Designing and implementing a monitoring program and the standards for conducting point counts

Abstract

Choosing between the apparent plethora of methods for monitoring bird populations is a dilemma for a person contemplating beginning a monitoring program. Cooperrider et al. (1986) and Koskimies and Vaisanen (1991) describe many methods. In the Americas, three methods have been suggested as standard (Butcher 1992). They are: point counts for determining habitat relationships, population size, and population trends; and two demographic methods, constant effort mist netting and nest searching. Below, I discuss the process of choosing methods and suggest priorities. Then, for point counts, I describe in some detail the standards that have been put in place for this method.

Parent Publication

• Status and management of neotropical migratory birds

Citation

Ralph, C. John. 1993. Designing and implementing a monitoring program and the standards for conducting point counts. In: Finch, Deborah M.; Stangel, Peter W. (eds.). Status and management of neotropical migratory birds: September 21-25, 1992, Estes Park, Colorado. Gen. Tech. Rep. RM-229. Fort Collins, Colo.: Rocky Mountain Forest and Range Experiment Station, U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, Forest Service: 204-207