Cory Overton
Cory Overton is a wildlife biologist at the Western Ecological Research Center.
Science and Products
Filter Total Items: 22
Selenium concentrations in Yuma Ridgway's Rails occupying managed and unmanaged emergent marshes at the Salton Sea Selenium concentrations in Yuma Ridgway's Rails occupying managed and unmanaged emergent marshes at the Salton Sea
Yuma Ridgway's rail (Rallus obsoletus yumanensis, hereafter, "rail" are an endangered species for which patches of emergent marsh within the Salton Sea watershed comprise a substantial portion of habitat for the species' disjointed range in the southwestern United States. These areas of emergent marsh include: 1) marshes managed by federal (particularly the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service...
Yuma Ridgway's Rail (Rallus obsoletus yumanensis) Population Surveys, Rail Movement, and Potential Habitat at the Salton Sea of California Yuma Ridgway's Rail (Rallus obsoletus yumanensis) Population Surveys, Rail Movement, and Potential Habitat at the Salton Sea of California
Data were obtained as part of a project assessing risk to the federal and California listed endangered Yuma Ridgway's rail (Rallus obsoletus yumanensis) populations resulting from selenium contaminated agricultural runoff and to inform habitat restoration and management decisions. Four data sets were produced and used to analyze patterns of Yuma Ridgway's rail (Rallus obsoletus...
Suisun Tidal Marsh Duck Use Dataset Suisun Tidal Marsh Duck Use Dataset
Location data with corresponding habitat class (managed vs tidal marsh) and habitat type (permanent pond, seasonal pond, channel, or marshland) for waterfowl utilizing the Suisun Marsh region of California with species, sex, season and date information. These data support the following publication: Casazza, M.L., McDuie, F., Jones, S., Lorenz, A.A., Overton, C.T., Yee, J., Feldheim, C.L
Migration stopover ecology of cinnamon teal in western North America Migration stopover ecology of cinnamon teal in western North America
Identifying migration routes and fall stopover sites of cinnamon teal (Spatula cyanoptera septentrionalium) can provide a spatial guide to management and conservation efforts, and address vulnerabilities in wetland networks that support migratory waterbirds. Using high spatio-temporal resolution GSM-GPS transmitters, we tracked the fall migration of 61 cinnamon teal across western North...
Waterfowl Disturbance in California and Nevada (2018) Waterfowl Disturbance in California and Nevada (2018)
Long-term environmental management to prevent waterfowl population declines is informed by ecology, movement behavior and habitat use patterns. Extrinsic factors such as human-induced disturbance can cause behavioral changes which may influence movement, and resource needs, driving variation that affects management efficacy. To better understand the relationship between human-based...
Locations of Pacific Flyway Ducks in and near Commercial Livestock Facilities of the Western USA (2015-2021) Locations of Pacific Flyway Ducks in and near Commercial Livestock Facilities of the Western USA (2015-2021)
Zoonotic diseases are of considerable concern to the human population and viruses such as avian influenza (AIV) threaten food security, wildlife conservation and human health. Wild waterfowl and the natural wetlands they use, are known AIV reservoirs, with birds capable of virus transmission to domestic poultry populations. While infection risk models have linked migration routes and AIV...
Tule Greater White-fronted Goose Migration Tracks (2019-2020) and Atmospheric Smoke Concentrations (2020). Tule Greater White-fronted Goose Migration Tracks (2019-2020) and Atmospheric Smoke Concentrations (2020).
April through May (spring) and August through September (fall) locations for tule greater white-fronted geese (Anser albifrons elgasi) marked with GPS collars at Summer Lake Wildlife Area, OR in 2018 and 2019. Locations may include pre-migration and post-migration designations. Locations occurring between September 11, 2020, and arrival at, or within 50 kilometers of the Summer Lake...
