The Southern Sierra Research Station offers a workshop each spring for individuals who study Willow Flycatchers on the summer breeding grounds. The goal of the training session is to provide researchers with the necessary tools for identifying Willow Flycatchers and accurately estimating their numbers using standard survey protocols. The workshop meets USFWS requirements for survey training.
Topics:
- Biology
- Ecology and Evolution of Empidonax flycatchers
- Field Techniques
- Visual and aural identification of Empidonax
- Survey protocol
- In-the-field training
- Logistics
2024 Southwestern Willow Flycatcher Workshop: Registration OPEN
Kern River Valley, CA: May 22 (online presentations) & May 24 (field day), 2024
Workshop Details
Please view the workshop schedule, the Southwestern Willow Flycatcher survey protocol, protocol update, survey forms (.doc or .pdf), and USFWS permit information below. Bring a copy of the protocol and review it before the workshop, so that we may answer any questions.
Workshop Materials
Southwestern Willow Flycatcher Survey Protocol
Southwestern Willow Flycatcher vocalizations
Workshop Presentations: to be posted at a later date
After the workshop, you will need to obtain your permits from your state wildlife agency and from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service permit applications are available on-line at the US FWS Permits webpage.
Day 1 of the workshop will be held online using zoom. Login access will be provided after your enrollment in workshop is complete. Day 2 of the workshop will convene at the Audubon Kern River Preserve (KRP), located on highway 178, in the Kern River Valley, near Weldon, CA.
Bring the following gear with you to the workshop: binoculars, rubber boots (optional), hiking boots, water bottle, sunscreen, hat, and mosquito repellent. Also to help reduce waste, please bring a water bottle and coffee mug. We will provide water, coffee and tea during the workshop. In May, the weather in the Kern River Valley can be highly variable. We could have a late winter storm, or temperatures in the 90’s. Typically, the daytime temperatures are in the high 80’s to low 90’s and nighttime temperatures in the 50’s. Please be prepared for both hot and cold temperatures.
Please use the “Contact Us” page if you have questions!
Workshop Schedule
Day 1 (remote)
1:30 INTRODUCTION
1:45 RANGEWIDE STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION
2:05 HABITAT
2:25 WILLOW FLYCATCHER BIOLOGY
2:40 COWBIRD BIOLOGY
3:00 BREAK
3:10 SURVEY PROTOCOL
3:35 QUESTION & ANSWER SESSION
4:00 ADJOURN
Day 2
Meet at Location TBD
6:00 to 10:30 FIELD TRIP – We will visit various sites on the Kern River Preserve and the South Fork Wildlife Area where Southwestern Willow Flycatchers have been detected and practice using the survey protocol.
10:45 OVERVIEW- We will go over what we have seen in the field and have a question and answer session.
11:30 ADJOURN
Cost: $250
Currently Enrolled Full-Time Students in College or Graduate School are elligible for a reduced student price of $150. Please use the “Contact Us” link for access to this special pricing.
