Download the PDF of the datasheet here: 2023 Triangle Bird Count Datasheet
Although the Protocols are detailed, the survey only takes about 15 minutes per site/point (10 mins bird count)!
Triangle Bird Count Protocols
Please read all instructions prior to surveying your route(s). Your safety is our number 1 priority. Adherence to these instructions will lead to more accurate and useful results, as well as a fun and safe experience. We’d like to give credit to the Tucson Bird Count and Fresno Bird Count for developing the following protocols.
Scouting
Some survey points could be the first time for the TriBC, so it would be beneficial to visit your site before the actual survey. We have also tried to screen census sites so that they are in a publicly accessible area.
In the event that a site on your route is not accessible (in a yard, in a restricted area, etc.), choose an alternate, publicly accessible site (sidewalk, street, park, etc.) as close as possible to the original site on your route map. A few routes have remote sites, plan accordingly and for safety reasons, do not do remote routes alone. The same may apply to some urban routes in certain neighborhoods.
Do not attempt to conduct counts on any private property without the consent of the owner, and only count on private property if no publicly accessible location is nearby. If the original site is in a yard or alley, move it to the nearest publicly accessible spot (street, park, etc). If you move a site, mark the exact location of the new site on your route map and the Site ID number, and submit details on the new site location, providing GPS coordinates if possible. Your markings will be used to update sites in computerized TriBC maps for data analysis and for locating the same site in future years.
Equipment Checklist:
Transportation (car or bike for areas with roads, boots for more ‘remote’ areas)
GPS unit (recommended, but you can also use your phone GPS)
Binoculars
Pencil or pen with dark ink
Watch with a second-hand timer or phone timer
Field guide
Clipboard
TriBC instructions and route map
Water, sunscreen, hat, etc.
Data Sheets
When to Run Routes
Survey your route on a morning of your choosing during the survey period, April 15 – May 31. Many routes have one or more sites near roads that are noisy with weekday traffic; weekend mornings generally provide better counting conditions.
Acceptable Weather
Occasional light drizzle or a brief shower may be acceptable, but fog, steady drizzle, or prolonged rain should be avoided. Counts should not be done if the wind exceeds 12 mph (loose paper and dust are raised, small branches on trees move).
Starting and Traversing Sites in a Route
- Choose a path connecting all the sites along your route in a way that will minimize (roughly) your total travel time (Site ID numbers are for identification only; you don’t need to survey them in numerical order).
- Begin counting at your first site as close to sunrise as possible (as early as 30 minutes before sunrise).
- No counting should take place more than 4 hours after sunrise. If all sites along a route are not surveyed within this time, survey unfinished sites another morning. Report that this was done in the “Notes” section of your datasheet, with a brief explanation (e.g., “sites x, y, and z involved hiking”).
Counting Birds
These are 10-minute, point counts of all species seen or heard within a 40 m radius (130 ft)
- Only one observer should conduct the 10-minute point count at each site.
- Count from a stationary point outside of a car.
- Count every bird is seen or heard by the primary observer during the 10-minute period.
- Only count birds within an estimated radius of 40 meters.
- Provide an estimate of distance bands for each detection of birds.
- Use Arabic numbers (1, 2, 3, etc) or tally marks to document the number of each species.
- It is important to count each bird only once, even if it leaves the site.
- For large groups of birds, estimate the number. Be conservative in your counts if you are uncertain how many individuals there are. If you think you hear 3 American Crows, but can only be sure there are 2, then write down “2.”
- Do not exceed 10 minutes because you are sure a certain “good bird” is there and not calling — valid negative data are as important as positive in this survey.
- If you observe, but do not identify, a bird during a point count, write down descriptive features in the “Notes” section and spend time after the 10 minute period working on the ID. Record such birds as being in the point count.
- Don’t use any method of coaxing birds (“spishing”, tape playbacks). It’s important that all point counts be done consistently to produce reliable results.
- Turn and face a different direction about every 1 minute, or you will miss birds behind you. Even if you count mostly by ear, this will help you pick up quieter birds.
Supplemental Observations: Birds detected by other observers in the group, detected outside the 10-minute window, or detected during your transit between sites, should be recorded in the notes section. It is only necessary to record those species that were not observed already during the Point Count for that site.
Rare or Unusual Birds: Any reports of rare species in the Triangle region or unusual in the area being surveyed should be supported by including some details of the observation in the “Notes” section. Include all features you used to determine ID.
Temporary Noise, Interruptions
If a temporary noise (e.g., passing car) or interruption (e.g., inquisitive resident) interferes with your ability to count birds at a site, pause the count (and the clock) for the duration of the interruption, and resume counting when the interruption has passed. Total time counting birds (that is, not including interruptions) for the point count should be 10 minutes. Birds observed during an interruption, but not otherwise during the 10-minute count, should be reported in the notes section.
Constant Excessive Noise
If constant noise interferes with your observations at a site, try to return to survey the site on a morning when it’s quieter. The goal is to accurately survey birds at all sites — documenting the birds in a parking lot is as useful as recording the birds in a wash. Thus, surveying the original site at another time is preferable to moving the site. If returning is impractical, move up to 50 walking paces (but no more) to a spot where the noise is reduced. Report noisy conditions (see Recording Data, below).
Submitting Data using datasheet
Please submit your data within 1 week of your count date. The first option is to mail all completed Data Forms to the address below. You may also wish to keep a copy for your records. The second option is to take pictures of the datasheets and email them to jbai5@ncsu.edu
Mail completed forms to:
Contact Information
If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact the TriBC Project Coordinator, Jin Bai jbai5@ncsu.edu
TriBC Principal Investigator: Dr. Madhusudan Katti, mkatti@ncsu.edu
Recording Data
This section details the fields on the TriBC Route Data Form sheets. Record all data on these sheets, only 1 site per sheet. Use as many sheets as are required for your route, but do not include sites from more than one route on the same sheet.
ROUTE section:
Record the Primary Observer name on each sheet, and names of Others Present on the route’s first sheet.
SITE section:
Site ID #.
Date & Site Start Time:
For each site, record the date, and the time at which the point count was started.
Site Location:
A site at which point count is conducted. This description must accurately describe the count location up to 30 feet. This information will be used to ensure that future TriBC’s count birds at the same locations.
Sites on or near streets. Report the adjacent street address (e.g., “in front of 804 Fayetteville Street, Durham”) or nearest street intersection. Report side of street or corner of the intersection (e.g., “20 ft SE of the SE corner of Chatham St and Maynard”). If no marked address is near, record distance and direction along the street from the nearest street. Include any nearby landmarks, especially those likely to appear on maps (e.g., “Dorothea Dix Park, 100 ft NE of the parking lot”). Including GPS coordinates (in addition to the above) if possible, though not essential if detailed street locations are provided.
Noise level:
Moderate = your ability to detect birds by sound is hindered somewhat;
Extreme = hindered almost completely.
NOTES section:
Use this section for details of site relocations, sightings of unusual species, recording accessibility issues (e.g., “in the middle of a golf course, need to receive permission from the clubhouse or need to call X number in advance”), or any other important information about a site. Begin any notes with the relevant Site ID number.
BIRDS section:
Write the Site ID # at the top of each column. In the species column on the left, use the Species List to write in the common name, or 4-letter AOU code (if you know it), of the species encountered. If writing the common name, please include the whole name with no abbreviations.
If you encounter a large or fast-moving flock, do your best to estimate the number of individuals, and make a note if it is too difficult. Note birds that fly through the point area, but only if they are close to or under the top of the canopy level since we want to count birds that use that habitat, not ones that may be flying high over it.