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What is a point count?
A point count is one way of gathering data on the number and types of birds (or other organisms) found within specific distances from a specified point within a specified period of time. For the Audubon Important Bird Area Project, all the birds seen or heard within a 25 meter radius, a 25-50 meter radius, and at a distance of greater than 50 meters are recorded for 10 minutes, with the end of the first 3 minutes and 5 minutes of the recording session noted.

Why conduct point counts?
Using point counts is a standardized means of obtaining data about the birds in a particular region. The standardized method makes it possible to compare bird populations in our area with populations in other areas of the state, which helps to identify bird species of special conservation concern. Conducting point counts in an area may support Audubon North Carolina’s designating this area as an Important Bird Area. It also provides a quantitative way to judge how populations are doing over longer time intervals.

How are the points for the count selected?
After meeting with Curtis Smalling, the Audubon NC mountain area biologist, the IBA project coordinators selected a set of points that are fairly evenly distributed throughout and representative of the habitats within the region for study. Points must be accessible to observers; the target number of points is 1 point per 4 square kilometers (for larger IBAs) to 1 per square kilometer (for smaller IBAs). The goal for river systems is to have 1 point for each mile of the river segment that we are monitoring. Points can be as close as one every 250 meters in a smaller area like a state park unit.

How is a point count conducted?
You will go to the points in the study area that are assigned to your team of two or three volunteers. At each point,

Fill out the descriptive information on your recording form—IBA or park name, Point Number (these will be provided), Date, Road Name, Observer, Time, Temperature, Wind (use the Beaufort Scale provided below), and Skies (e.g. clear, partly cloudy).

Locate a landmark that is 25 meters (82 feet) from your counting point by pacing out, measuring, or estimating the distance.

If two volunteers are counting, stand back to back so you are hearing sounds from different directions. Or you may wish to have one person watch and listen while a second person records what the primary observer is reporting.

After waiting at least one minute for the birds to settle down, begin timing and record all the birds that you see or hear.

Data may be recorded on a Bullseye Data Form or Bird Census Sheet.

Use the NC IBA Surveys Alpha Codes for quick 4-letter abbreviations of bird names.

Indicate the time period within which birds were observed or heard: 3, 5, and 10 minutes. You can do this on the Bird Census Sheet by using a slash mark after the last bird counted in each time period. For the Bullseye Data Form, use 3 different colors of ink for the time periods (be sure to make a key for your color codes and use them consistently).

Indicate the approximate distance of the birds you see or hear: within 25 meters, 25 – 50 meters, or more than 50 meters. Use the columns on the Bird Census Sheet to indicate distance. If you are using the Bullseye Data Form, consider yourself as being at the center of the bullseye and write the names of the species in the appropriate location on the bullseye—e.g., straight in front of you is directly above the center of the bullseye, and behind you is below the center of the bullseye.

Use the forms to record other information of note: flyovers, evidence of nesting, and other comments, such as predators in the area or unusual noises.

When your point counts are completed, it is helpful if you transcribe data from the Bullseye forms to Bird Census sheets.

Return all completed point count forms to the Audubon North Carolina IBA Project Coordinator.

When are point counts conducted?

• All breeding season point counts should be completed between sunrise and 10:00 a.m. during the period from May 10th to June 30th.
• It is best to conduct point counts at least twice during breeding season (on different days) during the first year of the count.
• Migration or winter counts may be conducted at any time; use military time (e.g. 6:00 p.m. = 1800) to log start times.

How do I record. . . .?

• Birds that fly over the point count circle without taking off from or landing within it: count these as flyovers with no attempt at distance measurement.
• Evidence of nesting: this includes adults engaged in nest building, sitting on nest, feeding juveniles, and carrying food or fecal sacks.
• The same species seen or heard in more than one location in the count circle: Are they two different birds? Unless you see or hear two distinct individuals, err on the side of caution and count two instances of the same species as one bird.
• Wind speed: Use the Beaufort scale. Acceptable levels are from 0 – 5 with the following subjective criteria:
  0 Smoke rises vertically
  1 Wind direction shown by smoke drift
  2 Wind felt on face; leaves rustle
  3 Leaves and small twigs in constant motion; light flag extended
  4 Raises dust and loose paper; small branches moved
  5 Small trees in motion
• Don’t count when the wind is heavy or when it is raining

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