National Aviary Seeks Volunteers to
Count Birds in Pittsburgh Parks

Ornithologists from the Department of Conservation and Field Research at the National Aviary are planning to study breeding bird use of parks and other green spaces in the city of Pittsburgh. Our interest is in how the amount of green space may contribute to breeding bird abundance and distribution. Pittsburgh is a particularly attractive place for this study because of the large number of parks of all sizes, and especially the presence of a number of very large parks. Our plan is to conduct 10-minute, 50 meter radius point counts at randomly selected plots in parks of all sizes across the city. All counts should be completed in the morning hours before 11 AM. We will then analyze the data with respect to vegetation and land use at various scales.

Three Rivers Bird Club members and other volunteers who are comfortable identifying most commonly occurring breeding birds by sight, song, and call are wanted to participate in this study. We will begin counts in late May after most of the migrants have passed through the region and conclude in late June. Point counters will receive relatively simple data sheets to record their observations of birds, as well as information on local vegetation in the point count circle. Participants could choose to cover points in parks near their homes or be available for assignment throughout the city. Depending on the number of volunteers we find, some points may be counted multiple times. I can train folks in using the data sheets if need be, but counters should already be comfortable identifying by sight and especially by song or call, most of the breeding birds of the region.

Interested volunteers may contact me by email (best) or phone. Please let me know if you have any questions or comments.
Steven C. Latta, PhD
Assistant Director, Dept. of Conservation and Field Research
National Aviary
Allegheny Commons West
Pittsburgh, PA 15212

steven.latta@aviary.org
Tel. 412-323-7235 ext. 288