Surveying birds on Martinique: analysis of results and preparation for 2013

The Lesser Antillean Bullfinch, a species to be located during bird surveys

Following a project initiated in March last year, six observers participated in a trial run for a systematic bird survey on Martinique using a point-count methodology (STOC – suivi temporel des oiseaux communs) widely used in France.

The principle is as follows: stop for 5 minutes at each of 10 points along a transect route, noting, to a standarised protocol, every individual bird that can be heard or seen. Fifteen such transects were made by observers from the LPO and Carouge (who coordinate the STOC network on Martinique), FREDON and the ONCFS.

The transects were well-spaced across the whole of Martinique.

The aim is to find out how bird populations are changing with time.

The current task for LPO/MNHN is to analyse the results of the data collected so far. In 2013, the staff and volunteers involved in these STOC surveys will need to trained in bird identification and in the survey techniques used with the aim of covering 60 different transects between now and 2015.

Christelle BERANGER
Project leader
Life+ Cap DOM