1. in Idaho
Progress and Prospects
Charles Swift

2. (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

3. 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)

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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.

7. 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

8. 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

9. questions and discussion .... ??
feel free to contact me -
Charles Swift:

10. 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. 

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

12. 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.

13. Sage Grouse

14. 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”

15. 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.