We invite qualified observers to participate in the Breeding Bird Survey "BBS." Participants must have the skills to identify the likely species on their routes by sight and by sound.
Since 1966 (1968 in Colorado and the West) the Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, originally US Fish & Wildlife Service, now the Biological Research Division of the US Geological Survey, has sponsored the Breeding Bird Survey program to monitor birds across the US (and Canada, with the Canadian Wildlife Service). In 2012, volunteers ran almost 3000 routes in the US & Canada. Scientists use BBS results to derive population trends for the species that the system samples well.
Colorado has 132 designated BBS routes, and we consistently run more routes than all other states in the U.S. except Texas and California.
A BBS route covers 24.5 miles. Observers record all the birds they hear and see during a 3-minute stop, then drive a half-mile to the next stop. You run the route, once only, during the peak of the songbird singing season, from May 25 on the plains to July 15 in the high country. The ability to identify species by sound is crucial--I estimate that I record 75-85% of the birds on my routes by sound, not sight.
We seek a commitment of three years, because the BBS doesn't use route data unless the same person runs it for at least 3 years.
SOUND ID composes THE major part of running a BBS route. Knowing by sound and sight most of the species likely to occur along that route is the most important skill you need to run a BBS route. On my routes, I identify over 75% of the birds by sound, without ever seeing them.
Let me know if you would like one or more. The following list is organized geographically (sort of). We have a huge number of routes available this year –28—and I hope that we can fill most of them with qualified observers who have good ears.
The following lists the available routes; I can send more detailed descriptions to you if you'd like to consider one but want more information.
Hugh Kingery
Franktown, CO
303 814 2723
ouzels8@aol.com
Number, county, page(s) in DeLorme Atlas
Plains
17021 Lamar Prowers, Kiowa pp 99 & 103
17321 Sheridan Lake Prowers, Kiowa p 103
17419 Doyle Bridge 2 Pueblo p 73 & 98
17049 Edison El Paso p 98
Central Mountains
17316 Powderhorn Gunnison, Hinsdale pp 66-67 17253 Lake City Hinsdale p 77
17218 Wet Mtns. Fremont, Custer p 72
San Luis Valley
17018 Moffat Saguache p70
17224 Fox Creek Conejos p. 91-90
17225 Mosca Alamosa pp 81-80
17324 South Fork Rio Grande p 79-89
Southwest
17215 Pinon Montrose p 65-66
[southern Uncompahgre Plateau]
17422 Cortez Montezuma pp 75, 85
17124 Blackhead Peak Archuleta p 88
Grand Junction area
17008 Douglas Pass Garfield, Rio Blanco pp 42, 32
17216 Paonia Delta p 57
17308 Baxter Pass Garfield pp 42, 32
Northwest
17001 Maybell Moffat pp 14, 24
17002 Great Divide Moffat pp 14 & 15
[Starts about 20 miles N of Craig]
17009 Buford Rio Blanco pp 35, 24, 34
17032 Wilson Creek Rio Blanco, Moffat p 24
17201 Browns Park Moffat p 12
17301 Dinosaur Moffat p 22
17302 Lay Moffat p 24 & 14
17351 Angora Rio Blanco p 22-23 (Near Rangeley)
17352 Yellowjacket Pass Rio Blanco, Moffat p 24
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