Comparisons of Gambel's quail survey methods conducted in 2016 within the Mohave Desert of California with results and summaries Comparisons of Gambel's quail survey methods conducted in 2016 within the Mohave Desert of California with results and summaries
Data includes results collected in the Mohave Desert during 2016 using three survey methods (acoustic recording units, camera traps, and call-count surveys) to detect gamebirds, primarily Gambel's quail (Callipepla gambelii) but also including records of mourning dove (Zenaida macroura), Eurasian collared-dove (Streptopelia decaocto), and chukar (Alectoris chukar). ARU data includes the...
Classification of Waterfowl Habitat, and Quantification of Interannual Space Use and Movement Distance from Primary Roosts to Night Feeding Locations by Waterfowl in California for October - March of 2015 through 2018 Classification of Waterfowl Habitat, and Quantification of Interannual Space Use and Movement Distance from Primary Roosts to Night Feeding Locations by Waterfowl in California for October - March of 2015 through 2018
Technological advancements in Global Positioning System (GPS) telemetry markers allow almost real-time observation of waterfowl movements and habitat selection. Telemetry data on ducks marked with GPS transmitters can be used to evaluate performance of remote sensing data (for example, dynamic open-water maps produced by Point Blue Conservation Science) for classifying habitats that are...
Integrating Spatially Explicit Indices of Abundance and Habitat Quality: An Applied Example for Greater Sage-grouse Management Integrating Spatially Explicit Indices of Abundance and Habitat Quality: An Applied Example for Greater Sage-grouse Management
This study provides timely and highly useful information about greater sage-grouse over a large area of the Great Basin. USGS researchers and their colleagues created a template for combining landscape-scale occurrence or abundance data with habitat selection data in order to identify areas most critical to sustaining populations of species of conservation concern. The template also...
Filter Total Items: 57
Waterfowl recently infected with low pathogenic avian influenza exhibit reduced local movement and delayed migration Waterfowl recently infected with low pathogenic avian influenza exhibit reduced local movement and delayed migration
Understanding relationships between infection and wildlife movement patterns is important for predicting pathogen spread, especially for multispecies pathogens and those that can spread to humans and domestic animals, such as avian influenza viruses (AIVs). Although infection with low pathogenic AIVs is generally considered asymptomatic in wild birds, prior work has shown that influenza...
Authors
Claire Teitelbaum, Michael Casazza, Fiona McDuie, Susan De La Cruz, Cory Overton, Laurie Hall, Elliott Matchett, Josh Ackerman, Jeffery Sullivan, Andrew Ramey, Diann Prosser
Postbreeding movements and molting ecology of female gadwalls and mallards Postbreeding movements and molting ecology of female gadwalls and mallards
The wing molt is an important annual life-history event that occurs in waterfowl and molt site selection can play an important role in determining survival. We tracked postbreeding movements of gadwall (Mareca strepera) and mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) females that bred in the Suisun Marsh (Suisun) of California, USA, to determine molt site selection and wing molt chronology. We attached...
Authors
Jeffrey Kohl, Michael Casazza, Cory Overton, Mark Herzog, Josh Ackerman, Cliff Feldheim, John Eadie
Avian influenza antibody prevalence increases with mercury contamination in wild waterfowl Avian influenza antibody prevalence increases with mercury contamination in wild waterfowl
Environmental contamination is widespread and can negatively impact wildlife health. Some contaminants, including heavy metals, have immunosuppressive effects, but prior studies have rarely measured contamination and disease simultaneously, which limits our understanding of how contaminants and pathogens interact to influence wildlife health. Here, we measured mercury concentrations...
Authors
Claire Teitelbaum, Josh Ackerman, Mason Hill, Jaqueline Satter, Michael Casazza, Susan De La Cruz, Walter Boyce, Evan Buck, John Eadie, Mark Herzog, Elliott Matchett, Cory Overton, Sarah Peterson, Magdalena Plancarte, Andrew Ramey, Jeffery Sullivan, Diann Prosser
Yuma Ridgway’s rail selenium exposure and occupancy within managed and unmanaged emergent marshes at the Salton Sea Yuma Ridgway’s rail selenium exposure and occupancy within managed and unmanaged emergent marshes at the Salton Sea
Yuma Ridgway’s rail (Rallus obsoletus yumanensis, hereafter, rail) is an endangered species for which patches of emergent marsh within the Salton Sea watershed comprise a substantial part of habitat for the species’ disjointed range in the southwestern United States. These areas of emergent marsh include (1) marshes managed by federal (particularly the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s...
