To all Experienced Birders,

My name is Aaron Haines and I am a researcher for the Center for Conservation Research & Technology (CCRT) based at the University of Maryland Baltimore County (UMBC). Our center is currently teaming up with the Baltimore Ecosystem Study (BES) team to conduct an urban birdscape project for the city of Baltimore. We are looking for volunteers to help survey birds for this project.

What is the Urban Birdscape Project?

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The birdscape project is analogous to a breeding bird survey, it is conducted during the month of June where specific points within the city of Baltimore are surveyed for every bird seen and heard, with a special emphasis on Neotropical migrant birds. Survey points are determined by laying a 500-meter by 500-meter grid on top of the whole city of Baltimore within a GIS program. A survey point is located where each grid line intersects with a total number of 823 survey points.

Due to the huge number of survey points, we need volunteers who are able to identify local area birds by sight and sound, especially Neotropical migrants. Beginning birders could partner up with more experienced birders to become more familiar with the avian residents within their community.

If anyone is interested in this project and would like to be sent more information please send me an e-mail at haines@umbc.edu. I can also be contacted by phone at 410-455-8040 and fax 410-455-8041. Thanks for your time in reading this e-mail; I am eager to hear from interested individuals. Take care and good birding to all, Aaron Haines.