Greetings All:

We have finally put together an online data entry program for the Bird 
Migrations Cards kept at Patuxent (many many Maryland Records).  Over 
100,000 of these 2x5 cards from the 1880's onward are now scanned in and 
you can now make a real contribution (and see some very neat records by 
bird heads dead for over 100 years) by entering data from the scanned 
migration cards.  In any case please consider entering some data for us, 
even a little as we are running out of money for the project and need to 
recruit more and having a good data entry showing will help. Additionally, 
you may also consider getting in touch with Jessica and helping scan in 
cards....we are open Saturdays too!

sam droege
 
Sam Droege   
w 301-497-5840 h 301-390-7759 fax 301-497-5624
USGS Patuxent Wildlife Research Center
BARC-EAST, BLDG 308, RM 124 10300 Balt. Ave., Beltsville, MD  20705
Http://www.pwrc.usgs.gov

"The bird has no definite path to follow."
- Cameroon -







 
February 19, 2009

Greetings!

It?s here!! 
After much anticipation, we are excited to announce the launch of The 
North American Bird Phenology Program (BPP) online data entry system! 
Through this new online program, volunteers from around the world can 
register on the website and begin transcribing historical bird arrival 
records into our online database which were originally scanned in the BPP 
office. 

What is the BPP? 
     The BPP is working to understand the scale of global climate change 
and how it is affecting birds across North America. This is the oldest and 
longest running bird monitoring program in the country, currently housing 
six million records dating back to the early 1880's. The program, started 
in 1880 by Wells W. Cooke, collected bird observations by over 3,000 
citizen scientists and came to an end in 1970, until we revived the 
program during the last year. The records document bird migration arrival 
and departure dates from around North America; an unparalleled and 
untapped resource, but one in which we need your help to modernize.

How can you get involved? 
The BPP relies solely on volunteers to scan images of the migration cards 
and transcribe them into our database. We accept participants from all 
ages and backgrounds. AND you can participate from the comfort of your own 
home! We need your help!

·     Online participants must register online at 
www.pwrc.usgs.gov/bpp/BecomeAParticipant.cfm. There you can learn more 
about the transcription process and register to become a transcriber. 
After you register, you will receive a confirmation email which will then 
take you through a 15 minute training video and back to the website to 
begin transcription. 
·     Also, If you are in the Baltimore-Washington area and would like to 
help the crew of volunteers in the BPP office to help with scanning and 
working with the historic files we welcome you to come and take part in 
this program.  We even have Saturday hours!

Individuals, families, and small groups are welcome to help so if you are 
interested in helping discover how spring and fall arrival times of birds 
have changed since the 1880's, and I hope you are, please visit us at 
www.pwrc.usgs.gov/bpp/  or call (301) 487-5745. 

           Sincerely, 

           Jessica Zelt 
 
BARC-East, Bldg 308
10300 Baltimore Avenue
Beltsville, MD 20705
Jessica Zelt
BPP Program Coordinator
USGS
Patuxent Wildlife Research Center
Phone: (301) 497-5745
Fax: (301) 497-5624
E-mail: