in Idaho Progress and Prospects Charles Swift chaetura@gmail.com

(www.eBird.org) Gather Internet-based citizen-science program Tool for gathering observational data Tool for maintaining personal records Archive Persistent archive of bird observations Gathers baseline and ongoing data on bird distribution and abundance brief overview of eBird, much more information/tutorials on web site, check it out, submit sample checklists (can be deleted, etc.) ** especially check out eBird mobile apps for Android and iOS to collect eBird in the field ** provides tools for birders & way to make their data useful ** Disseminate Public tool for data visualization AKN, conduit for observational data

Idaho eBird participation Year Users % increase Checklists 2006 117 1729   2007 124 6% 3845 122% 2008 164 32% 2582 -33% 2009 264 61% 4388 70% 2010 366 39% 7352 68% 2011 387 8727 19% 2012 583 51% 13309 53% 2013 867 49% 19747 48% 2014 1034 24521 24% fairly rapid adoption and growth since ~2009 coverage bias -> population centers/popular birding locales social media (esp. Facebook) has facilitated eBird growth in Idaho *** emphasize importance of social media in getting the word out, identifying “unconnected” birders, connecting to folks in rural parts (note – there is no statewide ornithological society or umbrella Audubon group as in many other state)

Data Review & Hotspot Maintenance initially 3 statewide reviewers & 1 hotspot editor (2006) 10 volunteer reviewers across Idaho (some coordination/recruitment efforts) 2 volunteer hotspot editors eBird is completely volunteer run in Idaho

How does eBird support IBCP mission?? Year Users % increase Checklists 2006 117 1729   2007 124 6% 3845 122% 2008 164 32% 2582 -33% 2009 264 61% 4388 70% 2010 366 39% 7352 68% 2011 387 8727 19% 2012 583 51% 13309 53% 2013 867 49% 19747 48% 2014 1034 24521 24% provides state-wide, real-time, verified, bird distribution and abundance data provides a mechanism to direct and support birder activities toward IBCP conservation priorities and goals provides the potential to engage the birding community on a variety of shared bird conservation issues

how can IBCP support eBird ?? use and promote eBird (especially those involved in outreach) help identify funding sources/organization for statewide coordinator provide expert guidance on focal species/areas/projects use and highlight eBird data in reports, projects, etc.

how can IBCP utilize eBird data ?? Incorporate data into existing databases (IDFG etc.) Mine eBird data for species of interest (eBird or AKN tools) Develop new tools using state-level eBird data Incorporate eBird data into reports/projects

some ideas for expanding eBird ... eBird portal(eBird Northwest or other) Idaho eBird branded Facebook page focal areas/species of interest/breeding birds co-organized eBird “blitzes” master naturalist program involvement eBird classes in-person or web-based here are some ideas but I’m interested in other suggestion, eBird needs institutional support to expand in the state, some room to expand through volunteer efforts

questions and discussion .... ?? feel free to contact me - Charles Swift: chaetura@gmail.com

eBird Northwest Portal goals (1) expand participation in eBird and citizen science efforts that can support conservation through informed natural resource management (2) engage the birding community, (3) provide a news and information service that enhances recreational wildlife viewing and links such recreation with science‐based conservation efforts (4) increase the coverage and availability of citizen science data for conservation and education purposes. 

When you report a bird that is considered rare or unusual, you are prompted to ‘Confirm’ the record.

Each species reported has an open text ‘comments’ box used for supporting documentation and notes. You can also add details of age/sex, and add breeding information for each species on your checklist. General checklist comments such as weather information or bird companions can be added in the next step.

Sage Grouse

eBird—Building the eBird Community Birding news and features Top fives Links to regional projects Discussion board Resources The eBird home page is a gateway to the latest information about eBird, interesting birding news, eBird statistics and the eBird data tools. Across the top you’ll find main tabs for “submitting data”, “exploring the database” and for reviewing your personal records and stats at “My eBird”

eBird Data Visualizations In addition to the My eBird tab, which lets you explore your own personal birding history, eBird has a series of output tools designed to provide useful information to birders. Some of the tools here include species maps, bar charts showing bird frequency for states, counties, and specific locations, tables of species arrivals and departures by location, record early and late dates, high counts, and the top100 birders in a region.