Blackie Spit Park: Wildlife Habitat Enhancement Plan - City of Surrey

3.3.4.2 Systematic Surveys
All systematic surveys should, in addition to the data being recorded, collect standard information
about the survey, including: date; time; observer; weather conditions; identification of survey unit for
which the data is being collected (e.g. plot number and/or MU number); the title or description of the
survey and for whom it is being collected (e.g. Surrey Parks, Recreation & Culture Terrestrial Bird
Survey).
For systematic surveys, each survey unit should also have a description form that records the
following information: identification of survey unit; mapped record and written description of survey
unit location; GPS-derived location (optional, but may be useful if there is no permanent marker in
the field or if the location is ambiguous); habitat description; photographic record of survey unit taken
during the survey period (summer and winter photographs may be useful information for year-long
surveys), in part for comparison with the habitat during future surveys of that unit.
Multi-species Bird and Mammal Surveys
Frequency:
Personnel:
Weather:
Time of Day:
The larger the number of survey, the more useful the data. Conduct weekly surveys
for a year if possible.
For consistency, the number of different people conducting the surveys should be
small and constant. Personnel should regularly rotate between days or between
sample sites. With a large enough sample size, it may be possible to include “between
observer” variability into the calculation when comparing with future surveys.
As much as possible, avoid inclement weather conditions. Do not do surveys in the
rain or if steady rain is in the forecast. Do not survey on windy days (>10 km/hr).
During the breeding season (mid March through mid July), surveys should be
completed by 10 a.m. During cold winter days, surveys during the warmest part of
the day (11 a.m. to 3 p.m.) may yield the best results.
Sampling Strategy:
Establish fixed sampling sites within each Management Unit to be surveyed. Ideally,
each sample site should consist of a single habitat type. Because of the small park size
and large number of habitat units, sampling sites will have to be small. Establish as
many non overlapping sample sites in each MU as time and budget will allow.
Survey Method:
Terrestrial birds and mammals
Two sampling methods are commonly used: line and point surveys. Circular point
survey plots are usually favoured by surveyors, but they may not be as effective for
narrow linear habitats.
Blackie Spit Park: Wildlife Habitat Enhancement Plan – PART 1: Background and Summary 18