Field Protocols
POINT COUNT METHODS
Birds should be surveyed using 10-minute point counts located 200 m apart. Point counts should be 50 m fixed-radius to allow comparability among widely different habitat types and to maximize the probability that bird counts reflect vegetation measured at the point (Petit et al., in press). However, all birds detected beyond 50 m should also be recorded to allow total detection of species. Record male, female, or unknown for each individual bird detected. Distinguish between birds inside and outside of the 50 m radius circle. Points should be established using permanent markers (stakes) and these points should be totally contained within the plot (center of survey plots should be 100 m from the edge of the nest search plot). Data will be reported on a point by point basis, which will allow use of differing nest search plot sizes. However, to maximize comparability, 12 points should be established in each nest plot when possible.
TIMING OF POINT COUNTS
Surveys should be conducted 3 times per season. Try to fit all 3 replicates in as short a period of time as possible (i.e. 30 days). The starting point and path among points should differ for each of the three counts to minimize effects of visitation path on time of surveying. Counts should begin no earlier than half an hour before sunrise. Base actual starting and ending times on bird activity in your area. We will adopt BBS weather guidelines for conducting surveys and recording weather conditions as cited below.
WEATHER
Follow BBS Weather Guidelines. To be comparable, surveys must be conducted under satisfactory weather conditions: good visibility, little or no precipitation, light winds. Occasional light drizzle or a very brief shower may not affect bird activity, but fog, steady drizzle, or prolonged rain should be avoided. Except in those prairie states where winds normally exceed Beaufort 3, counts preferably should be made on mornings when the wind is less than 8 m.p.h., and not taken if the wind exceeds 12 m.p.h. If you can walk faster than the wind is blowing, wind conditions are very satisfactory.
DATA RECORDED ON POINT COUNTS
The following information is recorded once for each point count:
- PLOT (Plot)
- the name of the plot in which the point count is being conducted.
- PLOT RADIUS (Radius_m)
- the radius in meters of the point count circles used (record once for each point count).
- DATE (Date)
- date upon which the point count was conducted in the format: first digit = month, second and third digit = day (e.g. May 7, 1997 would be recorded as 507).
- REPLICATE NUMBER (Repno)
- number 1--3 depending on whether this is the first, second, or third point count for the season.
- OBSERVER (Obs)
- person conducting the point counts (2 initials + last name, e.g., TEMARTIN).
- TEMPERATURE (Temp_C)
- temperature in degrees Celsius at the time of the point count.
- SKY CONDITIONS CODES (Sky)
- Record one of the following Weather Bureau codes:
Table: Sky Condition Codes Sky Code Description 0 clear sky, few clouds 1 Partly cloudy (scattered) or variable sky 2 Cloudy (broken) or overcast 3 Rain 4 Fog or smoke 5 Fog or smoke 7 Snow 8 Showers (intermittent rain)
- WIND SPEED CODES (Wind)
- Enter Beaufort Numbers not m.p.h.:
Table: Beaufort Wind Codes Beaufort Number
Wind Speed (miles/hour)
Indicators of Wind Speed 0
less than 1
smoke rises vertically 1
1 to 3
wind direction shown by smoke drift 2
4 to 7
wind felt on face; leaves rustle 3
8 to 12
leaves, small twigs in constant motion; light flag extended 4
13 to 18
raises dust and loose paper; small branches are moved 5
19 to 24
small trees in leaf sway; crested wavelets on inland waters At each stop on the point count survey the following information is recorded:
- TIME (Time)
- time to the nearest minute recorded as military time (e.g., 6:09AM = 0609h).
- SPECIES (Spp#)
- the 4 letter Bird Banding Lab species code for the #th bird species/recognizable sub-species detected. # is an integer number from 1 to the total number of species encountered at a point.
- NUMBER MALES IN COUNT CIRCLE (M#NumI)
- number of males of species # found within the count circle.
- NUMBER MALES OUTSIDE COUNT CIRCLE (M#NumO)
- number of males of species # found outside the count circle.
- NUMBER FEMALES IN COUNT CIRCLE (F#NumI)
- number of females of species # found within the count circle.
- NUMBER FEMALES OUTSIDE COUNT CIRCLE (F#NumO)
- number of females of species # found outside the count circle.
- NUMBER UNKNOWN SEX IN COUNT CIRCLE (U#NumI)
- number of birds of unknown sex of species # found within the count circle.
- NUMBER UNKNOWN SEX OUTSIDE COUNT CIRCLE (U#NumO)
- number of birds of unknown sex of species # found outside the count circle.
Use as many Spp#, M#NumI, M#NumO, F#NumI, F#NumO, U#NumI, and U#NumO as required for the number of species encountered at each point.
Field Protocols
Last modified: Sunday, 23-March-97 12:47:39 MST