Integrated Monitoring in Bird Conservation Regions (IMBCR) is a breeding landbird monitoring program that spans the Great Plains to the Intermountain West. A nested, probabilistic sampling design allows us to make inference about bird populations at multiple scales across public and private lands. Click here for more information about the program including the IMBCR vision and mission statement.

That's a wrap! We completed field surveys last month and are quickly working through the fun task of data entry. Overall, the 2022 field season was challenging for most everyone. Bird Conservancy and implementation partners struggled to fill field crews at the start of the season and several technicians left before the end of the season. The weather was also challenging in the Plains and Montana, in addition to flooding in Yellowstone and forest fires in the Southwest. Despite these challenges, field crews were able to complete most of their sampling effort across the program. Thanks to all of the crew leaders, technicians, and others who helped complete surveys this year--we couldn't do it without you!!

Check out a some photos and highlights below from across the IMBCR field season:

During the Southern Great Plains training at Wichita Mountains National Wildlife Refuge, Oklahoma, everyone was excited to see black-capped vireos (a lifer for several technicians). During the Southwest training in Camp Verde, Arizona, technicians were treated to great looks at regional specialties Scott's oriole and Costa's hummingbird feeding on flowering ocotillo. Lucy's warbler, bridled titmouse, and common black hawk were seen daily in the large sycamore grove at the crew's campground. From Jose Martinez, a technician on the Southwest crew: "One of the most difficult jobs I had in my life, yet so rewarding. I learned so many new skills, and experiences that will stay with me for the rest of my life. I got to see 22 new species for the first time, and got to see all kinds of new and exciting animals and plants. In addition, I got to meet my amazing co-workers who were witty, smart, brave, caring and kind. An experience of a lifetime that I know has changed my life somehow, but cannot quite pinpoint exactly what it is, but I know it is good! "

Logan Kahle and Nick Tepper found Kansas' third state record of hepatic tanager on June 1. Logan also discovered Kansas' second state record of limpkin on June 6 (originally thought to be the first state record, until a sighting just days earlier was publicized). While waiting for weather to clear one morning, Colorado crew leader, Eric DeFonso decided to visit Monte Vista National Wildlife Refuge. Not quite believing his ears, Eric heard the "tick-tick-tick" song of a yellow rail, making him the first person in 100 years to have observed this rare species in Colorado. In the same week, Eric also observed and recorded another rare Colorado bird, Cassia crossbill.

The Caribou-Targhee National Forest partnered with Bird Conservancy almost 10 years ago to monitor bird populations on the National Forest in southeastern Idaho. We knew we needed to monitor bird populations, but didn’t have a sound method or the resources in house to conduct the monitoring. Through our partnership with Bird Conservancy and Intermountain Bird Observatory (IBO) we have been collecting monitoring data across the USFS Intermountain Region (R4) since 2017. This effort includes National Forests in Utah, Nevada, and portions of Wyoming and Idaho. It also provides monitoring information at the Ranger District and project level.

We use the monitoring data in two ways. First, we use it at the project level to analyze the effects of a proposed project on birds. We evaluate what species are using the area and what their abundance and densities are, and then we look at how birds may be impacted by the proposed action. Finally, we examine ways to minimize or eliminate impacts to birds by modifying the proposed action or developing best management practices for the project. The second way we use the monitoring data is to look at population trends of birds across the Forest over time to understand how forest-wide actions may be impacting bird populations. We look forward to continuing this work with Bird Conservancy and IBO to promote and protect birds on National Forest lands.

Listen to a presentation from Chris on using IMBCR data to determine population impacts for an aspen regeneration project here. Contact Jen if you have an upcoming project and would like to use IMBCR estimates to determine potential project impacts on migratory birds.

Do you have questions about minimum sampling effort for an existing stratum to detect population trends? How about determining the necessary sample size to evaluate management effects for a new overlay project? Sign up for an informal webinar with biometrician Quresh Latif to go over his recent sample size power simulations for IMBCR. Contact Jen if interested.

We developed the IMBCR Communication Strategy as a guide for IMBCR partners who wish to communicate to current and potential data users the value of the program, how to use estimates for management and conservation decisions, and how to get involved in the program. The strategy contains several sections to help partners convey a consistent message about the IMBCR program, including why we monitor bird populations, features that set IMBCR apart from other monitoring programs, identifying your target audience, real-world data applications, and various pathways to communicate your message.

Please let Jen know if you have any questions or feedback on the comms plan!

Check out the IMBCR Applications webpage for IMBCR-related resources. You can access publications, annual reports & field protocols, trend estimates, past IMBCR meeting notes, and factsheets, such as IMBCR FAQs.

We have an IMBCR Story Map! Eric Chabot created it to provide a fun and interactive way to learn about the IMBCR program including its objectives, the sampling design, field methods, and how the results are used to inform management and conservation decisions. You can pan in and out of the IMBCR footprint to view various strata within each state. Please share the Story Map with anyone who might be interested in learning about the program!

Contact Jen Timmer (jennifer.timmer@birdconservancy.org) with questions, example applications of IMBCR data, pictures, or any other contributing material for future IMBCR e-newsletters.