VA Birders,
We are looking for volunteers to run currently vacant routes of the
North American Breeding Bird Survey (BBS). The BBS is the
longest-running North American breeding landbird survey, and is
invaluable to the bird conservation community for tracking the status
and trends of breeding bird populations. There is an unusually high
number of vacant routes this year (13), which includes several that were
not filled in 2008. This represents nearly 20% of VA's active routes,
and volunteers to fill these routes are urgently needed. You can view a
list of vacant routes and a map showing their generalized location at
the BBS website at:
http://www.pwrc.usgs.gov/bbs/results/routemaps/virginia.cfm?CountryNum=8
40&StateNumber=88
For an interactive map of vacant routes that provides a more detailed
view of their locations, see:
http://www.pwrc.usgs.gov/bbs/results/routemaps/routeAssignMap.cfm
Requirements for participation in the BBS include:
1) Access to suitable transportation to complete the survey.
2) Good hearing and eyesight, including the ability to hear high-pitched
vocalizations.
3)T he ability to identify all breeding birds in the area by sight and
sound. Knowledge of bird songs is extremely important, because most
birds counted on these surveys are singing males.
4) New BBS participants must also successfully complete the BBS
Methodology Training Program before their data will be used in any BBS
analyses. The training program ensures that participants are familiar
with BBS methodology, and can be completed online in less than one hour.
If you meet the first 3 criteria and would like to participate in the
BBS, and are able and willing to commit to running a route for two or
more years, please contact me at sergio.harding@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx, or at
804-367-0143.
For information on the BBS, please visit the website at
http://www.pwrc.usgs.gov/bbs/. The VA BBS depends entirely on volunteers
for its continued success. Thanks to all of you who have participated or
are currently participating in the BBS - your efforts are appreciated.
Sergio Harding
Nongame Bird Conservation Biologist
Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries
4010 West Broad Street
Richmond, VA 23231
(804)367-0143
fax (804)367-2427
e-mail: sergio.harding@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
