Center for Earth and Environmental Science
Indiana University ~ Purdue University, Indianapolis

ARBOR BIRD CENSUS METHODOLOGY

Bird Census Data is collected from the ARBOR project site quarterly. Typically, data collection will be during the 2nd week of February (to correspond with the Great Backyard Bird Count Program sponsored by Cornell Lab of Ornithology and Audubon); the 3rd week of April; the 3rd week August; and the 2nd Week of October. Additional, census blocks may be scheduled to correspond to migration events, but those dates will be in addition to the quarterly monitoring.

Bird Census data will be collected using the methodology described by Cornell Lab of Ornithology and Audubon  for the Great Backyard Bird Count (http://birdsource.cornell.edu/gbbc/).

1. Birds will be counted on one or all five-count days during the counting period. Each count will be tallied separately. Keep separate records and fill out a checklist for each day.
2. Count the birds for at least 15 minutes on each day that you participate. We recommend watching for a half-hour or more, so that you'll have a good sense of what birds are in the ARBOR area.
3. Data should be tallied on the ARBOR Bird Census data form available on the ARBOR web site.
4. Fill in the information at the top of the form including the date, observers name, observation start time, observation end time, weather conditions during the observation period, and a rating of the observers ability.
5. How to count: Your data will be used by scientists to analyze bird populations, so it is very important that everyone count birds in exactly the same way.

On the day(s) that you count, walk or observe birds along the length of the ARBOR site.

For each kind (species) of bird that you see, keep track of the highest number of individuals that you observe at any one time. Your goal is to identify all species that you observe. Use the "Tally column" to help keep track of your counts. Your tally column should look something like the following:

House Finch - 3, 5, 3, 1 High Count = 5 Blue Jay - 1, 3, 6, 2 High Count = 6

Be careful not to count the same bird over and over! Don't add another Blue Jay to your tally every time you see a Blue Jay at the feeder. You could be seeing the same individual again and again. If you record only the highest number of individual birds that you see in view at one time, you're sure to never count the same bird more than once!

When you have completed the observations, enter your high counts for each species sited during the observation period. You can submit one bird checklist for each day that you count.

Q200 Bird Census at the White River The White River Experimental Restoration Project is an effort by CEES to support ecological restoration of an urban riparian forest while studying the effects of different reforestation strategies and providing educational opportunities through experiential learning. Students in Q200, Introduction to Scientific Inquiry have been working with Center for Earth and Environmental Science (CEES) researchers to both quantify environmental changes at the White River Experimental Restoration Project since the Spring semester of 2000 and to learn how to use an outdoor laboratory for experiential learning. The first phase of the restoration project was the planting and monitoring the growth of trees along eight acres of the White River floodplain immediately west of the IUPUI campus. This work started in the Fall of 2000 and was completed in the Spring of 2001. Prior to the planting of the trees the area had been dominated by mown turf grass for over fifty years. As the restoration proceeds it is expected that plants and animals that had not been able to colonize the turf grass will begin to move into the area, as this occurs we should begin to see a shift in the species using the restoration area. Q200 students are playing a critical role by documenting the birds they observe. Data collected by Q200 student will be used to track when and if we do see a change in bird species using the site. Purpose of Study: To conduct a population census of the different species of birds along the White River from 10th street to New York street. Explanation of Transect: (Map) From 10th St. bridge to wooded area. Wooded area. South of wooded area to metal sign. South of metal sign to the Michigan St. bridge. South of Michigan St. bridge to overlook area. South of overlook area to New York St. bridge.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Past Q200 data:

Spring 2000

Fall 2000

Fall 2001

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ARBOR BIRD CHECKLIST

Here are the birds most likely to be found in at the ARBOR site. Some species can be tricky to differentiate, these birds (listed in italic) should be ID's with caution.

COMMON BIRDS AT THE ARBOR SITE

OTHER BIRDS FOUND IN THIS REGION

Revised: January 07, 2005.

Center for Earth and Environmental Science
 School of Science
 Indiana University~Purdue University, Indianapolis
 723 West Michigan Street, SL118
 Indianapolis, IN 46202
 www.cees.iupui.edu
 cees@iupui.edu