Breeding Bird Survey
Encyclopedia
A breeding bird survey monitors the status and trends of bird populations. Data from the survey are an important source for the range maps found in field guides. The North American Breeding Bird Survey is a joint project of the United States Geological Survey
(USGS) and the Canadian Wildlife Service
. The UK Breeding Bird Survey is administered by the British Trust for Ornithology
, the Joint Nature Conservation Committee
, and the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds
.
The results of the BBS are valuable in evaluating the increasing and decreasing range of bird population which can be a key point to bird conservation
. The BBS was designed to provide a continent-wide perspective of population change.
. In the first year of its existence there were nearly 600 surveys conducted in the east part of the Mississippi River
. One year later, in 1967, the survey spread to the Great Plains states and by 1968 almost 2000 routes have had been established across southern Canada
and 48 American states. As more birders were finding out about this program, the activity of BBS kept on increasing. In the 1980s, Breeding Bird Survey included areas such as Yukon
, Northwest Territories of Canada and Alaska
. Moreover, the number of routes placed in a number of states has had increased. Nowadays, BBS counts approximately 3700 active routes in the United States and Canada. From all the BBS routes, approximately 2900 are surveyed on a regular basis, each year. The density of the routes varies greatly across the continent and the largest number of routes can be found in New England and Mid-Atlantic states, in which there are more skilled birders to study the behavior of birds. Many bird watchers participate in these surveys as they find the experience rewarding. Currently, the BBS is planned to be expanded to parts of central and western North America as well as northern Mexico.
The surveys conducted by BBS take place during the peak of the nesting season
, June, or May in countries with warmer temperatures. The BBC routes are 24.5 miles long and there are 50 stops at every 0.5 mile along the route. Routes are randomly located in order to sample habitats that are representative of the entire region.
BBS data is quite difficult to analyze given that the survey does not produce a complete counting of the breeding bird populations but more like a relative abundance index. And yet, these surveys have proved to be of great value in studying the bird population trends.
BBS data can also be used to produce continental-scale relative abundance maps. When analyzed at larger scales, the relative abundance maps can offer a clear indication of the relative abundances of bird species that are observed by the BBS. However, maybe the most effective use of these surveys is the opportunity to analyze population change, even though they do not provide information on the factors that cause these changes in the population trends.
The BTO/JNCC/RSPB Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) is a national project aimed at keeping track of changes in the breeding populations of widespread bird species in the UK. In the UK, there are over 3200 active routes and more than 3000 individuals involved in monitoring the population trends of more than 100 bird species.
The program started in 1992, and after being tested for two years, it was officially launched. As of 1994 the BBS data has been successfully used by Governments and different non-Governmental organizations for bird conservation purposes.
United States Geological Survey
The United States Geological Survey is a scientific agency of the United States government. The scientists of the USGS study the landscape of the United States, its natural resources, and the natural hazards that threaten it. The organization has four major science disciplines, concerning biology,...
(USGS) and the Canadian Wildlife Service
Canadian Wildlife Service
The Canadian Wildlife Service or CWS is a branch of the Department of the Environment, also known as Environment Canada, a department of the Government of Canada....
. The UK Breeding Bird Survey is administered by the British Trust for Ornithology
British Trust for Ornithology
The British Trust for Ornithology is an organisation founded in 1932 for the study of birds in the British Isles.-Activities:The BTO carries out research into the lives of birds, chiefly by conducting population and breeding surveys and by bird ringing, largely carried out by a large number of...
, the Joint Nature Conservation Committee
Joint Nature Conservation Committee
The Joint Nature Conservation Committee is the statutory adviser to the UK Government on national and international nature conservation. Its work contributes to maintaining and enriching biological diversity, conserving geological features and sustaining natural systems...
, and the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds
Royal Society for the Protection of Birds
Bird Notes and News was first published in April 1903.The title changed to 'Bird Notes' in 1947. In the 1950s, there were four copies per year . Each volume covered two years, spread over three calendar years...
.
The results of the BBS are valuable in evaluating the increasing and decreasing range of bird population which can be a key point to bird conservation
Bird conservation
Bird conservation is a field in the science of conservation biology related to threatened birds. Humans have had a profound effect on many bird species...
. The BBS was designed to provide a continent-wide perspective of population change.
History
The North American Breeding Bird Survey was launched in 1966 after the concept of a continental monitoring program for all breeding birds had been developed by Chandler Robbins and his associates from the Migratory Bird Population Station. The program was developed in Laurel, MarylandMaryland
Maryland is a U.S. state located in the Mid Atlantic region of the United States, bordering Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia to its south and west; Pennsylvania to its north; and Delaware to its east...
. In the first year of its existence there were nearly 600 surveys conducted in the east part of the Mississippi River
Mississippi River
The Mississippi River is the largest river system in North America. Flowing entirely in the United States, this river rises in western Minnesota and meanders slowly southwards for to the Mississippi River Delta at the Gulf of Mexico. With its many tributaries, the Mississippi's watershed drains...
