BCN Breeding Bird Monitoring

Bird Conservation Network (BCN), founded in 1998, is a coalition of 20 organizations (bird clubs, Audubon chapters, ornithological societies, and conservation organizations) sharing an interest in the conservation of birds in the Chicagoland area.  Using scientific protocols, BCN volunteers monitor bird populations throughout the Chicago region during the breeding season and throughout the year. This data helps land managers improve habitat, helps researchers prioritize species of growing concern, and is a valuable gauge for the status of our natural areas as well as the success of local and regional restoration projects.  

Every five to ten years a comprehensive analysis of Chicagoland bird trends is completed, which establishes the increase/decrease in bird status and conservation status for each Chicagoland breeding species. This data helps to establish regional, cross-agency actions to support species of concern. The last trends analysis was completed for the years 1999-2020.

In Lake County, we have about forty monitors in the field each June with most monitoring at forest preserve sites and the remainder at select other conservation sites. The monitoring reports are used by land managers to help understand the successes and issues associated with current land management practices. 

Bird monitors with responsibility for a particular site:

• Make two or more visits during June and try to make five or more visits total each year as close to possible to sunrise.

• Recognize Illinois birds by either sight and/or sound. Birding by ear is critical as in most areas a species may be heard but not observed due to thick foliage. By general rule, a birder should have about at least three years of experience with field identification of birds in the Illinois area.
  (Note: the BCN Survey is not a good way for beginning birders to sharpen their skills. Birders who are not confident of their identification skills, but still wish to contribute, can apprentice with a more experienced birder.)

• Input observations either in the Forest Preserve mECO app or the general BCN e-Bird app on their smartphone depending upon the site being monitored. 

Interested in Monitoring?

Contact the Lake County monitor coordinator, C Pavelka, at treasurer@bcnbirds.org or visit the BCN website.