Patuxent Wildlife Research Center
Breeding Bird Survey
12100 Beech Forest Road
Laurel, MD 20708-4038
Memorandum to Cooperators
SUMMER 2003
CONTENTS C
1 C STOP LOCATION DATABASE 4
C ROUTE MAPS
2 C BBS TRAINING :
New Recruits 5
C WEB PAGE UPDATES
2 C 2002 COVERAGE 5
C STATE COORDINATORS
4 C AWARD RECIPIENTS 6
C NOTES FROM THE FIELD
STOP LOCATION DATABASE
As announced in last year=s memo, we are now accepting geographic
coordinates and stop descriptions for all BBS stops via the web. In 2002, the stop coordinates for 206 routes
were collected and submitted using the BBS web site; our thanks to everyone who
provided these data! (See the Geo-ref.
Routes column of Table 1 for count of geo-referenced routes by state.) But that still leaves over 3000 routes
without geographic coordinate data. So
if you have a GPS unit, please take it on your next BBS run, or scouting trip,
and collect those stop locations. Our
web site will accept location data in latitude/longitude
(degrees/minutes/seconds or decimal degrees) or Universal Transverse Mercator
(UTM) formats. To enter your stop location
data follow the AData Entry@ link on the BBS web site (www.pwrc.usgs.gov/bbs/)
to the AStop Location Data@ link.
Instructions for entering these data are available at this site. We recommend reading the instructions
before collecting the data to help avoid wasted time and effort in the field.
If you do not have a GPS unit, we encourage
you to input your written stop descriptions into the BBS database using this
site as well. If the stop descriptions
are in the database, you will never have to worry about them being misplaced
again. For example, if after entering
this information the hard copy of the stop descriptions are lost, just go to
the BBS web site and print out a new copy.
If your route does not yet have written stop descriptions, please
consider compiling a set this year, especially if you make a scouting trip or
an assistant accompanies you.
Why go to the extra trouble of collecting
stop locations? Well, hopefully it won=t be much trouble especially if you already
have a GPS unit and are familiar with its use.
In fact, we have had numerous BBS participants write to us saying how
easy it is to navigate to their stops using a GPS unit. This is especially true for routes in areas
of the country with few landmarks.
Additionally, it will give land managers and researchers the information
needed to explore other analyses of BBS data.
For example, once stop locations are known researchers can group them by
habitat type using satellite imagery (i.e., MLRC) and then generate
species-specific habitat trend estimates.
BBS TRAINING PROGRAM
If you are new to the BBS this year, you are
required to complete the recently developed BBS Methodology training program
before we can use your data. The
training program is available on CD-ROM from your state or national coordinator
and on the BBS web site (www.pwrc.usgs.gov/bbs/learning/). The web version of the training program is
mainly text-based, while the CD-ROM version is multi-media. Although the web version of the program
promises easier access, at least for those with Internet service, it may well
be worth the extra effort to view the CD-ROM version. This version contains two video clips, dynamic graphics, audio
and recently placed favorably in an international multi-media product
competition, winning the Award of Distinction in the Communicator=s Category.
Regardless of the format, the training
programs supplement the written BBS instructions and take approximately 30
minutes to complete. Although completion of the methodology training program is
only required for new participants, current BBS participants are also welcome
and encouraged to take the training.
2002 ROUTE COVERAGE
Our thanks to everyone who participated in
the 2002 BBS season! A total of 2760
routes have been returned so far. That=s 118 fewer routes than in 2001 (Table 1,
page 3). In the U.S., 2.1% fewer routes
were returned, while in Canada 14.7% fewer routes were returned by the time of this writing. Three states showed promising increases in
coverage by 9 or more routes. They were
Alaska, California, and Georgia.
Unfortunately these gains were off-set by losses of similar magnitude in
Louisiana, Michigan, and North Dakota.
Of more pressing concern is that in five
states C
Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, New York, and Rhode Island C more than 50% of the routes are not being
sampled, or the data are not being returned in a timely manner! If you hail from any of these states, please
help your coordinator by enlisting some of your qualified birder friends into
the ranks of the BBS. Other states that
are in need of new recruits include: Arizona, California, Connecticut,
Minnesota, Nevada, West Virginia, and Wyoming.
If you know of someone capable of conducting a BBS route, have them
contact your state coordinator.
