An enhanced method of gathering behavioral data of nesting Swainson’s hawks was developed by QK using ZooMonitor, an App-based data collection method developed by the Lincoln Park Zoo to record captive animal behavioral data. We describe ways the app was modified from captive to wild animal data collection, development of behaviors specific to Swainson’s hawk in the App, provide examples of representative data output and graphical representations of data using the App, and describe the advantages of using the App compared to the standard method of using a hard-copy data forms. The App was tested in 2023 and 2024 during a pilot study of two active nests near a bridge construction project. We highlight some problematic aspects of the methodology that were encountered, and solutions developed to overcome those issues, provide recommendations for next steps in the study, and discuss data gaps that should be filled by other means.

As a biologist with QK, Ms. Yates has collaborated with Caltrans to assist and lead a variety of projects ranging from culvert repair and replacement, road and shoulder widening, and bridge projects. She has performed field surveys including protocol level surveys for Swainson's hawk in all activity periods and conducted construction monitoring including nest monitoring of seven occupied Swainson's hawks nests during construction of projects. In 2022 QK developed an enhanced method to monitor Swainson's hawks nests and Ms. Yates implemented the methodology and analyzed the results in the 2023 and 2024 seasons.