Authors
Mark Ricca, Cory Overton, Thomas Anderson, Angela Merritt, Eamon Harrity, Elliott Matchett, Michael Casazza
Machine learned daily life history classification using low frequency tracking data and automated modelling pipelines: Application to North American waterfowl Machine learned daily life history classification using low frequency tracking data and automated modelling pipelines: Application to North American waterfowl
Background Identifying animal behaviors, life history states, and movement patterns is a prerequisite for many animal behavior analyses and effective management of wildlife and habitats. Most approaches classify short-term movement patterns with high frequency location or accelerometry data. However, patterns reflecting life history across longer time scales can have greater relevance to...
Authors
Cory Overton, Michael Casazza, Joseph Bretz, Fiona McDuie, Elliott Matchett, Desmond Mackell, Austen Lorenz, Andrea Mott, Mark Herzog, Josh Ackerman
Pathways for avian influenza virus spread: GPS reveals wild waterfowl in commercial livestock facilities and connectivity with the natural wetland landscape Pathways for avian influenza virus spread: GPS reveals wild waterfowl in commercial livestock facilities and connectivity with the natural wetland landscape
Zoonotic diseases are of considerable concern to the human population and viruses such as avian influenza (AIV) threaten food security, wildlife conservation and human health. Wild waterfowl and the natural wetlands they use are known AIV reservoirs, with birds capable of virus transmission to domestic poultry populations. While infection risk models have linked migration routes and AIV...
Authors
Fiona McDuie, Elliott Matchett, Diann Prosser, John Y. Takekawa, Maurice Pitesky, Austen Lorenz, Madeline McCuen, Cory Overton, Josh Ackerman, Susan De La Cruz, Michael Casazza
Megafires and thick smoke portend big problems for migratory birds Megafires and thick smoke portend big problems for migratory birds
In 2020, the fire season affecting the western United States reached unprecedented levels. The 116 fires active in September consumed nearly 20,822 km2 (https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/accessible-view/ Accessed 2020-09-29) with eighty percent of this footprint (16,567 km2) from 68 fires occurring within California, Oregon, and Washington. Although the 2020 fire season was the most extreme on...
Authors
Cory Overton, Austen Lorenz, Eric P. James, Ravan Ahmadov, John Eadie, Fiona McDuie, Mark Petrie, Chris Nicolai, Melanie Weaver, Daniel A. Skalos, Shannon Skalos, Andrea Mott, Desmond Mackell, Anna Kennedy, Elliott Matchett, Michael Casazza
Migration stopover ecology of Cinnamon Teal in western North America Migration stopover ecology of Cinnamon Teal in western North America
Identifying migration routes and fall stopover sites of Cinnamon Teal (Spatula cyanoptera septentrionalium) can provide a spatial guide to management and conservation efforts, and address vulnerabilities in wetland networks that support migratory waterbirds. Using high spatiotemporal resolution GPS-GSM transmitters, we analyzed 61 fall migration tracks across western North America during...
Authors
Desmond Mackell, Michael Casazza, Cory Overton, J. Donnelly, David Olson, Fiona McDuie, Josh Ackerman, John Eadie
Informing wetland management with waterfowl movement and sanctuary use responses to human-induced disturbance Informing wetland management with waterfowl movement and sanctuary use responses to human-induced disturbance
Long-term environmental management to prevent waterfowl population declines is informed by ecology, movement behavior and habitat use patterns. Extrinsic factors, such as human-induced disturbance, can cause behavioral changes which may influence movement and resource needs, driving variation that affects management efficacy. To better understand the relationship between human-based...
