Overview:

SWCA is assisting the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) with developing habitat and species conservation strategies for the southwestern willow flycatcher, a federally listed endangered species. The goals of this ongoing project are to identify occupied flycatcher habitat, quantify the vegetation and microclimate characteristics of nesting habitat versus unused habitat, document the effects of cowbird trapping on brood parasitism rates and flycatcher productivity, and determine demographic parameters of the flycatcher population.

Services Provided:

• Presence/absence surveys
• Life history studies
• Nest monitoring
• Vegetation and microclimate measurements

Results:
This ongoing project has helped the Reclamation make great strides in their conservation efforts. Reclamation representatives have commended SWCA on its work and have written letters of reference to support SWCA proposals.