Sand Creek Massacre NHS Bird Inventory
Project Status: Completed
In 2005, the National Park Service, in cooperation with the Rocky Mountain Bird Observatory, initiated a bird inventory and monitoring program in Sand Creek Massacre National Historic Site (NHS). During this pilot year, the Rocky Mountain Bird Observatory conducted standardized monitoring and inventory techniques at the site that are consistent with those conducted at regional scales. Data can be compared with and contribute to state and regional inventory and monitoring efforts.
A total of 59 documented species were documented, including two listed as species of special concern by Colorado: the burrowing owl (Athene cunicularia) and mountain plover (Charadrius montanus). Of the 59 species documented, 16 are listed as species of conservation concern or stewardship species in the shortgrass prairie system conservation region by Partners in Flight. No federally listed species were detected. In addition to compiling an initial species list, this study established baseline information that can be used to evaluate population trends in the future.
