For more than 60 summers, expert volunteer birders have risen before dawn to count birds along roadside routes across North America. The Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) is the continent’s longest-running landbird monitoring program, a cornerstone of modern bird conservation.
VCE coordinates the Breeding Bird Survey in Vermont as part of a long-standing partnership led by the U.S. Geological Survey, in collaboration with the Canadian Wildlife Service and regional partners. Together, this network tracks the status and trends of North America’s breeding birds.
Each year, thousands of highly skilled participants survey established roadside routes using a standardized protocol. The resulting data support population estimates and long-term trend analyses for more than 400 bird species, informing conservation planning, research, and public understanding.
Vermont’s BBS depends on dedicated, experienced birders. We are currently seeking qualified volunteers to adopt available routes.
