Southwestern Willow Flycatcher Inventory at Carlsbad Caverns National Park 2022-2023 - Open Format Dataset (sensitive version)

The Southwestern willow flycatcher (SWFL), Empidonax traillii extimus, is a federally listed species and has been detected at the Rattlesnake Springs unit of Carlsbad Caverns National Park (CAVE). Park staff need to know where SWFL territories are and how they need to change planned management and activities and inform an integrated planning document based on SWFL presence. There are timing restrictions for mowing activities in nesting and foraging habitat from April 1-Sept 1. There are also noise limits and time of day restrictions. Mitigations apply when mowing or similar activities are happening within a 1⁄4 mile of any nests or territories. In 2022, Southwestern Willow Flycatcher Surveys and Intensive 10-minute Point Count Surveys for all bird species were conducted on July 6, 2022 and July 12, 2022 in Rattlesnake Springs area within Carlsbad Caverns National Park and The Nature Conservancy’s Rattlesnake Springs Preserve. One hundred sixty-five Southwestern Willow Flycatcher call-back protocol point counts were conducted with zero detections. The Arizona Important Bird Areas Intensive Point Count Protocol for 10-minute surveys for all bird species detected a total of 31 species with 8 additional species detected by surveyors between point counts. In 2023, USFWS Southwestern Willow Flycatcher Surveys and Intensive 10-minute Point Count Surveys for all bird species were conducted on May 15, June 5, June 13, June 27, and July 10, 2023. Five hundred nineteen Southwestern Willow Flycatcher call-back protocol point counts were conducted with positive detections on June 5, 2023 (one bird), June 13, 2023 (two birds, likely pair) and June 27, 2023 (three birds, 1 pair and a single).