. One year later, in 1967, the survey spread to the Great Plains states and by 1968 almost 2000 routes have had been established across southern Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
and 48 American states. As more birders were finding out about this program, the activity of BBS kept on increasing. In the 1980s, Breeding Bird Survey included areas such as Yukon
Yukon
Yukon is the westernmost and smallest of Canada's three federal territories. It was named after the Yukon River. The word Yukon means "Great River" in Gwich’in....
, Northwest Territories of Canada and Alaska
Alaska
Alaska is the largest state in the United States by area. It is situated in the northwest extremity of the North American continent, with Canada to the east, the Arctic Ocean to the north, and the Pacific Ocean to the west and south, with Russia further west across the Bering Strait...
. Moreover, the number of routes placed in a number of states has had increased. Nowadays, BBS counts approximately 3700 active routes in the United States and Canada. From all the BBS routes, approximately 2900 are surveyed on a regular basis, each year. The density of the routes varies greatly across the continent and the largest number of routes can be found in New England and Mid-Atlantic states, in which there are more skilled birders to study the behavior of birds. Many bird watchers participate in these surveys as they find the experience rewarding. Currently, the BBS is planned to be expanded to parts of central and western North America as well as northern Mexico.
The surveys conducted by BBS take place during the peak of the nesting season
Nesting season
The nesting season is the time of year during which birds and some other animals, particularly some reptiles, build nests, lay eggs in them, and in most cases bring up their young. It is usually in the spring....
, June, or May in countries with warmer temperatures. The BBC routes are 24.5 miles long and there are 50 stops at every 0.5 mile along the route. Routes are randomly located in order to sample habitats that are representative of the entire region.
BBS data is quite difficult to analyze given that the survey does not produce a complete counting of the breeding bird populations but more like a relative abundance index. And yet, these surveys have proved to be of great value in studying the bird population trends.
BBS data can also be used to produce continental-scale relative abundance maps. When analyzed at larger scales, the relative abundance maps can offer a clear indication of the relative abundances of bird species that are observed by the BBS. However, maybe the most effective use of these surveys is the opportunity to analyze population change, even though they do not provide information on the factors that cause these changes in the population trends.
The BTO/JNCC/RSPB Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) is a national project aimed at keeping track of changes in the breeding populations of widespread bird species in the UK. In the UK, there are over 3200 active routes and more than 3000 individuals involved in monitoring the population trends of more than 100 bird species.
The program started in 1992, and after being tested for two years, it was officially launched. As of 1994 the BBS data has been successfully used by Governments and different non-Governmental organizations for bird conservation purposes.
See also
- Australian Bird CountAustralian Bird CountThe Australian Bird Count was a project of the Royal Australasian Ornithologists Union . Following the first and successful Atlas of Australian Birds project, which led to the publication of a book on the distribution of Australian birds in 1984, it was suggested by Ken Rogers that the RAOU...
(ABC) - BioBlitzBioBlitzA BioBlitz, also written without capitals bioblitz, is an intense period of biological surveying in an attempt to record all the living species within a designated area. Groups of scientists, naturalists and volunteers conduct an intensive field study over a short, usually 24 hour, time...
("24-hour inventory") - Pilling's PondPilling's PondPilling's Pond is a privately owned, urban waterfowl reserve and breeding ground, located in the North Seattle Licton Springs neighborhood. It was created by lifetime resident Charles A. Pilling and has been the site of notable bird breeding feats, as well as acting as a roadside attraction since...
- Breeding in the wildBreeding in the wildBreeding in the wild is the natural process of animal reproduction occurring in the natural habitat of a given species. This terminology is distinct from animal husbandry or breeding of species in captivity...
- Christmas Bird CountChristmas Bird CountThe Christmas Bird Count is a census of birds in the Western Hemisphere, performed annually in the early Northern-hemisphere winter by volunteer birders...
(CBC) (in the Western Hemisphere) - Seabird Colony RegisterSeabird Colony RegisterThe Seabird Colony Register is a database, managed by the British Joint Nature Conservation Committee, which contains counts of breeding seabirds at British seabird colonies made between 1969 and 1998, which is used for analysing past changes in breeding seabird numbers and changes in their colony...
(SCR) - The EBCC Atlas of European Breeding BirdsThe EBCC Atlas of European Breeding BirdsThe EBCC Atlas of European Breeding Birds - their distribution and abundance is an ornithological atlas published for the European Bird Census Council by T & A D Poyser in 1997. Its editors were Ward J. M. Hagemeijer and Michael J. Blair. The atlas was the first to present grid-square distribution...
- Tucson Bird CountTucson Bird CountThe Tucson Bird Count is a community-based program that monitors bird populations in and around the Tucson, Arizona, USA metropolitan area...
(TBC) (in Arizona in the US)