Dear Virginia Birders,
The National Audubon Society recently announced the identification of 7
new Important Bird Areas (IBAs). One of these, the Culpeper Basin IBA,
is located in the Northern Virginia Piedmont in Prince William,
Fauquier, Culpeper and Orange Counties. This area qualified based on
its exceptional value to a variety of grassland and shrubland birds such
as the Barn Owl, Loggerhead Shrike, Grasshopper Sparrow, Meadowlark, and
Field Sparrow. However, little systematic data have been collected
within this IBA and the status of these communities remains largely
unknown.
Audubon is looking for good birders with an ear for grassland birds to
conduct systematic bird surveys in these areas this spring (late
May-late June). Surveys will be conducted along roadsides and will use
a standard 'point count' protocol that is very similar to the BBS survey
protocol. You may choose one or several routes to survey and Audubon
will reimburse you for any travel expenses incurred. =20
We will use this information to better assess the health of the bird
populations in the area and to aid in creating conservation plans for
the IBA. The only requirements are a good set of eyes and ears and a
willingness to learn the survey protocol.
If you are interested, please reply to me offline. Routes have not been
set at this time but you can request a particular county of interest.
Good birding!
Aimee =20
__________________________________
Aimee Weldon
Virginia Important Bird Areas Coordinator
National Audubon Society
530 E Main Street
Suite 810
Richmond, VA 23219
Phone: 804-370-3528
www.audubon.org
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