The data in this table document the numbers of four species of shorebird counted during aerial surveys of coastal sites in western Alaska. Survey regions encompassed coastline between the mouths of the Kuskokwim and Yukon rivers, and the northern coast of the Alaska Peninsula from the mouths of the Kvichak and Naknek rivers to Nelson Lagoon. Surveys were flown from 7-9 September 2018 and 20-22 August 2019. Also provided are two Keyhole Markup Language (KML) files with the start and end points of the aerial survey transect segments, and copies of the aerial survey images from which the counts were derived.

This dataset includes tables summarizing image information and bird counts from the aerial digital images taken over open water at Izembek Lagoon in Alaska in fall 2017-2019. These summaries list one record per image and provide the camera parameters, latitude, longitude, altitude, and automated and manual counts representing the total number of birds in each taxon (brant, white-cheeked geese, emperor geese, gulls, and other birds) identified in the image. The original images (.JPG format) and annotations are provided in an accompanying USGS data release (Weiser et al. 2022).

This dataset includes tables summarizing image information and bird counts from the aerial digital images taken over open water at Izembek Lagoon in Alaska in fall 2017-2019. These summaries list one record per image and provide the camera parameters, latitude, longitude, altitude, and automated and manual counts representing the total number of birds in each taxon (brant, white-cheeked geese, emperor geese, gulls, and other birds) identified in the image. The original images (.JPG format) and annotations are provided in an accompanying USGS data release (Weiser et al. 2022).

The imagery and annotations presented here were generated while testing an aerial photographic survey design to improve repeatability, transparency, and estimation of variance for annual population estimates of geese staging at Izembek Lagoon, Alaska. This dataset includes 1) 131,031 .JPG images captured from a small fixed-wing occupied aircraft, usually at an altitude of about 457 m, over Izembek Lagoon; 2) annotations of objects (geese, ducks, and gulls) assigned by an automated algorithm, and 3) manually corrected annotations that were edited by project staff for only those photos automatically identified as containing geese of any species. The photos were captured at predetermined points to systematically sample the waterfowl present on the open water of the lagoon. The systematic sample included photo points over land around the periphery of the lagoon (at the beginning and end of each transect), but only photos that were triggered over open water were evaluated for the presence of waterfowl. The overland photos are included here for completeness, but were not processed and do not have associated annotations or count data. The photos and annotations are organized by year (2017-2019), date (one replicate of the survey [usually complete, but sometimes partial] was conducted on each date, with a total of three surveys in September/October of each year), and camera (two full-frame cameras were used on each replicate, providing non-overlapping images). The full dataset totals 1.82 TB. The EXIF data for each .JPG include the camera parameters and latitude, longitude, and altitude at which the image was captured. Most photos were captured at standard parameters (approximately 457 m altitude and 200 mm focal length, producing an average photo footprint of 4555 sq m [83.1 m × 54.8 m]), but some were captured at other altitudes or shorter focal lengths to evaluate the effect on identifying objects in photos. Photo locations were spaced 62 m apart along each transect; the footprints of photos taken at standard parameters rarely overlapped by approximately 1–2 m when the camera triggering system experienced a brief delay, but photos at lower altitudes or shorter focal lengths sometimes overlapped extensively. Annotations are provided as the coordinates (with pixels as the unit) of each object detected in the photo, with the automatically or manually assigned identification of each object (i.e., bird taxon), in one file per photo (.csv and .json versions). Summary data from the images, including all pertinent metadata and the automated and manual waterbird counts for each image, are available as an accompanying USGS data release (Weiser et al. 2022). The data are organized in three child items (one for each year), each with ZIP packages (< 50 GB) for download.

The imagery and annotations presented here were generated while testing an aerial photographic survey design to improve repeatability, transparency, and estimation of variance for annual population estimates of geese staging at Izembek Lagoon, Alaska. This dataset includes 1) 131,031 .JPG images captured from a small fixed-wing occupied aircraft, usually at an altitude of about 457 m, over Izembek Lagoon; 2) annotations of objects (geese, ducks, and gulls) assigned by an automated algorithm, and 3) manually corrected annotations that were edited by project staff for only those photos automatically identified as containing geese of any species. The photos were captured at predetermined points to systematically sample the waterfowl present on the open water of the lagoon. The systematic sample included photo points over land around the periphery of the lagoon (at the beginning and end of each transect), but only photos that were triggered over open water were evaluated for the presence of waterfowl. The overland photos are included here for completeness, but were not processed and do not have associated annotations or count data. The photos and annotations are organized by year (2017-2019), date (one replicate of the survey [usually complete, but sometimes partial] was conducted on each date, with a total of three surveys in September/October of each year), and camera (two full-frame cameras were used on each replicate, providing non-overlapping images). The full dataset totals 1.82 TB. The EXIF data for each .JPG include the camera parameters and latitude, longitude, and altitude at which the image was captured. Most photos were captured at standard parameters (approximately 457 m altitude and 200 mm focal length, producing an average photo footprint of 4555 sq m [83.1 m × 54.8 m]), but some were captured at other altitudes or shorter focal lengths to evaluate the effect on identifying objects in photos. Photo locations were spaced 62 m apart along each transect; the footprints of photos taken at standard parameters rarely overlapped by approximately 1–2 m when the camera triggering system experienced a brief delay, but photos at lower altitudes or shorter focal lengths sometimes overlapped extensively. Annotations are provided as the coordinates (with pixels as the unit) of each object detected in the photo, with the automatically or manually assigned identification of each object (i.e., bird taxon), in one file per photo (.csv and .json versions). Summary data from the images, including all pertinent metadata and the automated and manual waterbird counts for each image, are available as an accompanying USGS data release (Weiser et al. 2022).

This data release consists of one table of multi-year observations of Rock Sandpipers (Calidris ptilocnemis) and aerial photographs of Rock Sandpiper flocks at sites in upper Cook Inlet, Alaska, 1997-2014.

This data release consists of one table of multi-year observations of Rock Sandpipers (Calidris ptilocnemis) and aerial photographs of Rock Sandpiper flocks at sites in upper Cook Inlet, Alaska, 1997-2014.

This data package presents raw legacy data collected during 1980 on the Yakutat Forelands of southeast Alaska. The data were collected to identify and understand the occurrence and distribution of birds and mammals in the ocean and wetlands near Yakutat. Migration "sea watches", aerial surveys, and ground plot surveys were conducted in the foreland area of Yakutat in spring (April - May) and fall (August - October) of 1980. The data are presented as PDF files of digitally scanned information as follows: 1) original field data forms describing migration "sea watches" in spring and fall, 2) original field data forms describing aerial survey observations of migratory birds in spring and fall, 3) photos, maps, and notes describing locations of aerial survey observations, 4) original field data of birds observed on ground plots in spring and fall, 5) original field data of habitat classifications for ground plots, 6) original field data of observations of habitat use by migratory birds, and 7) notes on images and maps used in analyses of habitat data.