Form FWS Form 3-159 FWS Form 3-159 Mourning Dove Call Count Survey

INSTRUCTIONS FOR MOURNING DOVE CALL – COUNT SURVEY
Please follow the instructions closely so that data from your route will be of maximum value. The quality of the survey depends on you.
DATES OF
SURVEY
WEATHER
CONDITIONS

The first day of the 200X CCS will be ______, and the last day will be _____. To qualify for the 200X analysis, survey field forms
must be received at Laurel, MD, and if instructed by your State coordinator all data must be entered via the CCS website by _____.
Do not conduct survey
(1) wind velocities exceed Beaufort 3 (12 mph),
when
(2) rain or snow is falling.

STARTING TIMES

Start routes exactly 1/2 hour before sunrise. Sunrise and approximate stop times are provided on the survey form under “Local
Official Sunrise Time” and “Time at Stop.” If necessary, consult or determine
the sunrise time from an official source adjusted to route locality, and determine approximate stop times by following the
PROCEDURE section, below. Please note any alternative sunrise time source on your survey form.

OBSERVER

The vehicle driver is the sole observer. Persons accompanying the driver are not to assist the driver in the collection of dove data.
When possible, the observer should run the same route in successive years. If it is known that a new observer will take over next year,
both observers (old and new) should run the survey together this year to ensure that the new observer learns survey procedures and
local route conditions. Both observers should record data on separate forms without conferring.
Routes are 20 miles in length, with 20 stops (listening stations) at 1-mile intervals. Remember that stop 20 is 19 miles from stop 1, and
the observer must continue driving and counting doves to complete the 20th mile of the route. The route begins at Stop #1 and
continues 1-mile past stop #20. A typical error is to neglect to observe, count, and record doves seen for the last driven mile of the
survey.

SURVEY ROUTE

PROCEDURE

Special Note

Allow about two hours to complete a survey route. Allow exactly 3 minutes for counts at each stop and an
average of 3 minutes for recording and travel time between stops.

At Stop #1

Record wind velocity as 0,1,2,3, using Beaufort scale. Record temperature and vehicle mileage.

At Each Stop

Stop vehicle, turn off ignition, leave vehicle. Listen and observe for exactly 3 minutes, standing away from
vehicle.
Record: (1) Actual time the count begins if different by more than 5 minutes from printed time.
(2) Total number of individual doves heard calling, not individual calls.
(3) Total number of doves seen while stopped.
(4) Disturbance affecting count at each stop.
(5) Remarks, if applicable to survey.

Between Stops

Maintain driving speed of about 35 miles/hour between stops.
Record:

At Finish

Record:

(1) Total number of doves seen while driving. Enter data on same line as previous stop number.
Remember to continue collecting observations for the twentieth mile of the survey, after stop 20.
(1) Weather conditions and vehicle mileage.
(2) Total all columns for doves heard and seen.

Check form for completeness and accuracy.
REPORTING

Immediately after the completion of each route:
(1) Mail the original form directly to Dove Survey, Division of Migratory Bird Management, 11510 American Holly Dr., Laurel,
Maryland, 20708-4002. Forms must be received at the Laurel office by _____. Fax your form if necessary to (301) 497-5871 to
meet this cut off date, and then mail the original form.
(2) Survey results should also be entered via the Internet at http://mdoveccs.fws.gov Check with your state coordinator to confirm
who will be entering the results. Survey data should also be entered by ______.
(3) Mail the following to your State coordinator:
a. 1 copy of the form
b. 1 copy of the survey route map
(3) Retain a copy for your personal file.

WIND VELOCITY

DISTURBANCE

Beaufort Number
0
1
2
3
Disturbance
NO
LO
MOD
HI

Velocity (mph)
Less than 1
1 to 3
4 to 7
8 to 12

Suggestions for Estimating Wind Velocity
Smoke rises vertically.
Direction of wind shown by smoke drift, but not by wind vanes.
Wind felt on face, leaves rustle, ordinary wind vane moves.
Leaves and small twigs in constant motion; wind extends light flag.

Description
No appreciable effect on count.
Slightly affecting count.
Moderately affecting count.
Seriously affecting count.

Example
Occasional crow calling.
Distant tractor noise.
Intermittent traffic.
Heavy-continuous traffic.

Your cooperation in this important survey is appreciated greatly. About mid-July you can view and print the results of this year’s call-count survey online at
http://migratorybirds.fws.gov/reports/reports.html You can also query and download Mourning Dove CCS route level data at http://mbdcapps.fws.gov
In accordance with the Privacy Act (5 U.S.C. 522a) and the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. 3501), please note the following information. This study is authorized by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (16
U.S. C. 703 et seq.). The information you provide will be used for estimating mourning dove relative abundance. It is our policy not to use your name for any other purpose. All names and identifying
information will be removed when we compile the results, and only summary information will be reported. The information is maintained in accordance with the Privacy Act. Your response is voluntary. An
agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number. The information collection has been
approved by OMB and assigned OMB Control No. 1018-0010. We estimate that it will take you about 3.5 hours to complete the survey, including time to read instructions, drive to and from the survey route,
gather data at survey stops, and complete and review the suvey form. For those reporting electronically, we estimate that it will take an additional 10 minutes. If you have comments on this form,
please send them to the Information Collection Clearance Officer, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, MS 222-ARLSQ, 1849 C Street, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20240.