Authors
Fiona McDuie, Austen Lorenz, Robert Klinger, Cory Overton, Cliff Feldheim, Josh Ackerman, Michael Casazza
Changes in the abundance and distribution of waterfowl wintering in the Central Valley of California, 1973–2000 Changes in the abundance and distribution of waterfowl wintering in the Central Valley of California, 1973–2000
The Central Valley of California is one of the most important areas for wintering waterfowl in the world and the focus of extensive conservation efforts to mitigate for historical losses and counter continuing stressors to habitats. To guide conservation, we analyzed trends in the abundance and distribution (spatiotemporal abundance patterns) of waterfowl and their habitats in the...
Authors
Joseph Fleskes, Michael Casazza, Cory Overton, Elliott Matchett, Julie Yee
Interrupted incubation: How dabbling ducks respond when flushed from the nest Interrupted incubation: How dabbling ducks respond when flushed from the nest
Nesting birds must provide a thermal environment sufficient for egg development while also meeting self‐maintenance needs. Many birds, particularly those with uniparental incubation, achieve this balance through periodic incubation recesses, during which foraging and other self‐maintenance activities can occur. However, incubating birds may experience disturbances such as predator or...
Authors
Rebecca Croston, C. Hartman, Mark Herzog, Sarah Peterson, Jeffrey Kohl, Cory Overton, Cliff Feldheim, Michael Casazza, Josh Ackerman
Using high resolution satellite and telemetry data to track flooded habitats, their use by waterfowl, and evaluate effects of drought on waterfowl and shorebird bioenergetics in California Using high resolution satellite and telemetry data to track flooded habitats, their use by waterfowl, and evaluate effects of drought on waterfowl and shorebird bioenergetics in California
Wetland managers in the Central Valley of California, a dynamic hydrological landscape, require information regarding the amount and location of existing wetland habitat to make decisions on how to best use water resources to support multiple wildlife objectives, particularly during drought. Scientists from the U.S. Geological Survey Western Ecological Research Center (WERC), Point Blue
Authors
Elliott Matchett, Matthew Reiter, Cory Overton, Dennis Jongsomjit, Michael Casazza
Science and Products
Filter Total Items: 22
Selenium concentrations in Yuma Ridgway's Rails occupying managed and unmanaged emergent marshes at the Salton Sea Selenium concentrations in Yuma Ridgway's Rails occupying managed and unmanaged emergent marshes at the Salton Sea
Yuma Ridgway's rail (Rallus obsoletus yumanensis, hereafter, "rail" are an endangered species for which patches of emergent marsh within the Salton Sea watershed comprise a substantial portion of habitat for the species' disjointed range in the southwestern United States. These areas of emergent marsh include: 1) marshes managed by federal (particularly the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service...
Yuma Ridgway's Rail (Rallus obsoletus yumanensis) Population Surveys, Rail Movement, and Potential Habitat at the Salton Sea of California Yuma Ridgway's Rail (Rallus obsoletus yumanensis) Population Surveys, Rail Movement, and Potential Habitat at the Salton Sea of California
Data were obtained as part of a project assessing risk to the federal and California listed endangered Yuma Ridgway's rail (Rallus obsoletus yumanensis) populations resulting from selenium contaminated agricultural runoff and to inform habitat restoration and management decisions. Four data sets were produced and used to analyze patterns of Yuma Ridgway's rail (Rallus obsoletus...
Suisun Tidal Marsh Duck Use Dataset Suisun Tidal Marsh Duck Use Dataset
Location data with corresponding habitat class (managed vs tidal marsh) and habitat type (permanent pond, seasonal pond, channel, or marshland) for waterfowl utilizing the Suisun Marsh region of California with species, sex, season and date information. These data support the following publication: Casazza, M.L., McDuie, F., Jones, S., Lorenz, A.A., Overton, C.T., Yee, J., Feldheim, C.L
Migration stopover ecology of cinnamon teal in western North America Migration stopover ecology of cinnamon teal in western North America
Identifying migration routes and fall stopover sites of cinnamon teal (Spatula cyanoptera septentrionalium) can provide a spatial guide to management and conservation efforts, and address vulnerabilities in wetland networks that support migratory waterbirds. Using high spatio-temporal resolution GSM-GPS transmitters, we tracked the fall migration of 61 cinnamon teal across western North...
