transect will contain 4 point count locations.  Although not standardized with the previous dataset, we will still be able to estimate relative trends with this new methodology.

Avian Point Counts: Avian point count surveys are the most widely used bird census technique used to quantify the abundance of birds within a specified count radius (Ralph et al. 1997).  Point count censuses can be used to cover large stretches of habitat in a relatively short period of time, making them ideal for obtaining baseline population estimates and monitoring fluctuations in abundance over a larger area than can be surveyed with mist-netting or area search surveys.  We will record GPS locations of all point count locations (PCL) to ensure that the points can be relocated in future years for standardization of counts.  We will use 5-minute unlimited-radius plots to record all birds detected within each of two categories: 1) within 50 meters, and 2) outside 50 meters.  Observers will note all birds detected in 3 minutes and will continue recording for a full 5 minutes to enable comparisons of the number of species detected by increasing the length of the count.  All data, including date, time, PCL number, species, number of individuals per species, and distance from observer will be recorded on a standardized data sheet.  Birds will be counted at each PCL between 06:00 and 10:00 am on mornings with little wind and no rain.  Visual cues, calls, and songs will be used to identify birds to species. 

 

Task 2: Transect monitoring: SUMMER 2006

A biologist from the Ventana Wildlife Society will collect and analyze Species Diversity Index (SDI) data along 18 transects at 9 sites in the Carmel River riparian corridor and 2 transects at one site in the Carmel River Lagoon wetlands. The task will require up to 10 field days. SDI sampling protocol will follow methodology used in the Spring 2006 census.

 

Task 3: 2006 ANNUAL REPORT

A biologist from the Ventana Wildlife Society will prepare an annual monitoring report for the 2006 field season using data collected during spring 2006 and fall 2006. The report shall use a format similar to that used in prior 1993-2003 annual reports. The report will present and summarize findings from each sampling period at each site. Data shall be analyzed using Shannon-Weaver SDI methodology; trends in SDI values will be identified and evaluated. The report will also include a detailed description of each transect site, with each site keyed to aerial habitat photos.

 

LITERATURE CITED

 

Ralph, C. J., J. R. Sauer, and S. Droege (eds). 1997. Monitoring bird populations by point counts. Pacific Southwest Research Station, USDA Forest Service, General Technical Report PSW-GTR-149.

 

 

EXHIBIT B:  FEE SCHEDULE

 

Task 1-3:  Approximations for each task are:  Task 1 - $900.00; Task 2 - $900.00; Task 3 - $1,147.00.  Total cost for Tasks 1-3 is $2947.00.  See Following Table Summary.

 

Task 1 (Spring Transects): 10 days and 20 hrs

MPWMD

Description

Rate $

Units (h) or (mi)

Total

 

Biologist

$19.50

20

$390.00

 

Benefits

$0.36

$390.00

$140.40

 

Mileage

$0.445

650

$289.25

 

Indirect

$0.150

$530.40

$79.56

 

Total Task 1

 

 

$900.00

$900.00

 

 

 

 

 

Task 2 (Summer Transects): 10 days and 20 hrs

 

Description

Rate $

Units (h) or (mi)

Total

 

Biologist

$19.50

20

$390.00

 

Benefits

$0.36

$390.00

$140.40

 

Mileage

$0.445

650

$289.25

 

Indirect

$0.150

$530.40

$79.56

 

Total Task 2

 

 

$900.00

$900.00

 

 

 

 

 

Task 3 (Data Entry and Report): 56 hrs

 

 

Description

Rate $

Units (h)

Total

 

Biologist

$20.50

32

$656.00

 

Benefits

$0.36

$656.00

$236.16

 

Intern

$6.00

21

$126.00

 

Benefits

$0.24

$126.00

$30.24

 

Indirect

$0.150

$656.00

$98.40

 

Total Task 3

 

 

$1,147.00

$1,147.00

 

Total amount will not exceed $2,947.00

 

EXHIBIT C:  WORK SCHEDULE

 

 

Task 1:  The completion goal for SPRING 2006 monitoring is June 2006.  This is in accord with monitoring dates in previous years.  Monitoring will not begin prior to 10 May, to ensure the arrival of most breeding birds that are migratory. 

 

Task 2:  The completion goal for SUMMER 2006 monitoring is August 2006.  This is in accord with monitoring dates in previous years, which spanned 7 August – 30 August.

 

Task 3:  The completion goal for the 2006 annual report is December 31, 2006.

 

 

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