Volunteers play a vital role in the annual monitoring of known grassland bird breeding sites, which is one of the first ways to start mitigating population loss. Knowing which sites remain productive, which sites are hayed, and where birds are dispersing, allows conservation efforts to adapt and respond effectively.
Thanks to eBird, anyone can easily contribute to community science and grassland bird conservation from home. By following a few simple survey guidelines, your detection can help ensure grassland birds have the habitat they need to survive!
Visit eBird or email grasslands@vtecostudies.org to find your closest Meadowlark site or grassland.
If you have any questions, contact our Volunteer Coordinator Dana at dwilliams@vtecostudies.org.
If you’re new to eBird, consider watching the free eBird Essentials video course or watch our recorded webinar!
- Each site should be surveyed twice, ideally in late April or early May
- Each survey should last at least 20 consecutive minutes.
- Surveys should be conducted as close to sunrise as possible, and no later than 9:00 AM, when birds are most active.
- Only survey during fair conditions:
- No precipitation
- Low winds
- If your site has active Meadowlarks, revisit the site in early and late June to determine:
- Whether the birds remain present
- Whether the field has been cut (hayed)
- Secondary surveys may also be completed in the evening.
- Record all birds observed, along with Breeding Codes if breeding behavior is noted, in Vermont eBird.
- Share your checklist with the account “grasslandbirds.”
- In the checklist comments, please include:
- Where the bird was observed
- Example: Heard singing north of the road
- Whether surrounding fields have been hayed
- Example: Field to the north hayed; southern field not hayed
- Where the bird was observed
Road-Side Surveys (Preferred)
- Conducted from field edges, such as roads or trails.
- Does not require landowner permission.
- Avoids the risks that entering a field may pose to birds.
- Most surveys will use this method.
Area Surveys
- Conducted by walking through a field and spot-mapping birds to track movements and territories.
- Requires permission to enter the field.
- Extra care must be taken to avoid stepping on nests.
- Breeding behaviors (ex; carrying food or nesting materials) may be difficult to observe if birds are aware of your presence.
- Once you identify a bird’s general territory:
- Step back about 100 feet (or more if needed)
- Crouch in the grass and quietly observe
- This may prompt the bird to return to the nest and resume care. From there, it becomes a waiting game.
