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Mountain Birdwatch Five Species Survey Procedures
The five-species survey is appropriate for novice and intermediate birdwatchers who build their identification skills with assistance from the training materials. It is also for advanced birdwatchers who wish to concentrate on the focal species.
Preparations at Home:
- Register for Mountain Birdwatch to receive a manual 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.
- Study the Mountain Bird Guide.
- Using an illustrated field, learn to identify the five focal species by sight, focusing on the field marks that distinguish these birds from similar species.
- Listen to the training CD repeatedly until the vocalizations of all five species become instantly recognizable. Score 100% every time on the taped quiz.
- 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 biologist 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 BITH, BLPW, WTSP, WIWR, and SWTH seen or heard 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).
- Complete the information at the top of the data sheet (observer, route name, date, weather, etc.). Note that start time refers to the start of point count 1 and end time refers to the end of point count 5. Leave the check-off boxes that indicate when you detect a BITH until the end of your survey.
- Upon arriving at each point, take 30 seconds to catch your breath and tune your ear.
- Record the start time and begin your count.
- Stand still and listen quietly for exactly 10 minutes. Break the count into periods of 3, 2, and 5 minutes. This will require close attention to your watch.
- Record each focal species seen or heard, the time period in which it was first encountered (A = 0-3 min, B = 3-5 min, C = 5-10 min), and the bird's activity at the time of detection. Only count a bird the first time you see or hear it, not separately in each time interval. Do your best to monitor the movement of vocalizing, but unseen birds, in order to avoid double-counting. See sample data sheet on page 13. See sample data sheet.
Please note: a bird heard or seen at two different points should be recorded at the first encounter only. To minimize the risk of counting a bird twice, keep track of vocalizing individuals as you move between stations.
- Also record the number of Red Squirrel (RESQ), Eastern Chipmunk (CHIP), and Gray Squirrel (GRSQ) detected at each point count (formerly a running tally). Note the time period you first heard each individual and its activity on the data sheet (just as you would a bird). Be careful to avoid counting the same squirrel/chipmunk twice. Unfortunately, these mammalian vocalizations were unavailable when the training tape was produced. Listen for one or a combination of their distinctly mammalian vocalizations, including a chirp, a rattle, a screech, a growl, and a buzz.
- Once ten minutes have elapsed, mark the approximate location of each BITH on the 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, the number of point-counted individuals for each species, and the red squirrel tally. Review your data sheet for thoroughness and legibility.
- If you detected one or more BITHs during the 5-point survey, then your work is complete.
- f you detected no BITHs during any of the 10-minute point counts, but detected one or more either before your survey (including the night before if you camped) or between listening periods, describe your observation(s) and mark the location of each bird on the map.
- 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, record the following information: time of playback, point number, type of response (song, call, visual), and number of BITHs responding. Refer to the sample on page 14. Mark the location of responding BITHs on the black-and-white route 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 in #14 above) at 100-m intervals along your survey route. Report your observations on the follow-up playback data sheet.
- It is very important that you contact the project coordinator as soon as possible if you are unable to conduct a follow-up search for BITH so that a substitute can be found.
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 coordinator 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 coordinator, proceed with an audio playback search for BITH, using the follow-up survey protocols described above in #15.
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 info@vinsweb.org or call (802) 359-5000
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