2018 Western Yellow-billed Cuckoo                  Survey Training

                                          July 10-11, 2018                                    

Join us for Arizona's annual Western Yellow-billed Cuckoo Survey Training.

The USFWS requires this training for all biologists conducting cuckoo surveys 

Day one (July 10) is classroom instruction at Pima Community College.

Topics include:

YBCU Natural History                                                                                                  Field ID & Vocalizations                                                                                      Listing                                                                                                                    , proposed Critical Habitat                                                                                            Federal & State permits                                                                                              Heritage Data Management System Database                                                            Suitable habitat (gallery riparian forest & xeroriparian habitat unique to SW)              Survey protocol and data forms  

Day two (July 11) is protocol practice at The Nature Conservancy's Sonoita Creek Preserve. For this activity, we will divide the class into teams of about 20 people each ensuring that participants get individualized attention and can ask questions as they arise in a small group setting. The class will meet in Patagonia and carpool to the Sonoita Creek Preserve. There is no additional fee for day 2 activities, however, we ask that you sign-up for a field team when you register. To ease logisitics, try to sign up with folks you'll be surveying with in the field, or with people you are traveling to the training with. Following practice at Sonoita Creek, we'll visit nearby occupied cuckoo habitat in Madrean evergreen woodland and xeroriparian habitat in Coronado National Forest.

See the Draft Agenda 

Instructors for classroom and field experience:

 Nick Beauregard, NAU                                                                                           Troy Corman, AZGFD                                                                                    Christina Kondrat-Smith, AZGFD                                                                            Jennie MacFarland, Tucson Audubon                                                                  Shannon McNeil, Southern Sierra Research Station                                            Steven Prager, Audubon Arizona                                                                          Susan Sferra, USFWS                                                                                                  Cathy Wise, Audubon Arizona

Lastly, space is limited, so register today!