Article
Effect of Moonlight on Detection of Whip-poor-wills: Implications for Long-term Monitoring Strategies
Journal of Field Ornithology
(2006)
Abstract
Understanding variation in the detectability of birds is fundamental to determining the reliability of survey methods. We examined the influence of lunar light conditions on the detection probability of Whip-poor-wills through repeated sampling of 78 point count stations over two lunar cycles. The probability of detection was positively related to moonlight intensity measured as the percentage of moon-face illuminated and moon height above the horizon. These results were used to show how the reliability of long-term monitoring strategies can be improved by sampling design. Surveys conducted on nights when the moon-face was >50% illuminated were less variable and provided more statistical power to long-term monitoring results compared to surveys that were conducted across all nights. Stratifying surveys for Whip-poor-wills during bright moonlight provides greater statistical power for monitoring programs, which inevitably allows better scientific conclusions to be drawn from collected data.
Disciplines
Publication Date
May, 2006
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1557-9263.2006.00042.x
Citation Information
Michael D. Wilson and Bryan Watts. "Effect of Moonlight on Detection of Whip-poor-wills: Implications for Long-term Monitoring Strategies" Journal of Field Ornithology Vol. 77 Iss. 2 (2006) Available at: http://works.bepress.com/bryan-watts/265/