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 Welcome BFL ParticipantsThank you for taking part in the Birds in Forested Landscapes (BFL) research project. The data you collect will help to answer important scientific questions that can only be addressed through the collective efforts of thousands of volunteer birders like you. To assure the highest level of accuracy in your data collection, please carefully review the Project Summary and all instructions on this web site before you begin the study. BFL is a relatively simple and straightforward project, so don't be intimidated by the length of these instructions. We have tried to make them as thorough as possible, and to anticipate as many questions about the methodology as we could (see FAQ ). Complete instructions for participating are only available on this web site. They are organized by chapters, which are found under tabs at the top of the page. The best way to print these chapters is by opening the pdf documents located on the Print BFL Manual page under the Quick Links section. The BFL staff will mail you a CD with study species vocalizations for field use, an acetate grid overlay, and 2 nest record cards. To begin, you will need good maps of your study area, binoculars, and a portable CD player to broadcast the recordings of your study species. If you prefer to use a cassette player, you may copy portions of the BFL CD onto cassette. Next read the Project Summary for an overview of BFL and then begin in the General Instructions section. Move through each tab at the top of the page from left to right after navigating through the sidebar pages, as if you were reading a book. Once you've completed your field work, please enter your data on-line under the Data Entry tab and send your Field Forms and maps to Cornell. If you can not enter data on-line, the BFL staff will enter them for you from your hard copies. Be sure to attach the correct amount of postage, and try to return this package by September 15. For a mailing address visit the Contact Staff page. If you have questions, we encourage you to contact us or a BFL Site Coordinator. The site coordinator list includes land managers, wildlife biologists, naturalists, and others who are willing to assist BFL participants in each state and province. The type of assistance available will vary with each agency, group, or individual on the list. These people may be able to help you with site selection, access to land, assessing habitat characteristics, or locating aerial photographs and maps within your immediate area. Phone numbers and email addresses for BFL staff are listed on the Contact Staff page. OPTIONAL Acid Rain Study Protocol: In 2002, we started collecting additional data to help establish the link between species' population declines and environmental factors such as acid rain, unraveling the link between Wood Thrush declines and calcium availability. If you choose to participate, consider this Acid Rain Study to be one additional step to the regular BFL protocol. It requires an extra visit to BFL sites; you select as many or as few sites as you wish to include anywhere throughout North America . You will measure the abundance of calcium-rich prey items at your study site and complete a simple Field Form. For more information, read the Acid Rain Study Instructions section. We strongly urge you to try the Acid Rain Study at some of your sites. By studying additional threats to forest birds, we will be able to make better informed conservation recommendations. You have the potential to contribute significantly to one of the largest forest fragmentation studies in North America . With your data, we plan to continue producing forest management guidelines which will be available to landowners, land managers, and anyone else who has interest in conserving forest birds. To make this happen, we need your help and your data. Good luck and have fun in the field! The BFL Staff BFL Project Summary |
