Observations


FGDC Metadata:

Identification Information:
Citation:
Citation Information:
Originator: Chris Harwood, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Fish and Wildlife Biologist
Publication Date: 20250211
Title: Observations
Geospatial Data Presentation Form: vector digital data
Description:
Abstract: Point observations of bird species during the scaup/scoter breeding pair surveys at Kanuti National Wildlife Refuge, from 2014-2024. This includes observations along designated transects, in addition to some observations that occurred while off transect.
Purpose: Point layer representing bird observations for the scoter and scaup breeding pair survey at Kanuti National Wildlife Refuge
Status:
Progress: In work
Maintenance and Update Frequency: Annually
Spatial Domain:
Bounding Coordinates:
West Bounding Coordinate: -152.400844
East Bounding Coordinate: -151.072787
North Bounding Coordinate: 66.631244
South Bounding Coordinate: 65.991133
Keywords:
Theme:
Theme Keyword Thesaurus: Global Change Master Directory (GCMD)
Theme Keyword: EARTH SCIENCE > BIOLOGICAL CLASSIFICATION > ANIMALS/VERTEBRATES > BIRDS > DUCKS/GEESE/SWANS
Theme:
Theme Keyword Thesaurus: ISO 19115 Topic Categories
Theme Keyword: biota
Place:
Place Keyword Thesaurus: None
Place Keyword: Kanuti National Wildlife Refuge
Access Constraints: None
Use Constraints: The United States Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) shall not be held liable for improper or incorrect use of the data described and/or contained herein. While the Service makes every reasonable effort to ensure the accuracy and completeness of data provided for distribution, it may not have the necessary accuracy or completeness required for every possible intended use. The Service recommends that data users consult the associated metadata record to understand the quality and possible limitations of the data. The Service creates metadata records in accordance with the standards endorsed by the Federal Geographic Data Committee.As a result of the above considerations, the Service gives no warranty, expressed or implied, as to the accuracy, reliability, or completeness of the data. It is the responsibility of the data user to use the data in a manner consistent with the limitations of geospatial data in general and these data in particular. Although these data have been processed successfully on a computer system at the Service, no warranty, expressed or implied, is made regarding the utility of the data on another system or for general or scientific purposes, nor shall the act of distribution constitute any such warranty. This applies to the use of the data both alone and in aggregate with other data and information.
Point of Contact:
Contact Information:
Contact Organization Primary:
Contact Organization: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Contact Person: Chris Harwood
Contact Position: Fish and Wildlife Biologist
Contact Address:
Address Type: mailing
City: Fairbanks
State or Province: Alaska
Postal Code: 99701
Country: US
Contact Electronic Mail Address: christopher_harwood@fws.gov
Spatial Data Organization Information:
Direct Spatial Reference Method: Vector
Point and Vector Object Information:
SDTS Terms Description:
SDTS Point and Vector Object Type: Entity point
Point and Vector Object Count: 838
Entity and Attribute Information:
Detailed Description:
Entity Type:
Entity Type Label: Observations
Entity Type Definition: Bird observations during the scaup and scoter breeding pair survey at Kanuti National Wildlife Refuge
Attribute:
Attribute Label: Observation
Attribute Definition: Arbitrary, post-surveys assignment of an identifier for keeping records in original order from annual spreadsheets. Allows various sorting of records for quality control and then return to original order.
Attribute:
Attribute Label: Waypoint
Attribute Definition: GPS-assigned waypoint number, either recorded by observer or pilot during actual survey.
Attribute:
Attribute Label: Transect
Attribute Definition: Numeric identifier of aerial transect. In 2014-16, there were just 10 transects. Beginning in 2017, 10 additional transects (numbered 11-20) were deployed between the original transects. Null values indicate that the associated observation occurred off transect.
Attribute:
Attribute Label: Off_transect
Attribute Definition: Any value present in the field indicates that the associated bird observation occurred outside the official transects. Off transect observations were not included in deriving estimates. Included merely for completeness of collected data.
Attribute:
Attribute Label: Year
Attribute Definition: 4-digit year in which survey occurred.
Attribute:
Attribute Label: Month
Attribute Definition: Month in which survey occurred.
Attribute:
Attribute Label: Day
Attribute Definition: Day on which survey occurred.
Attribute:
Attribute Label: Observer
Attribute Definition: Last name of observer. Moran, Harwood, and Bertram were solely observers; Spindler, Daniels, and Guldager were pilot-observers.
Attribute:
Attribute Label: Seat
Attribute Definition: Side of plane out which observer surveyed and was responsible for.
Attribute:
Attribute Label: Strata
Attribute Definition: Geographic region denoted by Guldager in 2014 when she surveyed multiple refuges or areas.
