The Institute for Bird Populations (IBP) is dedicated to fostering a global approach to research and the dissemination of information on changes in the abundance, distribution, and ecology of bird populations. Since 1994, IBP has partnered with DoD land managers to a) monitor landbird populations, b) model demographic estimates as functions of landscape pattern and change, c) model demographic estimates as functions of weather and climate, d) provide management guidelines to maintain source habitat for species of concern, and e) monitor the efficacy of management. Funding for these activities has been provided by the Legacy Resurces Management Office, US Army Corps of Engineers, and Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Atlantic Division.

IBP's activities at NIOC Sugar Grove have included:

a) Demographic Monitoring of Bird Populations (2007 Report, 2008 Report) - IBP has operated four Monitoring Avian Productivity and Survivorship (MAPS) stations: one on the lower base, one on the uppper base, and two on neighboring USDA Forest Service's George Washington NF. We provide annual MAPS reports and maintain a bird checklist for distribution among base personnel and their families. The MAPS data monitor the health of the bird populations, especially Neotropical migrants such as Worm-eating Warbler (Helmitheros vermivorus) and contribute to regional (i.e., Appalachian) and continental MAPS datasets and in the future the Avian Knowledge Network administered by Cornell Lab of Ornithology.

b) Biological Assessment of Shale Barren Habitat (PDF) - Dr. Phil Nott reviewed the status of Shale Barren Rock Cress and other species endemic to the rare shale barren habitats of the Appalachians, including the Little Fork shale barren that lies within the stewardship of NIOC Sugar Grove. Since the mid to late 1980’s two species of butterfly, the Grizzled Skipper (Pyrgus Wyandot) and Olympia Marble (Euchloe olympia), have been extirpated from many shale barrens, including the Little Fork. The report, submitted to West Virginia Division of Natural Resources, concluded that these two species should be reintroduced to the barrens, and that the use of pesticides to control Gypsy Moth eruptions should not be permitted in the vicinity of shale barrens.

c) Butterfly Reintroduction Project (2008 Report)- At the end of April 2008, Dr. Phil Nott visited NIOC Sugar Grove and surveyed the locations of three historical Grizzled Skipper populations. Olympia Marble had also been recorded at these locations. Further visits during the summer to these locations and other historical locations throughout West Virginia by MAPS interns revealed no flying adults or pupae of either species. However, evidence of Grizzled Skipper larval activity was found on Canada Cinquefoil plants located on a privately-owned shale barren. These findings have been reported to Virginia DNR and NIOC Sugar Grove.

d) Butterfly Transect Monitoring - Two butterfly transects were established in 2007 and monitored in 2007 and 2008. We intend to analyze butterfly transect data after three years of collection. However, these transects and area searches have led to the development and maintenance of a butterfly checklist for NIOC Sugar Grove Web-based NIOC Sugar Grove Butterfly Checklist.

A full list of publications can be found on the Sugar Grove Publications page.

Acknowledgements: These projects were coordinated by The Institute for Bird Populations (contact Phil Nott). IBP would like to express our gratitude to West Virginia Division of Natural Resources, Virginia Deparment of Inland Game and Fisheries, and the USDA Forest Service, George Washington ranger district, and noted lepidopterist Thomas J. Allen for their help and advice. We also wish to thank Naval Facilities Engineering Command Atlantic and Geo-Marine, Inc for funding and administration. We are especailly grateful to the numerous interns and biologists responsible for conducting this work.

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