To get a better idea of your state=s route coverage compare the AAvailable Routes@ column to the A2002" column in Table 1.
If the difference between the two numbers is large, we need more
participants in the state. If this
appears to be the case in your state, you should contact your state coordinator
to see about picking up another route, or refer a good birder-friend to the
state coordinator. State
coordinators are listed in this memo, and on the BBS web site. Thank you for the help.
Table 1.
2001-2002 Coverage Summary
|
|
# of Routes |
|
|
|
|
# of Routes |
|
||
State/Prov. |
Available Routes |
2002 |
2001 |
Geo-ref. Routes |
|
State/Prov. |
Available Routes |
2002 |
2001 |
Geo-ref. Routes |
AL |
91 |
77 |
77 |
0 |
|
NB |
31 |
19 |
23 |
1 |
AK |
102 |
75 |
65 |
1 |
|
NF |
29 |
8 |
8 |
1 |
AB |
180 |
77 |
90 |
4 |
|
NH |
23 |
20 |
20 |
1 |
AZ |
67 |
35 |
43 |
1 |
|
NJ |
28 |
18 |
23 |
0 |
AR |
33 |
29 |
33 |
2 |
|
NM |
64 |
57 |
60 |
4 |
BC |
136 |
65 |
75 |
4 |
|
NY |
112 |
54 |
59 |
0 |
CA |
229 |
127 |
118 |
28 |
|
NC |
95 |
95 |
71 |
0 |
CO |
135 |
103 |
104 |
7 |
|
ND |
44 |
29 |
40 |
0 |
CT |
16 |
8 |
7 |
1 |
|
NS |
29 |
18 |
25 |
1 |
DE |
10 |
8 |
9 |
0 |
|
OH |
68 |
46 |
55 |
4 |
FL |
91 |
83 |
78 |
6 |
|
OK |
64 |
39 |
38 |
1 |
GA |
60 |
46 |
33 |
1 |
|
ON |
193 |
62 |
75 |
0 |
ID |
58 |
42 |
39 |
0 |
|
OR |
122 |
74 |
74 |
4 |
IL |
101 |
85 |
93 |
82 |
|
PA |
109 |
96 |
91 |
0 |
IN |
61 |
49 |
52 |
6 |
|
PR |
44 |
27 |
27 |
0 |
IA |
33 |
21 |
21 |
1 |
|
PEI |
4 |
1 |
3 |
0 |
KS |
61 |
52 |
52 |
2 |
|
PQ |
162 |
43 |
50 |
0 |
KY |
47 |
29 |
30 |
0 |
|
RI |
5 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
LA |
68 |
27 |
43 |
0 |
|
SK |
86 |
28 |
40 |
0 |
NWT |
11 |
6 |
6 |
5 |
|
SC |
34 |
22 |
24 |
0 |
ME |
70 |
39 |
34 |
0 |
|
SD |
62 |
41 |
39 |
1 |
MB |
67 |
47 |
44 |
0 |
|
TN |
47 |
40 |
34 |
1 |
MD |
59 |
50 |
50 |
4 |
|
TX |
193 |
123 |
126 |
4 |
MA |
24 |
16 |
16 |
0 |
|
UT |
100 |
75 |
75 |
9 |
MI |
83 |
38 |
50 |
3 |
|
VT |
23 |
12 |
13 |
0 |
MN |
86 |
46 |
51 |
2 |
|
VA |
70 |
52 |
55 |
0 |
MS |
37 |
14 |
22 |
0 |
|
WA |
93 |
64 |
71 |
0 |
MO |
53 |
41 |
36 |
1 |
|
WV |
57 |
33 |
37 |
0 |
MT |
65 |
54 |
55 |
2 |
|
WI |
92 |
69 |
67 |
0 |
NE |
46 |
36 |
34 |
0 |
|
WY |
110 |
59 |
64 |
6 |
NV |
42 |
23 |
20 |
1 |
|
YT |
34 |
10 |
11 |
1 |
Canada |
962 |
384 |
450 |
189 |
U.S. |
3487 |
2376 |
2428 |
17 |
Total |
4449 |
2760 |
2878 |
206 |
BBS AWARDS
With the completion of the 2002 BBS season
118 participants have earned the following BBS awards; the recipients names are
listed in alphabetical order by last name below each award. Congratulations to all and thank you again
for your commitment to the BBS!
