Form FWS Form 3-159 FWS Form 3-159 Mourning Dove Call Count Survey

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INSTRUCTIONS FOR MOURNING DOVE CALL – COUNT SURVEY
Please follow the instructions closely so that data from your route will be of maximum value. The quality of the survey depends on you.
DATES OF
SURVEY

The first day of the survey will be May 20, and the last day will be May 31. To qualify for the annual analysis, survey field forms must be received at
Laurel, MD, and if instructed by your State Coordinator all data must be entered via the CCS website by June 6.

WEATHER
CONDITIONS

Do not conduct survey when

STARTING
TIMES

Start routes exactly 1/2 hour before sunrise. Sunrise and approximate stop times are provided on the survey form under “Local Official Sunrise Time”
and “Time at Stop.” If necessary, consult or determine the sunrise time from an official source
adjusted to route locality, and determine approximate stop times by following the PROCEDURE section, below. Please describe any alternative sunrise
time source on your survey form; just write a note on the margins of the form.

OBSERVER

Survey protocol requires that whenever possible the same observer should run the same route each year. If it is known that a new observer will
take over next year, both observers (old and new) should run the survey together this year if possible to allow for one year of overlap. New
observers should complete the survey with the previous observer on the same day at the same time, however both should collect and submit data
independently (observers should ride together in the same car, but collect data on separate survey forms, and not discuss what they hear or compare
results). This will ensure that the new observer learns survey procedures and local route conditions. Further, because observer data are used as
covariables to adjust for differences in observers’ ability to hear doves, and the approach used to calculate the 2 year population trend requires at least 2
non-zero counts by at least one observer, overlapping new with previous observers will ensure that route data qualifies for the 2 year comparison. If a
year of observer overlap is not possible, data collected by a new observer is still valuable and will still qualify for the long term trend analysis.

SURVEY ROUTE

Routes are 20 miles in length, with 20 stops (listening stations) at 1-mile intervals. Remember that stop 1 is at mile 0, stop 20 is at mile 19, and the end
point of the route is at mile 20. There is no listening stop 21 at mile 20, but the observer must continue driving and counting doves seen to complete the
20th mile of the route. The route begins at stop #1 and continues 1-mile past stop #20. A typical error is to neglect to observe, count, and record doves
seen for the last driven mile of the survey. Collect observations as close as safely possible to each 1 mile stop interval. If it is not possible to pull over
within 0.1 miles of either side of the 1 mile mark, continue to collect data for the stop, however indicate the problem on your survey form and notify the
National Coordinator as the route will need to be evaluated for official adjustment or relocation.

PROCEDURE

(1) wind velocities exceed Beaufort 3 (12 mph),
(2) rain or snow is falling.

Time Frame

Allow about two hours to drive and collect data for a survey route. Allow exactly 3 minutes for counts at each stop and an
average of 3 minutes for recording and travel time between stops.

At Stop #1

Record wind velocity as 0,1,2,3, using Beaufort scale (see below). Record temperature and vehicle mileage.

At Each Stop

Stop vehicle, turn off ignition, leave vehicle. Listen and observe for exactly 3 minutes, standing away from vehicle.
Record:

Between Stops

(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
(5)
(6)

Actual time the count begins if different by more than 5 minutes from printed time.
Total number of individual doves heard calling, not individual calls.
Total number of doves seen while stopped.
Disturbance affecting count at each stop.
Remarks, if applicable to survey.
Conditions that prevent safely pulling over within 0.1 miles of a stop.

Maintain driving speed of about 35 miles/hour between stops (safety and road conditions permitting).
Record:

Total number of doves seen while driving. Enter data on same line as previous stop number.

Remember to continue collecting observations for the twentieth mile of the survey, after stop 20.
At Finish

Record:

(1) Weather conditions and vehicle mileage.
(2) Calculate totals for all columns for doves heard and seen.
(3) Describe any problems with the route; just write a note on the margin of the form.
Check form for completeness and accuracy.

REPORTING

Immediately after the completion of each route:
(1) Survey results should be entered via the Internet at https://migbirdapps.fws.gov/dove/ . Check with your state coordinator to
confirm who will enter the results. Survey data should be entered by June 6.
(2) Submit the original form directly to Dove Survey, Division of Migratory Bird Management, 11510 American Holly Dr., Laurel,
Maryland, 20708-4002. Forms must be received at the Laurel office by June 6. Fax your form if necessary to (301) 497-5871
to meet this cut off date, and then mail the original form.
(3) Submit the following to your State Coordinator:
a. 1 copy of the form
b. 1 copy of the survey route map
(4) Retain copies for your personal files.

WIND VELOCITY

DISTURBANCE

Beaufort Number
0
1
2
3
Disturbance
NO
LO
MOD
HI

Velocity (mph)
Less than 1
1 to 3
4 to 7
8 to 12

Suggestions for Estimating Wind Velocity
Smoke rises vertically.
Direction of wind shown by smoke drift, but not by wind vanes.
Wind felt on face, leaves rustle, ordinary wind vane moves.
Leaves and small twigs in constant motion; wind extends light flag.

Description
No appreciable effect on count.
Slightly affecting count.
Moderately affecting count.
Seriously affecting count.

Example
Occasional crow calling.
Distant tractor noise.
Intermittent traffic.
Heavy-continuous traffic.

Your cooperation in this important survey is greatly appreciated. You can view and print the Call-count Survey results online at http://www.fws.gov/migratorybirds/ (click on the
“Publication and Reports” link, then under “Annual Reports” click “Population Status”) every July. You can also query and download CCS route level data at
https://migbirdapps.fws.gov/ .
In accordance with the Privacy Act (5 U.S.C. 522a) and the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. 3501), please note the following information. This study is authorized by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (16 U.S. C. 703 et seq.). The information
you provide will be used for estimating mourning dove relative abundance. It is our policy not to use your name for any other purpose. All names and identifying information will be removed when we compile the results, and only summary
information will be reported. The information is maintained in accordance with the Privacy Act. Your response is voluntary. An agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to a collection of information unless it
displays a currently valid OMB control number. The information collection has been approved by OMB and assigned clearance number 1018-0010. We estimate that it will take you about 3.5 hours to complete the survey, including time to read
the instructions and map, drive to and from the survey route, gather data at survey stops, and complete and review the survey form. Comments on this form should be mailed to the Information Collection Clearance Officer, U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service, ms 224-ARLSQ,
1849 C
C Street,
Street, NW,
N.W. Washington,
Washington, DC
D.C.202540.
20240.
2040-PDM, 1849