Memorandum to Cooperators

This year's total represents a 2.1% decrease in coverage as compared to last year's coverage. Although if the expected 1999 late returns materialize, we will actually be looking at a 1% increase in coverage over 1998. As of now however, 2397 routes have been run in the U.S. Canada had a great year as well; a total of 426 routes were surveyed which is a 2.4% increase over last year's total. See the table on page two for individual state results.

On a related topic, if you ran a BBS route in 1999 and mailed it to our office but did not receive a summary report or email message confirming receipt by our office, please let us know. It is possible that we never received your data.

On another front, we still need 89 routes to reach our goal of increasing the total number of U.S. routes by 300. Since 1997 we have added 211 routes. We encourage state coordinators, especially in the mid-west and west, to consider adding routes. State coordinators should contact the BBS office to request additional routes.

One note to participants who may be surveying a new route this year. To delineate the route path on the map the appropriate roads are highlighted. The highlighted path is only a guide, however, and normally extends further then the prescribed 24.5 miles to compensate for potential road problems or topography. Use your car odometer to determine the actual end of the route which may fall short of the highlighted end.
 

STATE COORDINATORS
One major change has taken place among the state coordinators since the last memo. Darryl Tessen has relinquished the Wisconsin state BBS coordinator position, and has been replaced by Mark Korducki (2955 N 77th Street, Milwaukee, WI 53222; 414-476-8049; Korducki@execpc.com). Our thanks go out to Darryl for the great job he did as state coordinator and we wish him well in his future endeavors! We also thank Mark for taking on this added responsibility and welcome him!

Current state coordinator contact information is available on the BBS web page via the "Contact Us" link.

NEW VOLUNTEER SERVICE AGREEMENTS
Undoubtedly many of you have already noticed the new volunteer service agreement (VSA) forms enclosed in your packets. As part of USGS we were required to change forms. Although they look markedly different, the forms serve the same basic function as the previous forms. One important difference is that each person volunteering to participate in the BBS must complete a separate VSA form in order to be covered by the agreement. For example, both the observer and the assistant must complete separate forms. Or, if you have two assistants (i.e. a recorder and a driver), all three of you must complete separate forms in order to be covered by the agreement. Two VSA forms are provided in the packet for this purpose. If you need additional forms, please contact the BBS office or photocopy one of the enclosed forms prior to completing it. To complete this form we only require that you print your name (block 1a.), sign and date the form (bottom of first page); all other personal information is voluntary.
 

REQUEST FOR SLIDES
The BBS slide collection needs new images. Many of the slides we now have depict scenes from the mid-70s and we would really like to update the collection with fresh scenes. To do this, we ask that you send us color slides of you conducting your BBS route. We hope to build a collection of slides depicting a variety of habitat types and data collection poses. Bird slides are welcome as well. Once submitted the slides become the property of the BBS and may be used on the Internet or in other government publications. No monetary compensation will be provided if the slides are used, but we will happily credit the photographer. Just be sure to clearly print the photographer's name, location of the scene, and date on the slide border. Also include the names of any people depicted in the slide if different from the photographer. Thanks for your help and I look forward to seeing many of your faces!
 

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1999 BBS RELATED ARTICLES
-- Population status of North American grassland birds from the North American Breeding Bird Survey, 1966-1996. Authors: Bruce G. Peterjohn and John R. Sauer. Studies in Avian Biology No. 19:27-44, 1999.

Reprints of this article are available through the BBS office.
 

STORIES FROM THE FIELD
Safety first -- Following up on Richard West's suggestion last year, several participants requested and wore blaze orange safety vests while running their BBS routes and experienced similar results; suspicious stares and questions were much reduced. In fact, Ronnie Ryno who runs 3 BBS routes in California was so pleased with the results of wearing the safety vest that he dubbed it his "Richard West Vest." If any of you are interested, we still have several vests available at the BBS office for distribution on a first-come, first-served basis. Also relatively inexpensive (usually $1-2) light-weight plastic, blaze orange vests can often be found in the sporting goods section of many department stores.

Several participants have suggested another good idea. They suggested that we provide BBS identification placards for use in the vehicle window while conducting BBS routes. Basically, the placard would identify the holder as a BBS participant and list the BBS office contact information in case law enforcement or suspicious landowners care to pursue it further. Enclosed in this year's packets are the placards. Their use is optional since we realize that in some parts of the country it may not be prudent to outwardly advertise that you are participating in a federally sponsored program.

Adventures, amusing mishaps & encounters -- While conducting the Whiskey Spring, Oregon BBS route Howard and Elaine Sands reported that they began hearing a strange sound coming from the engine of their '92 Taurus. Upon lifting the hood Howard was greeted with a clo