For this year only, the Oregon Birding Association (OBA)
has decided to award a travel grant of up to $100 to each of 10 NEW volunteers
(those who have not previously done a BBS route) to cover one or more of the
currently vacant Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) routes in Oregon. These routes within a few hours of Idaho are eligible:
HARNEY CO.: 69244 Crowley, 69223 Crane, 69155 Malheur NWR
MALHEUR CO.(near Idaho): 69063 Battle Mtn., 69242 Malheur Reservoir, 69232
Bowden Hills
BAKER: 69038 Sparta, 69215 Newbridge
GRANT CO.: 69240 Monument
For locations see https://www.pwrc.usgs.gov/bbs/RouteMap/Map.cfm
Click on the route, then mark “Show route
paths” in menu on left side of map.
The grant can be used only to help reimburse expenses for
vehicle rental, gas, and/or lodging. Reimbursement will be made up to the
amount shown in provided receipts once the survey is completed and valid data
are entered online before August 1, 2022. You may conduct the survey on any day of your choosing
between May 27 and July 5 provided the average wind speed is less than 10 mph.
Your survey will require about 5 hours and must begin between 4:30 and 5 a.m.
Unless you live within about an hour of a route, overnight lodging (camping,
motel, airbnb) near the start point will be necessary for at least one day
prior to covering a route. Each BBS route has 50 stops spaced a half-mile
apart, and most routes follow rural roads. Parts of a few may require a
high-clearance vehicle. Starting before sunrise, you will listen for 3 minutes
at each stop and record on a data form what you hear or see before driving to
the next stop. It is highly recommended that someone accompany you to record
the species and numbers as you call them out at each stop.
Applicants should email me no later than April 25 with a
brief statement of their qualifications and name of route(s) they commit to
covering this year and possibly in future years. The first qualified person to
commit to a vacant route will be awarded that route. All applicants must have
normal hearing and be able to distinguish by sound each of the species found
previously on their route (to see list, click on Info next to route name at the
above link) as well as others likely to occur. Qualifications will be vetted
not only in regard to known birding skills but also in consideration of OBA’s
inclusion and diversity policies, and preference will be given to applicants
who are likely to cover the route in future years as well.
No other volunteer effort is more important to providing
long-term data on bird trends, and the BBS has been going for over 50 years
under the sponsorship of federal wildlife agencies and with thousands of
volunteers. That’s why I’ve not only covered several routes myself
but also volunteered as the Oregon BBS Coordinator. We hope you will apply!
Paul Adamus
Corvallis, OR