| Mountain Birdwatch All Species (FBMP) Survey Procedures
The all-species survey, a demanding alternative to the five-species survey, is appropriate for people with expert identification skills. Participants in this survey must identify and count all birds encountered on their route.
Preparations at Home
- Register for Mountain Birdwatch to receive a training packet and route assignment.
- Set aside two or three survey dates between June 1 and 21. Second and third dates will serve as backups in the event of poor weather or failure to detect BITH on your first attempt.
- Brush up on your skills with the Mountain Birdwatch training tape, other bird recordings, an illustrated field guide, and the Mountain Bird Guide.
- Familiarize yourself with the data sheets and route maps.
- Review survey protocols. If you are a repeat surveyor, make note of updates.
- If you do not know how to use a map and compass, learn this skill.
- If you are surveying your route for the first time, scout it in advance. If necessary, establish point count stations as described below.
- If planning an overnight in the backcountry, learn about the local camping regulations. Please consult the project coordinator if permissibility of camping is unclear.
- Pack judiciously for the field, referring to the equipment list.
- Check the weather forecast before your survey. If high winds and/or moderate to heavy precipitation are forecasted, schedule your survey for another day. To ensure calm conditions, conduct survey during a stable pattern of fair weather. For detailed forecasts, visit: White Mountains,
Green Mountains,
or Adirondacks.
Instructions for the Field
The main objective of the survey is to record the number of all birds seen or head during five 10-minute listening periods, or point counts. The specific steps are as follows.
- Survey the route in sequence, starting at point 1 and ending at point 5.
- Fill out a detailed description of each point on the point location form (if not already described or if description is incomplete).
- Upon arriving at each point, take 30 seconds to catch your breath and tune your ear. Record the start time and begin your count.
- Count (record) all birds, squirrels, and chipmunks seen and heard during the 10-minute sampling period, using the species codes provided on page 14. Break the 10-minute count into periods of 3, 2, and 5 minutes, noting in which interval the birds are first encountered. This will require close attention to your watch or stopwatch.
- Counting is done by mapping all observations (both visual and auditory) on the field map cards provided, keeping track of movements as best you can. Mapping (marking the exact location and noting movements) is the best way to reduce duplicate records. To familiarize yourself with map symbols and abbreviations, see the examples provided.
For birds first encountered during minutes 4 and 5, please place a small "+" next to the appropriate symbol. For birds first encountered during the final 5 minutes, please place a small "+" next to the symbol. Remember, only count a bird the first time you see or hear it, not separately in each timed interval. Each individual bird you encounter should only be recorded once on the summary data coding sheets.
A 50 meter range circle is provided on the map sheet to assist you in keeping track of bird positions and movements. Although it can be difficult to accurately estimate distances in the field, please do your best.
If you have difficulty with an identification, try to confirm it after completing your 10 minute count. If it is only one bird, you can take a few minutes between stations to track it down. Please try to ensure that there are no species identification errors.
- Record wind direction with an arrow indicating where the wind is blowing to and note the orientation of the map sheet (i.e. indicate the compass direction of the top of the sheet in the small box above the arrow).
- A special effort must be made to record all species by guarding against "tune-out." Tune-out refers to missing an individual or species even though it is singing clearly. It occurs most often when an observer is having problems identifying one bird and concentrates so intensely that he/she doesn't hear others. Common, constantly singing species seem to be the easiest to tune out.
- Once ten minutes have elapsed, mark the approximate location of each BITH on the topographic map that is provided. Use your compass as an aid to determine the appropriate bearing from your own position. Proceed to the next point count station.
- When you're finished with the last point count, note your end time and review your field map for thoroughness and legibility. When you return home, transcribe all your map data onto the data coding sheet. We will try to cross-check your records, but data entry into the computer will be made directly from your data coding sheet. Please double check that all data sheets are complete and accurate!!
- If you detected one or more BITHs during the 5-point survey, then your work is complete.
- If you detected no BITHs during any of the point counts, but detected one or more either before your survey (including the night before if you camped) or between listening periods, map and describe your observations on the topographic map provided.
- If you detected no BITHs before, during or between point counts, use the BITH playback recording (track 1) to broadcast the bird's recorded vocalization for one minute at point five (formerly three minutes). The volume should be set high. Listen quietly for two minutes after the broadcast period. Repeat this procedure at stations 4 through 1 or until the species is detected. On the playback data sheet, note the following information: time of playback, point number, type of response (song, call, visual), and number of BITHs responding. Map the location of responding BITHs on the topographic map.
- If audio playbacks fail to elicit a response from BITH, please help verify the presumed absence on a follow-up search of the area before July 15. Conduct this search at dusk and/or dawn, employing the playback protocol (as described above) at 100-m intervals along your survey route. Report your observations on the follow-up playback data sheet.
- If you are unable to conduct a follow-up search for BITH, please notify the project coordinator as soon as possible so that a substitute can be found quickly.
What if I can't complete the main survey or a follow-up search for Bicknell's Thrush?
Foul weather, busy lives, and unforeseeable events sometimes conspire to frustrate the most intrepid Mountain Birdwatcher. If you know in advance that you will be unable to complete the main survey or a follow-up search for BITH, please notify the project biologist as soon as possible. It may be possible to arrange a substitute. If you miss the main survey window without the opportunity to notify the project biologist, proceed with an audioplayback search for BITH, using the follow-up survey protocols described above.
How do I submit my data?
Make copies of your field data for your files. Complete the mail-in checklist. Finally, mail the checklist with the requested information, as soon as possible, to:
Mountain Birdwatch
Vermont Institute of Natural Science
6565 Woodstock Rd.
P.O. Box 1281
Quechee, VT 05059
How do I contact the Mountain Birdwatch Coordinator?
Email to info@vinsweb.org or call (802) 359-5000br>
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