[cobirds] BBS Routes available

            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.

            The observer should have the ability to identify, by sound and sight, most of the species likely to occur along that route. On my routes, I identify over 75% of the birds by sound, without ever seeing them. We seek a commitment of three years, because the BBS prefers route data run by the same person for at least 3 years.

            Let me know if you would like one or more. The following list is organized geographically (sort of). 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.

 

  "I especially enjoyed the first few pre-dawn stops along the wetlands area of Poncha Creek—the dawn chorus there was often a tad overwhelming.  An experience I will never forget." – Tina Mitchell   

   

Key to route descriptions:

Number and name                  County                        Page in DeLorme Atlas

 

ROUTE DESCRIPTIONS

 

            Southwest

 

17124 Blackhead Peak           Archuleta        p 88

Starts about 20 miles east of Pagosa Springs: on FR 665, go westerly to US 84; S on 84, but no stops on 84, to CR 326; Left (east) and resume route on CRR326, to end. Beautiful scenery, demanding drive.

 

17224 Fox Creek        Conejos           p. 91-90          

Starts 10 miles west of Antonito at Fox Creek; NWly on Colo. 17; right on FR 250 to end near Platoro.

 

                        San Luis Valley

 

17374 Moon Pass        Saguache

Start 1 mile west of La Garita; go NWlyon Rd 41G; left on FR 675 to end

 

17125 San Luis           Costilla           91-81

Start at 11 miles S of Blanca; From Rd. @.5, go north on CR 12 7 miles; just N of Smith Res., go W on Rd CC w miles, then N on CR 104 miles, W on US 160 a mile, N on CO 150 to end.

 

17425 Mesita              Costilla           91

Start 10 miles West and South of San Luis; West on CR H 7 miles; S on Road 7 amile, E on Road G 4 miles; north on unnumbered road 4 miles; East on CR M to end.        

 

                Northwest 

 

17351 Angora             Rio Blanco      p 22-23

Start 8 miles NE of Rangely; Start on CR 61 or 65 at Holandrus Res.; south on 61/65 to Colo 64 east on Colo 64 two miles; south and east on CR 122 to end.

 

17033 Walden            Jackson                       p17

Starts about 15 miles NW of Walden; south on CR7 past Lake John turnoff, on CR 5 past Delaney Buttes SWA; east on CR 24 to end.

 

                Plains

 

17042 Adams County             Adams             p 96, 41

Start 12 miles NE of Strasburg at CR 46N & 80^th Avenue; go east on 80^th a mile, south a mile, west on 72^nd 2miles, south a mile, west 4 miles on 64^th; north 3 miles, then east on 88^th to end.

 

17043 Gordon Creek              Washington     97

Start 4 miles E and 8 miles S of Anton; north 9 miles on CR HH; E 2 miles on CR 12; N 14 miles on CR KK to end.

 

            Southeast

 

17220 Haswell            Bent, Kiowa    99

Start 6 miles N of Las Animas; N 7 miles on CR 10; swing around SE edge of Adobe Cr Res. SWA, then N 4 miles on Road 17; E on Road E 2 miles; N 5 miles on Road 19, E 1 mile on Road K, then N on Road 20 to end.

 

17027 Gilpin               Bent    101

Starts 7 miles south of Las Animas. East on Rd BB3 miles; S on CR16 9 miles; W on CR T 3 miles; S on Colo 101 2 miles, W 1 mile on CR P, S on CR 11 to end, just north of Setchfield WMA.

 

17328 Pritchett           Baca    101

Start 12 miles S of Pritchett on CR 12; go E one mile, then N on Roads 13 and 12 to end.

Hugh Kingery
Franktown, CO

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