About this Collection

Survey protocol information and resources for the Utah Ecological Services Field Office.

Southwestern Willow Flycatcher Survey Training Information 

In coordination with the Utah Department of Natural Resources, the US Fish and Wildlife Service offers a Southwestern Willow Flycatcher Surveyor Training every other year in Utah. The training will be offered in 2025 on May 22nd and 23rd at the UDWR Washington County Offices in Hurricane, Utah. The field visit will consist of SWFL calling at two or three locations in and around St. George on May 23rd. For questions and to register, please contact Dannette Weiss (dannette_weiss@fws.gov). 

This training emphasizes identification of southwestern willow flycatcher habitats, species identification by sight and sound, and use of the 2010 survey protocol. If you have completed a previous training session for southwestern willow flycatcher surveys, it must have included a field portion, otherwise this survey training is mandatory for permit applicants who plan to conduct southwestern willow flycatcher surveys in Utah.

Agenda

Thursday, May 22

12:30 pm   Sign-in, Welcome, Class Overview and Introductions          

1:00 pm     Species Distribution, threats, habitat and biology (Status of the species, identification of habitat, reasons for decline, life history, threats to species and habitat, prioritizing monitoring sites)                               

1:45 pm     Flycatcher, Cowbird, Field Identification and Vocalizations                         

2:30 pm     Break 

2:45 pm     Permits (ESA Sec. 9 and 10, how, where and when to apply for a permit, renewing and amending a permit, submitting a CV or resume)                        

3:15 pm     Protocol and Data Sheets                                                                                             

4:15 pm     Field Trip Arrangements                                                                                                         

4:30 pm     Adjourn

Friday, May 23

6:30 am     Meet at parking lot behind (East side) of Bare Foot Gymnastics (476 E Riverside Dr.) in St. George. View suitable breeding habitat along the Virgin River at occupied breeding sites.              Practice protocol at an unoccupied site. 

We will visit 2-3 breeding sites along the Virgin River in the St George area. We will hear flycatchers singing and potentially see one as well. The terrain is mostly flat dirt/sand paths. We will have two 0.5-mile walks during the field training. We will not be wading through water, hiking boots that can get muddy will be sufficient. Our ending time is likely to be no later than 10:30. 

What to Bring: Hiking boots (that can get muddy and/or a little wet) or mud boots, binoculars, field guide, drinks, insect repellant or bug jacket, warmer jacket, hat, snacks, sunscreen etc.

Site visit locations: 1) Bare Foot Gymnastics, 476 E Riverside Dr, St George. 2) Springs Park (2395 E Springs Dr, St. George). 3) Brinton Pond (S Warner Draw Rd, near Long Valley Rec Area in Hurricane).

The primary objectives of the survey training course in Utah are to:

  • ensure consistency and quality of surveys following Service-approved protocol;
  • ensure surveyors meet all requirements of Endangered Species Act consultation and compliance;
  • increase the number of qualified surveyors; and
  • increase the Service’s knowledge of the distribution of this endangered bird.

Completion of the survey training course is a requirement for obtaining an ESA section 10(a)(1)(A) endangered species permit, which is necessary to conduct southwestern willow flycatcher surveys. If you intend to conduct surveys this year in Utah and do not hold a permit, please complete a permit application form as soon as possible.

Permit processing procedures necessitate applying 90-days in advance of planned surveys to ensure timely issuance of the permit.  We strongly recommend applying for survey permits at least 3 month prior to the survey season to ensure the permit processing is completed.

If you have received a permit in the past few years and plan to continue surveying, please check your permit to see if you need to renew it.  If you do, a letter stating that you have taken the survey training course, had a permit in the past, and are requesting renewal should be submitted to our Regional Office in Denver prior to your permit’s expiration date.

Permit reports must be sent to the respective Ecological Services Field Office in the state(s) where surveys are conducted, immediately following each field season.  Annual reports are necessary to maintain valid survey permits.  These reports provide us with valuable information regarding distribution of southwestern willow flycatchers.  Negative results are just as important to submit as positive results; in addition, annual reports should be submitted even if you did not survey for the species that year.

Please submit all survey forms in excel format electronically to the Utah Field Office in addition to required submission locations based on your permit.

Additional information about this species, including over 300 publications and the 2010 survey protocol, can be found at this website hosted by Arizona Partners in Flight and the U.S. Geological Survey.

Search in the Collection