Bird observations on the tidal flats of the Virginia Coast Reserve, 2016-2018

This dataset contains data on observations of birds on tidal flats along the Virginia portion of the Delmarva Peninsula, along the Atlantic side as part of the dissertation research of Alice Besterman. The first data table (ShorebirdswithZerosV1a.csv) has summary information on bird activities broken down by patch type and relation to tide. Shorebirds were surveyed on 9 intertidal mudflats from late April through end of May 2016. Surveys conducted within 3-5 hours of low tide. Scans last 15 minutes or less. Data table 2 (2018_patchscale_long.csv) contains data from surveys of shorebirds on 36 intertidal mudflats. Surveys conducted in May 2018 at low tide. Tidal flats were visited a single time, and scanned a single time. Scans lasted 15 minutes or less. Only target species were counted and microhabitat-use was recorded. A "wide" version of the data with columns of species/cover is also provided as a .zip file. Data table 3 (ContinSampFinala.csv) contains data collected during focal behavioral observations of shorebirds on intertidal mudflats. Data were collected from 9 sites in 2016 between late April and the end of May during low tide. Observations lasted up to 3 minutes or less if observer lost sight of the bird or bird left the site. Data table 4 (allbirds2a.csv) contains surveys of shorebirds using mudflats in May 2018. Sites were visited a single time during low tide. Tidal flats were scanned a single time, and scans lasted 15 minutes or less. This data table differs from Data table 2 in that all shorebird species of interest were counted (not just target species for behavioral analyses), and microhabitat-use data were not included. Data table 5 (InstantSampFinala.csv) contains data collected during focal behavioral observations of shorebirds on intertidal mudflats. Data were collected from 9 sites in 2016 between late April and the end of May during low tide. Observations lasted up to 3 minutes or less if observer lost sight of the bird or bird left the site. Recorded activity and surface type a the beginning of the observation and then every 30 seconds until observation concluded. Data table 6 (Sites_Codes_Lat_Lon_2016_2018.csv) contains the latitude and longitude of sampling sites used in 2016 and 2018.