[SBB] Please Join us for the 2007 Burrowing Owl Census

Please Join us for the 2007 Burrowing Owl Census--May 15-July 15. Most of you probably know that protecting the Burrowing Owl has proved to be difficult. Again this year, the Institute for Bird Populations (IBP) continues its state-wide, volunteer-based survey to assess Burrowing Owl distribution and abundance throughout the entire breeding range of the species in California. In order to do this they need the help of volunteers to provide regional and statewide population estimates. The information collected should be an important resource for Burrowing Owl conservation efforts in California.
IPM has divided California range into 11 geographic regions, and then subdivided each region into 5-km by 5-km census blocks. IPM selects a random sample of blocks within each region, and then augment the sample with blocks that contain known previous Burrowing Owls breeding sites. Last year many of you helped with the survey and we need you and your friends again this year to check 32 more local blocks24 of which supported owls in past years.
Each volunteer will identify all patches if suitable habitat--open fields with short grass--within the block, and thoroughly search those patches for Burrowing Owls when the owls are most active--between dawn and 10 am or between 4 p.m. and dusk. Some blocks need to be searched several times to achieve this goal.
Surveyors will plot the locations of any owls on their maps, count all owls seen (identified to age and sex, if possible), estimate of the number of breeding pairs, and standardized habitat information. Prior to the field season, all volunteers will receive detailed instructions, an opportunity to attend a training session with IBP personnel, and a local field trip with Ruth Troetschler, your local coordinator.
At the end of the season researchers at IBP will consolidate and analyze the data for the entire 2 year census, and disseminate results as widely as possible. SCVAS will do the same for our local data. By incorporating survey results to state policymakers, IBP and all the volunteers who make this survey possible can contribute greatly to the development of an informed, up-to-date statewide conservation plan that we hope will safeguard breeding populations of Burrowing Owls throughout California.
We need you. The statewide Burrowing Owl survey provides a rare opportunity for individuals or organizations to make an important contribution to science and conservation. Whether you are a professional biologist, a seasoned birder, or simply a Burrowing Owl admirer, we urgently need your participation in one or more of the following ways: The 2007 Burrowing Owl survey season is quickly approaching! The survey window in Central and Northern California begins May 15 and goes through July 15. With over 550 blocks to survey across the state32 in Santa Clara, San Mateo, and San Benito countiesthere is plenty of work to be done. If you can work farther afield, Merced, Mono, Monterey, Stanislaus, Kern, Kings, Tulare counties need more help. ***