North Campus Open Space (NCOS) Monthly Bird Survey Data (2017-2023)

Bird surveys are completed once a month by Cheadle Center staff and associates. Each survey starts 45 minutes after sunrise and lasts about 2 hours. The survey has at least 4 experienced birders- 2 that survey the eastern side and 2 that survey the western route (exact routes can be found on ArcGIS online). Surveyors use a combination of binoculars, scopes, and listening for calls to identify species. A point is placed on the map to the best accuracy possible using the ArcGIS app field maps or collector. The survey is also set up to record the surveyors' location every 30 seconds as a way to track the survey route. When there are large groups of birds, 10 or more, an approximate number is decided between the two surveyors. If a bird is seen multiple times along the route, it is labeled a repeat. The two groups met up after the survey and discussed what was seen. Any birds that are expected to be a repeat were changed to note that they were a repeat within the dataset. Environmental data such as cloud cover, water level, and temperature are recorded at the beginning and end of the survey.

This data is an aggregation that contains the number of each species spotted on site each month. If you are interested in the birds' exact location, you can download individual monthly data from ArcGIS Online.

Methods
Each survey starts 45 minutes after sunrise, and lasts about 2 hours. The survey has at least 4 experienced birders- 2 that survey the eastern side and 2 that survey the western route (exact routes can be found on ArcGIS online). Surveyors use a combination of binoculars, scopes and listening for calls to identify species. A point is placed on the map to the best accuracy possible using the ArcGIS app field maps or collector. The survey is also set up to record the surveyors location every 30 seconds as a way to track the survey route. When there are large groups of birds 10 or more an approximate number is decided between the two surveyors. If a bird is seen multiple times along the route it is labeled as a repeat.