Waterfowl Disturbance in California and Nevada (2018) Waterfowl Disturbance in California and Nevada (2018)
Long-term environmental management to prevent waterfowl population declines is informed by ecology, movement behavior and habitat use patterns. Extrinsic factors such as human-induced disturbance can cause behavioral changes which may influence movement, and resource needs, driving variation that affects management efficacy. To better understand the relationship between human-based...
Locations of Pacific Flyway Ducks in and near Commercial Livestock Facilities of the Western USA (2015-2021) Locations of Pacific Flyway Ducks in and near Commercial Livestock Facilities of the Western USA (2015-2021)
Zoonotic diseases are of considerable concern to the human population and viruses such as avian influenza (AIV) threaten food security, wildlife conservation and human health. Wild waterfowl and the natural wetlands they use, are known AIV reservoirs, with birds capable of virus transmission to domestic poultry populations. While infection risk models have linked migration routes and AIV...
Tule Greater White-fronted Goose Migration Tracks (2019-2020) and Atmospheric Smoke Concentrations (2020). Tule Greater White-fronted Goose Migration Tracks (2019-2020) and Atmospheric Smoke Concentrations (2020).
April through May (spring) and August through September (fall) locations for tule greater white-fronted geese (Anser albifrons elgasi) marked with GPS collars at Summer Lake Wildlife Area, OR in 2018 and 2019. Locations may include pre-migration and post-migration designations. Locations occurring between September 11, 2020, and arrival at, or within 50 kilometers of the Summer Lake...
Comparisons of Gambel's quail survey methods conducted in 2016 within the Mohave Desert of California with results and summaries Comparisons of Gambel's quail survey methods conducted in 2016 within the Mohave Desert of California with results and summaries
Data includes results collected in the Mohave Desert during 2016 using three survey methods (acoustic recording units, camera traps, and call-count surveys) to detect gamebirds, primarily Gambel's quail (Callipepla gambelii) but also including records of mourning dove (Zenaida macroura), Eurasian collared-dove (Streptopelia decaocto), and chukar (Alectoris chukar). ARU data includes the...
Classification of Waterfowl Habitat, and Quantification of Interannual Space Use and Movement Distance from Primary Roosts to Night Feeding Locations by Waterfowl in California for October - March of 2015 through 2018 Classification of Waterfowl Habitat, and Quantification of Interannual Space Use and Movement Distance from Primary Roosts to Night Feeding Locations by Waterfowl in California for October - March of 2015 through 2018
Technological advancements in Global Positioning System (GPS) telemetry markers allow almost real-time observation of waterfowl movements and habitat selection. Telemetry data on ducks marked with GPS transmitters can be used to evaluate performance of remote sensing data (for example, dynamic open-water maps produced by Point Blue Conservation Science) for classifying habitats that are...
Integrating Spatially Explicit Indices of Abundance and Habitat Quality: An Applied Example for Greater Sage-grouse Management Integrating Spatially Explicit Indices of Abundance and Habitat Quality: An Applied Example for Greater Sage-grouse Management
This study provides timely and highly useful information about greater sage-grouse over a large area of the Great Basin. USGS researchers and their colleagues created a template for combining landscape-scale occurrence or abundance data with habitat selection data in order to identify areas most critical to sustaining populations of species of conservation concern. The template also...
Filter Total Items: 57
Waterfowl recently infected with low pathogenic avian influenza exhibit reduced local movement and delayed migration Waterfowl recently infected with low pathogenic avian influenza exhibit reduced local movement and delayed migration
Understanding relationships between infection and wildlife movement patterns is important for predicting pathogen spread, especially for multispecies pathogens and those that can spread to humans and domestic animals, such as avian influenza viruses (AIVs). Although infection with low pathogenic AIVs is generally considered asymptomatic in wild birds, prior work has shown that influenza...