10-year BBS lapel pin C 88 recipients:
Jack Armstrong, Susan Bagby, Bruce Bartrug,
Allen Batt, Judith Bell, Richard Bello, David Benson, Kathleen Bibby, Michael
Borysewicz, Mark Brogie, Kevin Calhoon, Eva Crane, Joan Elias, Cynthia Ellis,
Mark Elwonger, Vernon Enke, Thomas Evans, Lawrence Filter, William Fontenot,
Venetia Friend, John Gee, Roy Gerig, Tanner Girard, John Grettenberger, Ruth
Gronquist, Theresa Hartz, Ann Hines, Scott Horton, William Howe, Matthew
Hunter, James Ingold, Judith Johnson, Jay Kaplan, Danny Kassebaum, James
Knickelbine, Glen Kruse, Laura Lavalley, Len Lindstrand, Iii, Bill Lisowsky, Jo
Loyd, Marion Luneau, John Mahon, Robert Mcginty, Dick Mcneely, Vivian
Mendenhall, Ron Meyer, Dale Monette, Warren Nelson, Don Norman, Patricia O'connor,
Charles Otte, Christine Paige, Mark Phipps, Vera Ralston, Richard Reynolds,
Robert Rhodes, Robert Ross, Russ Schipper, Roger Schnoes, Thomas Schooley,
Donald Schwab, Brenda Senturia, Jeff Sewell, Darrell Shambaugh, Julian
Shepherd, Richard Sims, Beverly Skinner, Leanna Smith, Donald Snyder, Sylvestre
Sorola, Kristine Sowl, Kevin Spencer, James Steele, Tim Stephens, Todd Strole,
Ned Swanberg, Marjorie Tattersall, Dave Todt, Lynn Verlanic, Geri Walker, Gary
Wayner, Larry Weber, Bill Willard, Daniel Williams, Brian Williams, Mike
Wolder, Alexander Woollcott, and Richard Youel
20-year BBS key chain C 23 recipients:
Paul Adamus, Robert Ake, Linda Alverson,
Chris Baer, William Bogacki, Alison Bolduc, Daniel Brown, Barbara Duerksen,
Mary Eberwein, Frederick Fallon, Thomas Feiro, David Freeland, George Gerdts,
Steve Gniadek, Helen Griffith, Katherine Haws, Timothy Matson, Bruce Peterjohn,
Michael Porter, Jerry Probst, Georgann Schmalz, Martin St. Louis, and Meryl
Sundove
30-year BBS cap C 8 recipients:
H. Bohlen, Elizabeth Brooks, Noel Cutright,
George Kamm, Edmund Martinez, Nancy Stevenson, Jack Tyler, and Charles Viers
50 Routes cumulative (Birds of North
America field guide) C 8 recipients:
Roger Clark, Roger Clay, Deanna Dawson,
Raymond Ekstrom, Tom Heindel, Daniel Rice, Jack Tyler, and William Vermillion
ROUTE MAPS
Please return your route maps each year! Over
500 maps were not returned after the 2002 BBS season causing weeks of wasted effort
as we copy new maps and re-highlight route paths in preparation for the 2003
season. Many think they are doing us a
favor by keeping the maps since they intend to run the route again but this is
not the case. Plans change and the
route may be assigned to another observer, who will need a new map. Moreover, we often do not know whether someone kept the map intentionally or if it
was lost. Thus in order to prepare for
the next BBS season and update our permanent map records we need you to return
the maps with your data in a timely manner each year. Thank you for your cooperation.
BBS WEB PAGE (www.pwrc.usgs.gov/bbs/)
We now have a link from the BBS web site to
the NBII Bird Conservation Node. As
mentioned last year, this node will provide access to many of the major bird
monitoring and habitat databases in North America. Initially the node only presented about three years of BBS data,
but by this spring the entire BBS data set (1966 C present) will be accessible for mapping using this on-line application. In addition to presenting BBS bird data, it also displays the
locations of vacant routes in each state.
This could come in handy if you are thinking about picking up an
additional route.
Photo Gallery C We thank D. Potter and P. Morissey for
photos from their Massachusetts route,
M. McConaughy for photos of his Pennsylvania route, and R. Bell and G.
Cronenberger for sharing a photo of their BBS foray. To see their photos and many others, visit the Photo Gallery on
the BBS web site by clicking the ABBS News@ link.
