Amber Wiewel, Boalsburg, was chosen to function the coordinator of the third Pennsylvania Bird Atlas. (Photo courtesy of Hawk Mountain Sanctuary)
Hawk Mountain Sanctuary, in partnership with the Pennsylvania Game Commission and the Pennsylvania Bird Atlas Steering Committee, chosen Amber Wiewel, Boalsburg, to function the coordinator of the third Pennsylvania Bird Atlas.
“The Atlas will provide a snapshot of the population status and distribution of birds in the Commonwealth. No other bird surveys are as comprehensive, and for that reason, the results are critical to the establishment of conservation priorities for Pennsylvania birds,” mentioned PGC State Ornithologist Sean Murphy within the launch.
Hawk Mountain, positioned in Albany Township, will present oversight for Wiewel who will associate with birdwatchers and ornithologists in each county throughout the state to survey fowl species’ standing and distribution from 2024 by 2028. Her first order of business might be to develop survey protocols and outreach supplies for the general public and birding communities, determine regional coordinators, after which to advertise the Atlas and recruit volunteers, with surveying to begin in 2024.
The Atlas might be open to all volunteer birders, no matter talent stage, primarily through the use of the favored eBird on-line database to document observations. It additionally would be the first time a Pennsylvania Bird Atlas will incorporate winter surveys along with breeding season surveys, which can assist refine the understanding of the year-round distribution and relative abundance of Pennsylvania’s fowl populations.
“I am excited to join Hawk Mountain and coordinate efforts for Pennsylvania’s 3rd Bird Atlas. Pennsylvania is home to a large population of birders, and the tremendous effort required to execute the Atlas would not be possible without these enthusiastic volunteers. I look forward to connecting with birders across the state over the next few years,” mentioned Wiewel within the launch.
Wiewel will report on to Dr. Laurie Goodrich, director of conservation science on the Sanctuary, and Sean Murphy, whereas working intently with the steering committee. The five-year challenge might be headquartered at Hawk Mountain with a lot work occurring remotely and utilizing an unlimited community of volunteer birders statewide.
“Hawk Mountain has a long history of working with the Pennsylvania Game Commission to study state birds and is proud to partner with them to implement this important project,” mentioned Sanctuary President Sean Grace within the launch.
Wiewel has greater than 15 years of expertise in avian and wildlife conservation, having directed wildlife monitoring all through the Northeast by varied positions with Penn State University and USGS.
“Having experience with developing survey protocols, training volunteer field crews, and coordinating surveys makes Amber ideal for the job,” mentioned Goodrich within the launch.
Wiewel additionally has labored on forest fowl analysis, helping PSU school with area work analyzing how songbirds use forested landscapes in Pennsylvania.
She earned her grasp’s in ecology and evolutionary biology in 2011 from Iowa State University, having studied the breeding-season ecology of the Puerto Rican Bullfinch. In Puerto Rico, she additionally led area crews surveying birds for a big collaborative analysis challenge. Her bachelor’s diploma analysis examined winter ecology of the black-and-white warbler in Puerto Rico.
In addition to her skilled pursuits, Wiewel additionally participates within the USGS annual breeding fowl surveys and volunteers as a Penn State Master Gardener, serving to landowners with backyard plans.
Andrew Wilson, a professor of environmental research at Gettysburg University and member of the Atlas steering committee, is equally happy and notes the significance of the Atlas.
“It’s wonderful to have Amber in place to ramp up efforts, and we’re excited to have a capable and experienced project organizer to lead the charge. Like many other birders in Pennsylvania, I’ve been looking forward to this since the last project ended 15 years ago. We know there have been lots of changes in the Commonwealth’s bird life, but we are sure to find surprises, too,” Wilson mentioned within the launch.
For extra info and for updates go to hawkmountain.org/3rdpabirdatlas.
The 2,500-acre Hawk Mountain Sanctuary is the world’s first refuge for birds of prey and is open to the general public year-round by trail-fee or membership, which in flip helps the non-profit organization’s raptor conservation mission and local-to-global analysis, coaching, and teaching programs. To be taught extra about Hawk Mountain or different packages, please name 610-756-6961 or go to www.hawkmountain.org.