Authors
Claire Teitelbaum, Michael Casazza, Fiona McDuie, Susan De La Cruz, Cory Overton, Laurie Hall, Elliott Matchett, Josh Ackerman, Jeffery Sullivan, Andrew Ramey, Diann Prosser
Postbreeding movements and molting ecology of female gadwalls and mallards Postbreeding movements and molting ecology of female gadwalls and mallards
The wing molt is an important annual life-history event that occurs in waterfowl and molt site selection can play an important role in determining survival. We tracked postbreeding movements of gadwall (Mareca strepera) and mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) females that bred in the Suisun Marsh (Suisun) of California, USA, to determine molt site selection and wing molt chronology. We attached...
Authors
Jeffrey Kohl, Michael Casazza, Cory Overton, Mark Herzog, Josh Ackerman, Cliff Feldheim, John Eadie
Avian influenza antibody prevalence increases with mercury contamination in wild waterfowl Avian influenza antibody prevalence increases with mercury contamination in wild waterfowl
Environmental contamination is widespread and can negatively impact wildlife health. Some contaminants, including heavy metals, have immunosuppressive effects, but prior studies have rarely measured contamination and disease simultaneously, which limits our understanding of how contaminants and pathogens interact to influence wildlife health. Here, we measured mercury concentrations...
Authors
Claire Teitelbaum, Josh Ackerman, Mason Hill, Jaqueline Satter, Michael Casazza, Susan De La Cruz, Walter Boyce, Evan Buck, John Eadie, Mark Herzog, Elliott Matchett, Cory Overton, Sarah Peterson, Magdalena Plancarte, Andrew Ramey, Jeffery Sullivan, Diann Prosser
Yuma Ridgway’s rail selenium exposure and occupancy within managed and unmanaged emergent marshes at the Salton Sea Yuma Ridgway’s rail selenium exposure and occupancy within managed and unmanaged emergent marshes at the Salton Sea
Yuma Ridgway’s rail (Rallus obsoletus yumanensis, hereafter, rail) is an endangered species for which patches of emergent marsh within the Salton Sea watershed comprise a substantial part of habitat for the species’ disjointed range in the southwestern United States. These areas of emergent marsh include (1) marshes managed by federal (particularly the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s...
Authors
Mark Ricca, Cory Overton, Thomas Anderson, Angela Merritt, Eamon Harrity, Elliott Matchett, Michael Casazza
Machine learned daily life history classification using low frequency tracking data and automated modelling pipelines: Application to North American waterfowl Machine learned daily life history classification using low frequency tracking data and automated modelling pipelines: Application to North American waterfowl
Background Identifying animal behaviors, life history states, and movement patterns is a prerequisite for many animal behavior analyses and effective management of wildlife and habitats. Most approaches classify short-term movement patterns with high frequency location or accelerometry data. However, patterns reflecting life history across longer time scales can have greater relevance to...
Authors
Cory Overton, Michael Casazza, Joseph Bretz, Fiona McDuie, Elliott Matchett, Desmond Mackell, Austen Lorenz, Andrea Mott, Mark Herzog, Josh Ackerman
Pathways for avian influenza virus spread: GPS reveals wild waterfowl in commercial livestock facilities and connectivity with the natural wetland landscape Pathways for avian influenza virus spread: GPS reveals wild waterfowl in commercial livestock facilities and connectivity with the natural wetland landscape
Zoonotic diseases are of considerable concern to the human population and viruses such as avian influenza (AIV) threaten food security, wildlife conservation and human health. Wild waterfowl and the natural wetlands they use are known AIV reservoirs, with birds capable of virus transmission to domestic poultry populations. While infection risk models have linked migration routes and AIV...