Attribute:
Attribute Label: Trans_km2
Attribute Definition: Length of transect (km) multiplied by width of transect (0.4 km).
Attribute:
Attribute Label: Flt_dir
Attribute Definition: Direction of flight at time of observation (not always included)
Attribute:
Attribute Label: File
Attribute Definition: Name of digital file that includes survey observations. Observations were audibly recorded and those observations were later transcribed into spreadsheets.
Attribute:
Attribute Label: Latitude
Attribute Definition: Latitude (WGS84) of observation's location.
Attribute:
Attribute Label: Longitude
Attribute Definition: Longitude (WGS84) of observation's location.
Attribute:
Attribute Label: SAM
Attribute Definition: Seconds after midnight. Time stamp used by Guldager/Bertram crew's computer software (tied to plane's GPS) which tags observation's location based on time stamp along the transect.
Attribute:
Attribute Label: Species
Attribute Definition: Acronym of bird species.
Attribute Domain Values:
Enumerated Domain:
Enumerated Domain Value: SCAU
Enumerated Domain Value Definition: Unidentified Scaup (Lesser & Greater)
Attribute Domain Values:
Enumerated Domain:
Enumerated Domain Value: SUSC
Enumerated Domain Value Definition: Surf Scoter
Attribute Domain Values:
Enumerated Domain:
Enumerated Domain Value: WWSC
Enumerated Domain Value Definition: White-winged Scoter
Attribute Domain Values:
Enumerated Domain:
Enumerated Domain Value: UNSC
Enumerated Domain Value Definition: Unidentified Scoter
Attribute Domain Values:
Enumerated Domain:
Enumerated Domain Value: RNDU
Enumerated Domain Value Definition: Ring-necked Duck
Attribute Domain Values:
Enumerated Domain:
Enumerated Domain Value: TRSW
Enumerated Domain Value Definition: Trumpeter Swan
Attribute Domain Values:
Enumerated Domain:
Enumerated Domain Value: COLO
Enumerated Domain Value Definition: Common Loon
Attribute Domain Values:
Enumerated Domain:
Enumerated Domain Value: PALO
Enumerated Domain Value Definition: Pacific Loon
Attribute Domain Values:
Enumerated Domain:
Enumerated Domain Value: RTLO
Enumerated Domain Value Definition: Red-throated Loon
Attribute Domain Values:
Enumerated Domain:
Enumerated Domain Value: LOON
Enumerated Domain Value Definition: Unidentified Loon
Attribute:
Attribute Label: Number
Attribute Definition: Number of individuals in the "Category" observed (e.g., 1 single, 2 pairs, 3 males in a flock).
Attribute:
Attribute Label: Category
Attribute Definition: Description of species grouping: SINGLE = 1 individual (in case of scaup and scoters only refers to males); PAIR = male and female consorting with each other; FLKDRAKE = 2 or more males.
Attribute Domain Values:
Enumerated Domain:
Enumerated Domain Value: SINGLE
Enumerated Domain Value Definition: 1 individual (in case of scaup and scoters only refers to males)
Attribute Domain Values:
Enumerated Domain:
Enumerated Domain Value: PAIR
Enumerated Domain Value Definition: male and female consorting with each other
Attribute Domain Values:
Enumerated Domain:
Enumerated Domain Value: FLKDRAKE
Enumerated Domain Value Definition: 2 or more males
Attribute:
Attribute Label: Ind_total
Attribute Definition: Indicated Total: number of birds indicated by combination of "Number" and "Category" (e.g., 3 singles = 3; 2 pairs = 4). In case of scoters (but NOT scaup or other taxa), number of single or flocked males are doubled (e.g., 2 Single SUSC = 4)
Attribute:
Attribute Label: comments
Attribute Definition: Random comments made by the observer for clarity, etc.
Distribution Information:
Distributor:
Contact Information:
Contact Organization Primary:
Contact Organization: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Contact Address:
Address Type: mailing
City: Fort Collins
State or Province: Colorado
Postal Code: 80525
Country: US
Distribution Liability: See access and use constraints information.
Standard Order Process:
Digital Form:
Digital Transfer Option:
Online Option:
Computer Contact Information:
Network Address:
Network Resource name: https://iris.fws.gov/APPS/ServCat/Reference/Profile/178612
Metadata Reference Information:
Metadata Date: 20250211
Metadata Contact:
Contact Information:
Contact Organization Primary:
Contact Organization: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Contact Person: Caylen Cummins
Contact Position: Data Manager
Contact Address:
Address Type: mailing
City: Anchorage
State or Province: Alaska
Postal Code: 99503
Country: US
Contact Electronic Mail Address: caylen_cummins@fws.gov
Metadata Standard name: FGDC Content Standard for Digital Geospatial Metadata
Metadata Standard Version: FGDC-STD-001-1998
Metadata Time Convention: local time