Avian Point Count Data

Overview

An avian point count is a commonly used method in avian research for monitoring bird populations. It is well suited for estimating avian density and population size, as well as assessing population trends and species-habitat relationships. 

A point count consists of a single observer standing in a fixed position during a specific period of time to count and identify all birds detected by sight and sound. Point counts generally take place early in the morning when birds are most active.

Point counts protocols may vary by project. Distance and duration protocols set the bands of distance (e.g., 50–100m) and time intervals (e.g., 3 minutes, 5 minutes) in which birds are recorded. The observer estimates the distance that each bird is first detected using the appropriate distance band and records the time interval in which the bird is first detected. The date and time of the point count is also collected.

Types of Point Counts

Many national, provincial, and regional efforts conduct point count surveys across Canada and the U.S in order to assess population estimates. Examples of long-term monitoring programs at the national and international scale are:

Breeding Bird Atlases

Atlases in Canada are a partnership between Birds Canada, Environment and Climate Change Canada, provincial governments, natural history organizations, the private sector, and thousands of volunteer citizen scientists. Point count surveys are completed following a standardized protocol in order to map breeding bird distribution and relative abundance across each province. Breeding bird atlases have been conducted in BC, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, Newfoundland, and the Maritimes. All Canadian atlas data is hosted on Birds Canada’s NatureCounts platform.

The Breeding Bird Survey

The North American Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) started in 1966. It consists of point counts conducted along roads by volunteer participants once a year and for as many years as possible. Predetermined roadside routes are surveyed. Each survey route is approximately 39.4 km long with 50 stops situated ideally 0.8 km apart. At each stop, a 3-minute point count is conducted. During the count, every bird seen or heard within a 0.4 km radius is recorded. The data are freely available and are used by governmental organizations and others to estimate bird population trends, relative abundance and species composition and richness at the local, regional and continental scale.

eBird

eBird is a worldwide database of the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and the National Audubon Society. Birders enter and track their bird sightings during their outing by filling out a checklist using a user-friendly mobile app. Data on eBird can be useful to many people. In particular, they allow other ornithologists to learn about the birds in a specific area, researchers and conservation specialists to follow population trends, and educators to introduce their students to birds and the scientific process.

Other surveys

Point counts are commonly used by a wide variety of monitoring initiatives, including other citizen science projects (e.g., Marsh Monitoring Programs, Coastal Waterbird Surveys) and ecological, academic, and impact assessment studies. Many such initiatives collect and/or archive and share data using the NatureCounts platform.

How and Where to Access These Data

Significant efforts have been undertaken to facilitate discovery and accessibility of point count data. Many platforms have assembled, harmonized and archived avian point count data to ease the accessibility by the users. WildTrax is one platform that handles avian point count data in an harmonized downloadable format. It includes projects from researchers, government, industry and private sectors. 

Birds Canada’s NatureCounts platform hosts point count data from breeding bird atlases, the Breeding Bird Survey, Coastal Waterbird Surveys, and many other projects Many projects collect point count data directly through the NatureCounts mobile app. Many datasets are openly available, while some projects grant permission for access to their data through a request process. Other ways to access the data are through ScienceBase and the eBird platform (note that NatureCounts pulls eBird data each year for Canada).