REQUEST FOR SLIDES
The BBS needs slides or color photos of you,
your BBS route, and birds. Some will
be posted on the BBS web site (See the BBS Web Page section of this memo.), and
others used in presentations or publications.
Once submitted the slides become the property of the BBS and may be used
on the Internet or in government publications.
No monetary compensation can be provided if the slides are used, but we
will happily credit the photographer.
Clearly print the photographer=s name, location of the scene, and date on the slide border or reverse
side of the photo. Also include the
names of any people depicted in the picture if different from the
photographer. Thanks for your help!
STATE COORDINATORS
Several changes have occurred among the state
coordinators since last year. Most
notably, after more years than most care to remember, Bill Carter, George Hall,
Dennis Forsythe, and Dan Rice have retired from their respective coordinator
positions in Oklahoma, West Virginia, South Carolina, and Ohio. Our sincere thanks for their fine service
over the years. Also please join us in
welcoming the following new coordinators and co-coordinators: Lyann Comrack
(CA), Andy Forbes (MO), Tom Fox (WV), Doug Harr (IA), Anthony Hertzel (MN),
Scott Hull (OH), Steve Matsuoka (AK), Dan Reinking (OK), and Steve Wagner
(SC). State coordinator contact
information.
Vacancy C We are looking for a motivated individual to
coordinate BBS activities in Rhode Island.
Candidates should be familiar with the BBS, and have good bird identification
and networking skills. Relatively
speaking, Rhode Island is an easy gig with only four routes in the state to
keep filled. Interested parties should
contact Keith Pardieck (Keith_Pardieck@usgs.gov).
Current state coordinator contact information
is always available on the BBS web page via the AContact Us@ link.
STORIES FROM THE FIELD
Many participants in the southwest, like Bill
Willard who conducts the Mount Taylor, NM BBS route, ran into to trouble
sampling their routes in 2002 due to the drought the region has been
experiencing recently. Because of the
dry conditions access to public forests, and consequently portions of BBS
routes that run through these forests, is often restricted to reduce the risk
of forest fires. If this was the case
for your route, be aware that it may be possible to get special dispensation
from the appropriate land manager (i.e., Forest Service) to run your
route. In most cases, this may be
arranged through discussions with the Forest or District Ranger. However, if a more formal request is
required, the national BBS office will be happy to assist in the process. To the Forest Service=s credit, Bill was given permission to run
his route which crosses through the Cibola National Forest, and was treated to
the sight of a Black Bear to boot!
At stop 46 on the McBrayer, KY BBS route,
Steven Thomas began to question his sanity.
Between the familiar notes of
Eastern Meadowlark songs and rasping calls of American Crows he heard something
strange. Quietly at first, the odd
whisper pulled at his mind, dragging long dormant memories back into
focus. Images of Johnny Weismueller
swinging through the African rainforest and childhood visits to the zoo flashed
through his mind. ABut I am in central Kentucky,@ he quickly reassured himself. And then more insistently the whisper grew
into a cacophony of Awoops@ and howls, transporting him to a far away
jungle; half-expecting a Quetzal to fly out of the lush foliage surrounding
him, the din grew quiet. And once again
he stood on the familiar McBrayer BBS route.
Although non-birders may always question the sanity of BBS participants,
Steven later confirmed that his own sanity was still intact. The deafening noise and the images they
evoked were provided by monkeys housed at a primate rehabilitation center
recently built near stop 46.
Several people saw predators of the
four-legged variety while conducting their BBS routes. Greg Greer saw a gray fox with rabbit al
dente on the Pine Grove, AL route.
A coyote passed by Brian Parker on the East Dennis, MA route, while a
wolf visited Laura Erickson on the Hart Lake, MN route. In Washington, Mike Borysewicz passed a
mountain lion as he approached stop 1 of the Sullivan Lake 2 route.
BETTER LATE THAN NEVER
Do you have BBS data from previous years that
was never sent in? Remember, it is
never too late. Whether it is 1 or 25
years old, we can still use it. While
we don=t wish to promote late data submission, don=t throw it out just because it=s a year or two old. Send it to us!
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Besides the thousands of you in the field, I
would also like to thank Michael Glorioso, Marc Hathaway, and Alan Hedin for
their outstanding help at the BBS office during the 2002 season.
Good luck & good birding in 2003!
Keith Pardieck
301/497-5843