Authors
Fiona McDuie, Elliott Matchett, Diann Prosser, John Y. Takekawa, Maurice Pitesky, Austen Lorenz, Madeline McCuen, Cory Overton, Josh Ackerman, Susan De La Cruz, Michael Casazza
Megafires and thick smoke portend big problems for migratory birds Megafires and thick smoke portend big problems for migratory birds
In 2020, the fire season affecting the western United States reached unprecedented levels. The 116 fires active in September consumed nearly 20,822 km2 (https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/accessible-view/ Accessed 2020-09-29) with eighty percent of this footprint (16,567 km2) from 68 fires occurring within California, Oregon, and Washington. Although the 2020 fire season was the most extreme on...
Authors
Cory Overton, Austen Lorenz, Eric P. James, Ravan Ahmadov, John Eadie, Fiona McDuie, Mark Petrie, Chris Nicolai, Melanie Weaver, Daniel A. Skalos, Shannon Skalos, Andrea Mott, Desmond Mackell, Anna Kennedy, Elliott Matchett, Michael Casazza
Migration stopover ecology of Cinnamon Teal in western North America Migration stopover ecology of Cinnamon Teal in western North America
Identifying migration routes and fall stopover sites of Cinnamon Teal (Spatula cyanoptera septentrionalium) can provide a spatial guide to management and conservation efforts, and address vulnerabilities in wetland networks that support migratory waterbirds. Using high spatiotemporal resolution GPS-GSM transmitters, we analyzed 61 fall migration tracks across western North America during...
Authors
Desmond Mackell, Michael Casazza, Cory Overton, J. Donnelly, David Olson, Fiona McDuie, Josh Ackerman, John Eadie
Informing wetland management with waterfowl movement and sanctuary use responses to human-induced disturbance Informing wetland management with waterfowl movement and sanctuary use responses to human-induced disturbance
Long-term environmental management to prevent waterfowl population declines is informed by ecology, movement behavior and habitat use patterns. Extrinsic factors, such as human-induced disturbance, can cause behavioral changes which may influence movement and resource needs, driving variation that affects management efficacy. To better understand the relationship between human-based...
Authors
Fiona McDuie, Austen Lorenz, Robert Klinger, Cory Overton, Cliff Feldheim, Josh Ackerman, Michael Casazza
Changes in the abundance and distribution of waterfowl wintering in the Central Valley of California, 1973–2000 Changes in the abundance and distribution of waterfowl wintering in the Central Valley of California, 1973–2000
The Central Valley of California is one of the most important areas for wintering waterfowl in the world and the focus of extensive conservation efforts to mitigate for historical losses and counter continuing stressors to habitats. To guide conservation, we analyzed trends in the abundance and distribution (spatiotemporal abundance patterns) of waterfowl and their habitats in the...
Authors
Joseph Fleskes, Michael Casazza, Cory Overton, Elliott Matchett, Julie Yee
Interrupted incubation: How dabbling ducks respond when flushed from the nest Interrupted incubation: How dabbling ducks respond when flushed from the nest
Nesting birds must provide a thermal environment sufficient for egg development while also meeting self‐maintenance needs. Many birds, particularly those with uniparental incubation, achieve this balance through periodic incubation recesses, during which foraging and other self‐maintenance activities can occur. However, incubating birds may experience disturbances such as predator or...
Authors
Rebecca Croston, C. Hartman, Mark Herzog, Sarah Peterson, Jeffrey Kohl, Cory Overton, Cliff Feldheim, Michael Casazza, Josh Ackerman
Using high resolution satellite and telemetry data to track flooded habitats, their use by waterfowl, and evaluate effects of drought on waterfowl and shorebird bioenergetics in California Using high resolution satellite and telemetry data to track flooded habitats, their use by waterfowl, and evaluate effects of drought on waterfowl and shorebird bioenergetics in California
Wetland managers in the Central Valley of California, a dynamic hydrological landscape, require information regarding the amount and location of existing wetland habitat to make decisions on how to best use water resources to support multiple wildlife objectives, particularly during drought. Scientists from the U.S. Geological Survey Western Ecological Research Center (WERC), Point Blue
Authors
Elliott Matchett, Matthew Reiter, Cory Overton, Dennis Jongsomjit, Michael Casazza