A citywide breeding bird survey for Washington, D.C.

This study was initiated by the Audubon Naturalist Society (ANS) of the Central Atlantic States as a way to promote the educational, recreational, and scientific values of conducting a citywide survey of breeding bird species. Its objective was to document the bird species occurring throughout Washington, D.C. during the 1993 breeding season. This was accomplished through a coordinated planning effort and partnership between ANS, the National Park Service, and the National Biological Service, that engaged the participation of more than 100 skilled volunteers. A method for rapidly assessing the status of bird populations over a large area was developed and incorporated into a Geographic Information System (GIS) to allow a multidimensional analysis of species presence and abundance across a variety of urban land use areas. This approach produced a prototypical monitoring program for urban bird populations that will be repeated in the future. The resulting information will be used to characterize the suitability of urban areas for different species or groups (guilds) of birds, and to promote the values of studying birds.DC Birdscape' was initiated in 1993 to systematically count the birds occurring throughout Washington, D.C. during the breeding season. It involved a coordinated planning effort and partnership between the Audubon Naturalist Society, the National Park Service, and the National Biological Survey, and engagedthe participation of more than 100 volunteers. A method for rapidly assessing the status of bird populations over a large area was developed and incorporated into a Geographic Information System to allow a multidimensional analysis of species presence and abundance across a variety of urban land use areas. A total of 91 species were observed, with an estimated total number of 115, making Washington, D.C. almost as 'bird rich' as nearby suburban counties. Data from the study clearly indicate that avian species are not randomly distributed throughout the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area, and show affinity, at least in part, to some of the most broadly recognized land use patterns that are commonly used to zone and classify urban areas under development schemes. This study represents a prototype that will allow efficient and economical monitoring of urban bird populations