2022 Colima Warbler Census

Colima Warbler, Leiothlypis crissalis

Hello Colima Warbler Volunteers!

The next Colima Warbler Census is now scheduled for May 13, 14, and 15 of 2022.

Volunteers would need to arrive in Big Bend NP on Friday, May 13.  Surveys will be on Saturday and Sunday.  If possible, we hope to have a group dinner in the Chisos Mountains Lodge dining room on Sunday at 5pm.
  

NOTE:  The info below is from 2015 and will be updated as we get closer to the 2022 census.

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Below you will find a summary table with your assigned territory or territories, followed by a more detailed description of each territory and a territory map, and the census protocol.

Other pertinent information is as follows – please read it carefully:

 Plan to arrive in the park on Friday, May 13, to pick up your packets.  We will be on the back patio of the Chisos Mountains Lodge from 3-5pm and 6-8pm for pickup.  If you are in Austin, we are planning to have a happy hour at our house (date/time TBD) for you to pick up your packets before heading out to Big Bend.  In your packet you will find a territory map, data sheet, a copy of the research permit, and other general information.  You will also receive the 2022 edition of the Colima Warbler hat!

Gotta have some swag...

 If you are backpacking, site reservations have already been made for Friday and Saturday nights.  Please remember to pick up your backpacking permit at Panther Junction when you arrive in the park.  If you haven't already, you will need to reserve a spot in the Basin Campground for Sunday night (May 15), unless you have already booked some other lodging or you are leaving the park early.

For Basin Campground reservations:

Chisos Basin Campground Reservations

For Chisos Mountains Lodge reservations (may already be full but cancellations do occur):

Chisos Mountains Lodge

 There will be a Volunteer Appreciation Dinner (our treat) in the Lodge dining room starting at 5pm on Sunday, May 15.  A Mexican buffet has been planned, with some vegetarian/vegan options available.  Please arrive at the start in order to make sure we don’t run out of options!  The dining room will be open to the public but a section of the dining room will be reserved for our group.  If you plan to leave the park early and not partake of the dinner, please let us know so we can get an accurate headcount to the Lodge restaurant.

 You will receive a softcopy of the report we will write and submit to the National Park Service with the census results.  This report is required by the research permit.

 We will be driving out to the park on Monday, May 9.  If you need to contact us at any time, please use our cell phone numbers (FYI, there is a now cell phone tower in the Basin):  Jim‘s is 512.422.8058 and Lynne’s is 512.751.1507.

 Here is a link to recordings of the Colima Warbler song:

The Cornell Lab of Ornithology Macaulay Library - Colima Warbler Songs

Please also to remember to return your data sheets and maps to us before you leave the park!

2020 Colima Warbler Census – Summary Assignment Table (detailed territory descriptions and maps below):

NOTE:  We plan to have a first pass at territory assignments by the end of 2021.

Saturday = May 14, Sunday = May 15

Area Hike Type Count Area              Day Assigned Team

1a         Day Hike           Pinnacles Trail         Sun

1b         Backpack Emory Peak Trail      Sun

2a         Day Hike           Toll Mountain             Sat      

2b         Day Hike           Casa Grande/             Sun
                             Kibbe Spring                            

3           Backpack          East Rim Canyons     Sat      

4a         Backpack          South Rim Trail A        Sat    

4b         Backpack          South Rim Trail B       Sun

5           Backpack          Upper Boot Canyon   Sun

6a         Backpack          East Colima Trail        Sun

6b         Backpack          Middle Boot Canyon   Sat     

6c         Backpack          Upper Juniper Canyon Sat     

7           Backpack          Lower Boot Canyon    Sun
8           Day Hike           North Boot Canyon     Sat    

9           Day Hike           Laguna Meadow          Sat     
                             Canyons                                   
                                                                              

10         Day Hike           Lost Mine/Upper Pine Sat  
                                    Canyon                                  

11         Day Hike           Middle Pine Canyon     Sat   

12         Day Hike           Campground Canyon  Sat    

13         Day Hike           Upper Green Gulch      Sat     

14         Day Hike           Middle Green Gulch     Sat   

15         Day Hike           Lower Green Gulch      Sat    

16         Day Hike           Maple Canyon             Sat    


Detailed Territory Descriptions & Maps:
Territory boundaries are roughly indicated by the dashed green line.

1a. From the Basin up the Pinnacles Trail to Pinnacles Pass.

1b. From Pinnacles Pass up the Emory Peak Trail to the summit.

2a. The upper slopes around the summit of Toll Mountain (off-trail).   Approach is via Pinnacles Pass.

2b. Approach Kibbe Spring from near the start of the Lost Mine Trail (off-trail).  Approach Casa Grande from the saddle of the Lost Mine Trail (off-trail).

3. The entire Northeast and Southeast Rim Trails from the intersection with the South Rim/Boot Canyon Trail.  Note that the Northeast Rim Trail will be closed to the public due to Peregrine Falcon nesting season; however, we have permission from the park service to enter this area in order to cover all of the Northeast Rim and Southeast Rim Trails.

4a. The Colima Trail from Colima Pass down to the Laguna Meadow Trail, including the upper portion of the Blue Creek Trail.

4b. The Laguna Meadow/Southwest Rim Trail from the intersection with the Colima Trail out to the intersection of the Boot Canyon Trail at the South Rim.

5. Boot Canyon Trail from the East Rim Trail intersection to the intersection at the Southeast Rim Trail.

6a. The Colima Trail from Boot Spring Trail up to Colima Pass.

6b. Boot Spring/Boot Canyon Trail from the Cabin to the Northeast Rim Trail intersection, including side Canyons (except Juniper Canyon Trail).

6c. Juniper Canyon Trail from the Boot Canyon/Boot Spring Trail intersection down to Upper Juniper Spring.

7. The Boot Spring Trail from the view of Boot Rock to the trail down to the Boot Canyon campsites, and further down canyon to the pouroff (off-trail).

8. The side canyon along the Boot Spring/Boot Canyon Trail from Pinnacles Pass to the point that it empties into lower Boot Canyon (where you see Boot Rock).

9. Laguna Meadow Trail from the Basin to the Blue Creek Trail intersection, including the Laguna West campsites and Upper Cattail Canyon (off-trail).

10. The Lost Mine Trail, plus Upper Pine Canyon.  Approach Upper Pine Canyon (off-trail) from the ridge at the end of Lost Mine Trail to the top of the pouroff.

11. Pine Canyon Trail to the bottom of the pour off. Approach is by high clearance vehicle off Glenn Spring and Pine Canyon Roads.  

12. Campground Canyon, a steep and narrow slot canyon on the south slope of Pulliam Ridge, across from the Basin Campground (off-trail).

13. Upper Green Gulch, a steep, northwest-facing slope.  Approach from Green Gulch Road (off-trail).

14. Middle Green Gulch, a steep northwest-facing slope.  Can be combined with Lower Green Gulch.  Approach from Green Gulch Road (off-trail).

15. Lower Green Gulch, a steep northwest-facing slope.  Can be combined with Middle Green Gulch.  Approach from Green Gulch Road (off-trail).

16. Maple Canyon, on the southeastern flank of Pulliam Bluff.  Approach from Green Gulch Road.  Hike the service road into the canyon (off-trail).

2020 Colima Warbler Census Protocol: